Meeting with the UN Secretary-General and Other Events
Cabinet Secretariat, Thursday, December 14, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
On December 14, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. António Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Following a salute and guard of honor ceremony, Prime Minister Abe and Secretary-General Guterres held a meeting. Afterwards they held a joint press announcement.
Statement by H.E. Mr. Taro Kono,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan
at the United Nations Security Council Briefing on Non-proliferation / Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
“Threats and challenges posed by North Korea to international peace and security”
Foreign Affairs, Friday, December 15, 2017
As we have all witnessed, North Korea has been escalating its outrageous acts of provocation in flagrant violation of relevant Security Council resolutions. In the past two years, North Korea has launched 40 ballistic missiles, and two of those missiles flew over Japan. They have also conducted three nuclear tests. The one in September, North Korea purported it to be a hydrogen bomb test. Its scale was far larger than its previous tests. Their defiance of the authority of this Council is totally unacceptable.
Most recently, on November 29th, North Korea launched a ballistic missile with the range of an ICBM. This appears to be a new type. It demonstrated, once again, that North Korea poses a clear global threat to all Member States. The advancement of its nuclear program fundamentally threatens the NPT regime.
The latest launch was conducted 75 days after North Korea’s provocations in September. Some optimistic views labeled 75 days of silence as a positive signal. However, the missile launch in November made it clear that North Korea was continuing to relentlessly develop its nuclear and missile programs even while they were seemingly silent. It is ever more evident that North Korea is nowhere near ready to abandon them, nor is it interested in returning to a meaningful dialogue.
The visit by UN Under-Secretary-General Feltman only reconfirmed the dire reality. The international community should be even more alarmed by the fact that North Korea is continuing its nuclear and missile development even as we hold this meeting.
North Korea purports that its programs are for its own security, including maintenance of its regime. Quite to the contrary, it is an extremely dangerous act which goes against the international order and could affect the safety of any other Member State.
In this connection, Japan has never set as its goal regime change in other countries or regions by force. We are of the view that a peaceful solution is desirable.
However, it is North Korea that has consistently rejected such a solution. Instead it has been continuously escalating its acts of provocation. North Korea is ignoring the so-called “Agreed Framework” of 1994 and the Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks of 2005. In betrayal of the good faith of all the countries concerned, North Korea used these talks as pretexts to continue its nuclear and missile development. Over these two decades, how has North Korea rewarded our efforts toward dialogue and assistance? North Korea employed brinksmanship and tried to win concessions.
It is our responsibility not to repeat such past mistakes as conducting dialogue for the sake of dialogue. It has only served North Korea to stall for time on its nuclear and missile development. Relevant Security Council resolutions have already clearly decided that North Korea must abandon its programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. We should not backtrack from that goal. A prerequisite for a meaningful dialogue is North Korea’s commitment and concrete action toward denuclearization.
What is important today is that the international community becomes more united and cooperates closely on maximizing pressure on North Korea by all means available. Only by doing so, we can make North Korea change its policy. The series of United Nations sanction measures are an effective means to achieve this goal.
In this regard, this Council should also be reminded of its determination, expressed in the relevant resolutions, to take further significant measures in the event of a further nuclear test or launch by North Korea.
Sanctions are the tool to make North Korea understand that there is no other way but to change its policy. The Security Council has adopted unprecedentedly strong sanction measures, which are close to a full-fledged sanction regime. Sanctions are most effective when they are fully implemented. They must exert robust pressure on North Korea and curb their nuclear and missile programs by drastically reducing its foreign currency earnings. In this context, we strongly urge all Member States to fully implement the sanctions and close any possible loopholes. To this end, Japan is ready to assist countries which have difficulties in implementing sanction measures.
In addition, we welcome more autonomous measures targeting North Korea being introduced or reinforced in many countries. Japan calls on all Member States to take further additional measures to stop the movement of persons, goods and funds to North Korea, including severing diplomatic ties. Japan has been implementing its own strict measures. Today, I would like to announce in this Council that Japan has just introduced additional autonomous measures: we have newly designated 19 North Korean entities for asset freeze. I also call on other Member States to take similar measures.
Regrettably, the threat posed by North Korea also includes production capacity of other weapons of mass destruction, such as biological and chemical weapons. It also includes activities in the cyber space. It is reported that North Korea may be acquiring funds to further develop its nuclear and missile programs by selling weapons or through cyber thefts. We should strengthen our international network of information sharing and cooperation so that we can better cope with all possible threats.
Even as we speak, nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles are being steadily developed at the expense of the welfare of the people in North Korea. Grave violations of their human rights cannot be overlooked.
In the past, North Korean agents infiltrated Japan and abducted a number of Japanese citizens, including a girl as young as thirteen years old. Only five of the abductees returned. Many Japanese have remained in custody in North Korea. This week, a mother of one of the abductees passed away, not having seen her beloved daughter for nearly 40 years. Another family member also passed away recently. The families cannot wait forever.
It is most regrettable that only a few of the abductees have returned to their home country where their families and friends are waiting. We need to underscore our serious concern over human rights violations and abuses committed by North Korea, including those against citizens of other countries within and outside the territory of North Korea, as seen in the case of Mr. Warmbier.
The comprehensive resolution of the abductions issue and the nuclear and missile issues is the only way to realize the goal of the United Nations to maintain international peace and security, including North Korea itself.
North Korea may be able to dramatically boost its economy and improve the welfare of its people if it chooses the right path. North Korea will only be able to enjoy a bright future by resolving the nuclear and missile issues and the abductions issue.
As North Korea has yet to fulfil its commitment to denuclearization and make concrete actions toward that end, let us send a clear and unified message together here that the international community will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea.
I thank you.
[Additional statement]
Japan has consistently devoted itself to create a free and democratic country, respecting human rights and abiding by the rule of law, and to support peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region as a peace-loving nation. The path Japan has walked as a peace-loving nation will not change in future and contribute to the peace and prosperity of the world more than ever before.
In our meeting today, we have condemned in the strongest terms the acts of provocation by North Korea in violation of relevant Security Council resolutions. We once again made it clear that the international community will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea. I call on all the Member States to fully implement the relevant Security Council resolutions and maximize international pressure on North Korea in order to realize a denuclearized Korean Peninsula.
After our Presidency this month, Japan will leave the Security Council. However, we will continue to cooperate closely with the remaining and incoming members, as well as non-Security Council members, so that the North Korean issue will be properly addressed in the Council.
Extraordinary Press Conference by Foreign Minister Taro Kono
Friday, December 15, 2017, 3:02 p.m. United States of America : New York
Foreign Affairs, Friday, December 15, 2017
Opening Remarks
Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs: Thank you for coming to my press conference today. Japan will leave the Security Council at the end of this month. I would like to take this opportunity to reflect on what we have achieved and on what areas we have placed emphasis for the past two years on the Security Council.
As many of you might imagine, we have particularly focused on North Korea, which now poses a global threat to all Member States. We also worked proactively on various themes and regional situations, building on our many years of experience and expertise. These include stabilization of situations in the Middle East and Africa, peacebuilding, peacekeeping operations, and counter-terrorism among others.
This morning, I presided over the Security Council Ministerial-Level Meeting on the North Korean issue. With the participation of foreign ministers, state ministers, vice ministers of many Council Members, we sent a clear message that we will never accept a nuclear-armed North Korea and that nuclear and missile development in flagrant violation of Security Council resolutions will never be tolerated. We also sent a unified message that it is essential for every UN Member State to fully implement all the relevant Security Council resolutions.
Many members also expressed their grave concerns over human rights violations in North Korea. Some members referred to other threats posed by North Korea such as the development and proliferation of chemical weapons and cyber-attacks.
We have also confirmed that it is important not only for the Security Council but also for the entire international community to maximize its pressure on North Korea and to corner North Korea to change its policy.
In short, the Ministerial Meeting today was very successful and useful for further pressuring North Korea.
Looking back at the past two years of Japan’s tenure on the Council, North Korea blatantly conducted three nuclear tests and launched 40 ballistic missiles in violation of relevant Security Council resolutions. Responding to these provocations, the Security Council adopted five more resolutions as well as a number of press statements and a presidential statement. Five sanction resolutions have been adopted in only two years’ time. This indicates how drastically North Korea has been escalating its acts of provocation in recent years.
Japan has played a leading role, in close cooperation with the United States, in addressing North Korea’s provocations in the Council, especially in the negotiations leading to the adoptions of relevant resolutions. We will continue to work closely with countries concerned, including the U.S., next year and beyond. We will fully explain our position on North Korean issues to all the Security Council members to ensure that the issue will continue to be duly discussed and addressed in the Security Council.
On the situation in Africa, which accounts for about 60% of the agenda of the Security Council, we tried to objectively and accurately understand the volatile situation on the ground. We also carefully listened to the voices of African representatives on the Council. We have always tried to consider the issues from the following perspective: how the Security Council can prevent the recurrence of conflicts, how the Council can support people living there, and how we can contribute to mid- to long-term development and stability in the affected countries or regions. To that end, we have tried our best to utilize the Security Council in the most effective and timely manner.
In this context, we organized an open debate on peacebuilding in Africa last July. The presidential statement adopted at the meeting stressed the importance of institution building, capacity building, trust building and innovation in peacebuilding methods, including the use of science and technology, based on African ownership. We hope this presidential statement will serve as a good guidance for related activities at the UN, including the Security Council.
Turning to the Middle East, Japan has been proactively engaged in the discussions of the Council and has tried to make progress on difficult agendas such as Syria, Yemen, the Middle East peace process and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, I have to admit that we are not optimistic about the situation.
On the Middle East peace process, the Security Council held an emergency meeting last week. We are carefully watching this issue with great interest. Japan supports a two-state solution for the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Japan will continue to contribute to achieving peace through facilitating confidence building among parties concerned and economic development of Palestine including efforts such as “Jericho Agro-Industrial Park”.
As for Syria, we believe that it is important to improve the humanitarian situation on the ground and create a situation where people can have hope toward their future. In this regard, Japan, along with Sweden and Egypt, served as the co-penholders for humanitarian issues in Syria.
It is regrettable that the Security Council was not able to respond to the use of chemical weapons in Syria in a united manner. Japan proactively engaged in the discussions from the standpoint that neither the use of chemical weapons nor impunity should be tolerated.
In Yemen, fighting on the ground still continues and people remain stuck in a dire humanitarian situation. Back in September, during the UN High-level Week, I attended the meeting on the humanitarian situation in Yemen to discuss how we can improve the situation there. At this meeting and other fora, including the Security Council, Japan has always emphasized the importance of a negotiated political settlement, as well as its concern over the humanitarian situation to the countries concerned.
On Afghanistan, this year, Japan assumed the lead in the Security Council. The fact that the Security Council issued more press statements on terrorist attacks this year than last year implies a deterioration in the security situation. We have been proactively engaged in the discussions in the Council to draw more international attention to the situation in Afghanistan.
As we continue to closely follow all regional situations, we note that the types of threats that the contemporary international community now faces are becoming more diversified.
In recent years, the Security Council has held a number of meetings focusing on various issues such as climate change, famine, and infectious diseases in addition to traditional conflicts between nations. This demonstrates that these issues need to be addressed not only from development and humanitarian standpoints, but also from the standpoint of international peace and security.
On December 20th next week, we will hold an open debate focusing on these issues. Japan will continue to contribute to the discussions to make sure that the Security Council can respond more effectively to such complex contemporary threats.
Let me touch on the achievement on the working methods of the Security Council. The Council has long accumulated practices on its working methods that were not necessarily codified in the form of a document.
Japan has long worked on systematizing and improving the working methods of the Security Council so that the Council can act in the most effective manner and so that incoming non-permanent members can effectively play their role from the outset of their tenure.
This year, Japan once again took the initiative to revise the comprehensive and structured presidential note 507, which is incorporated in the new handbook on the working methods of the Security Council, the so-called “Green Book”.
This handbook will fill the gaps of experience among the Security Council members and contribute to securing greater transparency in the work of the Council. This also serves as an important basis upon which all the Member States can proactively engage in the work of the Council on an equal footing. I am happy to hear that we have received positive feedbacks not only from Security Council members but also from the wider UN Membership.
Meanwhile, I must stress that the Security Council still does not reflect the realities of the international community in the 21st century, as we can see from the fact that Africa, which is broadly and frequently discussed in the Security Council, is underrepresented.
After two years on the Council, we have reaffirmed that this is an important issue that needs to be addressed. The Security Council needs to be reformed and to enhance its legitimacy, effectiveness and representation.
The reform of the Security Council is an urgent task necessary for the Council to more effectively address threats to international peace and security, not only from the viewpoint of Japan’s aspirations to join the other permanent members.
In that sense, it is important to launch text-based negotiations in the intergovernmental negotiations during the current session of the General Assembly.
As you know, the reform of the UN secretariat is now in progress under the leadership of Secretary-General Guterres. We believe that reform in the areas of peace and security, development and management are all equally important. At the same time, no reform of the United Nations will be complete without the reform of the Security Council. I would like to recall this is what the Secretary-General himself has explicitly mentioned.
Japan will continue to work on the early reform of Security Council in close cooperation with other Member States. At the same time, Japan will contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security by attempting to be non-permanent member of the Council as frequently as possible until such time as reform is finally achieved. Therefore, I wish to announce that Japan will be running for non-permanent membership on the Security Council at the elections to be held in 2022.
Thank you.
The Adoption of the Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the Plenary Meeting of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, December 20, 2017
1. The Resolution on the Situation of Human Rights in the DPRK on December 20 (December 19 local time) was adopted by consensus, at the Plenary Meeting of the 72nd Session of the United Nations General Assembly currently being held in New York. The resolution, co-tabled by Japan and the European Union (EU), has been adopted for 13 consecutive years.
2. Based on last year’s United Nations General Assembly resolution reflecting the final report of the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the DPRK, the resolution this year condemns the North Korea’s systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations, and urges the North Korea to urgently take measures to end all human rights violations. In addition, the resolution underscores very serious concerns regarding reports of torture, summary executions, arbitrary detention, abductions and other forms of human rights violations and abuses that North Korea commits against citizens from other countries within and outside of its territory.
3. The resolution also condemns North Korea for diverting its resources into pursuing nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles over the welfare of its people. Furthermore, the resolution encourages the United Nations Security Council to take appropriate actions, including through consideration of referral of the situation in the North Korea to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and consideration of the further development of sanctions.
4. The consensus adoption of the resolution demonstrates the international community’s grave concerns about human rights violations in North Korea, including the abductions issue. Japan continues to strongly urge North Korea to sincerely accept the views of the international community expressed in this resolution and take concrete action towards improving the situation of human rights including the early resolution of the abductions issue and cooperation with the international community.
Japan-Myanmar Summit Meeting and Other Events
Cabinet Secretariat, Thursday, December 14, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
On December 14, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Htin Kyaw, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, at the Prime Minister's Office.
The two leaders attended a salute and guard of honor ceremony, and then held a summit meeting. Thereafter, the leaders held a joint press announcement.
Later, the Prime Minister hosted a dinner banquet at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence and said in his address,
“I would like to extend a heartfelt welcome to H.E. Mr. Htin Kyaw, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and his wife on their visit to Japan. This marks the first time that the President of Myanmar has visited Japan, and I was told that for President Htin Kyaw, this is his first trip to our country in nearly 40 years. I am very pleased to welcome you to Japan as President on your first trip back in 40 years.
President Htin Kyaw’s father Mr. Min Thu Wun lived in Japan in the 1970s when he was a visiting professor at Osaka University of Foreign Languages. He also took part in the editing of a Japanese-Myanmarese dictionary.
Two years have passed since the historic change of government in Myanmar. I believe that the people of Myanmar are very proud of President Htin Kyaw for administering the government together with H.E. State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi.
I hear that recently there is a growing desire among the people of Myanmar to learn Japanese. I am very pleased to hear this, but the popularity of Japanese is growing so fast that the education of Japanese language teachers cannot keep up with the demand. Therefore, I ask that all of you in attendance today, including those of you from the private sector, help us to dispatch Japanese language teachers to Myanmar.
There were more than 20,000 applicants for this year’s Japanese Language Proficiency Test in Myanmar. This is the largest number of applicants ever in Myanmar and the third largest in ASEAN, trailing only Vietnam and Thailand. Myanmar also has the sixth largest number of applicants worldwide.
The number of students wishing to attend the Japanese language departments of foreign language universities in Yangon and Mandalay indicates that the popularity of Japanese is second only to that of English.
Furthermore, the number of Japanese companies setting up operations in Myanmar has increased six-fold compared to just five years ago. As a result, there will continue to be growing demand for human resources who are proficient in Japanese. I believe that if President Htin Kyaw’s father were still with us today, he would be asked to help edit a new updated dictionary containing economic terms and other words of the times.
There are a large number of Myanmar fans in Japan, too. Everyone who visits Myanmar becomes a fan of the country. My father, too, visited Myanmar when he was Minister for Foreign Affairs and he became enthralled with the country. I traveled with my father on his trip to Myanmar and, to this day, I still remember my father saying yes to every request of Myanmar’s Foreign Minister, and then the Director-General, who was also attending the meeting, passing a note that said ‘Minister, please control yourself.’ I am a staunch fan of Myanmar and my wife even wrote her master’s thesis on temple schools in Myanmar.
At this evening’s dinner banquet, we are joined by many Japanese people who have a thorough understanding of Myanmar’s appeal and who have been similarly captivated by Myanmar. We are also joined by people who have helped to develop relations between our two countries.
It is truly thanks to your efforts that Japan and Myanmar have a strong relationship as we see today. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation and ask for your continued assistance in developing relations between Japan and Myanmar.
I would now like to offer a toast with the hope that this visit by President Htin Kyaw and his wife will take the relationship between our two countries to even greater heights.”
Courtesy Call from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea
Cabinet Secretariat, Tuesday, December 19, 2017
On December 19, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from H.E. Ms. Kang Kyung-wha, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Opinion Poll: U.S. Image of Japan
Foreign Affairs, Wedensday, December 20, 2017
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs contracted with Nielsen Consumer Insights Inc. to conduct an opinion poll by Harris Poll on the image of Japan in the United States in March 2017. This poll has been conducted almost every year since 1960. For the “general public” group, telephone interviews were carried out with 1,005 adults aged 18 and over who live in the United States. For the “opinion leaders” group, telephone interviews were carried out with 200 people in leading positions in the fields of government, business, academia, the news media, religion and labor unions.
1. The percentage who perceived Japan to be a dependable partner was 82% (vs. 73% in JFY2015) among the general public and was 86% (vs. 83% in JFY2015) among opinion leaders, high figures similar to the last year’s poll. The poll showed 62% (same in JFY2015) of the general public and 58% (vs. 75% in JFY2015) of the opinion leaders viewed cooperation between Japan and the U.S. as “excellent” or “good”. In addition, the percentage of those who agreed that the Japanese and American people had a good or fair understanding of each other was 43% (vs. 36% in JFY2015) among the general public, and 33% (vs. 38% in JFY2015) among the opinion leaders.
2. As for which country is the most important partner of the U.S. in Asia, as with last year, Australia and India were added to the list choices from two years ago (Japan, China, Korea, and Russia) for both the general public and opinion leaders. The percentage of the general public who answered Japan was the largest at 33% (vs. 27% in JFY2015), followed by China at 20% (vs. 25% in JFY2015). As for the opinion leaders, 34% (vs. 48% in JFY 2015) answered Japan, followed 21 % who answered China (vs.19% in FJY2015).
3. With regard to the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty, the percentage who answered that the U.S. should maintain the current Japan-U.S. Security Treaty was 82% (vs. 81% in JFY2015) among the general public and 86% (vs. 84% in JFY2015) among the opinion leaders, receiving over 80% support just as last fiscal year. As for the percentage of those who answered that the Treaty contributes to the peace and security of Japan and in the Far East either to “a great extent” or to “a moderate amount” was 83% (vs. 77% in JFY 2015) among the general public and 88% (vs. 86% in JFY2015) among the opinion leaders. The percentage of those who answered that the Treaty is “very important” or “somewhat important” for the U.S. in terms of its own security was 87% (vs. 85% in JFY2015) among the general public and 86% (vs. 84% in JFY2015) among the opinion leaders. Therefore, the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty system is highly evaluated overall. With regard to whether or not Japan should increase its self-defense capability, 61% (vs. 59% in JFY2015) of the general public answered “Yes, should increase”, while for the opinion leaders the figure was 66% (vs. 65% in JFY2015).
4. As for whether Japan and the U.S. should closely cooperate for peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region, majority of the respondents, 91% (vs. 93% in JFY2015) of the general public and 96% (vs. 100% in JFY2015) of the opinion leaders, favors the idea. In addition, majority of the audience, with 80% (vs. 83% in JFY 2015) among the general public and 85% (vs. 88% in JFY2015) responded that Japan should play a more proactive role.
5. With regard to the image describing Japan (multiple answers allowed; targeting the general public only), Japan was viewed as “a country that has great tradition and culture” (95%); “a country with a strong economy and high-technology” (87%); “a country with beautiful nature” (84%); “a country that has consistently been a peace-loving nation since the end of World War II” (82%); and “a country that introduces new cultures to the world” (79%). With respect to the areas of Japanese culture that the public are interested in, “Japanese food” (70%); “Architecture” (66%); “Lifestyles and Way of thinking” (65%); “Sumo or Japanese martial arts such as Karate, Judo, or Kendo” (50%); and “Flower arrangement” (46%) were among the most selected answers.
6. Concerning what policy Japan should focus on in order to deepen economic ties between Japan and the U.S. (survey targeted only the opinion leaders), 86% responded that Japan should “promote technological cooperation in areas such as clean energy and high-speed railway systems,” followed by 57% who said Japan should “cooperate in negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” and 57% who said cooperation to “develop natural resources such as shale gas.”
Opinion Poll: 2016 U.S. Image of Japan (Graphs (PDF)Open a New Window / Full Text (PDF)Open a New Window)
Release of diplomatic records
Foreign Affairs, Wedensday, December 20, 2017
1. On December 20, 25 files of diplomatic records were released at the Diplomatic Archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The files include: the visit to Japan by Mr. John Foster Dulles, Secretary of State of the United States of America; hostage crisis in Lebanon in the 1980s; the visit to Japan by Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales in 1986; the visit of Prime Minister Nakasone to China in 1986.
2. A brief summary and all documents of these records can be accessed from the links below.
A brief summary (PDF)Open a New Window
All documents (PDF)Open a New Window
Visit to Iwate Prefecture
Cabinet Secretariat, Wednesday, December 20, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
On December 20, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Iwate Prefecture.
In Yamada Town, the Prime Minister visited the Whale and Science of Sea Museum, which reopened in July 2017, and saw its exhibitions. Afterwards, the Prime Minister visited Iwate Prefectural Otsuchi High School in Otsuchi Town, and offered encouragement to the high school students who are engaged in activities to contribute to the restoration of the local area. The Prime Minister then visited the Kamaishi Forest Owner’s Association in Kamaishi City, and observed manufacturing utilizing local materials.
After the visit, the Prime Minister said,
“Today I observed areas in Iwate Prefecture that sustained a great deal of damage from the tsunami. March 11, 2018 will mark a full seven years since the earthquake. Although reconstruction is only half complete, the restoration work is definitely making progress as a result of the will of all the local people, who have made tireless efforts towards reconstruction during this period of almost seven years. On this visit, I again felt the local people’s strength and passion towards reconstruction.
In Yamada Town, the Whale and Science of Sea Museum has reopened at last, which was made possible by the contributions of local people, staff, and volunteers seeking to revive the town’s symbol. I encourage many people to come and see what is said to be the world’s biggest mounted specimen of a sperm whale.
As for Otsuchi High School, it served as an evacuation center that welcomed the people of the town. While being affected by the disaster themselves, high school students served as the staff running the evacuation center, and in that very difficult situation, the students worked very hard to further improve the environment of the evacuation center. I was told that in order to pass on these experiences of previous students and also to draw on the experiences in case anything were to happen in the future, a reconstruction study group was established and conducts fixed-point observations. They said they would like to leave a record of how the town is recovering. I felt greatly encouraged listening to them tell me that their motive in carrying out these activities is their love for their town. The strength of these young people will be a powerful driving force in promoting the reconstruction. I hope that even after the students graduate, they will continue to work hard, also for the good of their town.
Here in Kamaishi, a new pilot program has begun for manufacturing utilizing wood and steel, which are materials that this area boasts. I sensed the town’s ambition to grow from this area the buds of new ‘nariwai,’ or occupations and livelihoods that sustain people’s daily lives, pooling the wisdom of both local people and those who come from other places. We will also put efforts into the revitalization of forestry, one of the nariwai of the area.
The Government will fully support the reconstruction work. There can be no revitalization of Japan without the reconstruction of Tohoku. This is the basic position of the Abe administration. I have come away with a renewed sense that we will not be able to achieve reconstruction without the will of the local people. While there is a variety of issues, including Fukushima, we will continue to exert our full efforts towards reconstruction, while paying close attention to the feelings of the local people.”
Luncheon with Japanese-Speaking Ambassadors to Japan
Cabinet Secretariat, Monday, December 18, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
On December 18, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a luncheon for Japanese-speaking ambassadors accredited to Japan, at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
“Welcome to the Prime Minister’s Official Residence. This is the third time I have hosted this luncheon with Japanese-speaking ambassadors, and I very much look forward to conversing with you, with whom I do not need to speak through an interpreter.
I always feel that the comments and views of all of you, who deeply understand Japan’s culture and society through your knowledge of Japanese, are immensely heartening and precious to this country. All in all, Japan is not a country that asserts itself very much. I hope that on our behalf you will communicate to the rest of the world about the positive aspects of Japan, and about Japanese culture.
The Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games will take place in two years. I expect that many people will visit Japan from abroad that year. I greatly look forward to visits by so many guests from your home countries. I have high hopes that it will allow even more people to come in contact with Japanese culture, and that the number of people who understand Japan will increase thanks to the interactions visitors will have with Japanese people.
Today, I would like to hear your frank views as true Japanophiles. I hope to hear valuable comments from you, from your perspective as foreign nationals who have come to Japan, about what this country should do more of, or areas in which the Government is lacking. There is still time left until 2020, and I intend to take action based on your many precious opinions. I will fix what needs to be fixed. Thank you very much.”
Japan-Ukraine Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
Foreign Affairs, Friday, December 15, 2017
On Friday, December 15, commencing at 5:15 p.m. (local time; 7:15 a.m. on Saturday, December 16, Japan time) for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, who was visiting New York to attend the United Nations Security Council Briefing on non-proliferation (North Korea), held a meeting with Mr. Pavlo Klimkin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. At the beginning, Minister Kono expressed gratitude for Minister Klimkin’s attendance at the UNSC Briefing, and mentioned the progress in the bilateral relationship this year, including the “Year of Japan in Ukraine” that has been held to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, and the new relaxation of visa requirements for Ukraine. In response, Minister Klimkin highly appreciated the “Year of Japan in Ukraine,” along with voicing his gratitude for Japan’s support for Ukraine and expressing his expectation that the bilateral relationship will develop further in the future.
2. The two ministers both highly appreciated the two countries’ cooperative relationship thus far as non-permanent members of the UNSC, including with regard to the North Korea problem.
3. The two ministers exchanged views widely on the bilateral relationship, the situation in Ukraine, East Asia and the Middle East, and other matters.
Meeting between Foreign Minister Taro Kono and H.E. Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, December 13, 2017
On December 13, commencing at 0:15 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H. E. Ms. Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris. An overview of the meeting is as follows:
1. Cooperation with UNESCO
(1) Minister Kono congratulated the inauguration of the Director-General and stated that Japan is ready to strongly support UNESCO’s drastic reform.
(2) In response, Director-General Azoulay said that Japan has been an important partner of UNESCO and expressed her willingness to cooperate with Japan to stop UNESCO’s politicization and to normalize its inherent function, which is a current priority of UNESCO.
2. The Memory of the World Programme
(1) Minister Kono also stated that it is necessary to avoid to create a situation contrary to UNESCO’s founding spirit and objectives to promote the friendship and mutual understanding among Member States and it is essential to advance the review process of the Memory of the World Programme.
(2) In response, Director-General Azoulay agreed on the necessity of the review process and expressed that she would like to advance it, while consulting carefully with Member States and various concerning parties.
Council on National Strategic Special Zones
Cabinet Secretariat, Friday, December 15, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
On December 15, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 32nd meeting of the Council on National Strategic Special Zones at the Prime Minister's Office.
During the meeting, the Council discussed issues including the certification of special zone plans, improving transparency and strengthening the functions of National Strategic Special Zones, and the regulatory sandbox system, as well as other relevant issues
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“Today, Mr. Mitsuhiro Kadowaki, Mayor of Semboku City, who is a leading figure in the field of near-future technology demonstration tests, including the very first tests of fully-autonomous driving on public roads in Japan, briefed us on the initiatives that his city has implemented. He also stressed the importance of the regulatory sandbox system for such fields.
The Council members from the private sector also offered a proposal on the regulatory sandbox system in the National Strategic Special Zones that would strengthen ex-post checks while thoroughly implementing yet minimizing ex-ante regulations for projects certified under the National Strategic Special Zones, including autonomous driving and drones.
As we develop the regulatory sandbox system, it is important that we leverage the ability to develop special regional sandboxes, and enable the implementation of various demonstration tests in a flexible and agile manner in line with the actual situation of each region. I want to create mechanisms that are speedy and that allow each region to fully exercise its own autonomy.
I intend to turn Japan into a country that leads the world in the creation of cutting-edge businesses.
In addition, with regard to policies for improving transparency and strengthening the management of the National Strategic Special Zones system, which was proposed by private-sector members at our last meeting, today we approved our future direction based on the discussions made by the private-sector members. Utilizing the insight shared by the private-sector members, I hope to make active use of these Council meetings as a venue for substantive negotiations, under the leadership of Minister Kajiyama. In addition, I would like this Council to compile a record of agreements reached between ministries and agencies, and to thoroughly document the rules of managing meetings of the working groups.
The National Strategic Special Zones system is the foundation of our Growth Strategy and an indispensable engine for reforming bedrock regulations. We will continue to work with a sense of speed and make even greater efforts to implement regulatory reforms using these Special Zones.”
Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy
Cabinet Secretariat, Monday, December 18, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
On December 18, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 14th meeting of the Council on Overcoming Population Decline and Vitalizing Local Economy in Japan at the Prime Minister's Office.
At the meeting, there was discussion regarding the revision of the comprehensive strategy for overcoming population decline and vitalizing local economy, and on best practices in vitalizing local economies.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“In both the cases of Yamagata Prefecture and Kochi Prefecture, on which we were briefed today, local universities in the designated prefecture worked as central forces in collaboration with local companies and farmers to breathe new vitality into the local economy. Such initiatives serve as a model for vitalizing local economies. I very much intend to roll out such initiatives across the country.
We will enable young people to study, work, and take on the challenge of creating new businesses in their hometowns. To achieve such a vitalization of local economies, we will submit legislation to the next ordinary session of the Diet aimed at promoting training and employment for young people, including the development of splendid local universities.
In addition, in order to create a major flow of people to local areas, I would like Minister Kajiyama, in collaboration with other relevant ministers, to aim to compile a set of bold policies that are not constrained by conventional thinking, by next summer, that will help young people feel that there are opportunities for them in the regions.
We will revise the comprehensive strategy based on today’s discussion. Based on this revised comprehensive strategy, the Government will work as one to vitalize local economies and create regions that are full of dreams and hopes for young people.”
Council for Designing 100-Year Life Society
Cabinet Secretariat, Tuesday, December 19, 2017
On December 19, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 4th meeting of the Council for Designing 100-Year Life Society at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, there was a discussion on the draft interim report.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“We are promoting revolutions in productivity and human resources development as two wheels of a cart in tackling the enormous challenge of a declining birthrate and aging population. To overcome this challenge, the Cabinet approved a new economic policy package on December 8.
The revolution in human resources development, the second chapter of this economic policy package, was formulated based on the discussions held in this Council. I would like to again express my thanks for the enthusiastic contributions by all the expert Council members. As mentioned earlier, this Council was launched in September. We have advanced actual budget measures and compiled a specific economic policy package, based on a very bold direction such that a permanent budget of 2 trillion yen will now be oriented to all generations by investing in human resources and our children’s future. Once again, I would like to thank you for your discussions. This was compiled in a short time because the election took place during the process. Truly, if we had not received a mandate by winning this election, we would not have been able to advance such major reforms. Fortunately, we received the people’s support in the election, and we immediately formulated this package. I would be pleased if you would now work on further advancing the specifics of what we can undertake at once.
Today various considerations were made, and while of course not all the exchanges were conclusively finished, the fundamental direction has been determined. In regard to the remaining deliberations, the importance truly lies in the details. I would like for the discussions to be continued.
The draft interim report shown today includes the proposals of expert Council members and relevant ministers for the economic policy package. We will conduct final revisions and compile the interim report.
As I mentioned before, there are still various issues remaining that should be discussed, so early in the new year I would like you to deepen the discussions on the important points for designing an appropriate socioeconomic system for building a 100-year life society. I would like all the expert Council members to continue to have lively discussions.”
Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments
Cabinet Secretariat, Thursday, December 14, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
On December 14, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the third meeting in FY2017 of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments at the Prime Minister’s Office.
During the meeting, discussion took place on the formulation of the budget for FY2018 and local government finance measures.
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
“Today is the third meeting in FY2017 of the Forum for Consultations between the National and Regional Governments. We will mainly discuss the formulation of the budget for FY2018 and local government finance measures, especially focusing on measures to address the declining birth rate, which is one of the greatest challenges facing Japan.
The Cabinet recently approved a new economic policy package for tackling the challenge of a declining birthrate and aging population that will promote revolutions in productivity and human resources development as two wheels of a cart.
In the three years leading up to 2020, we will encourage bold investments in human resources and facilities, and dramatically boost productivity. Furthermore, looking toward 2020, we will use the budget for our children’s future, and greatly transform the social security system into one that is oriented to all generations.
In formulating the budget for FY2018, we will work steadily towards realizing fiscal soundness, while also creating a focused budget that is aligned with this basic philosophy.
Upholding the basic position that Japan will not have vitality unless its regions do as well, we will work together with local public entities to overcome the challenge of a declining birthrate and aging society, fully harness the talented human resources and the knowhow of the regions, and pave the way for the future of Japan.
Additionally, we will accelerate local initiatives and proactively support efforts to vitalize local economies in the areas of information, human resources, and finance, so that people in the regions can experience firsthand the virtuous cycle of growth and distribution.
Based on our stance of listening carefully to the opinions of the regions, the Abe Cabinet will continue to advance policies while fully taking into account the views you share with us today.”
Ministerial Council on the Strengthening of the Maritime Security System
Cabinet Secretariat, Monday, December 18, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
On December 18, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Strengthening of the Maritime Security System, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, there was discussion on the current state of the initiatives to strengthen the maritime security system.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“We have been strategically advancing efforts for enhancing and strengthening the maritime security system since last year in order to thoroughly protect the peaceful and bountiful seas of our country.
The maritime security environment continues to be severe. We cannot let our guard down for even a moment. Members of the Japan Coast Guard across the country continue to risk their lives while fulfilling their duties under the spirit of justice and benevolence. In particular, those assigned to full-time patrols of the Senkaku Islands are working extremely hard day and night. In the Sea of Japan as well, the movements of North Korea are unpredictable. Wooden ships thought to be from North Korea continue to drift ashore in Japan.
In order to continue to further strengthen the maritime security system in a structured way, as part of the initial budget for FY2018 and while also using the FY2017 supplementary budget, we will advance efforts to secure large-scale patrol vessels equipped with helicopters for responses in the territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, new jets for maritime surveillance, large-scale research vessels for maritime surveys, and the necessary personnel for conducting such work, as well as efforts to enhance education and training facilities.
At the same time, we must share our values about the free and open maritime order based on the rule of law with relevant countries in order to realize the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy that we are promoting.
In September of this year, Japan invited the heads of the world’s coast guard agencies to exchange views on maritime security together in Tokyo. In October, we established the Japan Coast Guard Mobile Cooperation Team to support capacity building in maritime law enforcement among Southeast Asian countries. We will promote such international cooperation even further in the future.
We will thoroughly protect the peaceful and bountiful seas of Japan. To that end, I would like the relevant ministries and agencies to join forces to strengthen maritime security systems. The Government will exert every effort to ensure maritime security in coordination with other countries.”
Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties
Cabinet Secretariat, Tuesday, December 19, 2017
On December 19, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the Meeting of the Government and Ruling Parties at the Prime Minister's Office.
At the meeting, there was discussion on the budget for FY2018 and the FY2017 supplementary budget.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“Today we have compiled the budget for FY2018 and the FY2017 supplementary budget. The adjustments were made in a short time following on from the recent new economic policy package, and I would like to thank everyone in the ruling parties for all your efforts.
In next fiscal year’s budget, we will advance the revolution in human resources development such as by expanding childcare capacity and expanding the eligibility for fund-type scholarships. In order to realize the productivity revolution, we will powerfully promote corporate investment in equipment and human resources, as well as innovation toward achieving Society 5.0. In conjunction, through prioritization of growth sectors such as tourism, infrastructure development, and the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries, we will aim to achieve a GDP of 600 trillion yen. At the same time, we will control increases in general expenditure and social security costs by building up reform efforts such as fundamental reform of the drug pricing system and efforts to reduce government expenditures. Next year’s budget is one that achieves both economic revitalization and greater fiscal soundness, and in addition to the forecasted tax revenue of 59.1 trillion yen, which would be the highest level in the 27 years since FY1991, it will reduce the amount of the issue of government bonds for the sixth successive year since the establishment of the Abe Cabinet.
Further, in the supplementary budget, in addition to supplementary fiscal demand such as disaster response, we will swiftly work on the revolutions in human resources development and productivity, the strengthening of the agriculture, forestry and fishery industries in preparation for trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), and other matters.
In the first Diet session of the new year, we intend to enact both this fiscal year’s supplementary budget and next fiscal year’s budget as quickly as possible, and take strong steps forward toward overcoming our greatest challenge of the declining birthrate and aging population, and ensure a firm growth trajectory of the economy. I would like to request the continued cooperation of everyone in the ruling parties.”
Exchange of Notes Concerning Grant Aid to Egypt
Foreign Affairs, Monday, December 18, 2017
1. On December 18, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Dr. Sahar Nasr, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt, exchanged notes concerning the “Project for Procurement of Education and Research Equipment for Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) (Phase 2),” a grant aid project of up to 993 million yen, in Tokyo. The plan to provide this grant aid was conveyed to H.E. Mr. Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, President of Egypt, by Minister Kono when he visited Egypt in September this year.
2. The Government of Egypt requested Japan’s support for implementing more practical training in education, which centers on classroom learning-based theory. Based on an agreement between the two countries’ governments that was concluded in 2009, the Government of Japan is undertaking support for improving the educational and research capabilities at E-JUST. This grant aid will provide education and research equipment for use in the third and fourth year courses at E-JUST’s engineering department, which opened in September 2017, and follows on from Phase 1 (equipment for use in the first and second year courses), for which an exchange of notes took place in July 2016.
3. This grant aid will strengthen the foundation of E-JUST as a leading educational institution, and make it possible for the approximately 2,000 students enrolled at its engineering department to receive Japanese-style engineering education, which attaches importance to small class numbers, practice and research. It is expected to contribute to realizing sustainable economic growth and job creation through the development of industrial human resources.
4. Japan pledged to promote cooperation in the education field as a result of the Egypt-Japan Education Partnership (EJEP) (PDF)Open a New Window, which was announced in February 2016 when President El-Sisi paid an official visit to Japan. In addition, at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) held in August of the same year, it pledged to support human resources development that focused on the science, technology and industrial fields through high quality higher education (PDF)Open a New Window. This grant aid will realize those pledges.
[Reference] Japan-Egypt Relations (Basic Data)
The Arab Republic of Egypt covers an area of approximately 1 million square kilometers (roughly 2.6 times that of Japan), its population is approximately 95.69 million people (2016, World Bank) and its Gross National Income (GNI) per capita is 3,460 US dollars (2016, World Bank).
Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister Taro Kono by Dr. Sahar Nasr, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Foreign Affairs, Monday, December 18, 2017
On December 18, commencing at 12:00 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, received a courtesy call from Dr. Sahar Nasr, Minister of Investment and International Cooperation of the Arab Republic of Egypt. The overview of the courtesy call is as follows.
1. At the beginning, there was an exchange of notes concerning the Project for Procurement of Education and Research Equipment for the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) (Phase 2), and Foreign Minister Kono welcomed the steady progress of the Egypt-Japan Education Partnership (EJEP), which was agreed upon with H.E. Mr. Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, during the Japan-Egypt summit meeting occurring during President El-Sisi’s visit to Japan in 2016.
2. In addition, Foreign Minister Kono highly appreciated Minister Nasr’s initiative to attractinvestment from Japanese companies into Egypt through participation in the Egypt Investment Seminar held in Tokyo. He also stated his expectations for the expansion of Japan-Egypt people-to-people exchanges and investment through the resumption of direct flights between the countries starting in October 2017. Additionally, he highly evaluated the stable basis of Egypt’s macroeconomics through economic reforms such as the introduction of value-added tax (VAT), and stated that Japan will support such efforts.
3. In response, Minister Nasr gave an explanation of Egypt’s economic reforms and initiatives to improve the investment environment and expressed her aspiration for more investment from Japan. She also expressed gratitude for Japan’s support for the EJEP and the Grand Egyptian Museum Construction Project.
[Reference] Grant Aid for the Project for Procurement of Education and Research Equipment for the Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST) (Phase 2)
Japan implemented support for the improvement of the education and research capabilities of E-JUST, which was established in 2010. This project provides grand aid (up to 993 million yen) for the education and research equipment for third and fourth year courses at the engineering department, which opened in September 2017. It is expected that this enable the approximately 2,000 students enrolled in the engineering department to receive Japanese-style engineering education, which attaches importance to small class size, practice, and research, and will contribute to realizing sustainable economic growth and job creation through the development of industrial human resources.
Award Ceremony for the Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize
Cabinet Secretariat, Wednesday, December 13, 2017
[Provisional Translation]
On December 13, 2017, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the first award ceremony for the Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize, held at the Prime Minister's Office.
The Prime Minister said in his address,
“Today the first award ceremony for the Japan Medical Research and Development Grand Prize is being held. Congratulations to all of the recipients in the various fields. Japan’s average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy is among the top in the world. Nevertheless, research is still being conducted on how to overcome various illnesses and infectious diseases.
The outcomes of such research save the lives of many people. However, the fight against illness and infectious diseases continues throughout the world. Japan also intends to make major contributions to this fight. In that sense, steady research efforts are needed. I believe that the creation of such awards is important for informing the world that Japan has continued to steadily carry out such research and bear many fruits. Furthermore, in creating these awards, I wanted them to serve as a goal for researchers, and also as encouragement for not only the recipients of the awards today, but also for the young researchers who want to follow in their footsteps.
I hope that the conferring of these awards will propel further research and development. Advances in research and development save many lives and help many people maintain their way of life. I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing my hope that healthier and longer lives will be achieved in both Japan and the world. My sincere congratulations once again to the recipients.”
The Eleventh Japan International MANGA Award Winner Announcement
Foreign Affairs, Thursday, December 14, 2017
1. The Japan International MANGA Award is given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to MANGA artists who have contributed to the promotion of MANGA culture overseas and international cultural exchanges through MANGA. This year marks its 11th anniversary and we have received 326 entries from 60 countries and regions.
2. Following the selection process carried out in cooperation with the Association of MANGA Publishers, and the Jury of the Award led by Ms. Machiko Satonaka (Manga artist), a total of 15 winners, including one Gold Award and three Silver Award winners were chosen (PDF)Open a New Window.
3. The ceremony for the eleventh Japan International MANGA Award will be held in Tokyo around February next year with the participation of the Gold and Silver winners.
4. Winners
(1) Gold Award
Title of Work: TWO ALDOS Artist: Mr. GUERRA DIAZ & Mr. PABLO GUERRA (Colombia)
(2) Silver Award
Title of Work: ONIBI
Artist: ATELIER SENTÔ (France)
Title of Work: VIVA EVE! LONG LIVE LIFE!
Artist: Ms. REREKINA NATALIIA & Ms. MARTYNENKO NATALIIA (Ukraine)
Title of Work: Left Hand Vol.1
Artist: Ms. SALLY (Taiwan)
【Reference 1：Japan International MANGA Award】
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs founded the Japan International MANGA Award in 2007 for the purpose of expanding international exchange and mutual understanding through world-famous MANGA culture.
This award aims to honor MANGA artists who contribute to the development of MANGA culture in the world.
Japan International MANGA Awardv WebsiteOpen a New Window
【Reference 2：Application】
There were 326 entries from 60 countries and regions this year. Countries and regions with most entries are China (1st: 50 entries), Thailand (2nd: 25 entries), Taiwan (3rd: 23 entries).
【Reference 3：Members of the Jury of the Award】
Ms. Machiko SATONAKA, Manga artist 【chairperson】
Ms. Ban IPPONGI, Manga artist
Mr. Masafumi KUMATA, Publisher
Mr. Mitsuru MIURA, Manga artist
Mr. Kouichi YURI, Publisher
【Reference 4：Members of the Executive Committee of the Award】
Mr. Taro KONO, Minister for Foreign Affairs【chairman】
Ms. Saya SHIRAISHI, Professor emeritus, Tokyo University
Mr. Kotaro SUGIYAMA, President, LIGHTPUBLICITY Co. Ltd.,
Mr. Frederik L. Schodt, American translator, interpreter and writer
Mr. Kiyoshi YOKOTA, Executive Director, SHOGAKUKAN Co. Ltd.,
Mr. Hiroyasu ANDO, President, Japan Foundation
【Reference 5：Trophy】
Trophies of the Japan International MANGA Award have been designed by Mr. Taku SATO, a renowned graphic artist in Japan since the 1st International MANGA award.
Agreement in Principle on Tax Convention between Japan and the Republic of Colombia
Foreign Affairs, Thursday, December 21, 2017
1. The representatives of the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Colombia have agreed in principle on the tax convention between Japan and the Republic of Colombia.
2. The Convention includes provisions for the purposes of clarifying the scope of taxation in the two countries, eliminating international double taxation and preventing tax evasion and avoidance, and is expected to promote further mutual investments and economic exchanges between the two countries.
3. The Convention will be signed after the final text has been fixed and the necessary internal procedures have been completed by each of the two Governments. Thereafter, the Convention will enter into force after the completion of the approval process in both countries (in the case of Japan, approval by the Diet).
