“I’m Impressed”: Japan’s Ambassador Shares What Being in South Africa for Over a Year Has Been Like

• Japan's Ambassador to South Africa, Fumio Shimizu, shared a warm and heartfelt video reflecting on his time in the country
• He greeted South Africans in the local languages and asked viewers to recommend their favourite spots for him to visit
• Netizens shared their recommendations and a lot of love for an ambassador who clearly cares about the people and the place

Not every diplomat makes South Africans feel seen, but Japan's Ambassador to South Africa, Fumio Shimizu, managed to do exactly that. The Embassy of Japan in South Africa shared a video on their official Instagram page, @embassyofjapaninsouthafrica, on 31 March 2026, where Ambassador Shimizu looked straight into the camera and addressed the people of South Africa. He opened with greetings in isiZulu, Setswana, and Afrikaans, saying sawubona, dumelang, and goeie dag before introducing himself. He then went over what his first year in the country had been like.

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He said he had been deeply impressed by South Africa's beauty and by the energy and warmth of its people. Rather than speaking in diplomatic language, he kept it simple and genuine. He said that he still has so much of South Africa left to see and asked followers to let him know their favourite spots he should visit. He ended by saying ngiyabonga and baie dankie. He then signed off with an open invitation to write a new chapter together between Japan and South Africa.

The warmth of the video did not go unnoticed. One South African who attended a film screening that the ambassador also attended shared that he had taken the time to personally connect with them. He even helped link them with a Japanese film festival.

Watch the Instagram clip here.

Netizens love Japan's ambassador's SA experience

The comments section on the Instagram page @embassyofjapaninsouthafrica was full of warmth, recommendations and national pride:

@nubian_r.n.m wrote:

"A hell of a difference between the Japanese ambassador and that American one who came here starting nonsense. Thank you, Ambassador Shimizu, and welcome 🙏🤗"

@andiswandlazi said:

"This is how you engage with humans. Enkosi. Wena wamkelekile ❤️"

@rubenuitenweerde recommended:

"I highly recommend visiting the Garden Route, especially Herold's Bay 🤩"

@noxiemodiga suggested:

"Sir, I highly recommend uThukela. The Tugela Falls 😍 breathtaking!"

@simplysibongiles added:

"You must visit Hogsback in the Eastern Cape, definitely."

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@clarien_as_in_clarinet shared:

"You might enjoy the Arderne Gardens in Claremont, Cape Town. It includes trees descended from one of the trees that survived the atomic bomb in Hiroshima."

@zamobleach wrote:

"This man came to the screening of our film at Joburg FF. He made it his business to talk to me and connect us with a Japanese film festival. He was serious, not a snob, and genuinely helpful."

@bianca_meyer_07 said:

"I would highly recommend visiting Sun City. You won't regret it 🤍"

@its.just.pk added:

"Any good trip needs good food. Akhalwayas is a must 🙌"

@hideomaserati wrote:

"It's been three years since I've been back from South Africa. My kids can sing both Kimigayo and the South African national anthem. South Africa is our family's second home ❤️"

More on Japan and South Africa connecting

• Briefly News recently reported on a South African woman travelling abroad who shared a video of her Japanese friend dancing to Amapiano in Tokyo.
• Japan and South Africa made headlines after the two countries deepened their ties with a focus on trade, energy projects and political collaboration.
• Briefly News also took a look at some of the most popular Black characters from the Japanese anime series Naruto.

Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News