The Japanese government announces that South Africans will no longer be granted visas to enter Japan

Date: 5 Jun 1974
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Due to South Africa’s Apartheid regime in the 1970s and 1980s, many countries were cautious to be seen as allies with the country. Japan was one of these countries. Japan depended heavily on trade and it could not risk receiving negative international attention. On 5 June 1974, the Japanese government announced that South Africans would no longer be granted visas to enter Japan. The announcement meant that they were not to take part in sporting, cultural and educational activities. The ban came into effect on 15 June 1974.

Search events by date

What happened on your birthday?

How we know this

01Payne R.J. Japan’s South Africa Policy: Political Rhetoric and Economic Realities from Jstor [online] Available at: www.jstor.org [Accessed on 25 June 2012]
02Mukonoweshuro E.G. Japanese commercial interest in South Africa from T and F online Available at: www.tandfonline.com [Accessed on 25 May 2012]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2012, May 31). The Japanese government announces that South Africans will no longer be granted visas to enter Japan. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084191

South African History Online (2012) 'The Japanese government announces that South Africans will no longer be granted visas to enter Japan', South African History Online, 31 May. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084191 (Accessed: 21 July 2026).

South African History Online, The Japanese government announces that South Africans will no longer be granted visas to enter Japan [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084191, (accessed 21 July 2026).

"The Japanese government announces that South Africans will no longer be granted visas to enter Japan." South African History Online, 31 May 2012, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084191. Accessed 21 July 2026.

South African History Online. "The Japanese government announces that South Africans will no longer be granted visas to enter Japan." South African History Online. May 31, 2012. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0084191.