JapanGov Weekly

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Friday, Mar 27, 2015]

On March 27, commencing at 6 p.m. until 8:50 p.m., Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a Summit Meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Pedro Passos Coelho, Prime Minister of the Portuguese Republic, during his official working visit to Japan. The overview is as follows.

1. Japan-Portugal Summit Meeting and dinner
(1) Opening

Prime Minister Abe welcomed the visit of Prime Minister Passos Coelho to Japan less than one year after Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Portugal last May, and the first visit to Japan by a Portuguese Prime Minister in 25 years. He also stated that he wants to pursue cooperation between the two countries, which share common histories as maritime nations, in a range of fields.

In response, Prime Minister Passos Coelho said that both countries are pursuing fiscal structural reform and have been able to put their economies on growth tracks. He said that he wants to advance not just bilateral relations but broad-ranging cooperation by utilizing the CPLP, after Japan’s participation in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) as an observer.

(2) Politics and security relations

Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan is determined to further contribute to the peace and stability of the international community under the policy of “Proactive Contribution to Peace”, and is developing security legislation bill to that end. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe said that for both countries, the sea has given the foundation of their national development, ensuring the rule of law and security in the oceans are important, and he wants to strengthen maritime security cooperation by coordinating on antipiracy measures and participating in NATO exercises as an observer. He added that he wants to strengthen cooperation in the maritime field by attending Blue Week, an international conference that will be hosted by Portugal.

In response, Prime Minister Passos Coelho replied that the various rights concerning the sea are important for Portugal as a maritime nation and there is a need to respond according to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. He also welcomed that Japan is considering attending Blue Week.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Passos Coelho extended his condolences over the terrorist incident regarding the murder of Japanese in Syria. The two leaders confirmed that Japan and Portugal, which share common values, will work together in the fight against terrorism.

(3) Economic relations

Prime Minister Abe said he wants to achieve an agreement in principle on the Japan-EU EPA (http://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/economy/page6e_000013.html) this year. He hopes that economic cooperation between the two countries will be promoted based on the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Portugal Global Trade and Investment Agency (AICEP), and a decision on a smart community demonstration project that the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization(NEDO).

In response, Prime Minister Passos Coelho said there is still room for the bilateral relationship to develop, and expected that an agreement in principle will be reached on the Japan-EU EPA this year. He also wants to cooperate in a range of fields, including agriculture, energy, IT and tourism, mentioning the recent signing of the memorandum of cooperation between JETRO and AICEP, and the Convention between Japan and the Portuguese Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income (which entered into force in July 2013).

Prime Minister Abe expressed his expectation that the EU’s restrictions on imports of food as well as other products of Fukushima Prefecture will be eased or lifted, and in response Prime Minister Passos Coelho explained the status of the considerations by the EU. Both leaders confirmed to cooperate in the field of green growth.

(4) Other

The two leaders exchanged their views on UN Security Council reform, and regional affairs, including Africa, Europe, and Asia.

2. Joint Press Conference, Ceremony for Signing Exchange of Notes/Exchanging MOC
(1) At the joint press conference held between the summit meeting and dinner meeting, the two leaders released the fact sheet on the progress of implementation of the Joint Communiqué by the Prime Minister of Japan and the Prime Minister of Portuguese Republic (dated May 2, 2014) (http://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000074237.pdf).

(2) Ambassadors of the two countries signed the Memorandum of Cooperation Concerning Arrangements for Working Holidays between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Portuguese Republic in the presence of the two leaders while JETRO and AICEP exchanged Memorandum of Cooperation.

（Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office） （Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office）

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Monday, Mar 23, 2015]

On March 23, commencing at around 6:10 p.m. for approximately 45 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting with H. E. Mr. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, during his official working visit to Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

At a joint press conference following the meeting, the “Japan-Indonesia Joint Statement - Towards Further Strengthening of the Strategic Partnership Underpinned by Sea and Democracy” (PDF) (http://www.mofa.go.jp/files/000072695.pdf) was issued.

1. Beginning

Prime Minister Abe said this is his first meeting with President Joko since the Beijing APEC meeting in November last year, and he welcomed that President Joko chose Japan for his first bilateral visit, other than ASEAN member countries. Prime Minister Abe said that his own first overseas trip following his appointment was also to Indonesia.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe said he is attaching importance to strengthening the strategic partnership with Indonesia, which is a maritime as well as a democratic nation, and wants to fundamentally strengthen the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries and together contribute to the prosperity of the regional and international communities.

President Joko expressed appreciation for the Government of Japan’s invitation, along with stating that he wants to further deepen the two countries’ “strategic partnership” in a variety of fields, including the economy, and politics and security.

2. Bilateral relations
(1) Politics and security

Prime Minister Abe explained that over the 70-year period since the end of World War II, Japan has consistently followed the path of a peaceful nation and contributed to the prosperity of Asia and the world, and that path will not change going forward either. Additionally, Prime Minister Abe explained that from the standpoint of proactive contribution to peace based on the principle of international cooperation, from here on also Japan will make a greater contribution to the peace and stability of the regional and international communities, and as one part of that it is currently promoting the development of seamless security legislation, and he hopes to obtain the understanding and support of President Joko. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe said he wants to move ahead with coordinating a Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultation in order to promote security and defense cooperation, and welcomed the recent signing of the Memorandum on Cooperation and Exchanges in the field of Defense.

Additionally, Prime Minister Abe said he attended the National Defense Academy Graduation Ceremony on the previous day, March 22, and was told that four exchange students from Indonesia who were graduating were high achievers. He said he hopes exchange students continue to be dispatched from Indonesia.

In response, President Joko welcomed the recent signing of the Memorandum on Cooperation and Exchanges in the field of Defense, along with stating that he hopes to hold a Joint Foreign and Defense Ministerial Consultation soon.

(2) Maritime cooperation

Prime Minister Abe stated that an open, stable sea is vital to the prosperity of the region, and once again conveyed his support for President Joko’s vision for Indonesia as a maritime nation. Prime Minister Abe also welcomed the commencement of cooperation between the two countries following his previous meeting with President Joko, and said he wants to pursue cooperation on maritime safety and industry promotion via the Maritime Forum that will be set up this time. Prime Minister Abe said he also hopes to secure understanding for the sustainable use of maritime living resources, including whales.

In response, President Joko expressed expectation over Japan’s cooperation on coastal security, and its investment in marine vessels and the processing of fisheries products, and the two leaders shared the view that the two countries’ cooperation will move ahead in the future, via the Maritime Forum.

(3) Economy and economic cooperation

Prime Minister Abe said that the mutually beneficial economic relationship is an important pillar of the two countries’ strategic partnership, investment from Japan reached 4.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2014 and remains brisk, and in order to further strengthen this relationship together, he wants to reach an agreement on the “PROMOSI: Japan-Indonesia Investment and Export Promotion Initiative,” an initiative of the two countries that will lead to the expansion of investment and promotion of exports. (Note: Promosi means “promotion” in Indonesian).

Prime Minister Abe also said that based on this PROMOSI Initiative, the development of the business and investment environment through the preparation of high quality infrastructure will move ahead, and core projects such as the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit Project will be promoted, and he explained that Japan has decided to grant a yen loan of approximately 140 billion yen for three projects: the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit North - South Line and East - West Line, and the Java-Sumatra Interconnection Transmission Line. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe said the development of human resources for industry, including in supporting industries, will also be strengthened, and the regional development and correction of economic disparity that President Joko is addressing will also be supported. He said he wants to deepen bilateral cooperation and discussions on individual projects as well.

In response, President Joko expressed the desire to move ahead with a general review of the Japan-Indonesia EPA, and the two leaders confirmed that they will pursue the review. President Joko also said that he hopes to see Japanese investment in fields such as power generation, ports, roads, highways and the development of industrial parks within economic special zones. Both leaders shared the view that they will deepen cooperation via investment expansion and the promotion of exports, for the purpose of further strengthening the mutually beneficial economic relationship between the two countries.

(4) People-to-people and cultural exchange

Prime Minister Abe said that he hopes to further deepen cooperation in this field in the future via JENESYS 2.0 and the “WA Project.” President Joko expressed expectation over the acceptance of Indonesian youths for training in the field of agriculture.

3. Challenges facing the regional and international communities

Commenting on regional frameworks, Prime Minister Abe said that this year is a milestone year in the creation of the ASEAN Community and as the 10th anniversary of the East Asia Summit, and he wants to contribute while coordinating with Indonesia, which performs a leading role in ASEAN. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe said North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs pose a threat, and the abductions issue is a serious violation of human rights and it will be resolved by his own administration.

Regarding the South China Sea problem, Prime Minister Abe noted the importance of responding based on the rule of law, and said he hopes for a more proactive contribution from Indonesia, which is an ASEAN leader. President Joko replied that Indonesia seeks restraint on all fronts over the South China Sea problem and wants to contribute to the peace of the region.

In addition, the two leaders shared the view of the importance of measures to counter terrorism and radicalism. Prime Minister Abe stated that it is important to build societies that do not give rise to radicalism, and explained that the subject of moderation will be taken up at the High-Level Seminar on Peacebuilding, National Reconciliation and Democratization in Asia that will be held in Tokyo in June this year.

President Joko invited Prime Minister Abe to attend the Asian-African Conference in April, and Prime Minister Abe said he wants to cooperate toward a successful Conference, and by all means wants to attend personally, if his schedule can be coordinated.

（Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office） （Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office）

[Ministry of Foreign Affairs] [Monday, Mar 30, 2015]

1. On Monday, March 30, the Government of Japan decided to provide emergency relief goods worth 16 million yen (Plastic sheets, blankets, etc.) to Chile, through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in response to the request from the Government of Chile　following serious damage from the floods in the country.

2. Northern Chile suffers from floods caused by heavy rain of March 25. According to the Government of Chile, as of March 27, 9 people were dead, 22 people are missing, 5,983 people took refuge, and 45,866 people were affected.

3. The Government of Japan decided to provide emergency assistance from a humanitarian point of view for the victims as well as in light of the friendly relationship between Japan and Chile.