SOUTH African President Thabo Mbeki will make his first official visit to Japan in October and meet Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Emperor Akihito, the government said on Friday. Mbeki will arrive in Japan on October 1 for a three-day visit and meet the Emperor the following day, the foreign ministry said in a statement. The South African leader has visited Japan four times in the past in a private capacity, the ministry said. ”His visit is aimed at deepening bilateral relations and the Japanese government sincerely welcomes it,” the statement said. The date for Mbeki-Koizumi talks has yet to be decided, it said. – Sapa