SOUTH African President Thabo Mbeki called on Japan on Monday to play a greater role in development of the African continent through links with his country. In a meeting hours after his arrival on a three-day visit, Mbeki also agreed with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to join hands in fighting terrorism. “Japan is fulfilling a global role and it is natural for Japan to deal with various problems of Africa,” Mbeki was quoted as telling Koizumi. A joint communiqu outlining bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation between the two countries will be released possibly on Wednesday.