Tokyo – African diplomats and Japanese officials gathered in Tokyo on Monday to mark the 63rd anniversary of the founding of the Organisation of African Unity, now the African Union, with South Africa among the countries represented at the celebrations.
The Africa Day event, hosted by the African Diplomatic Corps in Japan, brought together African ambassadors accredited to Tokyo, members of the Japanese government, business leaders and friends of Africa.
South Africa was represented by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Annelize Schroeder and Counsellor for Political Affairs Paul Siljeur from the South African Embassy in Tokyo. 
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi delivered the keynote address, telling the gathering that Japan remains committed to deepening cooperation with African countries and strengthening collaboration on shared global challenges.
Representatives of the African Union Commission and senior Japanese government officials also addressed the event.
The celebrations brought Africa’s diversity, resilience and growing global influence into focus, while serving as a platform to advance ties between the two sides in trade, investment, innovation, education and cultural exchange.
