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Strategic Lens

Japan and South Africa

First country

Second country

In 2025, Japan sold USD 2.31 billion of goods to South Africa and bought USD 6.58 billion from it. Both are members of the G20. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 68 percent in 2023, and 71 percent on average over 2019 to 2023. In 2025, Japan sold USD 2.4 million of mineral fuels and oils to South Africa and bought USD 477 million from it.

Benefits

  • BothTwo-way trade in mineral fuels and oils grew about 10 times, from USD 46.6 million in 2019 to USD 479 million in 2025.
  • BothBoth are members of the G20.

Constraints

  • BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, South Africa sold USD 477 million of mineral fuels and oils, against USD 2.4 million the other way.
  • BothTwo-way trade in critical minerals and metals fell 52 percent, from USD 268 million in 2019 to USD 128 million in 2025.
  • BothFlows are one-sided: in 2025, South Africa sold USD 169 million of agricultural and food products, against USD 11.6 million the other way.

Sources: UN Comtrade (public preview API), annual goods trade, HS classification (retrieved 26 September 2026); Wikidata, statements on membership (property P463) (retrieved 26 September 2026); United Nations General Assembly voting data (Voeten, Strezhnev and Bailey), agreement scores (retrieved 25 September 2026)

Last updated on 26 September 2026

At a glance

Goods trade, both ways
USD 8.89 billion
2025, as reported by Japan
Japan to South Africa
USD 2.31 billion
2025, as reported by Japan
South Africa to Japan
USD 6.58 billion
2025, as reported by Japan

What connects Japan and South Africa

Economy

Trade in goodsIn 2025, Japan sold USD 2.31 billion of goods to South Africa and bought USD 6.58 billion from it.

Resources

EnergyIn 2025, Japan sold USD 2.4 million of mineral fuels and oils to South Africa and bought USD 477 million from it.Critical mineralsIn 2025, Japan sold USD 1.3 million of critical minerals and metals to South Africa and bought USD 127 million from it.Agriculture and foodIn 2025, Japan sold USD 11.6 million of agricultural and food products to South Africa and bought USD 169 million from it.

Industry

Supply chains and manufacturingIn 2025, Japan sold USD 1.73 billion of machinery, vehicles and iron and steel to South Africa and bought USD 444 million from it.TechnologyIn 2025, Japan sold USD 114 million of electrical and electronic equipment to South Africa and bought USD 17.8 million from it.

Diplomacy

Multilateral alignmentBoth are members of the G20. Their agreement score in UN General Assembly voting was 68 percent in 2023, and 71 percent on average over 2019 to 2023.

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