Cabinet Secretariat [Wednesday, Sep 21, 2016]
Opening Remarks by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Dialogue with the New York based Business and Financial Community of Japan
[Provisional Translation]
Thank you. Thank you so much.
I am Shinzo Abe, not Mario. Like Mario, though, I keep on fighting.
Fighting to boost Japan's economy.
Three Points
Three things, ladies and gentlemen.
Continuity, that is point number 1. More openness, number 2. And changes in our work style, point number 3.
Continuity, openness, work style changes. What do I mean by those three?
Voters gave me a fresh mandate earlier this year. I am determined to use it. My top priority: the economy. My second: the economy. And my third: the economy. Make no mistake. That will not change.
Continuity
Continuity makes a difference. Take, for instance, the corporate tax. That is down by 7 percentage points, on my watch.
Or the corporate governance code. More than 2,000 listed companies have adopted it. Among them, 80 per cent have independent non-executive members of the board.
A year ago, that was about to happen.
One year later, it has already happened.
The stewardship code also matters. That's the flip side of the same coin. Institutional investors must be responsible stewards of the money they manage.
But, for what? It is to urge companies to achieve growth. It is for Japan to
grow and become more robust.
And here is a question. If your asset manager belongs to a large financial group, and the same financial group has other business connections with the company your money is invested into, can you be sure that your money is under good stewardship? There may be a conflict of interest, you should wonder.
To make sure that your money is under good care, Japanese stewardship code will introduce something new next year. Each institutional investor will be urged to set up safeguard measures including a third party committee, ensuring that investment decisions be made always to maximize your benefits.
Openness
Point number two, openness. Please remember, Japan is for openness. Japan is for trade liberalization. Japan is for investment liberalization.
For instance, in Japan, under some conditions, you will soon be able to obtain your green card very quickly. The speed will be among the fastest in the world. We are now working on the details, so stay tuned.
The most important agenda item here, of course, is the TPP.
Ladies and gentlemen, for the TPP, we will seek approval of our parliament, and do so A.S.A.P. Why? Because it is good for free, fair, and open trade.
The TPP is good also for Japanese farmers who are ambitious. Japan's high-value added products, such as wagyu beef, will find it much easier to enter overseas food markets.
Japan will remain an engine for free trade. We will work harder and harder to achieve the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement and do so, again, A.S.A.P.
And here is my request to you. Please do ratify the TPP. The Asia Pacific should be much, much, much better off with the US fully being a TPP
member. We are simply waiting for you to take a leadership role. “Come along, America,” should be my own message to you.
Changes in Work-style
Now, point number 3, changes in our work-style.
The crux of the matter here is to give workers better prospects for the future.
Listen up. Abenomics is for the future. It is for future growth. It is for future generations. And it is for a future Japan that is robust.
We will propose new laws. Those laws will help bring equal pay for equal work.
Some may wish to work from home. Others wish to come back home early. Still others wish to work 9 to 5. So long as they work with the same company and bear the same amount of responsibilities, there must be absolutely no difference in the amount of money they get.
At present, those not in regular employment get less. And there are many such people. As many as 40 per cent of the entire Japanese workforce works as temp staff, and they tend to get less money. We must change that.
We must fill the gap between regular and non-regular workers so that young people can have brighter hope for the future.
Only then do I expect the middle class will once again grow and spend more. Only then do I expect more and more people to start having families. Only then do I expect Japan's birth rate to turn to the better.
Long working hours are, needless to say, harmful. We will change that as well, by enhancing the regulatory framework. We will propose new laws to that end.
The hope is that women will find it easier to work. The elderly will find it easier to work.
This is an economic issue before it is a social one. We must increase the
labor force participation rate. We must increase wages. We must increase labor productivity. And to change the way we work, I believe, is the best way to improve our productivity.
Next week, upon getting back home, I will roll up my sleeves and start working on this. I will launch an expert group with a single mission, a mission to change the way we work. We will sort out what laws will be necessary. We will then propose those laws. This is what will take place within the next couple of months.
Yes, Japan is gaining speed. Abenomics is gaining speed, too. And I will sharpen my drill bit. To change the structure of Japanese economy, my drill bit is still spinning fast.
Demography, onus or bonus?
I will close my remarks by giving you good news. I have absolutely no worries about Japan's demography.
My country has lost, over the last 3 years, 3 million people of working age. And yet, our nominal GDP has grown.
We should look to the future, rather than worry about the present. Japan may be ageing. Japan may be losing its population. But, these are incentives for us.
Why? Because we will continue to be motivated to grow our productivity. We will continue to be motivated to use, say, everything new and digital, from robots to wireless sensing, and big data to AI.
So, Japan's demography, paradoxically, is not an onus, but a bonus.
A New Japan
In 4 years, Tokyo will yet again have changed its profile.
With the Olympic and Paralympic games, it will have become a city of more tolerance, not less, more openness, not less, and more diversity, not less.
And in the late-2030s, which is actually not so far away, you will be popping on a maglev train in Tokyo, and boom, forty minutes later, you will be standing in Nagoya. Only twenty minutes more, meaning in just an hour out of Tokyo, you will be getting off at Osaka station.
The distance between Tokyo and Nagoya is almost the same as that between New York and D.C. And by the way, you could do the same thing here with the maglev technology that is there for you to get.
See, in about twenty years, you will find a brand new Japan. From Tokyo, through Nagoya to Osaka, you will see what? It will be among the biggest, richest, most technologically advanced, cleanest, and yet most relaxed mega cities the world has ever seen with a population of 70 million people.
So, it is almost like Pokemon GO. Unless you look around, you cannot find it. Unless you go to the spot, you cannot get it. So come to Japan and look around. Seeds of growth are there, waiting to be captured, and waiting to bloom.
Though I do no Pokemon GO, though to achieve growth is not walk in the park, I see seeds of growth everywhere in Japan, and I am determined to let them bloom.
That's it, ladies and gentlemen. If I have sounded bullish so far, it is because I am bullish. Bullish for the future of my country, Japan.
Thank you so much.
Cabinet Secretariat [Wednesday, Sep 28, 2016]
Japan-Singapore Summit Meeting and Other Events
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, at Akasaka Palace State Guest House.
First, the two leaders received a salute and attended a ceremony by the guard of honor and then held a summit meeting, followed by a decoration presentation ceremony, exchange of documents, and joint press announcement.
Afterwards, the Prime Minister hosted a banquet and said the following in his address,
“I would like to offer my heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his wife, and their associates upon their visit to Japan.
This year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Singapore. I would like to celebrate together with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his wife, and all of those in attendance, on this commemorative year.
During these fifty years, the ties of bilateral friendship and cooperation have steadily strengthened. This could not have happened without the contributions of former Prime Minister of Singapore Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, the founding father of Singapore, and one of the eminent people produced by Asia.
On this occasion, I was honored earlier today to confer a decoration upon former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, which was accepted on his behalf by Prime Minister Lee, who is both the son of the former prime minister and my friend, at Akasaka Palace State Guest House, where his father stayed on his official visit to Japan in 1979. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate him again.
Our bilateral relationship is now developing strongly in a wide range of fields, and pop culture is no exception. In May this year, a café featuring the popular Japanese character Hello Kitty opened in Changi Airport. The latest trend is that when you visit Singapore, before going to see the Merlion statue, first you meet Hello Kitty.
We have invited to today’s banquet many leaders from a variety of places and fields, including politics, the economy, and culture, who have all worked to support the invaluable friendship between our countries. It is thanks to all of your contributions that Japan and Singapore have such a wonderful friendship right now. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to you all, and to say that I would be grateful for your continued support to further strengthen our bilateral relationship.
I would now like to raise a toast to the health and happiness of Prime Minister Lee, his wife, and everyone here, and for the further development of friendship and cooperation between the peoples of Japan and Singapore. Thank you.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Friday, Sep 23, 2016]
Japan-Cuba Summit Meeting
The Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Shinzo Abe had a meeting with the President of the Council of State of Cuba, Mr. Raúl Castro on September 22nd for more than 2 hours in the Council of State in Havana. This visit is the first visit to Cuba by a Japanese Prime Minister in office.
1 At the outset, welcoming the visit of Prime Minister Abe to Cuba, President Raúl Castro recalled that Japan used to be the second largest trading partner of Cuba in the 70s and 80s, and stated that Japanese products fabricated back then are still in use, lauding, in this regard, the high standard of the Japanese technologies.
2 Prime Minister Abe expressed his satisfaction over his visit to Cuba as the first Japanese Prime Minister to do so and his first meeting with President Raúl Castro. He also expressed his determination to work with President Castro with a view to marking a new chapter in the long history of friendship between the two nations, which originated from the arrival to Cuba of the samurai Hasekura Tsunenaga.
3 Prime Minister Abe proposed that Foreign Ministers of both countries hold a meeting, whenever possible, to strengthen the ties and accelerate cooperation between Japan and Cuba, one of the most influential countries of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) and of the international community.
4 Prime Minister Abe stated that Japanese companies, keen on working for further development of Cuba, will surely be reliable partners for the modernization of Cuban society and economy, and stressed the need for both Governments to support further progress of bilateral economic relations.
5 Prime Minister Abe announced that Japan will resume partially the underwriting of overseas investment insurance for Cuba, and will hold, together with Cuba, the Second Joint Public-Private Committee Meeting at the political level in November. He also stated that the Public-Private Conference for Infrastructure will be held next February to promote further understanding of "investment in high quality infrastructure" and to support activities of Japanese infrastructure firms in Cuba. He expressed his expectation for President Raúl Castro's leadership in improving investment environment.
6 Prime Minister Abe welcomed the signing of notes for debt relief measures for Cuba and asked cooperation of President Raúl Castro for steady repayment. He also expressed his satisfaction for the exchange of notes for grant aid (to purchase medical equipment), welcomed the commencement of a survey with a view to establishing the Cuba-Japan Medical Centre, and expressed his will to pursue synergy between Japanese and Cuban medical expertise. He further stated that Japan wishes to contribute to improving Cuba's balance of payments by implementing further grant aid. Mr. Abe announced that Japan will establish a local office of JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) in Havana, with the aim of promoting further economic cooperation in a substantive manner.
7 Prime Minister Abe expressed his satisfaction over the increasing number of Japanese tourists to Cuba, which had passed 10,000 last year, and announced that Japan will invite more than 100 young Cubans in the coming three years to encourage further exchange between the two peoples and to conduct capacity building for Cuban youth who are expected to contribute to the prosperity of Cuba. In addition, he expressed his wish to further deepen mutual understanding between the two peoples by dispatching a Japanese lecturer on baseball, a sport which is very popular in both countries, inviting gymnasts and coaches, concluding agreements for cooperation between the University of Havana and Japanese universities, and providing Japanese broadcasting contents.
8 In the small group meeting, Prime Minister Abe explained Japan's view on the situation in Asia and asked understanding and cooperation of the President Castro on this matter. Both leaders also discussed their cooperation in international fora, concerning issues such as United Nations Security Council Reforms.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Wednesday, Sep 21, 2016]
Japan-Turkey Summit Meeting
On September 21, commencing at 11:40 a.m. (local time) for approximately 45 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting New York to attend the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkey. The overview is as follows.
1. Opening
President Erdogan congratulated Prime Minister Abe on the Liberal Democratic Party’s victory in the House of Councilors election, and explained the attempted coup d’etat that occurred in Turkey in July. Prime Minister Abe replied that as a friend he feels extremely happy that the difficult circumstances of the coup d’etat have been overcome, and explained that immediately after the coup attempt occurred he personally issued a statement that “the democratic system in Turkey should be respected”. Prime Minister Abe once again expressed his respect for the unity and solidarity displayed by the people of Turkey.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe praised the strong performances of both countries at the Rio Olympics, and requested support for the success of the Tokyo Olympics in four years’ time, which President Erdogan had congratulated him on.
2. Bilateral relations
Prime Minister Abe stated the following:
With the cooperation of President Erdogan, I intend to advance bilateral relations. Dialogue between our foreign ministers is also important.
I welcome that the “Agreement between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Turkey concerning the establishment of the Turkish-Japanese Science and Technology University in the Republic of Turkey” was approved in Turkey’s parliament, and intend to move steadily ahead with the preparations for opening the university.
With regard to the Sinop Nuclear Power Plant, I expect that progress will be made on constructing the ATMEA1 reactors, which reflect the lessons of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station to the utmost extent.
Cooperation with Turkey in the field of space is also progressing.
President Erdogan explained that he hopes to increase trade and investment between Japan and Turkey, and along with noting the importance of the support that Japan provides through assistance such as yen loans, he also commented on the progress of each project.
3. Regional affairs
Prime Minister Abe stated the following:
Turkey is making major contributions to the stability of the regional and international communities by accepting more Syrian refugees than any country in the world and advancing the fight against terrorism, including ISIL. For these reasons I respect President Erdogan deeply.
I recently attended a high-level briefing of the Security Council on the situation in Syria, where I announced additional assistance of approximately 1.13 billion dollars for Syria, Iraq and neighboring countries this year, in addition to the assistance that Japan has provided thus far, which totals more than 1.26 billion dollars.
I anticipate Turkey will play a continued positive role with regard to the situation in Syria, including the cessation of hostilities and improved access for humanitarian assistance. President Erdogan explained that Turkey is doing its utmost to restore a ceasefire in Syria, and the two leaders exchanged views on the Syria situation.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Tuesday, Sep 20, 2016]
Japan-Pakistan Summit Meeting
On September 20, commencing at 11:10 a.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, who was visiting New York to attend the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly, held a Japan-Islamic Republic of Pakistan Summit Meeting with H.E. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan (the second meeting between the two leaders). The overview is as follows. (The meeting was attended on the Pakistani side by H.E. Syed Tariq Fatemi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister, Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations; and on the Japanese side by Mr. Kotaro Nogami, Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, Mr. Takeo Akiba, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kazuya Nashida, Director-General, Southeast and Southwest Asian Affairs Department, and others.)
1 At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe strongly condemned the terrorist attack that occurred in Pakistan this month, along with offering his condolences to the victims and explaining that Japan attached importance to its relationship with Pakistan. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan supported the following 3 policies pursued by Prime Minister Sharif: (1)counter-terrorism, (2) economic reform, and (3) promoting amicable relations with neighboring countries. Prime Minister Sharif responded by expressing his gratitude, along with stating that after three and a half years, the reform efforts he had been engaging in since his inauguration were producing results.
2 Prime Minister Abe expressed his respect for the role that Pakistan had been playing in the fight against terrorism and the significant sacrifices it had made, and explained that he hoped to hold a bilateral dialogue to pursue further discussions on specific measures to counter terrorism and violent extremism. Prime Minister Abe also requested that the safety of Japanese nationals who were active in Pakistan be ensured. Prime Minister Sharif replied that countering terrorism was Pakistan's most important challenge, and Pakistan hopes to cooperate further with Japan.
3 Prime Minister Abe explained that Japan was paying attention to Pakistan's large population and workforce, and hoped that Pakistan would engage further in areas such as an improvement of the investment environment and public order so that more Japanese companies would establish businesses there. Prime Minister Sharif stated that Japanese companies' activities were essential to Pakistan's economic growth, and he expressed expectations toward areas such as trade, investment, infrastructure development, and human resources development.
4 The two leaders exchanged views on the South Asia situation and North Korea situation, and Prime Minister Abe expressed the view that a new United Nations Security Council resolution should be adopted on North Korea, including further sanctions. The two leaders acknowledged the importance of the international community's cooperation for the response. Prime Minister Sharif explained the circumstances in Kashmir, along with expressing his hope toward Japan's role in achieving a peaceful resolution.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Tuesday, Sep 20, 2016]
Japan-Ukraine Summit Meeting
On September 20, commencing at 11:30 p.m. (10:30 a.m., September 20, local time) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, at the United Nations Headquarters. The overview is as follows.
1 At the beginning, Prime Minister Abe stated he was pleased to see President Poroshenko again after meeting in April this year, and President Poroshenko expressed his gratitude for the Japanese side’s hospitality when he visited Japan in April.
2 In addition, given that both countries are members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), the two leaders shared the view that they will collaborate closely in the international arena, including on the adoption of a new sanctions resolution on North Korea.
3 With regard to the situation in Ukraine, Prime Minister Abe reiterated the importance of full implementation of the Minsk Agreements and acceleration of internal reforms, and explained that Japan will continue supporting Ukraine’s reform efforts, centering on the approximately 1.85 billion dollars of assistance it has announced. As concrete examples of that, Prime Minister Abe explained that from October Japan will provide approximately 9,000 sets of cold weather jackets and trousers for police officers, and will dispatch a survey mission on logistics and the transport system, which is scheduled for November.
In response, President Poroshenko expressed gratitude for Japan’s political and economic support for Ukraine.
4 Additionally, the two leaders shared the view that they will prepare well for the “Year of Japan in Ukraine” in 2017, which is the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Ukraine.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan [Monday, Sep 19, 2016]
Japan-Colombia Summit Meeting
On September 20, commencing at 2:07 a.m. (September 19, 1:07 p.m. local time) for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister, held a Japan-Colombia Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Juan Manuel Santos, President of the Republic of Colombia, at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters. The overview is as follows.
1 Opening
(1) Prime Minister Abe expressed his congratulations and respect for the final agreement reached in the peace negotiations with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) that President Santos initiated.
(2) President Santos explained that the Colombia Peace Agreement will bring changes and many opportunities not only to Colombia but also to Latin America overall, and he expressed gratitude for Japan's support for the consolidation of peace, including by providing landmine removal equipment.
2 Bilateral relations
In light of this historical peace agreement, the two leaders agreed to cooperate more closely in various fields for the purpose of Colombia's new nation building. Furthermore, based on Japanese companies' growing interest in Colombia, the two leaders expressed expectation over the further deepening of the bilateral economic relationship.
The two leaders also shared the view that the negotiations for the Japan-Colombia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which will contribute to the consolidation of peace and nation building in Colombia, are at the final stage.
3 Cooperation in the international arena
The two leaders exchanged views on topics such as the North Korea situation, along with confirming cooperation on regional peace and security.
Japan International Cooperation Agency [Wednesday, Sep 28, 2016]
Construction of Tsetsii Wind Farm at Tsogttsetsii soum, Umnugobi aimag, Mongolia
Clean Energy Asia LLC together with its shareholders, Newcom LLC and SB Energy Corp., signed today with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (hereafter “JICA”) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (hereafter “EBRD”) financing agreements to construct a 50MW wind farm in southern Mongolia.
Clean Energy Asia LLC, (Head office: Ulaanbaatar city, CEO: Gankhuyag Dagva, hereafter “Clean Energy Asia”), is 51% owned by Newcom LLC, a Mongolian conglomerate with activities in telecommunications, property and energy. The remaining 49% is owned by a subsidiary of SB Energy Corp. (Chairman & CEO: Masayoshi Son, hereafter “SB Energy”), a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. (the telecommunications and technology conglomerate).
Mongolia faces great challenges in meeting its growing demand for electricity, almost all of which is currently met by ageing and polluting coal-fired plants. The wind farm will help supply Mongolia's power demand with clean, eco-efficient electricity by harnessing Mongolia's vast and inexhaustible wind resources. The project will help contribute to sustainable economic development and the mitigation of climate change. Clean Energy Asia will aim to launch operations in December 2017.
Mongolia has a power-supply capacity of 1130MW, consisting of 88% coal, 6% diesel, 6% renewable energy, and 2% hydropower sources (Department of Energy, Mongolia, 2015). While being the world’s eighth country most susceptible to climate change (Climate Risk Index. Source: GERMANWATCH “Global Climate Risk Index 2014”), electricity supply-demand balance along with its economic growth is an urgent issue for Mongolia; accordingly, Mongolia is a country that particularly requires safe and secure power sources such as renewable energy. The State Great Khural approved a national power policy in 2015 that sets Mongolia’s mid-to-long term target and plan for 2015-2030 in the energy sector. The policy aims to increase the power generation share of renewable energy to 20% by 2020 and to 30% by 2030, and it stipulates the promotion of investment in the energy industry in cooperation with international financial institutions and donor countries, utilizing the abundant wind and solar resources in the Gobi region. Mongolia is the first country to sign a memorandum with Japan on the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
In these circumstances, this Tsogttsetsii wind farm project will help contribute to the increased adoption of renewable energy in Mongolia.
This wind farm project is the first dollar-denominated project finance debt transaction by JICA through its Private Sector Investment Finance scheme in the renewable energy field, and the second renewable energy project in Mongolia for Newcom and EBRD following the 50 MW Salkhit Wind Farm, the first wind farm and first private power generator in Mongolia, which began its operations in 2013. The 50MW Tsetsii Wind Farm project marks the first power generation business in Mongolia for SB Energy and the SoftBank Group.
Masayoshi Son, SB Energy Chairman & CEO commented as follows:
“This project marks the first step to develop renewable energy in Mongolia for the SoftBank Group. Power generated from the wind farm will supply electricity in Mongolia by connecting to its domestic grid, and I believe the project will help contribute to the stable supply of power for the nation. With this project, the SoftBank Group will have bases in Japan, India and Mongolia for its renewable energy business. We will work to further expand our global business to increase the adoption of renewable energy and reduce CO2 emissions.”
Boldbaatar Tserenpuntsag, Chairman of Newcom Group commented as follows:
“Having first established the Salkhit Wind Farm Project, to date the first and only wind farm and private power generator in Mongolia, Newcom is proud to continue its investments into Mongolia’s renewable energy sector. The Tsetsii Wind Farm project is a further demonstration of Newcom’s commitment to the development of Mongolia through strengthening infrastructure and leading the liberalization of the power sector through sustainable and long-term investments.
Newcom is proud to introduce our partnership with the SoftBank Group through this pilot Tsetsii Wind Farm project. Founded and led by the internationally renowned entrepreneur and business leader Masayoshi Son, the leading global technology player, is now actively engaged in building a more sustainable and peaceful world through the development of renewable energy. Newcom is pleased to play its part in this initiative.
I would also like to acknowledge and thank our international lending partners, JICA and EBRD, for their contribution and support to the project. The Tsetsii Wind Farm project is JICA’s first private project financed transaction in the renewable energy sector and will be EBRD’s second wind power project in Mongolia in partnership with Newcom, a clear testament to our shared goal and commitment to develop Mongolia’s power sector.”
JICA commented as follows:
“The Tsetsii Wind Farm project in Mongolia marks JICA’s first dollar-denominated project finance debt transaction through its Private Sector Investment Finance scheme in the renewable energy field. This project is also the first co-financing arrangement with EBRD. The project is consistent with the ‘Partnership for Quality Infrastructure’ being promoted by the Japanese government with due consideration on life cycle costs, environmental and social sustainability, and contribution to the local society andeconomy .
JICA has been supporting the power sector in Mongolia, especially Ulaanbaatar Thermal Power Plant No.4. JICA intends to continue providing support to the power sector in Mongolia for stable socioeconomic growth.
Going forward, JICA will coordinate with governments and international agencies toward socioeconomic development in developing countries and regions, promoting ‘quality infrastructure financing’ and responding to climate change.”
Philip Bennett, EBRD's First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, said:
“We are delighted to mark the tenth anniversary of our operations in Mongolia today by singing the financing for our second wind farm in the country. We are pleased to cooperate in this transaction not only with our long established partner Newcom, but also with our new partners JICA and the SoftBank Group. This signing today builds on eight years of sustained work with the Mongolian authorities to help them put in place the regulatory framework that allows them to harness Mongolia's huge renewable resources. Of the EUR 1.4 billion we have invested in the Mongolian private sector in the last 10 years, the Salkhit and the Tsetsii wind farms are amongst the projects we are most proud of."
SB Energy, Newcom, JICA, and EBRD will work to contribute to Mongolia’s renewable energy business development and power infrastructure system enhancement.
About Clean Energy Asia LLC
Clean Energy Asia LLC (CEA) was established in 2012 as a joint venture between Newcom LLC and SB Energy Corp., the renewable energy arm of the SoftBank Group.
About SB Energy Corp.
SB Energy is a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. and one of the leading renewable energy companies in Japan. As of September 2016, it had over 308.6MW of power in operation with 26 plants (equivalent power needed to supply approximately 96,000 households). SB Energy is aiming to spread and expand the adoption of renewable energy derived from natural sources, such as large scale solar power generation (Mega Solar) and wind power generation.
About Newcom LLC
Newcom is a Mongolian clean technology and infrastructure investor committed to bringing global expertise and innovation to Mongolia. Newcom Group has a diverse portfolio of investments across telecommunication, information technology, financial services, renewable energy, real estate and mining services sectors. The company operates Mongolia’s first wind farm, with capacity of 50 MW and located 70km from Ulaanbaatar city and is in the process of constructing the 450 MW combined heat and power plant #5 as part of an international consortium awarded the concession agreement by the government. The company’s headquarters are in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. For more information, please refer to the link below.
http://www.newcom.mn
About the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
JICA assists and supports developing countries at the executing agency of Japan’s ODA (Official Development Assistance). In accordance with its vision of “Inclusive and Dynamic Development,” JICA supports the resolution of issues of developing countries by using the most suitable tools of various assistance methods and a combined regional-, country- and issue-oriented approach.
About the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
The EBRD is a multilateral bank committed to the development of market-oriented economies and the promotion of private and entrepreneurial initiative in more than 30 countries from Morocco to Mongolia and from Estonia to Egypt. The Bank is owned by 65 countries, the EU and the EIB. Follow us on the web, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry [Monday, Sep 26, 2016]
Traditional Japanese Crafts Will Be Showcased to Gain Publicity in Paris, France
On Saturday, October 1, 2016, the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries (hereinafter referred to as the “association”) will open a permanent showroom in Paris, France—a city where many trends begin—to showcase traditional Japanese crafts and gain publicity in the country. By branding such crafts as DENSAN, Japan will convey from Paris to the world the attractiveness of such crafts, derived from Japan’s unique culture, with more than 100 years of history, created through superb technical skills and glowing with beauty.
1. Purpose
People playing important roles in the fashion, art, and design markets in Paris, France, are believed to be influential global leaders in related industries. The establishment of robust Japanese brands, in collaboration with buyers and other businesses in Paris, is expected to help Japan expand opportunities to enter new global markets. Japan will open a new base in the city to showcase such crafts, branding them as DENSAN in order to gain publicity, aiming to attract the attention of the world and to encourage people from a wide variety of cultures to integrate the brands into their daily lives.
With support from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), the association will open a permanent showroom in Paris, France, to introduce traditional crafts from across Japan to the international community. In light of the forthcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, global interest in Japanese culture and culinary way of life is growing. Taking this opportunity, Japan will strive to gain publicity for the quality of traditional Japanese crafts and to gain momentum in cultivating global markets and generating new business overseas.
2. Outline of the project
Name of showroom: ESPACE DENSAN
Opening date: Saturday, October 1, 2016
Address: 8bis, rue Villedo 75001 Paris (at the site of Maison Wa)
Major roles:
Gaining publicity to attract the attention of buyers, influencers, people from the press, etc. who seek for quality crafts
Holding B2B business meetings concerning traditional Japanese crafts
Feeding consumers’ opinions back to local manufacturers and other businesses of such crafts in Japan
3. Outline of the Act on the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries and the association
Since the Act on the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries was enforced in 1974, METI has been supporting Japan’s traditional craft industries through various projects. There are a variety of crafts across Japan, including pottery and porcelain, lacquer ware, dyed fabrics, and traditional Japanese paper. Among such products, the METI Minister designated 222 items as traditional crafts under the provisions of the Act.
The association is the only body established to manage Japan’s traditional crafts and is promoting such crafts through various initiatives.
Division in Charge
Traditional Craft Industry Office, Lifestyle Industries Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau
