TANAKA Akihiko

Continuing his trip from Mozambique, JICA President Akihiko Tanaka arrived in South Africa in the evening of February 25. South Africa is the fifth country in his Sub-Saharan African trip.

Tanaka exchanged opinions with Angie Motshekga, Minister of Basic Education; Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education and Training; and Lulu Xingwana, Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities. Tanaka also visited a project at the Tshwane University of Technology and held a seminar in Johannesburg for Japanese businesses. The main points covered on this visit are as follows:

1) In his talks with the Minister of Basic Education, he noted that Japanese expertise in science and mathematics education are applicable to issues that South Africa is facing, and mentioned to further promote on-going cooperation.

2) Discussion with the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Tanaka focused on the capacity development of workers for industry in South Africa. In the discussion, both agreed that cooperation should be developed by utilizing Japan's experience, human resources should become available to meet the needs of industry, and cooperation work should be carried out to lower the unemployment rate and provide exchanges of people who will lead the next generations of the country.

In the photo at left, Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande (left) and JICA President Akihito Tanaka shake hands. In the photos in center and at right, Tanaka tours the Tshwane University of Technology.

3) At the Tshwane University of Technology, Tanaka visited a project site where trainees get practical training using vehicle models and learn Japanese "Kaizen^[1]" and "5S^[2]" concepts that have supported the development of manufacturing industry in Japan. In the discussion with representatives from Higher Education and Training and the university, Tanaka said that the training focused on proactive changes and/or proposals at factory level will be a trigger for advancing human resource development for industry.

Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana (left) shakes hands with Tanaka.

4) In the seminar held for Japanese businesses regarding South Africa as a base for their business activities in Africa, Tanaka delivered a presentation on JICA's cooperation strategies for each region of Africa given that TICAD V (the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development)^[3] will soon be held. During the discussion session, some participants shared the difficulties facing in their activities in Africa, and some expressed their expectations for JICA's contribution.

5) Discussion with the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities, Tanaka emphasized the importance of cooperation activities for persons with disabilities and women for "Inclusive Development" that is also being promoted at TICAD V. Tanaka mentioned that JICA would explore possibilities of cooperation on both fronts as well.

On February 26, Tanaka held talks with Dr. Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of NEPAD (the New Partnership for Africa's Development)^[4], on inclusive and sustainable development in Africa toward TICAD V. Tanaka also exchanged opinions, with Chairman Jabu Moleketi and CEO Patrick Dlamini of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), on capacity development for development finance institutions that will lead the next generations in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and on how cooperation should be extended for economic corridor development in the region.