[Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Thursday, Mar 26, 2015]
Japan-U.S. Joint Collaboration Event on Women’s Entrepreneurship in Cambodia
1. On March 25, 2015, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, JICA and the U.S. Department of States jointly hosted a seminar promoting women’s economic empowerment at the Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Women entrepreneurs and supporting organizations were invited to an interactive half-day seminar focused on cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset for increasing women's economic empowerment in Cambodia. The seminar was held as part of collaboration between Mekong-Japan Cooperation (http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/mekong/cooperation.html) and Friends of the Lower Mekong, and also Japan-U.S. cooperation in Southeast Asia outlined in the joint fact sheet on U.S.-Japan Global and Regional Cooperation issued by President Obama and Prime Minister Abe in April 2014.
2. Approximately 120 Cambodian business owners, aspiring entrepreneurs, and NGO representatives attended the seminar. Mr. Yuji Kumamaru, Japanese Ambassador to Cambodia, Ms. Julie Chung, Charge d’Affairs of the U.S. Embassy in Cambodia, and H.E. Mrs. Chan Sorey, Secretary of State, the Ministry of Women of Cambodia made opening remarks, which is followed by fruitful discussion on Women’s engagement in business in Cambodia.
3. The seminar was also part of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Centers of Resources, Education, Access and Training for Economic Empowerment (WECREATE) initiative promoted by U.S. Department of State, which support women’s capacity building to start and grow their businesses in developing countries, and Japan will continue to cooperate on this initiative.
[Reference 1]
“Fact Sheet: U.S.-Japan Global and Regional Cooperation” (extract) http://www.mofa.go.jp/na/na1/us/page24e_000046.html
(It was released when President Barack Obama visited Japan in April this year.)
Cooperating Together with Southeast Asia
“The two countries are also working to further promote cooperation on women’s empowerment in the ASEAN region. In this context, the United States and Japan are working together for the WECREATE Initiative to establish women’s entrepreneurial centers in Cambodia and Laos.”
[Reference 2]
Cambodia Women’s Entrepreneurship Seminar
1. Objectives : Reviewing barriers and challenges to women’s entry into busineses and Sharing best practices to overcome them
2. Schedule : 25 March, 2015
3. Venue : Angkor-Kizuna Hall, Cambodia-Japan Cooperation Center (CJCC), Pnom Penh
4. Language : English or Khmer
5. Co-organizer : Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), U.S. Department of State
6. Target Audiences : Cambodian (potential) entrepreneurs for women, NGO/NPOs, Government officials
[Reference 3]Basic data of the Royal Government of Cambodia (http://www.mofa.go.jp/region/asia-paci/cambodia/data.html)
Area: 181,000 km2, Population: 14.7 milion (2013), GNI per capita: 880 (World Bank, 2012)
[Cabinet Secretariat] [Monday, Mar 23, 2015]
Condolence Message from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to H.E. Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore
[Provisional translation]
I was deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Singapore Founding Father as well as your own father, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore. On behalf of the Government and people of Japan, and on my behalf, I would like to offer our deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to you and your own family and to the Government and people of the Republic of Singapore.
His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew is one of the greatest leaders of modern times that Asia has ever produced. With his incomparable leadership and unparalleled insights, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew played, for more than half a century and throughout his life, a key role not only in achieving Singapore’s remarkable economic growth and prosperity but also in securing peace and stability of the Asia Pacific region and the world. He was highly revered all over the world.
In the bilateral context, His Excellency Mr Lee Kuan Yew, during and after his tenure as Prime Minister, frequently visited Japan including his State Visit to Japan in 1968 and made outstanding contributions in the advancement of the today’s good and close relations between Singapore and Japan. I still vividly remember how much I was impressed by his profound wisdom, including when I met him in person in 2014.
The demise of such a great leader is indeed a great loss not only to your country but also to the entire international community. At this time of bereavement, I hope that your people will overcome this grievous loss and, under your good leadership, your nation will build upon his legacy and achieve further success.
May his legacy live on, may his soul rest in eternal peace.
[Japan National Tourism Organization] [Wednesday, Mar 25, 2015]
JAPAN Monthly Web Magazine April issue has been released
The Japan Monthly Web Magazine, published by Japan National Tourism Organization, is easy to read on your smartphone or tablet. It brings you the hottest news every month.
