JICA has trained many officials from South Africa on water resource management.

Mabudafhasi also embarked on a tour to the Oyama Chemical company, which produces textiles from recycled PET bottles. The fabric / textile is used to manufacture automobile materials, including seat back material, seat cloth, sun visors, air filters and floor carpet and clothes.

"It is envisaged that if such a recycling model can be used in South Africa, it will continue to inculcate a culture of waste management, turning waste into wealth, skills development and to create more jobs," the department said, noting that Mabudafhasi also visited the Kosuzume water purification plant and Isogo Thermal Power Plant.

The major part of the deputy minister's official visit was to mobilise Japan to support South Africa towards the 17th United Nations Frame work Convention on Climate Change (COP 17) to be held in Durban.

The outcome was a commitment by the Japan Bank of International Cooperation to fund South African green economy projects that are favourable to impact on the preservation of the global environment, such as significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.