Japanese female politician Sanae Takaichi has been confirmed as her country’s Prime Minister. As leader of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) which won the lion’s share of 237 out of 465 seats in the lower house of the National Diet, the Japanese Legislature, she is the first woman to hold the country’s highest office. However, Takaichi’s administration has to now enter into a coalition with lesser parties, (the Ishin and Komeito) to maintain an outright majority. South Africa has long had cordial relations in terms of business and diplomacy with Japan. The Toyota Automobile company based in Japan is known for the manufacture of its vehicles in South Africa.
Takaichi for her part will wish to maintain her country’s good relations with South Africa and the rest of Africa.
Former Ishin leader Noboyuki Baba described their party in 2023 as “the second LDP” —and there are some similarities between their policies. The party, which was formed in 2010, shares Takaichi’s hardline approach to national security and immigration, in contrast with Komeito’s more pacifist restraint. The LDP and Ishin also both support an increase in the country’s defense spending and revisions to the Japanese constitution to allow the maintenance of military forces. Takaichi told reporters Monday that both parties share “many common views” and are “essentially heading in the same direction.” But the coalition’s stability is another question. Ishin, unlike Komeito, is not taking any ministerial seats in Takaichi’s cabinet, at least for now.
Jeff Kingston, a professor of Asian studies at Temple University’s Tokyo campus, tells TIME that this means “if things don’t work out the way Ishin hopes, then they can walk away.”
It should be clear from the above extract that Takaichi, her LD Party and her coalition allies, especially Ishin Party, want to revive the prestige and legal purpose of Japan’s military forces. This would be especially true of their navy. Japan has always wished to compete for global as well as regional influence not just in the Asia-Pacific region, but have even turned to Africa. The African continent is a treasure trove of resources and economic potential and South Africa is the access point. Tokyo will wish to continue to have business relations with South Africa given the country’s strategic position. The relationship between Pretoria and Tokyo will remain positive even if Takaichi’s administration were to be dissolved due to lack of support.
As President Cyril Ramaphosa visits fellow BRICS nation Indonesia also in the Asia-Pacific region, it will be interesting to see how South African diplomatic relationships transcend.
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – The President of South Africa, Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, arrived at the Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base in Jakarta on Wednesday morning, October 22, 2025. President Ramaphosa’s visit is centered on a state meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. Ramaphosa’s aircraft touched down at Halim at around 07:40 a.m. local time. According to the official statement from the Presidential Palace, President Ramaphosa’s arrival marks the beginning of his state visit to Indonesia to strengthen the strategic cooperation between the two nations in various fields. At Halim Perdanakusuma, President Ramaphosa was welcomed by Trade Minister Budi Santoso. Also present were South Africa’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Mpetjane Kgaogelo Lekgoro, Indonesia’s Ambassador to South Africa, Saud Purwanto Krisnawan, and the Commander of Halim Perdanakusuma Air Base, First Marshal Erwin Sugiandi.
From the Presidential Secretariat’s YouTube channel, Ramaphosa was greeted by a line of honor guards standing along the arrival route. The welcoming ceremony was further amplified by music accompaniment and the synchronized firing of honor cannons.
The President is looking to strengthen closer ties with BRICS Plus nations across the spectrum of the developing world. New Paths are being chartered in an unpredictable world spawned by the trade war policies of United States President Donald J. Trump. Ramaphosa wants to keep South Africa’s options for friends open particularly in terms of the BRICS Plus nations. Japan may not be a member of BRICS Plus nations but it has extensive relations with these nations. These were strengthened when Washington closed its doors to most of the world in Trump’s trade wars. Trade tariffs do not result in the creation of friends, allies or trade partners. All nations are out looking for allies to form new trade relationships with. This is why Ramaphosa is in Indonesia meeting with senior ministers whose departments are focused on the economic sphere.
Forging new friendships in a challenging and evolving world with the creation of new leaderships needs to be harnessed by South Africa. When the protocols, ceremonies and official confirmations and appointments have been observed it is the day-to-day understanding, negotiations and drafts creation that determine history. There may come a time when Ramaphosa and Takaichi meet.
Article written by:
Yacoob Cassim
Journalist at Radio Al Ansaar
