Council for Designing 100-Year Life Society
Cabinet Secretariat, Friday, March 23, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On March 23, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 6th meeting of the Council for Designing 100-Year Life Society at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, a debate took place on recurrent education (continuing education).
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“Today we had a debate on recurrent education. Recurrent education will be key to the promotion of the productivity revolution as well as the human resources revolution.
We must create a society in which people can improve or change their careers by enhancing their work skills though enrollment in recurrent education.
In order to promote recurrent education, we will ensure that workers have more time outside of work and greatly enhance programs to reduce the burden of their enrollment. Meanwhile, there were some comments that if we are going to enhance those programs, we must improve the quality of these courses and make sure that they are worthy of such assistance programs.
It is also essential that we not only train instructors with work experience in their designated fields, but also have companies participating in program planning and internship opportunities, among other initiatives, so as to enhance the practicality of curricula. In this regard, I would like to request the full support of the business community for these initiatives.
Furthermore, we must promote the diversification of recruiting practices at each company in order to ensure that the people who enroll in recurrent education have a chance to succeed in the workplace. One idea that was proposed today is to create a council inviting publicly-listed companies that are actively providing mid-career employment opportunities. I want each of the relevant ministries and agencies to develop concrete ideas for increasing mid-career employment.
In addition, universities and other educational institutions need to provide integrated support covering employment as well as education and training. I ask these institutions to provide a diverse range of options that meet the needs of workers, such as night classes, weekend classes, and online courses, and expand the number of people enrolling.
The importance of recurrent education does not apply only to women who are raising children. Recurrent education for researchers and engineers is also another major issue to deal with. We will promote the development of programs in collaboration with academic societies in fields such as information processing, biology, and chemistry.
As work styles change, there is a limit to human resources development by companies’ in-house education and training. Educational institutions, the business community, and governments will work in collaboration to promote recurrent education.
We will advance various discussions, including the enhancement of education training subsidy programs, the creation of recurrent education programs through industry-academia collaborations, the expansion of mid-career employment opportunities in the private sector, and recurrent education for engineers toward this summer when we formulate the blueprint of the policy.
I would like the relevant ministers, including Minister Motegi, Minister Kato, Minister Hayashi, and Minister Seko, to take the necessary actions, based on the comments made by the members of this Council today.”
Japan Coast Guard Academy Graduation Ceremony
Cabinet Secretariat, Saturday, March 24, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On March 24, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the graduation ceremony at the Japan Coast Guard Academy in Kure City, Hiroshima Prefecture.
Prime Minister Abe first observed the parade and then delivered a congratulatory address at the graduation ceremony. Following this, the Prime Minister planted a commemorative tree and held a commemorative photograph session.
Council on National Strategic Special Zones
Cabinet Secretariat, Monday, March 26, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On March 26, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 34th meeting of the Council on National Strategic Special Zones at the Prime Minister's Office.
During the meeting, discussions took place on the evaluation of the designated zones and other related matters, and the inclusion of the regulatory reform clauses.
Based on the discussions, the Prime Minister said,
“We must utilize collective wisdom to find solutions to address the waiting list for childcare that we have discussed today. This is a top priority for the Abe Cabinet.
It is another crucial issue for strengthening our soft power to actively accept into Japan hairdressers and professionals related to Cool Japan fields who are appreciated overseas.
We will thoroughly consider our response to the ambitious proposal we have received from Osaka Prefecture.
Beyond that, today, the Council approved the proposed revisions of the Basic Policy of the National Strategic Special Zones. We will work quickly to approve a Cabinet decision on this, and will steadily put into action the measures for bolstering the operation of the Special Zones system and improving its transparency, including agreed minutes on ministry and agency discussions.
The future of our economy depends on how far we advance reform of bedrock regulations. It is important that we not search for the reasons why regulations cannot be eased, but instead think about how to realize it.
I hope the private-sector members of this Council will share their wisdom and we can tease out innovative ideas from each ministry and agency as we continue to take bold steps for reforming bedrock regulations.”
Signing and Exchange of Notes Concerning Yen Loans to India
Foreign Affairs, Thursday, March 29, 2018
1. On March 29, Mr. Kenji Hiramatsu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to India, and H.E. Mr. Sujan Romeshchandra Chinoy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of India, signed and exchanged notes concerning the provision of four yen loan projects including the Mumbai Metro Line 3 Project (II) (total loan provision of up to 149.218 billion yen) in the presence of Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and H.E. Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, Minister for External Affairs of India, in Tokyo following the Japan-India Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue.
2. Overview of the projects
(1) Loan to build a subway system in Mumbai, India’s largest metropolitan area
(Yen loan project “Mumbai Metro Line 3 Project (II)” (loan up to 100 billion yen))
This project is to provide a loan to the Government of India for the construction of a subway system in Mumbai, the state capital of Maharashtra State. It is expected that approximately 1.29 million people will use the subway per day and the system would reduce the traveling time between SEEPZ station and Cuffe Parade Station (approximately 33.7 kilometers) from the current two hours and ten minutes by automobile, to one hour and 20 minutes. Thus, this project will contribute to developing the regional economy and improving the urban environment by easing traffic congestion and reducing traffic pollution.
(2) Loan to develop a seawater desalination plant in Chennai to improve its serious water shortage
(Yen loan project “Project for Construction of Chennai Seawater Desalination Plant (I)” (loan up to 30 billion yen))
This project is to provide a loan to the Government of India for the construction and improvement of a seawater desalination plant as well as water supply and distribution facilities in Chennai metropolitan area of Tamil Nadu State. This project is expected to improve the area’s safe and stable water services, including increasing the number of Chennai City citizens who are connected to the water supply to approximately 8.2 million people in 2027 (two years after the project is completed), an increase of approximately 1.1 million people compared to the approximately 7.1 million citizens who were connected to the water supply in fiscal year 2016. Thus, this project will contribute to improving local residents’ living environments and enhancing the investment environment.
(3) Loan for tree-planting activities in Himachal Pradesh to maintain its diverse ecosystem
(Yen loan project “Project for Improvement of Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecosystems Management and livelihoods” (loan up to 11.136 billion yen))
This project is to provide a loan to the Government of India for (i) sustainable management of forestry ecosystem and preservation of biodiversity, (ii) support to enhance livelihood of local residents, and (iii) strengthening of the structure and capacity of relevant bodies in Himachal Pradesh State. This project is expected to manage and strengthen the ecosystem of forestry in the state, through the participation of approximately 23,000 local residents and personnel from the executing agency, and forestation on approximately 11,000 hectares by 2030 (two years after the project is completed). Thus, this project will contribute to environment conservation and sustainable socioeconomic development in the State.
(4) Loan to install intelligent transport systems in Chennai to alleviate its serious and chronic traffic congestion
(Yen loan project “Project for Installation of Chennai Metropolitan Area Intelligent Transport Systems” (loan up to 8.082 billion yen))
This project is to provide a loan to the Government of India for installing intelligent transport systems (see note) in Chennai metropolitan area of Tamil Nadu State. This project is expected to result in the construction of smooth transport systems to respond to the rapidly increasing volume of traffic, by reducing traveling time during peak hours in sections with marked congestion by approximately 10% by 2024 (two years after the project is completed). Thus, this project will contribute to easing traffic congestion and developing the regional economy of the area.
(Note) Intelligent transport systems: Systems that utilize information-communication technology (ICT) to realize smooth and safe road traffic.
3. Loan terms
(1) For Projects (1), (2) and (4) in 2. above
i. Interest rate : 1.5% per annum (0.01% per annum for consulting services)
ii. Repayment period : 30 years (including a 10-year grace period)
iii. Procurement terms : General untied
(2) For Project (3) in 2. above
i. Interest rate : 1.3% per annum (0.01% per annum for consulting services)
ii. Repayment period : 30 years (including a 10-year grace period)
iii. Procurement terms : General untied
Signing of Japanese ODA Loan Agreements with India: Contributing to inclusive and sustainable development in India through cooperation in various sectors
JICA, Friday, March 30, 2018
On March 29, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed loan agreements with the Government of India to provide Japanese ODA loans of up to a total of 187.884 billion yen for five projects.
Since the inauguration of the Modi administration in India in 2014, India has announced new policies in a variety of sectors, and the economic growth rate has been maintained at a high level and the gross domestic product at an average annual growth rate of approximately 7.5 percent. Nevertheless, the per capita income level in India was merely 1,670 US dollars in 2016, and the country still has the largest number of people in poverty in the world. Given these circumstances, the Modi administration is promoting development policies that aim at inclusive and sustainable growth under the motto of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Collective Efforts, Inclusive Growth). JICA is supporting these development policies of the Government of India through Japanese ODA loans in a wide range of sectors.
The five projects under the loan agreements are described below.
(1) Mumbai Metro Line 3 Project (II) (loan amount: 100 billion yen)
(2) Project for Construction of Chennai Seawater Desalination Plant (I) (loan amount: 30 billion yen)
(3) Project for Improvement of Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecosystems Management and Livelihoods (loan amount: 11.136 billion yen)
(4) Project for Installation of Chennai Metropolitan Area Intelligent Transport Systems (loan amount: 8.082 billion yen)
(5) North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase 2) (loan amount: 38.666 billion yen)
Details for the projects are provided below.
(1) Mumbai Metro Line 3 Project (II)
(a) Objective and Summary
The project will construct a mass rapid transit system (subway) in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra State in West Central India. This initiative will accommodate the increasing demand for transportation, and promote regional economic development and urban environment improvements through alleviated road traffic congestion and a reduction in automobile pollution.
(b) Background and Necessity
The Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has a population of 20.7 million people as of 2016 with a population density of 20,482 people per square kilometer, making it one of the most populated metropolitan areas in the world. With a rapidly rising population in recent years, the number of registered vehicles has grown dramatically from 1.03 million in 2000 to 3.06 million in 2011. This has resulted in chronic traffic congestion in the MMR such that the average driving speed is approximately 15 kilometers per hour on trunk roads, making traffic congestion in the MMR far worse than such other major cities as Tokyo (approximately 20 kilometers per hour) and New York City (approximately 30 kilometers per hour). Moreover, air, noise and other forms of automobile pollution have grown severe. These factors make it necessary to build a subway as a mass rapid transit system to improve the transportation capacity with a means of transportation other than the road network. Therefore, construction work by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited, the executing agency, has been progressing since 2013 toward the opening of the subway at the end of 2021.
Through the project, a subway will be constructed to connect Island City, the main urban area of South Mumbai, to the northwestern suburbs through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The volume of transportation is projected to reach 13.8 million person-kilometers per day within two years of operation commencement, and balanced economic development is expected to result in the MMR through the alleviation in transportation congestion and air pollution.
(c) Executing Agency
Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited
Address: NaMTTRI Building, Plot # R13, ‘E’ Block, BKC, Bandra (E) Mumbai, 400051, India
Phone: +91-22-2638-4677, fax: +91-22-2659-2005
(d) Planned Implementation Schedule
1. Completion of project: December 2021 – when the facilities are put into service
2. Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including construction supervision): Consultants have already been hired
3. Tender announcement of initial procurement package for international competitive bidding on project construction:
Procurement package title: Construction of Underground Stations and Tunnels
Release date: Already contracted
(2) Project for Construction of Chennai Seawater Desalination Plant (I)
(a) Objective and Summary
The project will construct a seawater desalination plant and construct and improve water transportation and distribution facilities in the Chennai Metropolitan Area in Tamil Nadu State in South India. This will provide safe, stable water services and contribute to the living and investment environments in the area.
(b) Background and Necessity
The population in the Chennai Metropolitan Area has increased rapidly in recent years, growing from 6.56 million people in 2001 to 8.9 million in 2011, and it is projected that the population will exceed 15 million by 2035. Furthermore, economic development has been notable and many foreign companies, including more than 370 Japanese companies, have expanded their operations to Chennai as of November 2017. As a result, the demand for domestic and industrial water is rapidly increasing, and it has been difficult to satisfy this quickly burgeoning demand in the short term with river water and groundwater, the primary water sources. Because these water sources are also easily affected by droughts during the dry season, the chronically serious lack of water is a pressing challenge that must be addressed for personal living and business activities. Ensuring stable water resources is therefore a priority.
Along with related facilities, the project will construct a seawater desalination plant which will provide a steady supply of water without being affected by droughts during the dry season, enabling a stable supply of water to a larger population. The water supply population in the project target area of Chennai City is expected to increase from approximately 7.1 to 8.2 million people. The project measures will contribute to meeting the demand for water in the Chennai Metropolitan Area, which is expected to continue growing.
Further, this project is expected to contribute to the improvement of the investment climate in the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) area through the stable supply of water, and also to contribute to the Government of India’s “Make in India” policy that encourages the establishment of domestic operations by foreign companies. Such contributions are aligned with the overall strategy of developing industrial clusters under the CBIC policy jointly promoted by the Governments of Japan and India.
(c) Executing Agency
Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board
Address: No. 1, Pumping Station Road, Chintadripet, Chennai, 600002, India
Phone: +91-44-2845-1319, fax: +91-44-2845-4336
(d) Planned Implementation Schedule
1. Completion of project: March 2025 – when the facilities are put into service
2. Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including detailed design work): August 2018
3. Tender announcement of initial procurement package for international competitive bidding on project construction:
Procurement package title: Installation of Product Water Transmission Mains
Release date: August 2018
(3) Project for Improvement of Himachal Pradesh Forest Ecosystems Management and Livelihoods
(a) Objective and Summary
The project will promote activities pertaining to sustainable forest ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation in Himachal Pradesh State in north India, as well as creating an implementation system for those activities, building the capacity of participants, and strengthening the livelihood infrastructure of local residents. These measures will strengthen the ecosystem management system in the forested areas of Himachal Pradesh State.
(b) Background and Necessity
Located in the western part of the Himalayan Mountain Range with a population of approximately 6.86 million people (2011), Himachal Pradesh State is filled with rugged topography, from low hills to soaring mountains, and also has a diverse ecosystem. Since the state as a whole is also a part of the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot,* and many endangered species on the IUCN Red List have been confirmed in the state, ecosystem conservation is necessary for the state. However, forest resource use has been increasing due to a rising population, the burden on forest resources has been growing due to deforestation by development projects, and the forests have been suffering from local degradation due to forest fires and other causes. Such forest degradation impacts the biological habitat, threatening the loss of the biodiversity. Also, wild animals have frequently appeared in the human biosphere in recent years as a result of forest degradation, and there has been much damage to residents, livestock and more. It is therefore necessary to quickly strengthen forest conservation and biodiversity conservation measures. In order to achieve both these measures and local economic development, strengthening of the livelihood infrastructure for local residents is also needed.
The project is expected to implement afforestation activities over an area covering at least 10,000 hectares in Himachal Pradesh State. Training for sustainable forest ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation will be provided to local residents, and support for livelihood improvements such as in poultry farming and horticulture will also be provided, and those efforts are expected to establish a sustainable forest conservation system that also ensures local economic development.
* Biodiversity hotspot: An area designated by Conservation International having a significant level of biodiversity with many unique species and being threatened with severe destruction of the ecosystem.
(c) Executing Agency
Forest Department, Government of Himachal Pradesh
Address: Forest Headquarters, Talland Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, 171002, India
Phone: +91-177-262-4186, fax: +91-177-262-4192
(d) Planned Implementation Schedule
1. Completion of project: March 2028 – with completion of all activities
2. Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including project management): July 2018
3. Tender announcement of initial procurement package for international competitive bidding on project construction:
The procurement required for this project will be carried out through domestic bidding, and international competitive bidding for procurement is not planned.
(4) Project for Installation of Chennai Metropolitan Area Intelligent Transport Systems
(a) Objective and Summary
The project will provide intelligent transportation systems (ITS) in the Chennai Metropolitan Area of Tamil Nadu State in southeastern India. Doing so will advance the construction of efficient transport systems capable of handling the rapidly increasing traffic volumes, mitigating traffic congestion in the Chennai Metropolitan Area and contributing to regional economic development.
(b) Background and Necessity
The population in the Chennai Metropolitan Area has increased rapidly in recent years, growing from 6.56 million people in 2001 to 8.9 million in 2011, and it is projected that the population will exceed 15 million by 2035. Furthermore, economic development has been notable and many foreign companies, including more than 370 Japanese companies, have expanded their operations to Chennai as of November 2017. Accompanying that growth, the traffic volume in the Chennai Metropolitan Area has also grown rapidly, resulting in chronic traffic congestion and other issues hampering people’s lives and business activities. In order to mitigate congestion with more efficient transportation, travel routes, travel times, peak hour traffic demand and other such data must be collected and analyzed, and transportation management must be carried out through such measures as providing timely road information and controlling traffic signals. Installing systems capable of collecting and analyzing traffic information and providing efficient operation are priorities.
The project will provide systems for improving traffic flows by generating and communicating traffic information and controlling traffic signals, and for improving the efficiency and convenience of bus operations. The project will also include a transfer of technology for the operation and management of those systems. Further, this project is expected to contribute to the improvement of the investment climate in the Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC) area through the betterment of transportation, and also to contribute to the Government of India’s “Make in India” policy that encourages the establishment of domestic operations by foreign companies. Such contributions are aligned with the overall strategy of developing industrial clusters under the CBIC policy jointly promoted by the Governments of Japan and India.
(c) Executing Agency
Chennai Smart City Limited
Address: Wing A, 5th Floor, Amma Maaligai, Ripon Building, Chennai, 600003, India
Phone: +91-44-2561-9670, fax: +91-44-2538-3962
(d) Planned Implementation Schedule
1. Completion of project: December 2022 – with the completion of system pilot operations
2. Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including basic design work): April 2018
3. Tender announcement of initial procurement package for international competitive bidding on project construction:
Procurement package title: Installation of ITS
Release date: September 2019
(5) North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase 2)
(a) Objective and Summary
The project will build four new bypasses on National Highway 54 of Mizoram State and improve the existing National Highway 40 of Meghalaya State in North East India, an area bordering Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar. This is expected to strengthen the overland connectivity in the region between India and these neighboring countries and contribute to economic development in the area.
(b) Background and Necessity
Accompanying the increasing population and economic growth in India in recent years, there is a rising need for improvements to roads essential for domestic goods distribution, but road improvements in mountainous areas tend to lag behind those in plain areas due to financial and technological challenges. The North East Region, which is the project target area, has much hilly and mountainous terrain, which impedes progress in road construction, and faces challenges such as roads that have not been widened, are without slope measures, and have broken pavement. Particularly in the rainy season, roads are frequently closed due to mudslides caused by the combination of heavy rainfall and steep topography. This lag in road development hinders the stable supply of goods and access to medical and educational facilities. Improving the road network is a priority to ensure that local residents have a lifeline and for economic development. JICA is supporting widening, paving and other improvements on National Highways 51 and 54 through the North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project (Phase 1) (I) (agreement signed on March 31, 2017 for a loan of up to 67.17 billion yen), a Japanese ODA loan. The present project is a continuation of phase 1, maintaining support for road connectivity improvements between the North East Region of India and Myanmar and Bangladesh.
JICA is also supporting the creation of a manual for mountain road development through the Capacity Development Project on Highways in Mountainous Regions, technical cooperation, contributing to sustainable road development in India.
(c) Executing Agency
National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited
Address: 3rd Floor, PTI Building, 4 Parliament Street, New Delhi, 110001, India
Phone: +91-11-2346-1600, fax: +91-11-2371-1103
(d) Planned Implementation Schedule
1. Completion of project: September 2022 – when the facilities are put into service
2. Issuing of letters of invitation for consulting services (including construction supervision): April 2018
3. Tender announcement of initial procurement package for international competitive bidding on project construction:
Procurement package title: Road Improvement on NH 40 I
Release date: March 2019
Foreign Minister Kono Visits the United States of America
YouTube, Friday, March 23, 2018
Introduction of a new catch phrase and logo to overseas markets concerning inbound tourism in Japan
MLIT, Monday, March 26, 2018
The catchphrase and logo "Japan. Endless Discovery." that has been in use since April 2010 when promoting visits to Japan in overseas markets etc. has the meaning of "Japan, a country where you can find endless excitements", and it embodies our hope to welcome foreign visitors to Japan again and again so that every time they pay a visit, they come to know more about the incredibly diverse tourism resources in Japan, such as its abundant nature represented by cherry blossoms, or its history, traditional and modern culture, foods, and ways of life of local people.
It is used effectively as a symbol throughout the promotional activities to encourage visits to Japan which are being held actively in various places, in order to appeal with the merits of sightseeing in Japan.
The Twelveth Japan International MANGA Award
Foreign Affairs, Thursday, March 29, 2018
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Japan Foundation will launch the Twelveth Japan International MANGA Award and begin to accept entries for the Award.
Entries will be accepted as follows:
(1) From Monday, April 2nd to Friday, June 15th 2018.
(2) Entries need to be sent to Japanese diplomatic missions abroad (excluding permanent missions) or the P.O. Box of the Twelveth Japan International MANGA Award.
[Note] Details for the guidelines on the application can be found at the web site of The Japan International MANGA Award
The Japan International MANGA Award was established in May 2007 upon the initiative of then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Taro Aso, with the aim of awarding MANGA creators who contribute to the spread of MANGA culture overseas and international cultural exchanges through MANGA. The Award has been presented every year since then.
Among entries, the gold Award will be given to the best work and the Silver Awards to three other excellent works. The awardees will be invited to Japan by the Japan Foundation to attend the award ceremony. During their stay in Japan (generally for 10 days), they will also have the opportunity to exchange ideas with Japanese MANGA creators, visit publishing companies and make an excursion to local sites.
Submission of the FY 2017 Recommendations of the Group of Eminent Persons for Substantive Advancement of Nuclear Disarmament (Statement by Foreign Minister Taro KONO)
Foreign Affairs, Thursday, March 29, 2018
1. On March 29, I received the recommendations of the Group of Eminent Persons for Substantive Advancement of Nuclear Disarmament (EPG) from the Chair, Professor Takashi SHIRAISHI (President, Institute of the Asian Economic Studies, Japan External Trade Organization).
2. The first meeting of the EPG was held in Hiroshima on November 26th and 27th, 2017, followed by its second meeting in Tokyo on March 26th and 27th, 2018. A total of 16 experts (6 Japanese and 10 international experts) attended the meetings in their personal capacities, from both nuclear-weapon States and non-nuclear-weapon States, who plays active roles in the fields of security, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Vibrant discussions were held towards concluding recommendations, which will contribute to the substantive advancement of nuclear disarmament.
3. In the recommendations, the EPG views the current situation that two opposing trends in disarmament have come into sharper relief in parallel to the deteriorating global strategic environment in recent years, and that states with divergent views have been unable to engage with each other in dialogue. Against this backdrop, the group recommends the measures for the international community to seek for a common ground in which we can pursue a world free of nuclear weapons while improving the international security environment in accordance with Article VI of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). The recommendations propose to enhance the NPT review process along with increasing transparency over nuclear arsenals, to develop effective verification mechanisms, and to tackle “hard questions” about the relationship between security and disarmament.
4. Towards the realization of a world free of nuclear weapons, the recommendations attempt to converge different approaches, such as by addressing difficult issues about the relationship between security and disarmament, in order to bridge between the position of admitting the necessity of nuclear deterrence as facing the security in the real world, and the position of calling for an immediate elimination of nuclear weapons from the humanitarian perspectives. In light of this attempt, I believe these recommendations could be a meaningful reference for the international community. The input of these recommendations will be provided to the second Preparatory Committee of the 2020 NPT Review Conference at the end of April. Through such efforts, the Government of Japan will promote endeavors by the international community for the substantive advancement of nuclear disarmament.
5. I hope that the EPG will continue their activities to further deepen discussions on the remaining middle and long-term issues, so as to increase the momentum of the international community towards the 2020 NPT Review Conference.
Dinner Meeting between Foreign Minister Kono and Minister of Regional Cooperation of Israel, Mr. Tzachi Hanegbi
Foreign Affairs, Thursday, March 22, 2018
1. On March 22, commencing at 7:40 p.m. for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs hosted a dinner meeting with H.E. Mr. Tzachi Hanegbi, Minister of Regional Cooperation of State of Israel who is currently visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows:
2. Minister Kono welcomed Minister Hanegbi’s visit to Japan, mentioning his own visit to Israel last year, and said that Japan would like to further strengthen bilateral relations. In reply, Minister Hanegbi also welcomed the remarkable development of the relations in the recent years, and that he would like to enhance cooperation with Japan in various fields.
3. The two Ministers held a frank exchange of views on the issue of the Middle East Peace Process. Minister Kono stated that Japan will continue to advance the “Corridor for Peace and Prosperity” initiative, and expressed appreciation and expectations for Minister Hanegbi’s cooperation to the initiative. In reply, Minister Hanegbi stated that, Japan’s efforts has been implemented consistently including through difficult times, that Israel appreciates Japan’s initiative very highly from the perspective of providing hope to the Palestinians, and that Israel will continue its cooperation to the initiative.
4. The two Ministers also discussed situations in the Middle East region, including the situation in Gaza as well as the situation in Syria, and they shared the view that they will continue their cooperation for peace and stability in the region.
