South Africa-Japan Science and Technology Relations

South Africa and Japan
10 Years of Science and Technology Relations

FOREWORD
I welcome the signing of the Science and Technology Co-operation

Agreement between the South African and Japanese Government on 28
August 2003. This agreement places South Africa as the only African country
with fully-fledged science and technology co-operation agreement with Japan
and has paved a way for further collaboration between the two countries.
The establishment of the Science Forum in May 2004, for example,

demonstrates the commitment of both countries in identifying and promoting
collaboration in specific areas of science and technology. The secondment of
Mr Yoshinari Akeno as a Science and Technology Advisor to the Department
of Science and Technology in South Africa confirms the commitment of the
Japanese Government to strengthen scientific and technological collaboration
with South Africa. In order to mirror this appointment and ensure strategic
management of the science and technology agreement, the South African
Government appointed Mr Vuyani Lingela as a Science and Technology
Representative to Japan.
Notwithstanding these successful interventions, other areas of mutual benefit

in science and technology need to be addressed, including:
 Advanced manufacturing applying Computer-Aided Design and

Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Rapid Prototyping to
benefit industries in both countries.
 Co-operation in research on new materials. South Africa remains the
world’s leading producer of platinum, a metal used by the autocatalyst
industry. Japanese companies on the other hand continue to lead in
the development of micro fuel cells using platinum electrode catalysts.
 Co-operation in the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) to support
both countries to meet the emission reduction targets agreed to under
the Kyoto Protocol, as well as the Millennium Development Goals.
 Enhancing the exchange of postgraduate students, researchers and
teaching positions between universities and research institutions in
both countries.
In collaboration with both the South African and Japanese Government, I will
continue working towards increased co-operation in science and technology
between the two countries.
Dr B Ngubane
Ambassador of South Africa
September 2004
Table of contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY........................................................................................... 5
1. Introduction ......................................................................................................... 7
2. South Africa-Japan Partnership Forum ............................................................. 7
2.1 The 1st Partnership Forum ............................................................................... 8
2.2 The 2nd Partnership Forum .............................................................................. 8
2.3 The 3rd Partnership Forum............................................................................... 8
2.4 The 4th Partnership Forum............................................................................... 8
2.5 The 5th Partnership Forum............................................................................... 9
2.6 The 6th Partnership Forum............................................................................. 10
3. Science and Technology Co-operation............................................................ 10
3.1 Inter-governmental collaboration ................................................................... 10

3.1.1 Department of Science and Technology ................................................. 10
3.1.2 Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) .................................... 11
3.2 Inter-institutional collaboration ....................................................................... 12

3.2.1 National Institute for Material Science (NIMS)......................................... 12
3.2.2 South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) ................................... 13
3.2.3 Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomical Observatory (HartRAO) ................. 14
3.2.4 iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Science (iThemba LABS) .... 14
3.2.5 South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI).......................... 14
3.2.6 Council for Geoscience........................................................................... 14
3.3 Inter-university collaboration.......................................................................... 14

3.3.1 University of Witwatersrand .................................................................... 14
3.3.2 University of Cape Town......................................................................... 14
3.3.3 University of KwaZulu-Natal.................................................................... 15
3.3.4 University of Pretoria............................................................................... 15
4. Science and Technology Agreement ............................................................... 15
4.1 The role of The Presidency............................................................................ 15
South Africa and Japan: science and technology 2

4.2 Japanese Science and Technology Advisor .................................................. 16
4.3 South African Science and Technology Representative ................................ 17
5. The 1st South Africa-Japan Science Forum ..................................................... 17
5.1 Biotechnology................................................................................................ 18
5.2 Information and communications technology................................................. 19
5.3 Infectious diseases........................................................................................ 20
5.4 New and advanced materials ........................................................................ 21
5.5 Nanotechnology ............................................................................................ 21
5.6 Human capital development .......................................................................... 22

5.6.1 High performance computing .................................................................. 22
5.6.2 Infectious diseases ................................................................................. 22
5.6.3 New and advanced materials, as well as nanotechnology....................... 23
5.6.4 Exchange of scientists and students ....................................................... 23
6. The 1st Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Co-operation ....... 24
7. Future co-operation in science and technology ............................................. 25
7.1 The 7th Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum.............................................. 25
7.2 The 2005 Aichi World Expo ........................................................................... 25
7.3 The Japan-South Africa S&T Policy Forum ................................................... 25
7.4 Research collaboration.................................................................................. 25
7.5 New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) ..................................... 28
8. Conclusion......................................................................................................... 29

List of abbreviations and acronyms
ARC : Agricultural Research Council

CSIR : Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
CSTP : Council for Science and Technology Policy
DACST : Department of Arts, Culture and Science and Technology
DST : Department of Science and Technology
FABI : Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute
GDP : Gross Domestic Product
HartRAO: Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomical Observatory
HPC : High Performance Computing
ICT : Information and Communication Technology
IT : Information Technology
JICA : Japanese International Co-operation Agency
JSPS : Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
MEXT : Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, science and Technology
MINTEK : Council for Mineral Technology
MRC : Medical Research Council
NACI : National Advisory Council on Innovation
NEPAD : New Partnership for Africa’s Development
NFRI : National Food Research Institute
NIAS : National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences
NII : National Institute of Informatics
NIID : National Institute of Infectious Diseases
NIMS : National Institute of Materials Sciences
NIPR : National Institute for Polar Research
NISTEP : National Institute of Science and Technology Policy
NRF : National Research Foundation
NSI : National System of Innovation
ODA : Official Development Assistance
PlantBio : National Innovation Centre for Plant Biotechnology
R&D : Research and Development
RCAST : Research Centre for Advanced Science and Technology
RIKEN : Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
SAAO : South African Astronomical Observatory
SAAVI : South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative
SADC : Southern African Development Community
SINET : Super Science Information Network
SPII : Support Programme for Industrial Innovation
THRIP : Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme
TICAD : Tokyo International Conference on African Development
Titech : Tokyo Institute of Technology
UCT : University of Cape Town

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Government of South Africa played a significant role in establishing and

fostering bilateral relationship with Japan through the four Partnership Forum
meetings hosted by South Africa (SA) as well as the two Partnership Forum
meetings hosted by Japan since 1999. Bilateral issues discussed in these
meetings include international affairs, trade and investment, economic co-
operation, S&T, and cultural exchanges. It was during the fifth Partnership
Forum meeting in 2002 where the content of the draft S&T agreement was
negotiated by government officials from both countries with a view to
concluding an agreement on S&T collaboration. The S&T Agreement was
finally concluded between SA and Japan during the 6th Partnership Forum
meeting on 28 August 2003 in SA. This Agreement constitutes a framework
for scientific and technological collaboration between Japanese and South
African institutions.
Even then a limited number of South African government departments, higher

education institutions, as well as public and private R&D institutions
established collaboration activities with relevant Japanese S&T institutions
since 1997. These activities included: Policy meetings between MEXT and
DST, as well as public R&D institutions; ODA programmes between JICA and
provincial government departments as well as schools; S&T collaboration
activities between Japanese institutions such as NIMS, NIPR, RIKEN with
South African institutions such as CSIR, MINTEK, Council for Geoscience,
SAAO, HartRAO, iThemba LABS, as well as universities such as University of
Witwatersrand, UCT, University of KwaZulu-Natal and University of Pretoria.
Following the agreement on S&T, the Japanese Government dispatched a

S&T Advisor, Mr Yoshinari Akeno, to SA for a period of two years with effect
from 1 March 2004. He has been appointed to advice on concrete co-
operation between SA and Japan in the process of implementation of the SA-
Japan S&T Co-operation Agreement. The South African Government
appointment Mr Vuyani Lingela as a S&T Representative to Japan for a
period of four years with effect from 1 September 2004. He has been
appointed to facilitate collaboration in S&T between SA and Japan.
With the S&T agreement in place, S&T co-operative activities between SA

and Japan may include:
 Meetings of various forms, such as those of experts, to discuss and

exchange information on scientific and technological aspects of general
or specific subjects and to identify research and development projects
and programmes that may be usefully undertaken on a co-operative
basis.
 Exchange of information on activities, policies, practices, and laws and
regulations concerning scientific and technological research and
development.

 Visits and exchange of scientists, technical personnel, or other exerts
on general or specific subjects.
 Implementation of agreed co-operative projects and programmes
 Other forms of co-operative activities as may be mutually agreed upon.
The first Science Forum meeting between SA and Japan in May 2004
established priorities for co-operation in S&T between SA and Japan. Priority
research areas that were identified include: biotechnology; information and
communication technology; advanced and new materials; nanotechnology;
infectious diseases; and S&T policy studies. The first Joint Committee
meeting between the Government of SA and Government of Japan adopted
these research priority areas as a basis for future co-operation in S&T
between the two countries. In addition to the areas adopted above, the
possibility to include additional areas of co-operation, such as the S&T policy
studies and co-operation between funding agencies was considered.
In the joint Committee Meeting, it was agreed that a Working Group chaired at
the level of Director for Bilateral Co-operation will be established to implement
co-operation in the areas above. The Working Group will meet once a year
and the dates for meetings would be finalised through correspondence. Other
new areas of co-operation will include the 7th SA-Japan Partnership Forum
meeting that will take place in Japan on 30 September to 1 October 2004.
South African delegation consisting of government representatives will
participate in the Partnership Forum meeting. South Africa will also be
participating in the 2005 World Expo to be held in Aichi, Japan on 25 March to
25 September 2005. Several South African Government departments and
other relevant public and private institutions will exhibit in the Expo.
The S&T Policy Forum is proposed to be held as a side event during the Aichi
Wold Expo in Japan in April 2005 to create a platform where Japanese and
South African Government officials and researchers can openly exchange
views and experiences on key S&T issues. The two key outcomes of the
Policy Forum will include: Increased understanding by government officials
and researchers of the reorganization of the Government of Japan to
significantly strengthen its national S&T administrative system; and shared
lessons by both the South African and Japanese Government officials and
researchers on compilation of indicators for scientific research, technological
development and innovation activities to strengthen national innovation
systems.
The common interest in S&T policy between SA and Japan unlocks

opportunities for joint collaboration between researchers in higher education
institutions, as well as other public and private R&D institutions. On the other
hand, the differences characterised by the economic dominance of Japan
combined with the wealth of human capital with high-quality training in maths
and science unlocks opportunities to support South Africa’s S&T as well as
African systems of innovation in general.

1. Introduction
After the release of former President Nelson Mandela from prison, Japan
opened an Embassy in Pretoria in 1992, but fully-fledged diplomatic relations
between South Africa and Japan started only after 1994. President Thabo
Mbeki paid a state visit to Japan at the invitation of the Government of Japan
in October 2001. During this visit, President Mbeki said:
“Japan is for us in Africa, an important and inspiring example of how to overcome

seemingly insurmountable obstacles to become one of the leading economies in
the world. The impressive lesson that is found amongst the Japanese people - the
sheer energy, industry and innovation - has on numerous occasions, helped to build
and rebuild this country from setbacks, including the destructions and ruins of the
Second World War…From the success of this country since the Meiji Restoration,
through the breathtaking advances out of the ruins of the Second World War, I am
confident that Japan has many lessons to offer many of us as we strive to create
conditions that will ensure that all of humanity lives the life fit for humans.”
The Agreement concluded on 28 August 2003 between South Africa and

Japan on co-operation in science and technology (S&T) constitutes a
framework for South African and Japanese S&T institutions to build capacity
and promote S&T co-operation between the two countries as well as the
African continent as a whole. Following this Agreement, the South African
Government appointed Mr Vuyani Lingela as a Science and Technology
Representative to Japan for a period of four years with effect from 1
September 2004. He has been appointed mainly to facilitate collaboration in
S&T between South Africa and Japan.
This report describes inter-governmental, inter-institutional and inter-university

relationships that contributed to the implementation of the agreement on S&T
between South Africa and Japan. Further, it presents modalities for future co-
operation in S&T to increase flows of scientific knowledge and resources to
South Africa through participation in joint programmes with Japan, as well as
facilitating the participation of South Africa as a significant player in the
international S&T arena.
2. South Africa-Japan Partnership Forum
At the invitation of the Government of Japan, the previous South African

Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and Mrs Zanele Mbeki, accompanied by the
Deputy Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Aziz Pahad and senior officials
visited Japan from 7-10 April, 1998. During the course of the visit, the Deputy
President and Mrs Mbeki had an audience with Their Majesties, The Emperor
and Empress of Japan, at the Imperial Palace.
Deputy President Mbeki exchanged a wide range of views of future bilateral

and multilateral relations with then Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, then
Minister for Foreign Affairs Keizo Obuchi, and then Minister of International
Trade and Industry Mitsuo Horiuchi. In order to also expand relations further

in various areas, the Government of South Africa and Japan decided to
establish a "Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum" co-chaired by Ministers in
order to strengthen co-operation in the areas such as international affairs,
trade and investment, economic co-operation, science and technology, and
cultural exchanges.
2.1 The 1st Partnership Forum
The Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum meeting was held for the first time
in January 1999 on the occasion of a visit to South Africa by former Japanese
Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto. Mr Hashimoto, who became a Senior
Foreign Policy Advisor to the late Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi after resigning
in July 1998, headed the Japanese delegation to the Partnership Forum. He
also and had talks with then Deputy President Thabo Mbeki, then Foreign
Minister Alfred Nzo and other South African leaders.
2.2 The 2nd Partnership Forum
The 2nd South Africa-Japan Partnership Forum meeting was held later in April
1999 when Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Keizo Takemi held discussions
with Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad in South Africa.
2.3 The 3rd Partnership Forum
The 3rd Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum meeting was held in March
2000 during a visit of Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma in Japan. Co-
operation in science and technology between South Africa and Japan was
discussed amongst other matters.
2.4 The 4th Partnership Forum
In July 2001, Minister Essop Pahad chaired the 4th South Africa-Japan
Partnership Forum meeting, which was attended by Mr Seiken Sugiura, then
Senior Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs. In this Forum, the Department of Arts,
Culture, Science and Technology (now DST) made an input, once again, on
the desirability of concluding a Science and Technology Agreement between
South Africa and Japan. The Japanese Government, once again, suggested
that it was important to first seek to achieve exchange between South Africa
and Japan in science and technology.
His Excellency Ambassador Yasukuni Enoki of Japan requested that a

workshop be held at the end of August 2001 to discuss specific project
proposals for South Africa in the field of Information Technology (IT).
Ambassador Enoki’s request followed four important events:

 In January 2001, the then Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori made a tour of
African countries and pledged co-operation for IT development in Africa.
 At the G-8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in July 2000, IT was taken up as

one of the main subjects of discussion and the “Okinawa Charter on
the Global Information Society” was adopted.
 Prior to the Summit, Japan had announced a “Comprehensive Co-

operation Package to Address the International Digital Divide”
consisting of non-Official Development Assistance (ODA) and ODA
public funding with the view to extending a total of US$15 billion over
five years. This Co-operation Package is carried out by positively
examining IT-related project proposals and no special framework is set
up for IT co-operation. The Package puts emphasis on the following
four fields: raising awareness and contributing intellectually to policy
and institution-building; developing and training human resources;
building IT infrastructure and providing assistance for network
establishment; and promoting the use of IT in development assistance.
 In order to bring the idea of a Co-operation Package into practice,

Japan engaged in policy dialogues with developing countries interested
in IT development. In June 2001, the Japan IT delegation headed by
Mr Wataru Nishigahiro, the Deputy Director-General of the Economic
Co-operation Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visited South
Africa institutions to investigate the possibilities of Japanese assistance
in the field of IT to South Africa. In a meeting with the IT delegation, Dr
G Von Gruenewaldt was requested to prepare two proposals for
support under Japan’s Comprehensive Co-operation Package to
Address the International Digital Divide.
The two project proposals in the field of IT were submitted by the Department
of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology (now DST) to the Embassy of Japan
and the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) for consideration.
One proposal was on “ICT Research and Training Capacity in South African
Institutions of Higher education” with a total budget of about R12.5 million
over 5 years. The second proposal was on “Assistance with Training of IT
Staff at Higher Education Institutions in South Africa” with a total budget of
about R9.9 million.
The Deputy Minister Aziz Pahad led the South African delegation to the 5th
Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum meeting in Japan in May 2002. The
South African delegation included four officials of the Department of Arts,
Culture, Science and Technology (DACST) including Mr Themba Wakashe,
Deputy Director-General; Dr Botlhale Tema, Chief Director International Co-
operation; Mr Simon Mpele, former Deputy Director Bilateral Co-operation;
and Mr Vuyani Lingela, former Assistant Director Technology Development.

The DACST delegation discussed the content of the draft Science and
Technology (S&T) Agreement with Japan and the dispatching of the S&T
expert to South Africa to facilitate and expedite the implementation of the
Agreement. Minister Pahad emphasised that the S&T agreement will be the
first ever between Japan and an African nation.
The 6th South Africa-Japan Partnership Forum meeting was held in South
Africa on 28-29 August 2003. Participating institutions in the Partnership
Forum included the Departments of Trade and Industry; Arts and Culture,
Science and Technology; National Treasury; Environmental Affairs and
Tourism; Education; Agriculture; Health; and the South African Police Service.
Minister Yano was accompanied by among others, Masahiro Kono, Director-

General: Sub-Saharan African Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Yasukuni
Enoki, Japan's Ambassador to South Africa; Hiroshi Nagano, Director-
General: International Affairs, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science
and Technology (MEXT); Hideyuki Tsunoda, Director: International Exchange
Promotion, International Science and Technology Affairs Bureau (MEXT); and
Yoshinari Akeno, Manager, International Co-operation Office of Technology
Transfer and Research Co-ordination Division, RIKEN.
3. Science and Technology Co-operation
3.1 Inter-governmental collaboration
3.1.1 Department of Science and Technology
The Department of Arts and Culture, Science and Technology (now the DST)
has undertaken a number of high-level visits to Japan, including the visits in
March 2000 by Mrs Bridgette Mabandla then Deputy Minister and by then
Minister Dr Ben Ngubane in October 2000, to discuss co-operation in the field
of science and technology. During Minister Ngubane’s visit, the two countries
agreed to intensify co-operation in areas of mutual interest, especially in
Information Technology, Biotechnology and New Materials.
At the invitation of the DACST (now Department of Science and Technology),

the Japanese delegation visited South Africa on 17-19 September 2001. The
Japanese delegation was led by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports,
science and Technology (MEXT). The delegation visited a number of South
African science and technology institutions to discuss opportunities for future
co-operation. The delegation participated in a South Africa-Japan Science
and Technology Workshop with various stakeholders. In the workshop it was
agreed that an intergovernmental science and technology agreement would
facilitate future co-operation between the two countries; the exchange of
students and scientists could be an important element in future collaboration;

and direct inter-institutional co-operation could likewise be an important
element in future collaboration.
The DST led a visit to Japan by a delegation consisting of Mr Simon Mpele,

Deputy Director Bilateral Co-operation; Dr Dave Walwyn, CSIR; and Dr
Francis Petersen, MINTEK; and Dr Khotso Mogele, President of the National
Research Foundation (NRF) in February 2003. The visit was supported by
MEXT for to main reasons; to further draft the S&T agreement prior to the
Ministerial signature; and to visit various Japanese institutions of interest to
South Africa as possible partners in collaborative projects. The delegation
visited the NIMS, NIAS, NFRI, RCAST, NIID, Titech and JICA, where a
number of potential areas for co-operation and possible mechanisms for
funding joint projects between South Africa and Japan were made known.
Most of the areas for co-operation and possible mechanisms for funding were
further discussed during the South Africa-Japan Science Forum held in May.
3.1.2 Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA)
The Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA), one of Japan’s ODA

implementing body, is manly responsible for implementing technical co-
operation for developing countries. JICA invites engineers (and skilled
workers) and governmental officials from developing countries to Japan for
training in a variety of fields. It also dispatches experts with skill and
knowledge suited to the country’s needs. It provides the equipment needed to
transfer technology appropriately and effectively. It also sends various study
groups to draw up development plans for developing countries and regions.
JICA dispatches volunteers such as Japan Overseas Co-operation Volunteers
(JOVC) and Senior Volunteers. It also organises major training programmes
for international co-operation specialists in Japan.
As of 2003, 14 JICA volunteers have been working in South Africa in the

following five areas.
 Education. Two training courses on Local Educational Administration

and Management and the In-Service Teacher Education and Training
in Science and Mathematics to the Mpumalanga Department of
Education. The University of Pretoria, as a partner, supports the project
with academic issues, research activities and teacher’s career
development. JICA also offers a scholarship programme, at the Naruto
University and Horoshima University in Japan.
 Health. Seven Departments of Health received equipment for the

Information Education and Communication Programme in 2002. In
KwaZulu-Natal, the Africa Centre for Health and Population Studies
received laboratory equipment to aid research in 2003. JICA also
conducts training in Japan for South Africans to acquire advanced
information already available in Japanese medical institutions.

 Agriculture and Rural Development. In October 2002, JICA
introduced a Study for the Integrated Holistic Rural Development and
Soil Conservation in Limpopo province. It also offers two training
courses, Rural Development in the Field of Agriculture and Vegetable
Cultivation, annually in Japan.
 Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs). JICA is offering two

training courses on Policies for Promotion of Small and Medium Scale
Enterprises, and Consultancy Service on Small and Medium Industries.
It also conducted a study in 2002 on the Development of Small and
Medium Enterprises in KwaZulu-Natal.
 Capacity Building for Local Government. JICA offers training

courses in Japan, entitled Regional Development Administration and
Local Government Administration, to relevant officials at both provincial
and local level especially in the North West Province.
In July 2004, JICA expressed interest to support mobilisation of academic

human resource including research, consultation and training initiatives into
the developing programmes based on the Department of Science and
Technology.
A DST delegation including Ms Noncedo Vutula, Manager International

Technology Information; Ms Nonhlanhla Mkize, Deputy Director International
Technology Information; and Albert Gazendam, CSIR, visited Japan on 3-9
April 2004 to learn from and develop a joint training programme with
Japanese institutions involved in database development and technology
information gathering, analysis, monitoring and dissemination. The visit
culminated in a S&T Policy Analysis Internship programme that will be offered
to the DST officials by NISTEP in November 2004 with the support of JICA.
3.2 Inter-institutional collaboration
3.2.1 National Institute for Material Science (NIMS)
The NIMS is a research institution in Japan established on 1 April 2001,

following a merger of the National Research Institute for Metals (NRIM) and
National Institute for research Inorganic Materials (NIRIM). Active
collaborations between South African science councils, CSIR-Mattek and
MINTEK, and NIMS were initiated with the aim to develop advanced high-
temperature alloys for the next generation of jet engines, high efficiency gas-
turbines, high performance space rockets and others. Table 2 details
collaboration activities between these three institutions since 1997.
Platinum group metals (PGM) are becoming key elements as alloy additions
or even as base metals because of their high melting points, high
oxidation/corrosion resistance, etc. Hence the effective use of PGMs for
developing high temperature alloys is the main aspect of the collaboration.
Continuing activities at the NIMS include the development of new materials for

nano-devices, research into nano-scale materials for energy and
environmental applications, and other nano-materials research, primarily
focusing on metallic and inorganic materials.
Table 1. Collaboration activities
Period Activity
st
02/05/2004 During the 1 South Africa-Japan Science Forum in May 2004, NIMS
concluded two Memoranda of Understanding with MINTEK and CSIR to
expand collaboration in the field of new and advanced materials.
12/2000 Dr H. Harada and Mr S Sato visited South Africa for a few days to
consolidate existing collaborations in both formal and practical aspects.
06-12/2000 Ms Patricia Hill of MINTEK visited NRIM to conduct microstructural
investigation of Platinum-based alloys. Several academic papers based
on this research were published in a scientific journal.
11/1999 South African delegation visited NRIM to follow up on the memorandum
on “Collaboration in Materials Research and Development”. The
delegation included Dr C. Scheffer (DST), Dr M. Corties (MINTEK), Prof
P. Ngoepe (University of the North), Mr J. Benson (CSIR), and Dr L.
Cornish (University of the Witwatersrand) who were received by Dr H.
Harada.
06/1999 NRIM launched the “High Temperature Materials 21” Project (FY. 1999-
2004). The Project plan involves Mattek (CSIR) and MINTEK
03/1999 Visit by NRIM delegation led by Dr H. Harada to the Department of Arts,
Culture, Science and Technology (now DST), Mattek, and MINTEK.
Mattek, MINTEK and NRIM signed a memorandum on “Collaboration in
Materials Research and Development” including four potential areas for
collaboration; Nickel-based superalloys, PGM-based alloys, Computer
simulation, and Ceramics.
10/1997 Visit of the South African Technology Foresight Programme members to
NRIM. Members included Mr John Stanko and Mr Bongani Mamela,
with specific responsibility for the Mining, Mineral and Metal processing
sector.
09/1997 Visit by the Dr Ngubane: Minister of Arts and Culture, Science and
Technology (now DST) to NRIM: Nickel-based superalloys with platinum
group metals (PGMs) additions, PGMs-base refractory superalloys, and
others.
09/1997 Evaluation test of Nickel-base superalloys developed at NRIM was
made by Mattek: collaboration bridged by the Dr Brendan Barker of the
British Council Tokyo, Japan.
3.2.2 South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO)
The agreement on scientific collaboration in the field of astronomy was

concluded between the SAAO and the Graduate School of Science, Nagoya
University in 1998.

3.2.3 Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomical Observatory (HartRAO)
The agreement on scientific collaboration in the field of astronomy was

concluded between the HartRAO and the National Institute for Polar Research
(NIPR) in 2001.
3.2.4 iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Science (iThemba

LABS)
The agreement on scientific collaboration in the field of nuclear physics was

concluded between the iThemba LABS and the Research Center for Nuclear
Physics, Osaka University in 2003. The iThemba LABS is also collaborating
with Kyushu University in the field of nuclear physics on theoretical
calculations for experimental data.
3.2.5 South African National Bioinformatics Institute (SANBI)
The SANBI started collaborating with RIKEN in the field of life science on
Functional Annotation of Mouse Project.
RIKEN is engaged in basic research, which will form the foundation of nano-
science technology for future generations. This includes the measurement
and control of nano-level properties and functions, simple quantum
manipulation toward the development of new information processing devices,
and space-time function materials for manufacturing auto-changing, auto-
reacting materials, and materials that can change over time.
3.2.6 Council for Geoscience
The Council for Geoscience is collaborating with the NIPR in the field of
Geology on polar research and on semi-controlled earthquake-generation
experiments in deep gold mines.
3.3 Inter-university collaboration
3.3.1 University of Witwatersrand
The agreement on inter-university exchange between the University of

Witwatersrand and the Soka University was concluded in 1995.
3.3.2 University of Cape Town
The agreement on inter-university exchange between the University of Cape

Town and the Waseda University was concluded in 2000.

3.3.3 University of KwaZulu-Natal
The University of KwaZulu-Natal and the Kansai Gaidai University was

concluded an agreement on inter-university exchange.
3.3.4 University of Pretoria
The agreement on inter-university exchange between the University of

Pretoria and the Naruto University of Education was concluded in 2002.
4. Science and Technology Agreement
4.1 The role of The Presidency
In October 2001, President Thabo Mbeki paid a state visit to Japan at the
invitation of the Government of Japan. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs
Zanele Mbeki, and six Ministers including Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma,
Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr B Ngubane, Minister of Arts, Culture, Science
and Technology; Mr A Erwin, Minister of Trade and Industry; Mr V Moosa,
Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism; Ms AT Didiza, Minister of
Agriculture and Land Affairs; and Dr ME Tshabalala-Msimang, Minister of
Health.
During the course of the visit they had an audience with Their Majesties the
Emperor and Empress of Japan at the Imperial Palace on October 1.
President Mbeki met Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, and a wide range of
views on bilateral relations, African regional issues, and multilateral issues
were exchanged. Japan expressed its willingness to facilitate co-operation for
IT dissemination throughout Africa. Japan also emphasised its active
implementation of a US$ 3 billion programme over five years under the
"Okinawa Infectious Diseases Initiative", also for African countries, which are
most seriously affected by infectious diseases. At the same time, Japan
repeated its intention to contribute US$200 million to the Global HIV/AIDS and
Health Fund, which is highly appreciated by the international community.
South Africa welcomed the policy visits by Japanese IT and Infectious
Diseases task teams to various African countries in this regard earlier in the
year.
Welcoming progress on bilateral co-operation in the area of science and

technology, both Governments decided to start negotiations with a view to
conclude an agreement on science and technology co-operation. They also
shared the view that the conclusion of the first ever agreement on science and
technology co-operation, based on the principle of equality and mutual benefit
between Japan and an African country would be of great significance. Japan
also provided South Africa with a draft Agreement, a document approved by
all the Ministries involved in Science and Technology in Japan.

The Science and Technology Agreement between South Africa and Japan
was finally concluded during the 6th Partnership Forum on 28 August 2003 in
Pretoria, South Africa. Dr B Ngubane, then Minister of Arts, Culture, Science
and Technology and His Excellency Mr Yori Enoki, the former Ambassador of
Japan, signed the Science and Technology Agreement on behalf of the South
African and Japanese Government respectively. This Agreement constitutes a
framework for scientific and technological collaboration between Japanese
and South African S&T research institutions.
In terms of this Agreement, S&T co-operative activities between South Africa

and Japan may include:
 Meetings of various forms, such as those of experts, to discuss and

exchange information on scientific and technological aspects of general
or specific subjects and to identify research and development projects
and programmes that may be usefully undertaken on a co-operative
basis.
 Exchange of information on activities, policies, practices, and laws and

regulations concerning scientific and technological research and
development.
 Visits and exchange of scientists, technical personnel, or other exerts

on general or specific subjects.
 Implementation of agreed co-operative projects and programmes.
 Other forms of co-operative activities as may be mutually agreed upon.
4.2 Japanese Science and Technology Advisor
At the request of the South African Government, the Japanese Government

dispatched a Science and Technology Planner, Mr Yoshinari Akeno, to South
Africa from 26 August to 23 September 2003. During his visit to South Africa,
Mr Akeno visited research councils, other public and private institutions and
universities to collect information on the current research and development
activities and needs in South Africa. He identified possible areas or projects of
mutual benefit for collaboration between both countries and proposed the
action plan to realize the collaboration.
Following the agreement on science and technology on 28 August 2003, the

Japanese Government dispatched a science and Technology Advisor, once
again Mr Akeno, to South Africa for a period of two years with effect from 1
March 2004. His key responsibilities in South Africa include policy advice in
the field of science and technology for better co-operation between the two
countries under the Science and Technology Agreement; and advice on
concrete co-operation between the two countries in the process of
implementing the Science and Technology Agreement. He facilitated the visit
of two Japanese experts Missions to South Africa in March 2004 and

contributed in organising the South Africa-Japan Science Forum and the Joint
Committee meeting in May 2004.
4.3 South African Science and Technology Representative
The South African Government appointment Mr Vuyani Lingela as a science

and Technology Representative to Japan for a period of four years with effect
from 1 September 2004. Mr Lingela, a former recipient of the Japanese
Government Scholarship (Monbusho), studied in Japan at the Tokyo
University of Agriculture and Technology in 1999-2001.
Mr Lingela has been appointed to facilitate collaboration in science and

technology between South Africa and Japan.
His key responsibilities include:
 Supporting international cooperation programmes and building

partnerships in the field of the development and joint commercialization
of high technologies, science-intensive products and services.
 Supporting the alignment of South African science and technology

policies and programmes trough active participation in international
science benchmarking exercises.
 Supporting through international cooperation programmes South

Africa’s skills and human resource development imperatives.
 Attracting foreign investment and venture capital to support the national

and regional science and technology and innovation systems.
 Promoting a strong South African input into the international science

and technology for sustainable development discourse as well as
NEPAD and international science and technology policy formulation.
 Assistance to key customers and ad hoc requests.
5. The 1st South Africa-Japan Science Forum
During the 6th Partnership Forum, it was agreed between the Japanese and
South African Government that South Africa host the first South Africa-Japan
Science Forum in May 2004. At the invitation of the Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, science and Technology (MEXT), the Department of Science
and Technology (DST) delegation including Ms Anati Canca, General
Manager Human Capital and Science Missions; Mr Moeketsi Modisenyane,
Deputy Director Bilateral Co-operation; and Mr M Chetty, Programme
Manager NEPAD-ICT, CSIR visited Japan on 19-23 January 2004. The
delegation discussed areas of science and technology co-operation; a
framework of co-operation; preparation for the South Africa-Japan Science

Forum; and the dispatching of a science and Technology Adviser to South
Africa.
The Science Forum was held in South Africa on 10-14 May 2004. The aim of
the Science Forum was to identify and stimulate specific areas of science and
technology collaboration by involving relevant research institutions in both
countries. It consisted of site visits to public research institutions; the
workshop between researchers, private organizations and government
organizations at the CSIR International Convention Centre; and the Joint
Committee Meeting between the two Governments. The framework for
research co-operation in biotechnology, information and communication
technologies, infectious diseases, new and advanced material and
nanotechnology was discussed by separate interest groups at the workshop.
5.1 Biotechnology
The group discussing biotechnology agreed that co-operation must be driven

by strategic issues from both countries and be of mutual benefit. The
discussions on research co-operation included:
 The relevance of food security for both South Africa and Japan
 The opportunity offered by biotechnology to increase yields, develop

resistance to pests, diseases and abiotic stressors (particularly drought
in the case of Africa) and increase nutritional value (e.g. levels of
protein, amino-acids and vitamins).
 The opportunities resulting from the rice genome information, and

resources data developed in Japan were welcome.
 The relevance of bio-fortification for poorer African Union countries.
 The opportunity for South Africa to learn from the extensive Japanese
experience on the public understanding of biotechnology arising from
the attitude of Japanese public towards genetically modified organisms.
 Alternative routes to genetic improvement (e.g. cyclotron mutagenesis)
 The importance of wood (a major South African export item) and fibre
biotechnology and the importance of pulp and paper industry for Japan.
 Post-harvest pathogens (fungi in particular).
 Opportunities to add value to Africa’s indigenous plant biodiversity.
 Research on indigenous crops (e.g. millet and sorghum) for the benefit
of the poorer African Union countries.

During the biotechnology group discussions, the following four research
themes and nodal points were identified to facilitate joint collaboration:
 Application of the rice genome information and resources, and

alternative transformation methods, for the benefit of Africa’s staple
cereal crops. This theme will include key stressors such as drought.
The nodal points are Dr D Berger (FABI, South Africa), Dr S Mundree
(PlantBio, South Africa) and Dr K Okuno (NIAS, Japan).
 Value addition to secondary metabolites from Africa’s indigenous

plants to aid in combating infectious diseases. The nodal points are Dr
B Okole (CSIR, South Africa) and Dr T Muranaka (RIKEN, Japan).
 Wood and fibre biotechnology. The nodal points are Dr AA Myburg

(FABI, South Africa) and Dr T Demura (RIKEN, Japan).
 Public understanding of biotechnology. The nodal points are Mr Ben

Durham (DST, South Africa) and Dr K Higo (NIAS, Japan).
It was agreed that the above research themes do not prevent groups talking
to each other about other possible areas of collaboration in the future. Both
Japanese and South African organisations must be prepared to invest time
and effort into learning more about science policies and issues of strategic
importance between both countries.
It was suggested that Japan and SA should develop templates from their
universities and research organisations summarising their capacity and
expertise. It was agreed that short-term exchange visits by scientists from
both countries is an excellent way of learning about one another’s capacity
while working together to develop complete project proposals to be submitted
at a bi-lateral or international level for research funding.
5.2 Information and communications technology
The discussion group focusing on information and communications

technology (ICT) identified the three research priority areas and nodal points
to facilitate joint collaboration:
 In the area of High Performance Computing, it was suggested that

collaboration should focus on intensive skills transfer and human
capital development programmes between Japan and SA. The nodal
points are the University of Cape Town (UCT, South Africa) and the
National Institute of Informatics (NII, Japan).
 It was suggested that emphasis of Human Language Technologies be

on collaborative research programmes and projects. These projects
should focus on multilingual computer user interfaces, robust spoken
dialogue systems and open source tools for language technology
research. The nodal points are the University of Pretoria and MEXT.

 With regard to Earth Observation and Space, collaboration should be
project-related. The following two projects were suggested; the
development of an integrated web-based remote sensing portal and
the development of an appropriate Earth Observation system for
disaster management.
5.3 Infectious diseases
The group on Infectious diseases focused on HIV/AIDS and other

opportunistic diseases particularly entero-pathogens and respiratory
pathogens and medicinal plants. The following areas were identified for co-
operation:
 Capacity building by teaching programmes and training.
 Clinical trials in South Africa of vaccines developed in Japan.
 Manufacturing capacity, facility and product Development.
 Direct investment by Japan in the SAAVI.
 Safety and efficacy evaluation of HIV candidate vaccines.
The four research themes proposed for joint collaboration included:
 Genetic and phenotypic characterization of HIV.
 Genetic subtype monitoring and surveillance of entero-pathogens and

respiratory pathogens and tuberculosis in HIV positive and negative
patients.
 Bio-prospecting for therapeutic agents such as medicinal plants and

fauna.
 Immunology of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.
The South African institutions that expressed interest in the areas identified
above include;
 SAAVI; University of Venda; MEDUNSA; Stellenbosch University; Wits

University; University of Kwa-Zulu Natal; and the National Institute of
infectious Diseases (Japan).
Fact-finding missions of the South African researchers to Japan and vice

versa were proposed as an immediate action in order to identify specific
institutions and researchers, the required capacity and infrastructure and to
decide on time fames, budget and implementation.

5.4 New and advanced materials
Previous interactions and agreements on high temperature materials between

Japanes and South African researchers date back a number of years, and the
discussions started at the point of finalising a Memorandum of Understanding
between NIMS, MINTEK and CSIR on 12 May 2004. The collaborations in the
area of high temperature materials will be further developed towards actual
benefits in the field of energy, environment, transportations and others in both
countries.
The group on new and advanced materials identified the following areas for
collaboration and the nodal points to facilitate joint collaboration:
 Nickel-base superalloys and coatings. The nodal points are Mr. R Bean
(CSIR, South Africa) and Dr Harada (NIMS, Japan).
 Platinum group metals base superalloys. The nodal points are Dr L

Cornish (MINTEK, South Africa) and Dr Harada (NIMS, Japan).
 Modelling and analysis. The nodal points are Prof P Ngoepe

(University of the North, South Africa) and NIMS (Japan).
 Turbine materials for Helium-gas nuclear reactor. The nodal point is

NIMS (Japan).
 Refractory alloys. The nodal points are MINTEK (South Africa) and
NIMS (Japan).
 Exchange of researchers.
5.5 Nanotechnology
The Japanese group that attended the session is not directly involved in
nanotechnology and for that reason the South African group proposed areas
that should be of mutual benefit. Areas of mutual benefit were based on
general focus and the Japanese nanotechnology research strategy articulated
in the Basic Plan. The following areas were identified for co-operation:
 Precious Group Metals and gold. The nodal points are Dr D Compton
(MINTEK) and Dr Harada (NIMS).
 Drug delivery, nano-encapsulation of drugs (TB, Malaria, HIV). The

nodal points are Dr Hulda Swai (CSIR), Biomaterials Centre, Dr Hiroshi
Watanabe; possibly Dr Tanaka (NIMS).
 Synthesis of nanomaterials. The nodal points are Dr Malik Maaza (Wits

University) and Dr Bando (NIMS).

 Energy materials, fuel cells, solar cells etc. The nodal points are Ms L
Petrick (UWC) and Dr Miyazawa (NIMS).
 Characterization (Japan has well equipped facilities in characterization

and synthesis but SA lacks such facilities). The nodal points are Dr T
Hillie (CSIR) and Dr Kazuo Furuya (NIMS).
 Modelling. The nodal point is Prof P Ngoepe (University of the North,

South Africa).
A full list of activities in South Africa to be studied by Japan as possible

starting point for other areas of collaboration. The current focus should firstly
be on the areas identified.
5.6 Human capital development
5.6.1 High performance computing
The following human capital development opportunities were identified in the

area of High Performance Computing (HPC):
 Programme on student exchange.
 Sharing of information on Japanese experiences in setting up and

managing the HPC and Super Science Information Network (SINET)
facilities.
 Technical assistance from Japan in setting up the grid infrastructure at

the University of Cape Town.
 Opportunities for the South African students, researchers to do

internship programmes at Japanese HPC facilities.
5.6.2 Infectious diseases
The type of human capital development suggested by the group focusing on

infectious diseases was;
 The exchange of scientists through studentships, fellowships and short

visits.
 The Japanese researchers expressed interest to learn more about the

South African ethical policies on HIV/AIDS and the implementation of
the clinical trials in South Africa.
 A programme encouraging visits by the Japanese Postdoctoral fellows

to conduct research in South African institutions was proposed.

5.6.3 New and advanced materials, as well as nanotechnology
The group on new and advanced materials, together with the nanotechnology
group considered human capital development. Their discussions focused on
the following areas:
 Awareness generation is important to excite young people about

science and particularly materials and nanotechnology fields.
 Materials research must be relevant and have a social impact. If not

young people will not be interested. Japan can play an important role in
demonstrating job opportunities in materials and nanotechnology fields.
 Post doctoral exchange programs are required, but a support base will
be needed upon return. Industry contribution is critical to create to take
new researchers.
 Develop relevant curriculum and strengthen capacity for materials

activities and research in the higher education institutions.
5.6.4 Exchange of scientists and students
The total numbers of the South African (SA) and Japanese exchange
students under the Japanese Government Scholarship, as well as the South
African scientists in Japan under the Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science (JSPS) Program are detailed in Table 1 below. The data suggests
low numbers of exchange students between South Africa and Japan; even
then the number of Japanese students studying in South Africa is much lower
compared to South African students studying in Japan.
The number of South African JSPS Postdoctoral Fellows in Japan is also very
low compared to the number the Egyptian JSPS Postdoctoral Fellows. A
special funding mechanism proposed in the 1st South Africa-Japan Science
Forum meeting is necessary to stimulate joint research collaboration and
exchange of students and scientists between South Africa and Japan.
Table 2. Japan-South Africa student exchange
2000 2001 2002

SA research students in Japan 7 9 7
Other SA students in Japan 1 2 3
Japanese students in SA 3 4 5
SA Invitation Fellows (JSPS) 1 0 0
SA Postdoctoral Fellows (JSPS) 0 2 2
Egyptian Postdoctoral Fellows (JSPS) 20 27 31

6. The 1st Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Co-operation
The South Africa-Japan Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Co-

operation (hereinafter referred to as the Joint Committee) met for the first time
in South Africa on 13 May 2004. The South African delegation was led by Mr
D Naidoo, Group Executive International Co-operation and Resources of the
Department of Science and Technology, and the Japanese delegation was
led by Mr Yoshitaka Hanada, Minister of the Embassy of Japan in South
Africa. It was agreed that the Joint Committee meet once in two years and be
chaired at Deputy Director-General level by both the South African
Department of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Japan.
The chairpersons of the interest groups of the 1st Science Forum workshop
presented summary reports on the four areas of co-operation, which included
biotechnology, ICT, infectious diseases, new and advanced materials and
nanotechnology. The delegates discussed and deliberated issues such as key
areas of co-operation, identifying participating institutions, time-frames and
next steps such as exchange visits. The significance of future co-operation,
particularly in the application of the rice genome information, resources, and
alternative methods for research on “Africa’s crops” and “Infectious Diseases”
was emphasized. In is considered that the Memorandum of Understanding
concluded between NIMS, CSIR and MINTEK will help accelerate progress in
co-operation between these institutions.
The Joint Committee adopted the report-back on the South Africa-Japan

Science Forum Workshop. It was agreed that the possibility to include
additional areas of co-operation, either than biotechnology, ICT, infectious
diseases, new and advanced materials and nanotechnology, such as the
science and technology policy studies and co-operation between funding
agencies be considered. It was agreed that a Working Group chaired at the
level of Director for Bilateral Co-operation will be established to implement co-
operation these areas. The Working Group will meet once a year and the
dates for meetings would be finalised through correspondence.
It is envisioned that the co-operation between the respective funding agencies,

the National Research Foundation (NRF, South Africa) and the JSPS, could
facilitate South Africa-Japan S&T co-operation. It was agreed to hold the 2nd
Joint Committee meeting in 2006 in Japan. An invitation was extended to
Japan to participate in the Innovation, Science, and Technology Fair to be
held in South Africa on 1-3 November 2004 as part of the Department of
Science and Technology’s celebration of the 10 years of South Africa’s
Democracy. The Japanese delegation requested to be given more time to
consult with their government and their private sector on possible participation
in the Fair.
It was agreed that the draft minutes of the Joint Committee meeting be
submitted for consideration by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The
final dates for the 7th Japan-South-Africa Partnership Forum in Japan will be
announced by both the Japanese and South African Governments.

7. Future co-operation in science and technology
7.1 The 7th Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum
The 7th South Africa-Japan Partnership Forum will take place in Tokyo, Japan
on 30 September to 1 October 2004. Mr Aziz Pahad, Deputy Minister of
Foreign Affairs, will lead the South African delegation. The aim of the
Partnership Forum is to strengthen the bilateral co-operation in the areas such
as international affairs, trade and investment, economic co-operation, science
and technology, and cultural exchanges. The S&T Representative will provide
assistance at the request of the South African Government departments and
the relevant public institutions to facilitate their participation in the Partnership
Forum.
7.2 The 2005 Aichi World Expo
Following the Cabinet approval, South Africa will be participating in the 2005
World Expo to be held in Aichi, Japan on 25 March to 25 September 2005.
The S&T Representative will provide assistance at the request of the South
African Government departments and the relevant public and private
institutions to facilitate their participation in the 2005 World Expo.
7.3 The Japan-South Africa S&T Policy Forum
It is proposed that the Science and Technology Policy Forum be held as a

side event during the Aichi Wold Expo in Japan in April 2005. The aim of this
Policy Forum is to create a platform where Japanese and South African
Government officials and researchers can openly exchange views and
experiences on key S&T issues based on their research experience and S&T
policy implementation in both countries.
The two key outcomes of the Policy Forum will include:
 Increased understanding by government officials and researchers of

the reorganization of the Government of Japan to significantly
strengthen its national S&T administrative system.
 Shared lessons by both the South African and Japanese Government

officials and researchers on compilation of indicators for scientific
research, technological development and innovation activities to
strengthen national innovation systems.
7.4 Research collaboration
Figure 1 below illustrates an approach adopted to identify, communicate and

facilitate opportunities for joint research collaboration between South African
and Japanese researchers in priority research areas including biotechnology;

information and communication technology; advanced and new materials;
nanotechnology; infectious diseases; and science and technology policy
studies, as agreed in the 1st South Africa-Japan Science Forum in May 2004.
Stage 1
The Bilateral Co-operation Unit (Unit) in South Africa and the South African
Science and Technology Representative (S&T Representative) to Japan will
meet and interview researchers, research managers and policy makers in
both countries to assess the research situation and needs, as well as plans to
implement research strategies.
Stage 1 Request for Abstracts,

Needs and Situational Analysis
Stage 2 South African Researchers Japanese Researchers
Stage 3 Research Abstracts Research Abstracts
Stage 4 Joint Research Proposals
Stage 5 SA-Japan Research Collaboration
Stage 4 SA-Japan Joint Funding Programme
South African Fund Japanese Fund

• NRF • JSPS
Institutional Fund Institutional Fund

Stage 3 • MRC • NIMS
• MINTEK • RIKEN
• PlantBio • NIAS
• CSIR • NIID
• ARC • etc.
• SAAVI
• etc. Competitive Fund
• Grants-in-Aid for
Competitive Fund Scientific Research
• NRF • JST Basic Research
• Innovation Fund Program
• THRIP • Special Coordination
• SPII Funds for Promoting S&T
• etc. • etc.
Figure 1. Framework for research collaboration

Stage 2
Following meetings with researchers in the Unit and the S&T Representative
identify researchers in both countries and request abstracts of their research
proposals. The relevant opportunities will be reported or communicated timely
to appropriate South African and Japanese institutions. Research proposals
from researchers (bottom-up approach) will also be accepted for submission
to appropriate researchers in both countries.
Stage 3
The Unit and the S&T Representative submit abstracts to relevant

researchers in both countries. The S&T Representative in Japan will follow-up
by arranging meetings with Japanese researchers who received abstracts
from the Unit in SA. The Unit, in return will follow-up by arranging meetings
with South African researchers that received abstracts from the S&T
Representative in Japan.
In addition to the above, both the Unit and the S&T Representative will consult
government, independent institutions (science councils and independent
administrative institutions) to identify opportunities for research funding. The
Unit and the S&T Representative will provide sufficient information on
opportunities for competitive research funding, where South African and
Japanese researchers can jointly apply for open competitive funding, based
on their novel research concept and a combination of their expertise.
Stage 4
When the South African–Japan research funding for human capital

development is established under a joint NRF-JSPS Memorandum of
Understanding, funding can be ring-fenced specifically to support proposals
submitted jointly by South African and Japanese researchers. The NRF-JSPS
Evaluation Committee can meet once per year to evaluate proposals. Ad hoc
requests will be funded, subject to the availability of money and the number of
research proposals per year. The research proposals will focus largely on
priority areas agreed upon in the South Africa-Japan Joint Committee
meetings, but will not exclude new important initiatives.
Stage 5
As a result of this approach:
 A limited number of researchers can undertake research jointly based

on the positive evaluation by the NRF-JSPS Evaluation Committee,
subject to the availability of human capital development funding for
South Africa-Japan research collaboration.
 Independent institutions such as MRC, NIMS, PlantBio, RIKEN, etc.

can provide funding, subject to the availability of funds in these
institutions to undertake joint research initiative.

 South Africa and Japan researchers can also undertake joint research
depending on the successful joint research proposal approved for
funding by a competitive research fund in either country.
7.5 New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD)
Japan initiated the Tokyo International Conference on African Development

(TICAD) process in 1993, and the conference is held in Tokyo every five
years to discuss and promote African development. That process was
bolstered with a second Tokyo conference in 1998. The Heads of African
State adopted the NEPAD in October 2001. The goals of the NEPAD are to
achieve and sustain an average GDP growth rate of over 7% per year for the
next 15 years and to ensure that the African continent achieves the agreed
International Development Goals for education, poverty reduction and gender
equity.
Remarking on Japan's African Co-operation Initiative on 14 May 2003, Prime

Minister Junichiro Koizumi said:
“Now that NEPAD is in place, Japan's basic policy on co-operation for Africa will be
to support NEPAD through the TICAD process, and to expand partnership for that
purpose.”
The NEPAD Ministerial Conference in 2003 stressed that it is a priority for all
African countries to have comprehensive national science, technology and
innovation policies with emphasis on the development of effective National
Systems of Innovation. The Conference also recommended that all
programmes of NEPAD should ensure that S&T are integral inputs in their
conceptualisation and implementation in order to accelerate progress along
the pathways for the realisation of Africa’s goals: job and wealth creation,
poverty reduction and environmental sustainability.
The following flagship programme areas were identified and adopted:

Biodiversity science and technology; Biotechnology; Information and
Communication Technologies; Energy technologies; Materials science; Space
science and technologies; Post harvest food technologies; Water sciences
and technology; Indigenous Knowledge & technologies; Desertification
research; Science and technology for manufacturing; and Laser technology.
Following an approach detailed in Figure 1, the South African S&T

Representative in Japan will meet and interview the Diaspora of African
scientists, international divisions in Government, higher education institutions,
as well as public and private R&D institutions in Japan to investigate
availability of opportunities for collaboration in areas identified in the NEPAD
Science and Technology Action Plan to benefit South Africa and the African
continent as a whole. The S&T Representative will report relevant
opportunities for collaboration with Japan timely to appropriate South African
institutions.

8. Conclusion
The physical distance, economic and cultural differences between Japan and
South Africa are some of the obvious disparities between the two countries. In
the words of Mr Yasukuni Enoki, former Ambassador of Japan to South Africa
on 21 September 2001:
“…Japan and South Africa both stand with one foot in each two worlds. For Japan,
one foot is in Asia, while the other is in the Western World or the Global World. For
South Africa, one foot is in Africa, while the other is in the Western/Global World.”
Despite marked differences between South Africa and Japan, concluding a

science and technology agreement has established a basis for co-operation in
R&D and human capital development. There are also common interests in
S&T policy between the two countries, particularly the strong focus on life
sciences and biotechnology, information and communication technologies,
advanced materials and nanotechnology.
The common interest in S&T policy between South Africa and Japan unlocks
opportunities for joint collaboration between researchers in higher education
institutions, as well as other public and private R&D institutions. On the other
hand, the differences characterised by the economic dominance of Japan
combined with the wealth of human capital with high-quality training in maths
and science unlocks opportunities to support South Africa’s S&T as well as
African systems of innovation in general.

Contact:
Mr Vuyani Lingela
Science and Technology Representative
South African Embassy, Japan
414 Zenkyoren Building, 2-7-9 Hirakawa-cho, 2-chome Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-0093

Tel: +81 3 3265 3366, Fax: +81 3 3265 1108, E-mail: Lingela@rsatk.com

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South Africa and Japan

10 Years of Science and Technology Relations

I welcome the signing of the Science and Technology Co-operation

The establishment of the Science Forum in May 2004, for example,

Notwithstanding these successful interventions, other areas of mutual benefit

 Advanced manufacturing applying Computer-Aided Design and

2. South Africa-Japan Partnership Forum ............................................................. 7

2.1 The 1st Partnership Forum ............................................................................... 8

2.2 The 2nd Partnership Forum .............................................................................. 8

2.3 The 3rd Partnership Forum............................................................................... 8

2.4 The 4th Partnership Forum............................................................................... 8

2.5 The 5th Partnership Forum............................................................................... 9

2.6 The 6th Partnership Forum............................................................................. 10

3. Science and Technology Co-operation............................................................ 10

3.1 Inter-governmental collaboration ................................................................... 10

3.2 Inter-institutional collaboration ....................................................................... 12

3.3 Inter-university collaboration.......................................................................... 14

4. Science and Technology Agreement ............................................................... 15

4.1 The role of The Presidency............................................................................ 15

South Africa and Japan: science and technology 2

4.3 South African Science and Technology Representative ................................ 17

5. The 1st South Africa-Japan Science Forum ..................................................... 17

5.2 Information and communications technology................................................. 19

5.3 Infectious diseases........................................................................................ 20

5.4 New and advanced materials ........................................................................ 21

5.5 Nanotechnology ............................................................................................ 21

5.6 Human capital development .......................................................................... 22

6. The 1st Joint Committee on Scientific and Technological Co-operation ....... 24

7. Future co-operation in science and technology ............................................. 25

7.1 The 7th Japan-South Africa Partnership Forum.............................................. 25

7.2 The 2005 Aichi World Expo ........................................................................... 25

7.3 The Japan-South Africa S&T Policy Forum ................................................... 25

7.4 Research collaboration.................................................................................. 25

7.5 New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) ..................................... 28

South Africa and Japan: science and technology 3

ARC : Agricultural Research Council

South Africa and Japan: science and technology 4

The Government of South Africa played a significant role in establishing and

Even then a limited number of South African government departments, higher

Following the agreement on S&T, the Japanese Government dispatched a

With the S&T agreement in place, S&T co-operative activities between SA

 Meetings of various forms, such as those of experts, to discuss and

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The common interest in S&T policy between SA and Japan unlocks

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“Japan is for us in Africa, an important and inspiring example of how to overcome

The Agreement concluded on 28 August 2003 between South Africa and

This report describes inter-governmental, inter-institutional and inter-university

2. South Africa-Japan Partnership Forum

At the invitation of the Government of Japan, the previous South African

Deputy President Mbeki exchanged a wide range of views of future bilateral

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2.1 The 1st Partnership Forum

2.2 The 2nd Partnership Forum

2.3 The 3rd Partnership Forum

2.4 The 4th Partnership Forum

His Excellency Ambassador Yasukuni Enoki of Japan requested that a

Ambassador Enoki’s request followed four important events:

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 At the G-8 Kyushu-Okinawa Summit in July 2000, IT was taken up as

 Prior to the Summit, Japan had announced a “Comprehensive Co-

 In order to bring the idea of a Co-operation Package into practice,

2.5 The 5th Partnership Forum

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