*Photo: https://www.springboks.rugby/sa-teams-players/springbok-sevens/

An UPDATE as broadcast on Kagoshima TV can be watched and read HERE.

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In the build-up to the Blitzboks’ participation in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Kagoshima City will host the South African sevens squad for a pre-tournament camp from 14 to 23 July. The squad will then travel to the Olympic Village in Tokyo to join up with Team South Africa. 

The Rugby Sevens tournament is scheduled to take place in the Tokyo Stadium from 26 to 28 July.

More on the pre-tournament camp can be read HERE.

MIPRO, Manufactured Imports and Investment Promotion Organization, are hosting an online startup seminar with experience-based advice on the 17th of February 2021.

Details for the webinar are as follows:

Location: Online

Date and time: Wednesday, February 17th at 14h00 - 15h30 (JST)

Format:

Session 1: “Tips for Startup Planning & Public Support”

Mr. Yoshiki Muro, SME Management Consultant

https://teamlesotho.com/en/home

Session 2: “Building a business you love in Japan: Lessons from the trenches”

Ms. Lina Boudier, Founder of Center for International Careers

https://www.cfic.co.jp/

Audience: We welcome everyone who is interested in starting business in Japan.

Language: The webinar will be conducted in English.

Registration: https://krs.bz/mipro/m/config-id-investment20210217?e_3227=1&e_3238=1

*photo: https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/sa-covid-19-vaccine-when-gauteng-health-department-tuesday-26-january/

On the 1^st of February 2021, a consignment of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine arrived in South Africa.  The vaccination campaign is expected to start from mid-February once all regulatory and quality assurance processes have been completed.

A further 3 million doses are expected to arrive in South Africa before July 2021.

More information on the inoculation process can be read here.

Update as reported on the 8th of February:

The AstraZeneca vaccination campaign has been halted due to low efficacy results against the Covid-19 variant first discovered in South Africa.  The South African government are now considering vaccinating health workers with the Johnson & Johnson or the Pfizer vaccine.

More information on the changes in the vaccination campaign can be read here. 

*photo: https://ewn.co.za/2021/01/12/sa-made-medical-device-expected-to-ease-provision-of-oxygen-therapy-to-covid-19-patients

OxERA, Oxygen-Efficient Respiratory Aid, a health product enhancing the current standard oxygen therapy via face masks.  A simple, efficient, portable and cost-effective device that delivers consistently high levels of oxygen to COVID-19 patients, has been invented by a group of volunteers comprising of doctors, engineers and entrepreneurs based in East London, South Africa.

More information on this approved Health Product can be read here.

*photo: https://africa-eu-partnership.org/en/afcfta

With the start of the new year, came the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA, presenting enormous business opportunities for the Pan-African Private Sector, SMEs, Women and Youths.

54 out of the 55 African Union Member States have signed and 31 of those States have ratified the agreement thus far.

Dr. Amany Asfour, Interim Chair Person of the African Business Council stated, “The AfCFTA gives us an opportunity to drive our agenda.  For many years, the African business community has been individualistic in driving the continent’s agenda.  It is an opportunity for us as the African Business Council to come together and support the implementation of the AfCFTA.  We are a united voice, and we can do this together”.

More information on the AfCFTA can be read here.

In November 2020, the Japan Platform for Migrant Workers toward Responsible and Inclusive Society, JP-MIRAI, was launched by JICA and the ASSC.  The platform aims to resolve labour and social issues faced by migrant workers in Japan with the intention of presenting Japan as a trusted and chosen destination for global job-seekers. 

More information about the establishment and goals of the platform can be read here.

In the 20th edition of the Min-On's Music Journey, you will be taken on a journey across The Republic of South Africa.

Min-On explores the charm, the wonders of its nature, culture, music, the cities and the South African Bush.

The journey is ended off with the music of Beauty, Love, Global and Homegrown talent that South Africa has to offer in the form of four recommendations put forward by the SA Embassy in Japan:

1.     Ubuhle (Beauty) by 047 from the Eastern Cape.

2.     Tornado: I Still Love It by Amawele Ka Mamtshawe, a group of cousins of the same age.

3.     The Grammy Award winning group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

4.     A display of the ever-present talent in the local communities embodied in The House of Grace.

Read more about the journey in English or in Japanese.

*photo: https://www.mofa.go.jp/afr/af2/za/page1e_000296.html

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) reported a successful visit by Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi.  Mr Motegi said in his talks with Dr. Naledi Pandor, South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation, that Japanese companies have resumed full-fledged operations in South Africa following a suspension due to the pandemic.

Minister Motegi said that he and Minister Pandor held very fruitful exchanges of views and that he hoped to deepen the cooperation leading up to TICAD8, in Tunisa 2022, to promote business relations and people-to-people exchanges with South Africa, and to cooperate to achieve a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Further details of the visit can be found at MOFA and the Japan Times.

*photo: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20201204/p2g/00m/0na/089000c

As reported in Japan Today, the Japanese Foreign Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, plans to visit Tunisia, Mozambique, South Africa and Mauritius this week to discuss strengthening post-coronavirus business ties.

The Foreign Minister's trip will commence on December 8th and last until December 14th.

More information can be read here.

The South Africa Investment Conference 2020 was held on the 17th and 18th of November.  The conference was hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa and Online.  A number of companies across various sectors and originating from multiple nations, including Japan, have pledged toward this Investment Drive.  More information on this conference can be accessed at .

The opening address by the President of South Africa can be viewed here.

The full event including the investment announcements can be viewed here.