Cabinet Secretariat [Friday, May 27, 2016]
The Prime Minister visits Hiroshima with President Obama of the United States
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the Honorable Barack H. Obama, President of the United States of America, visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
After visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, both leaders laid wreaths at the Cenotaph for Atomic Bomb Victims and delivered remarks. Following this, they viewed the Atomic Bomb Dome.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Thursday, May 26, 2016]
Presentation on Automated-Driving Vehicles and Fuel-Cell Vehicles
On May 26, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a presentation on automated-driving vehicles and fuel-cell vehicles as a side event of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, within the grounds of Shima Kanko Hotel, the summit venue. Following the presentation, the test rides of the vehicles was held. Vehicles from Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, and Honda Motor Co., Ltd were used for the test rides.
At this event, Prime Minister Abe explained to the participating G7 leaders that the commercialization of automated-driving vehicles will serve to reduce traffic accidents and ensure a transportation means for elderies and others that is safe and offers a peace of mind, and Japan will aim to achieve the safest road traffic society in the world in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Prime Minister Abe also explained that Japan is promoting the wider use of fuel-cell vehicles that utilize hydrogen energy and will lead the world in working to resolve environmental and energy problems.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Saturday, May 28, 2016]
Japan-Chad Summit Meeting
On May 28, commencing at around 9:00 a.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan-Chad Summit Meeting and issued a joint statement with H.E. Mr. Idriss Deby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad, who was visiting Japan to attend the outreach meeting of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
1. Opening remarks
(a) Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for President Deby Itno's contribution to the outreach meeting held on May 27.He expressed his intention to make use of the outcomes of this G7 Summit at the Sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) , which will be held in Kenya in August, and requested cooperation from President Deby Itno.
(b) President Deby Itno expressed his appreciation for the G7 Summit on behalf of Africa, and his satisfaction with its outcomes. The President also displayed his gratitude for the support that Japan had been extending for Chad's socio-economic development.
2. Bilateral relations and other issues
(a) President Deby Itno stated that high quality infrastructure was important for Africa and asked Japan to share its experience and to provide support in fields such as roads, water, health, food security and women's education. President Deby Itno also outlined the role that Chad has been playing in ensuring regional stability.
(b) Prime Minister Abe expressed his respect for Chad's contribution to regional stability, and explained Japan's decision in January this year to extend approximately 8.45 million USD of emergency and humanitarian assistance to Chad through international organizations, for purposes such as food security and countering extremism, as well as Japan's intention to provide approximately 3.2 million USD worth of agriculture-related equipment in order to improve the productivity of Chad's agriculture and livestock industries. In addition, Prime Minister Abe stated that he intends to discuss such issues as health systems and women's empowerment at TICAD VI as well.
3. Cooperation in the international arena
The two leaders concurred that they would promote cooperation in United Nations Security Council reform and other issues in the international area.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Saturday, May 28, 2016]
Japan-Bangladesh Summit Meeting
1 On May 28, commencing at 10:00 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan-Bangladesh Summit Meeting with H. E. Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, who is visiting Japan to attend the Outreach Meeting of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit (This is the fifth Summit Meeting between the two leaders). H.E. Mr. Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, and other officials on the Bangladeshi side, and Mr. Hiroshige Seko, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan, and other officials on the Japanese side also attended the meeting.
2 Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for Prime Minister Hasina's contribution to the Outreach Meeting of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit, which is the first G7 Summit since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Prime Minister Abe also extended his congratulations on the holding of the inauguration ceremony for the new Chancery Building of the Embassy of Bangladesh in Japan with the presence of Prime Minister Hasina, which is scheduled for this evening. In addition, Prime Minister Abe welcomed the development of bilateral cooperation under the ''Comprehensive Partnership'' and expressed his intention to further strengthen bilateral relations.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan will continue to support Bangladesh in realizing its vision of becoming a middle income country by 2021. Prime Minister Abe also expressed his high expectation for the advancement of the Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B) initiative through the 37th ODA Loan Package, which includes support for the Jamuna Railway Bridge Construction Project and the Dhaka Mass Rapid Transit Development Project, as well as for the enhancement of the exchange of people and the further promotion of trade and investment between the two countries.
3 In response, Prime Minister Hasina appreciated for the invitation to attend the G7 Ise-Shima Summit and stated that the Outreach Meeting was a good opportunity to present the developmental challenges faced by Bangladesh as a developing country, to the leaders of leading developed countries. Prime Minister Hasina also expressed her deep gratitude for the steady implementation of assistance provided by Japan for Bangladesh's development, explaining that the development of the Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Plant Project and other infrastructure has been advancing. In addition, Prime Minister Hasina expressed her expectation that the establishment of Japanese Economic Zones and other initiatives will encourage greater investment from Japan, and stated her intention to hold exchanges of views among business people from Bangladesh and Japan in Tokyo, in order to expand investment from Japan.
4 Prime Minister Hasina extended her congratulations on the election of Japan as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and Prime Minister Abe once again expressed his appreciation for strengthened relations between Japan and Bangladesh at the United Nations. The two leaders also affirmed that they will continue to work together closely in international fora, including the United Nations Security Council reform.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Saturday, May 28, 2016]
Japan-Sri Lanka Summit Meeting
On Saturday, May 28, commencing at 11:00 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held his first Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, who is visiting Japan to attend the Outreach Meeting of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit. Following the meeting, the two leaders jointly issued a media statement (PDF). The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Prime Minister Abe welcomed President Sirisena on his first visit to Japan as President, and expressed his gratitude for President Sirisena's contributions at the Outreach Meeting. Prime Minister Abe also highly appreciated that Sri Lanka's new government is advancing national reconciliation, good governance and economic reform, and stated that Japan would continue to actively cooperate with the new government's nation-building efforts. President Sirisena responded that he was pleased to be able to visit Japan and it was a great honor to have such an opportunity for Sri Lanka to attend a G7 summit for the first time.
2. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan would also strengthen cooperation with Sri Lanka through the initiative ''Expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure.'' Prime Minister Abe expressed his intention to provide ODA loans, which amount to approximately 38 billion yen, for the construction of national transmission and distribution and water supply facilities in Anuradhapura District, and stated that Japan would promote the development of Colombo port and its vicinity through publicand private sector cooperation. President Sirisena expressed his gratitude for Japan's longstanding support for Sri Lanka, and for Japan's assistance for the development of transmission facilities, and expressed his intention to cooperate with Japan to develop port facilities. President Sirisena also stated that the new government was advancing economic reform and promoting Sri Lanka's export industries.
3. The two leaders, recognizing the fact that a common understanding had been made over the importance of open and stable seas at the G7 Outreach Meeting, agreed to further promote bilateral maritime cooperation, and welcomed Japan's decision on the provision of two patrol vessels to Sri Lanka.
4. Prime Minister Abe expressed his appreciation for Sri Lanka's efforts to achieve national reconciliation, as well as his expectation for further concrete progress. President Sirisena stated that the new government's determination to achieve national reconciliation and peacebuilding, and expressed that Sri Lanka must never fall into internal war again.
5. The two leaders decided to establish a Joint Committee between the two countries, and to swiftly implement the Comprehensive Partnership between Japan and Sri Lanka.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Saturday, May 28, 2016]
Japan-Papua New Guinea Summit Meeting
On May 28, commencing slightly after noon for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan-Papua New Guinea Summit Meeting with the Honourable Peter O'Neill, Prime Minister of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, who is visiting Japan to attend the Outreach Meeting of the G7 Ise-Shima Summit. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
1 Prime Minister Abe thanked Prime Minister O'Neill for his attendance and contribution to the Ise-Shima Summit, and his support for the initiatives of Japan and the G7, as the Chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Prime Minister Abe also expressed his wish to work together with Prime Minister O'Neill to strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and Papua New Guinea and their two peoples based on the leaders' visits to each other's country and.
2 In response, Prime Minister O'Neill expressed his gratitude for being invited to attend the Ise-Shima Summit as the representative of the Pacific Island Countries(PICs), and his respect for the outcomes achieved by the Summit, including fostering the sustainable growth of the global economy and support for each country of the region. Furthermore, Prime Minister O'Neill expressed Papua New Guinea's support for the initiatives of Japan for the G7 and the international community, including the Initiative for Expanded Partnership for Quality Infrastructure.
3 Both leaders confirmed their cooperation in economic areas, including on liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects and in the fisheries industry.
4 Prime Minister Abe stated his intention to continue to contribute to the sustainable development of Papua New Guinea through the building of quality infrastructure and the development of human resources. In addition, Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan has newly decided to extend grant aid of 1 million US dollars through the World Food Programme in order to address the damage caused by the drought in Papua New Guinea, as well as to provide capacity building for administrative officials and instruments for marching band, in order to support Papua New Guinea's efforts to successfully host the APEC-related meetings in 2018. Prime Minister Abe also expressed Japan's intention to continue to support Papua New Guinea and other PICsin a wide range of fields, including disaster risk reduction and climate change.
5 Prime Minister O'Neill responded by expressing his intention to advance the socioeconomic development of Papua New Guinea and once again expressed his gratitude for the various forms of support provided by Japan to that end. Prime Minister O'Neill also expressed his hope for the further development of trade and investment relations with Japan.
6 The two leaders affirmed that they will work together in relation to the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM) third Ministerial Interim Meeting scheduled to be held this year. They also exchanged views on cooperation in international fora, including on United Nations Security Council reform, and confirmed the importance of the rule of law at sea in the Pacific Ocean.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Saturday, May 28, 2016]
Japan-Lao PDR Summit Meeting and Lunch Hosted by Prime Minister Abe
On May 28, commencing at 1:00 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan- Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) Summit Meeting, which continued on to a working lunch at approximately 2:30 p.m. with H.E. Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of the Lao PDR , who is on a working visit to Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. Opening remarks
Prime Minister Abe started the meeting by congratulating Prime Minister Thongloun on his appointment as Prime Minister, and thanking him for starting off the discussions at the G7 Summit Outreach Meeting as the ''top batter'' from the standpoint of an ASEAN presidency holder and contributing to the success of the Outreach Meeting. Prime Minister Abe then stated that he sincerely welcomes this official visit to Japan by Prime Minister Thongloun, intends to cooperate with Prime Minister Thongloun in order to rapidly develop Japan-Lao PDR relations, and hopes that his visit to Lao PDR for an ASEAN-related summit meeting in September will be made an official visit and that Japan and Lao PDR can thereby further strengthen relations.
In response, Prime Minister Thongloun thanked Prime Minister Abe for the invitation to the G7 Ise-Shima Summit Outreach Meeting, commented that he is honored Prime Minister Abe has taken time out his busy schedule to hold this summit meeting, and expressed his congratulations on the fact that the Summit ended in success under the leadership of Prime Minister Abe. Prime Minister Thongloun also stated that although this is his first appointment as prime minister, he hopes to further promote the traditionally friendly relations between Lao PDR and Japan, and he expressed his condolences on behalf of the government and people of between Lao PDR regarding the victims of the Kumamoto earthquakes.
Prime Minister Abe thanked Prime Minister Thongloun for his condolences regarding the Kumamoto earthquakes.
2. Bilateral relations
Economics and development cooperation relations
Next, Prime Minister Thongloun stated that he hopes the Strategic Partnership with Japan will be deepened, and conveyed his profound appreciation for the Official Development Assistance (ODA) that the Government of Japan has provided Lao PDR thus far. Prime Minister Thongloun also mentioned that Lao PDR will agree to the formulation of the ''Japan-Laos Joint Development Cooperation Plan,'' and expressed his gratitude regarding the fact that Japan is carrying out the Japan-Mekong Connectivity Initiative and has announced the ''Initiative for Expanding the Export of High-Quality Infrastructure'' amounting to approximately 200 billion dollars. Prime Minister Thongloun then pointed out that Japan, as the largest donor of ODA for many years, has assisted with development in Lao PDR, and asked for the continuation of such assistance. Prime Minister Thongloun added that he is happy about the recent entry into force of the Air Services Agreement, and welcomes the attendance of Prime Minister Abe to the ASEAN-related summit meeting this September.
In response, Prime Minister Abe stated that as demonstrated by the agreement to establish a ''Strategic Partnership'' between Japan and Lao PDR last year, Japan is focusing very closely on Lao PDR, which is located at the center of the Mekong Region, and strengthening regional connectivity will be key for development. Prime Minister Abe added that Japan has announced the ''Initiative for Expanding the Export of High-Quality Infrastructure'' amounting to a total of approximately 200 billion dollars, and intends to cooperate with Lao PDR in this regard.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe commented that Japan will support the development of institutions and human resources based on the Japan-Mekong Connectivity Initiative, and this month, Japan will begin supporting the Project for the Construction of Bridges in the East-West Economic Corridor. In addition, Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan has recently decided to assist with study abroad programs for young government officials of Lao PDR, and he is looking forward to the establishment of direct flights based on the entry into force of the Air Services Agreement.
3. Cooperation in the region and international arena
Over lunch, the two leaders exchanged frank opinions concerning cooperation in the region and international arena, in relation to the South China Sea, North Korea, and so on. Prime Minister Abe commented that since Lao PDR is serving as the presidency holder of ASEAN this year, Japan is focusing very closely on ASEAN unity. Prime Minister Abe then conveyed his hopes regarding the leadership of Prime Minister Thongloun and expressed a message of full support for Prime Minister Thongloun going forward.
Prime Minister Thongloun responded by stating that he appreciates Japan's support for Lao PDR as the presidency holder, and pointed out that the ASEAN Community was established just last year. He added that the unity of ASEAN is important, and in light of this, Lao PDR will closely exchange opinions with all of the countries concerned, and work hard for the building of agreements that are acceptable to all of the relevant countries.
4. Other
Lastly, Prime Minister Abe commented that he expects that the Laos Festival, which will be held in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo starting on May 28, will provide an opportunity to deepen understanding regarding Lao PDR, and is looking forward to meeting with Prime Minister Thongloun once again in Lao PDR in September.
In response, Prime Minister Thongloun commented that he is looking forward to welcoming Prime Minister Abe to Lao PDR in September.
