University of Johannesburg (UJ) Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi, led a high-level delegation to a strategic meeting with His Excellency Ambassador Fumio Shimizu of Japan to the Republic of South Africa and the Kingdom of Lesotho on 5 August 2026, reinforcing the longstanding relationship between Japan and South Africa and exploring new opportunities for academic and institutional collaboration.
The engagement highlighted the University of Johannesburg’s unique role as a globally connected African institution and its commitment to strengthening partnerships that contribute to knowledge exchange, innovation, societal impact and international cooperation.
Professor Mpedi was accompanied by Professor Bhaso Ndzendze, Senior Director: Global Engagement, and Ms Sunita Menon, Head of Projects in the Vice-Chancellor’s Office.
Advancing UJ’s Global Footprint
The meeting forms part of UJ’s implementation of its Strategic Plan 2035, which places strong emphasis on building meaningful relationships with global partners around shared values and common priorities.
The University’s internationalisation agenda is anchored in values including impact, innovation and inclusivity, while its strategic pillars of Global Footprint and Partnerships, Societal Impact and Sustainability, and Technology for Future provide a framework for expanding UJ’s contribution locally, continentally and internationally.
The engagement with the Embassy of Japan therefore provides an important platform for connecting UJ’s academic and research strengths with Japan’s expertise, institutions and broader international cooperation priorities.
New Opportunities for Japan–UJ Collaboration
Discussions identified several areas with potential to deepen cooperation between UJ and Japanese partners.
These include language and cultural studies, student mobility and employability, research funding, staff exchanges and academic diplomacy.
Collaboration in language and cultural studies can contribute to greater mutual understanding between South Africa and Japan, while expanded student mobility can expose students to international academic environments, new skills and employment opportunities.
Research collaboration and access to funding opportunities also present significant potential, particularly in areas aligned with innovation, technology, sustainability and societal development.
Staff exchanges, meanwhile, can facilitate the sharing of academic expertise, institutional knowledge and international best practices.
Academic Diplomacy as a Bridge Between South Africa and Japan
The engagement also underscores the growing importance of academic diplomacy as a mechanism for strengthening relations between countries.
Universities increasingly serve as important platforms for international engagement, bringing together governments, researchers, students, businesses and civil society around shared areas of interest.
For UJ, partnerships with international diplomatic missions and institutions provide opportunities to extend the University’s global footprint while contributing to South Africa’s broader international engagement.
The meeting with Ambassador Shimizu demonstrates how university diplomacy can complement traditional diplomatic relations by creating sustained opportunities for education, research, cultural exchange and innovation.
Building a Sustainable Partnership
The engagement between UJ and the Embassy of Japan reflects a shared interest in developing partnerships that move beyond institutional exchanges towards tangible and sustainable outcomes.
As UJ continues implementing its Strategic Plan 2035, international partnerships will remain an important component of its efforts to strengthen research excellence, enhance student opportunities, advance innovation and increase its societal impact.
The meeting with Ambassador Fumio Shimizu consequently represents an important step towards further strengthening Japan–South Africa academic relations, while positioning the University of Johannesburg as an active contributor to international cooperation and knowledge diplomacy.
