Cabinet Secretariat [Monday, December 15, 2016]
Japan-Russia Summit Meeting and Other Events: First Day
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation, in Nagato City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Both leaders held a summit meeting, which was followed by a press occasion by Prime Minister Abe. Next, both leaders had a working dinner.
In the press occasion, the Prime Minister said the following,
"I had an approximately three hour long meeting with President Putin.
The location was my hometown, and with the warm welcome extended by the local people, the meeting took place in a very positive atmosphere.
After this, we will hold further meetings mainly about our economic relations. During the meeting with a small number of participants, we discussed bilateral and global issues, the importance of Russia playing a constructive role in addressing those global issues, and that Japan and Russia working together can resolve various issues.
The one-on-one meeting between President Putin and me lasted for about 95 minutes. Our discussion focused mainly on the peace treaty issue.
Based on our previous discussions held in Sochi, Vladivostok, and Lima, today, we were able to hold frank and very in-depth discussions on the issue of former island residents freely visiting their old hometowns, joint economic activities under a special arrangement between Japan and Russia on the four islands of the Northern Territories, and the peace treaty issue. In the private meeting, I gave him letters that I received from the former islanders when I met them a few days ago. President Putin read a letter, which was written in Russian, on the spot. With the average age of the former islanders being 81 years old, I approached the discussion taking firmly to heart the former islanders’ feeling that there is very little time left.
Discussions will further continue later today, and the venue will be moved to Tokyo tomorrow for further discussions. We will report the results of our meetings during a press conference tomorrow with both of us present. "
Cabinet Secretariat [Monday, December 15, 2016]
Press Conference on the Approaching Meeting with the President of Russia
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport).
The Prime Minister said the following with regard to his approaching meeting with H.E. Mr. Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, President of the Russian Federation.
"I have invited President Putin to my hometown of Nagato City. I would like to extend my heartfelt welcome to him.
I plan to have thorough negotiations while spending time at a hot spring resort along a river in a mountain valley with a relaxed atmosphere amidst quiet surrounded by the stillness of the night. A few days ago, I had the opportunity to meet with former islanders of the Northern Territories. Taking the earnest feelings of the former islanders firmly to heart, I will negotiate on behalf of Japan.”
Cabinet Secretariat [Monday, December 12, 2016]
Meeting with Former Islanders of the Northern Territories
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a meeting with former islanders of the Northern Territories, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence.
The Prime Minister said in his address,
“I want to express my gratitude to all of you for coming to Tokyo today.
Based on the policy that the Northern Territories are inherent territories of Japan and of resolving the issue of the attribution of the four Northern Islands and concluding a peace treaty, we have been conducting negotiations over a long period with Russia, formerly the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, this issue has not been resolved over a period of 70 years. We have not yet resolved the issue of the attribution of the four Northern Islands, still face territorial issues, and have not yet concluded a peace treaty. This is an unnatural state of affairs.
I have invited President Putin of the Russian Federation, to my hometown of Nagato City on December 15 and 16 of this week. We will hold a summit meeting there. We will also hold a summit meeting in Tokyo. During these events, I hope to exert every effort over a long period of time without even a moment’s rest to advance even one step closer to the resolution of the Northern Territories issue.
I believe that among the former islanders, there is the strong hope that this problem will be resolved, no matter what it takes, during your generation while you are still alive and full of energy. Today, Mrs. Matsubara brought a portrait of her deceased husband to this meeting. Given that people are passing away, one by one, I want to approach this summit meeting with the determination to bring this issue to a close during my generation.
Today I have arranged this opportunity to hear your opinions prior to the summit meetings. I request that you please provide us with your frank opinions. Thank you very much.”
Cabinet Secretariat [Tuesday, December 13, 2016]
World Assembly for Women in Tokyo (WAW! Tokyo 2016) Public Forum and Related Events
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo (WAW! Tokyo 2016).
After having commemorative photographs taken with Ms. Kaori Icho, Ms. Mayumi Narita, and Ms. Hiromi Miyake, athletes who participated in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Prime Minister attended the Public Forum and delivered a speech.
Cabinet Secretariat [Monday, December 12, 2016]
Dinner Banquet Hosted by the Prime Minister for Speakers and Others from the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo (WAW! Tokyo 2016)
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe hosted a dinner banquet at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence for invited speakers and others from the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo (WAW! Tokyo 2016).
Cabinet Secretariat [Tuesday, December 13, 2016]
Strategic Headquarters for Space Development
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 14th meeting of the Strategic Headquarters for Space Development at the Prime Minister's Office.
At the meeting, the Work Schedule of the Basic Plan for Space Policy (FY2016 Revised Version) was discussed.
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“Today we have revised the Work Schedule of the Basic Plan for Space Policy. Taking into account the new work schedule, I instruct you to work in particular on the following three points.
First, with the establishment of two space-related bills, we will advance the creation and expansion of new private-sector space businesses, providing opportunities for companies and universities to utilize outer space, such as by launching small-scale satellites from international space stations.
Second, we will fortify our space systems which are inherently connected with cybersecurity. We will rapidly embark on the establishment of guidelines to assess vulnerabilities in our space systems, and inspections based on them.
Third, we will advance the development of Japan’s space systems overseas. We will implement satellite measurement cooperation in Asia using quasi-zenith satellites, and support the fostering of human resources in space-related fields.
Please collaborate thoroughly with Minister of State for Space Policy Tsuruho and the other relevant ministers, in order to achieve all of this.”
Cabinet Secretariat [Tuesday, December 13, 2016]
Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Construction of the New National Stadium
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the New National Stadium, held in Tokyo.
The Prime Minister said in his address,
“I would like to make some brief remarks today on the occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the New National Stadium.
When the previous construction plan for this stadium was cancelled in July of last year, I said that I wanted to make the New National Stadium a venue that the public and athletes will celebrate, and that moves and inspires the dreams of people around the world.
Since then, thanks to the hard work of everyone involved, a new form for the stadium has been created that puts athletes first, uses the world’s most advanced universal design, and incorporates harmony with the local environment and Japanese style. The new design gives us the strong conviction that the New National Stadium will inherit the history of the Meiji Jingu Gaien area and old National Stadium, and be reborn as a stadium that communicates a new era of sports and culture.
The Rio de Janeiro Games drew to a close a while ago, with our Japanese athletes putting in strong performances. Having been passed the baton from Brazil, we must make the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games the world’s best. We must create a Games in which people can share their dreams and hopes and that will be a legacy that people can be proud of. The Games must also communicate Japan’s capabilities to the world and pave the way for the future of Japan.
The New National Stadium will truly be an appropriate stadium for that event. I believe that four years from now, many athletes will come to this stadium to push themselves to their limits, and that their performances will invigorate people and society.
Full-fledged construction will begin at last. I want to express my heartfelt respect for the efforts that everyone involved has made up to today. I would like to conclude my address by expressing my heartfelt hope that construction will be safely completed for this New National Stadium through the cooperation of the Japan Sport Council and everyone else involved, and that this stadium will become a place that will communicate a new era of sports and culture.”
