Cabinet Secretariat [Wednesday, February 15, 2017]
Meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the second meeting in 2017 of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy at the Prime Minister's Office.
At the meeting, after a discussion on the economies of the United States and other countries, concentrated deliberations were held on monetary policy, commodity prices and other issues.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“First, we held a discussion on the economies of the United States and other countries.
Japan and the United States together make up 30 percent of global GDP, and share common interests of maintaining a strong global economy, securing financial stability, and increasing employment opportunities.
During my recent visit to the United States, it was decided that the framework for a new economic dialogue led by Deputy Prime Minister Aso and Vice President Pence of the United States will be launched in order for Japan and the United States to further deepen our win-win economic relations. I would like us to have constructive discussions under this economic dialogue framework.
Second, concentrated deliberations were held on monetary policy, commodity prices and other issues.
Toward the Japanese economy’s exit from deflation, the Government and the Bank of Japan must work as one to continue to release the three arrows of Abenomics. I also hope that forward-looking results will be achieved in this year's spring employer-employee negotiations.
It was pointed out by private sector members that compared to the growth in income, the tempo of recovery of consumption is sluggish. As a new initiative to encourage individual consumption, Premium Friday (the practice of having shorter working hours on the last Friday of each month) will be implemented monthly beginning on February 24. I would like the Government as well to exercise ingenuity so that as many personnel as possible can enjoy this practice.”
Cabinet Secretariat [Tuesday, February 14, 2017]
Council for the Realization of Work Style Reform
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the seventh meeting of the Council for the Realization of Work Style Reform, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, there was discussion on correcting the practice of working long hours and employment among the elderly.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“Today, based on the draft plan put forward by the Secretariat, we had a more concrete discussion on how to amend the relevant laws for correcting the practice of working long hours.
The issue of what the maximum work hours should be for whom is an extremely important discussion, and it should not be decided by a majority vote. In other words, I would like to submit the plan only when it has the support of every one of you. In particular, an agreement needs to be fully reached between the labor side and the employer side. Unless an agreement is reached, unfortunately this legislation cannot be submitted.
We have a little over a month until the action plan is decided in March. I would like to ask everyone to express their views concretely, so that a conclusion that both reflects the actual situation and increases effectiveness is contained in the plan, giving due consideration to the valuable time remaining.
In regard to regulating the maximum hours of overtime work permitted with penalties attached to the regulations, although this has been discussed over many years by the Labor Policy Council, a conclusion has not been reached. Therefore, we established this Council for the Realization of Work Style Reform, with myself as the Chair, whereby labor and management leaders and experts gather together and hold discussions. I would like both the labor and the management sides to hold candid and responsible discussions.
In addition, today we held a discussion on employment among the elderly. With the declining working population, diverse employment opportunities need to be provided to ambitious elderly people in order to ensure the growth potential of Japan. I would like to advance the discussion on promoting employment among the elderly, and to incorporate effective measures in the March action plan.
I would like to ask for your continued cooperation with the deliberations. Thank you.”
Cabinet Secretariat [Thursday, February 9, 2017]
Press Occasion on the Visit to the United States
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press occasion at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport).
The Prime Minister said the following with regard to his visit to the United States,
“I hope to make this summit meeting one that sends the message that the Japan-US Alliance is unwavering, and that together with President Trump we will make the Japan-US Alliance even more robust and strong.
With regard to economic relations, Japan and the United States have enjoyed win-win economic relations. I intend to continue developing our economic relations in a win-win manner. I also hope to make further advances in the economic relations between our two countries based on free and fair rules. I would like to confirm these points at the Summit Meeting. As for the TPP, I will of course thoroughly explain my thoughts and Japan’s stance.
In Florida, I am very much looking forward to playing golf with President Trump, and to my wife and I having dinner with President Trump and the First Lady. With regard to golf, I heard a story from my grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, about the time he played with former US President Eisenhower. Apparently, they hit some good shots and some bad ones as well, and I heard that seeing up close President Eisenhower’s disappointment when missing a putt helped bring the two much closer together. In the same way, I hope to build a strong relationship of trust with President Trump in an informal setting.
Cabinet Secretariat [Friday, February 10, 2017]
Visit to the United States: First Day
On February 9 (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Washington D.C. in the United States of America.
The next day, on February 10 (local time), Prime Minister Abe attended a breakfast meeting jointly held by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and U.S.-Japan Business Council, and then offered a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery.
Following that, at the White House Prime Minister Abe held a summit meeting with the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, and held a joint press conference.
Afterwards, Prime Minister Abe flew with President Trump on Air Force One to Palm Beach, Florida, where he visited an estate owned by President Trump and attended a dinner hosted by President Trump and the First Lady.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs [Friday, February 10, 2017]
Prime Minister Abe Attends the Breakfast Meeting co-hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-Japan Business Council
On Friday, February 10, commencing at 7:45 (Saturday, February 11, 21:45. Japan time) for approximately 85 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, attended the breakfast meeting co-hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-Japan Business Council. At the breakfast meeting, bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress and CEOs of U.S. corporations including President Thomas J. Donohue of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chairman Chuck Robbins of the U.S.-Japan Business Council, CEO of Cisco Systems, Inc. attended and exchanged views on how to further strengthen ties between Japan and the U.S.
1 Meeting session with members of the U.S. Congress
(1) For about 40 minutes, Prime Minister Abe held a meeting, moderated by President Donohue, with bipartisan members of the U.S. Congress including the Honorable Nancy Pelosi, House Democratic Leader and Republican Senator John Sydney McCain III.
(2) Prime Minister Abe expressed his appreciation to the participants for understanding and cooperation for the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and stated that "In this visit, I would like to build a relationship of trust with President Trump solidly, and clearly demonstrate at home and abroad that the alliance between Japan and the U.S. is unwavering."
(3) In response, participants touched upon the importance of the Japan-U.S. Alliance in the Asia-Pacific Region which has been changing and the development of economic relationship between Japan and the U.S., and stated one after another that they would like to strengthen the relationship with Japan.
2 Breakfast session with CEOs of the U.S. private companies
(1) Following the meeting with members of the U.S. Congress, Prime Minister Abe moved to the breakfast session with business leaders including CEOs representing the U.S., and had an exchange of views moderated by President Donohue President Donohue President Donohue President Donohue and Chairman rman RobbinsRobbins .
(2) In the beginning, President Donohue pointed out the importance of close economic relationship between Japan and the U.S.
(3) Prime Minister Abe stated that "I express my appreciation to business leaders representing the U.S. for gathering. Japan and the U.S. share values and strategic interests and attach importance to freedom as well as the rule of law. On this basis, the two countries would preserve what shouldn't be changed but deal with various issues dynamically and then play a leading role in economic growth in the world." "The two countries have gone through a number of consultations and led to build a win-win relationship after a long period of time." and "With a world situation growing, I am expecting that we demonstrate the unwavering alliance between Japan and the U.S at home and abroad, and mark the beginning of new economic relationship between Japan and the U.S. I would like to ask for continuous cooperation from you, friends of Japan"
Cabinet Secretariat [Saturday, February 11, 2017]
Visit to the United States: Second Day
On February 11 (local time), Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is visiting Palm Beach, Florida in the United States of America, played golf with the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, and then attended dinner.
Afterwards, the two leaders held a Japan-U.S. joint press announcement concerning the launch of a ballistic missile by North Korea.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs [Saturday, February 11, 2017]
Japan-US Joint Press Conference
Prime Minister Abe:
North Korea’s most recent missile launch is absolutely intolerable. North Korea must fully comply with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions. During the summit meeting that I had with President Trump, he assured me that the United States will always be with Japan 100%. And to demonstrate his determination as well as commitment, he is now here with me at this joint press conference. President Trump and I, myself, completely share the view that we are going to promote further collaboration between the two nations and also we are going to further reinforce our alliance. That is all from me.
President Trump:
Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100%. Thank you.
Cabinet Secretariat [Saturday, February 11, 2017]
Joint Press Conference with President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America on the Missile Launch by North Korea
Prime Minister Abe:
North Korea’s most recent missile launch is absolutely intolerable. North Korea must fully comply with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
During the summit meeting that I had with President Trump, he assured me that the United States will always be with Japan 100%. And to demonstrate his determination as well as commitment, he is now here with me at this joint press conference.
President Trump and I, myself, completely share the view that we are going to promote further collaboration between the two nations and also we are going to further reinforce our alliance. That is all from me.
President Trump:
Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister.
I just want everybody to understand and fully know that the United States of America stands behind Japan, its great ally, 100%. Thank you.