[Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Thursday, Jan 15, 2015]
Joint Statement on the Entry into Force of the Agreement between Japan and Australia for an Economic Partnership
1. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott warmly welcome the entry into force on 15 January 2015 of the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (JAEPA).
2. JAEPA represents an historic development in economic relations between Japan and Australia and is the most significant bilateral economic agreement since the 1957 Agreement on Commerce. JAEPA lays the foundation for the next phase of bilateral economic relations, and will strengthen "the special strategic partnership" between Japan and Australia.
3. JAEPA will deliver significant economic benefits to both countries, through increased trade in high-quality goods and services, an easing of bilateral investment restrictions and promoting economic growth.
4. The Prime Ministers look forward to Australian and Japanese businesses working together to make the most of the opportunities provided by JAEPA.
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Friday, Jan 16, 2015]
Signing of Japan-Laos Air Services Agreement
1. On January 16, in the presence of H.E. Mr. Kazuyuki Nakane, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, H.E. Mr. Hiroyuki Kishino, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and H.E. Dr. Bounchan Sinthavong, Minister of Public Works and Transport of Lao People’s Democratic Republic, signed the “Agreement Between Japan and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic for Air Services” (Japan-Laos Air Services Agreement) in Vientiane, Laos.
2. A substantial agreement was reached during the visit to Laos by H.E. Mr. Norio Mitsuya, then-State Minister for Foreign Affairs, in June last year. With the aim of establishing a legal framework to open scheduled airline routes between Japan and Laos, this Agreement mutually grants both sides the right to operate scheduled flights and prescribes matters such as exemption of customs duties, basic principles for determining capacity, procedures for deciding tariffs, and ensuring of measures for aviation safety and security.
It is anticipated that this Agreement will allow for the stable operation of scheduled flights between Japan and Laos, and will further promote people-to-people and economic exchanges.
3. This Agreement will enter into force on the day of exchange of diplomatic notes indicating that the Agreement has been approved in accordance with the respective legal procedures of Japan and Laos (In the case of Japan, the approval of the Diet is required.).
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Wednesday, Jan 14, 2015]
Signing of Japan-Cambodia Air Services Agreement
1.On January 14, in the presence of H.E. Mr. Kazuyuki Nakane, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Hor Namhong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, H.E. Mr. Yuji Kumamaru, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Kingdom of Cambodia, and H.E. Mr. Mao Havannall, Secretary of State, State Secretariat of Civil Aviation of Cambodia, signed the “Agreement between Japan and the Kingdom of Cambodia for Air Services” (Japan-Cambodia Air Services Agreement) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
2. A substantial agreement was reached during the visit to Cambodia by H.E. Mr. Fumio Kishida, Minister for Foreign Affairs, in June last year. With the aim of establishing a legal framework to open scheduled airline routes between Japan and Cambodia, this Agreement mutually grants both sides the right to operate scheduled flights and prescribes matters such as exemption of customs duties, basic principles for determining capacity, procedures for deciding tariffs, and ensuring of measures for aviation safety and security. It is anticipated that this Agreement will allow for the stable operation of scheduled flights between Japan and Cambodia, and will further promote people-to-people and economic exchanges.
3. This Agreement will enter into force on the day of exchange of diplomatic notes indicating that the Agreement has been approved in accordance with the respective legal procedures of Japan and Cambodia (In the case of Japan, the approval of the Diet is required.).
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Monday, Jan 12, 2015]
Congratulatory Message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to H.E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena
1. On January 12, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a congratulatory message to H.E.Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, the new President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, upon his victory in the presidential election held on January 8th and his inauguration as the new President on January 9th.
2. In his message, Prime Minister Abe stated that he intends to work closely with President Sirisena to further develop the Japan-Sri Lanka relationship and that Japan will support Sri Lanka’s efforts toward national reconciliation.
[Cabinet Secretariat] [Thursday, Jan 15, 2015]
Test Drive of the First Mass-Produced Fuel Cell Vehicle
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe test drove the first mass-produced fuel cell vehicle (FCV) at the Prime Minister’s Office.
After test driving the FCV in front of the Prime Minister’s Office, Prime Minister Abe said the following in an address about future initiatives,
“I believe the dawn of the hydrogen age is finally upon us. This car is quick off the start, quiet, and provides a very comfortable drive. I would like to introduce FCVs at all government ministries and agencies. To further promote FCVs, we have relaxed or eliminated many regulations until now, and I hope that further progress can be made by continuing with both further regulatory reform and technological development.
In addition, I would also like to implement regulatory reform in order to make hydrogen filling stations a reality. For this reason I hope to discuss this matter at the Regulatory Reform Council. In any event, the car was very easy to drive, stylish, and good for the environment, and I believe it represents the start of a new era.”
