Courtesy Call from the President-elect of the United Nations General Assembly
Cabinet Secretariat, Friday, August 31, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 31, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President-elect of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
19th Meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for the Heavy Rain in July 2018
Cabinet Secretariat, Friday, August 24, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 24, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 19th meeting of the Emergency Response Headquarters for the Heavy Rain in July 2018 at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
“The heavy rains and strong winds of Typhoon No. 20* have resulted in 13 injured people, as well as damage to homes, including flood damage. I would like to express my heartfelt sympathies to everyone affected by the typhoon.
Power outages continue to affect approximately 44,000 homes across 17 prefectures. The relevant entities are currently engaging in diligent efforts to restore electricity. While the typhoon is now moving north over the Sea of Japan, there remains concern that heavy rains would continue even in areas that the typhoon has passed over. In addition, the typhoon, after disintegrating into low pressure, is expected to bring heavy rain in the Hokkaido and Tohoku areas. Please maintain vigilance so as to prepare for possible river flooding and landslides.
While steady progress is being made with restoration and reconstruction work thanks to the efforts of all involved in western Japan, which was affected by torrential rain, many people affected by the disasters still continue to live with uncertainty about their futures in the midst of repeated heavy rains and typhoons, as well as extreme heat.
Work to remove sediment and other debris in each city district is making progress based on the recently compiled support package. With respect to dredging rivers and removing trees, we are almost finished with the relevant work, for instance, around the Oda River in Okayama Prefecture, which saw large scale flooding. We will continue enhancing safety by advancing work and preparations.
Furthermore, all expressways in the disaster areas have been reopened, excluding the Hiroshima-Kure road, where repair work is underway with the aim to reopen in November. Repair work for railways is also moving forward at a fast pace, including the reopening of parts of the Kure Line in September, ahead of the scheduled opening month of November.
Up to this point, approximately 4,100 applications were approved to move into public housing and provisional temporary housing, and we will complete the construction of 390 units of emergency temporary housing by the latter part of this month out of the approximately 630 units, which are now being constructed in the three prefectures of Hiroshima, Okayama, and Ehime. We will continue to exert every possible effort to ensure that the people affected by the disaster can move out of hard lives in evacuation centers as soon as possible, make the first steps toward rebuilding their lives, and return to their daily lives with peace of mind.
With respect to rebuilding ‘nariwai’ (occupations and livelihoods that sustain people’s daily lives) as well, we are intensively working toward the active use of business sustainability subsidies and group subsidies; we will also materialize reach-out support for micro, small- and medium-sized enterprises as soon as possible.
Given the frequent formation of typhoons, and the return of extreme heat, repair and reconstruction work in the affected regions must be urgently addressed. I ask everyone to continue to do everything in your power for rebuilding the lives of the people affected and restoring ‘nariwai.’”
*Typhoon Cimaron
Press Conference on the Summit Telephone Talk with President Trump of the United States
Cabinet Secretariat, Wednesday, August 22, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 22, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Official Residence.
With respect to the summit telephone talk with the Honorable Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, the Prime Minister said,
“I just held a Japan-U.S. Summit Telephone Talk with President Trump and exchanged views on North Korea. As two months have passed since the historic U.S.-North Korea summit meeting, we analyzed the latest situation and, at the same time, closely aligned our policies on North Korea going forward.
In addition, with regard to the abduction issue, I once again explained Japan’s initiatives related to this issue and asked President Trump for his continued cooperation. President Trump expressed his intention to cooperate in line with Japan’s view.
Regarding our policy to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, Japan and the United States are completely in sync. Through such efforts by Japan and the United States, and by working with the Republic of Korea, Russia, and China, we will make our utmost efforts to resolve the nuclear and missiles issue and, most importantly, the abduction issue.”
Comprehensive Nuclear Emergency Response Exercise
Cabinet Secretariat, Saturday, August 25, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 25, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe conducted the FY2018 Comprehensive Nuclear Emergency Response Exercise at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The exercise was conducted based on a scenario in which the emergency core cooling system fails to inject water into nuclear reactors at Ohi Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 and Takahama Nuclear Power Plant Unit 4, respectively.
The Prime Minister held a press conference related to the Declaration of a Nuclear Emergency Situation based on this scenario.
Later, relevant ministers gathered and a simulated first Joint Meeting of the Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters and Major Disaster Management Headquarters was held.
Following the remarks related to the Declaration of a Nuclear Emergency Situation from Prime Minister Abe, who chairs the headquarters, the Chairman of the Nuclear Regulation Authority reported an outline of the accident and the status of the responses; Minister of State for Nuclear Emergency Preparedness Nakagawa reported on the status of the residents’ evacuation; and Minister of State for Disaster Management Okonogi reported on the status of the earthquake disaster responses.
Afterwards, there were reports from Fukui Prefecture, Kyoto Prefecture, Shiga Prefecture, Ohi Town, Obama City, Takahama Town, Maizuru City, and the Local Nuclear Emergency Response Headquarters on the local situation.
Based on the reports, the Prime Minister issued instructions for responses to each minister and others. In addition, relevant ministers made statements in response to the Prime Minister’s instructions.
Lastly, the Government’s basic policy on urgent measures to respond to an emergency situation was decided, and the exercise was concluded.
Visit to Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures
Cabinet Secretariat, Sunday, August 26, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 26, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Miyazaki and Kagoshima Prefectures.
The Prime Minister first visited garlic chive farmers in Saito City, Miyazaki Prefecture, and then participated in a mock calf auction and held a gathering to exchange views at a livestock market in Shintomi Town, Koyu District. Later, the Prime Minister observed beef cattle feedlot operations at a cattle barn in Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture as well as the hauling of greater amberjack at the Fishermen’s Cooperative in Tarumizu City.
After the visit, the Prime Minister responded to questions from the press.
Visit to Fukui and Toyama Prefectures
Cabinet Secretariat, Monday, August 27, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 27, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Fukui and Toyama Prefectures.
The Prime Minister first visited a company manufacturing carbon fiber and other products in Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture. Afterwards, the Prime Minister visited Toyama Station in Toyama Prefecture, and received an explanation regarding Light Rail Transit (LRT) and other operations of Toyama Station from Mr. Takakazu Ishii, Governor of Toyama Prefecture, and Mr. Masashi Mori, Mayor of Toyama City.
Visit to Aichi and Mie Prefectures
Cabinet Secretariat, Thursday, August 30, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 30, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Aichi and Mie Prefectures.
The Prime Minister first visited a company manufacturing food product packaging and other items in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture, and the small-sized childcare center run by this company. Afterwards, the Prime Minister observed a childcare center, research facility, and an automatic harvesting robot system at an agricultural facility in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. The Prime Minister then visited the Mie Prefectural Child Guidance Center and exchanged views with the staff.
Courtesy Call on the Prime Minister by the Maritime Safety & Security Policy Program Participants
Cabinet Secretariat, Friday, August 31, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 29, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the Maritime Safety & Security Policy Program Participants at the Prime Minister's Office.
The Prime Minister said in his address,
“I would like to welcome to the Prime Minister’s Office all of you who completed the Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program as the third generation students as well as those alumni who are actively engaged in relevant operations in your respective regions.
Japan and your countries are both maritime nations, and your countries and Japan as well as the respective countries are also connected with each other. At the same time, our countries are also connected to other countries in the world through the ocean.
As maritime nations, we benefit from “sea harvest.” At the same time, the ocean generates various fortunes as a means of transport. Meanwhile, it sometimes causes major natural disasters such as tsunami. Occasionally, large-scale disasters, including typhoon occur, and it is your important mission to protect people from these disasters. At the same time, there are regrettably people who misuse the ocean such as smugglers and stowaways.
As maritime states and to develop as maritime states, it is vital that we protect people from these disasters while protecting the safety and security of the ocean.
I hope that you will protect a free and open maritime order based on the rule of law, and based on this common principle, protect the ocean and peace as well as safeguard the further development and prosperity of your respective maritime nations, by making full use of the knowledge you have acquired from the Maritime Safety and Security Policy Program, and thoroughly fulfilling your roles and responsibilities by taking advantage of the network of friends you have cultivated during this one year, or shall I say friendship of the ocean.
In closing, I wish you all great success in your home countries and that your friendship of the ocean will be everlasting.”
Advisory Panel on Security and Defense Capabilities
Cabinet Secretariat, Wednesday, August 29, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 29, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the first meeting of the Advisory Panel on Security and Defense Capabilities at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The Prime Minister said in his opening address,
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Chairperson Mimura and the rest of the distinguished experts for attending this meeting of the Advisory Panel on Security and Defense Capabilities on such short notice despite your busy schedules.
I have been working on reshaping Japan’s security policy ever since I assumed office as Prime Minister. Protecting the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the people is the most important responsibility of the Government. In addition, it is our own continuous efforts that form the backbone of our security policy.
The security environment of Japan is becoming severer and increasingly uncertain at a pace far faster than was expected five years ago when the current National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) was formulated. For this reason, we have assessed that it is necessary to once again review the NDPG, which is the guidelines of Japan’s defense.
In the review of the NDPG, it is first and foremost essential that we squarely face the realities without looking away from them. Maintaining advantages in new domains such as cyber space and outer space is now a matter of vital importance for the defense of Japan.
We are not able to protect Japan from the range of threats if we are thinking only through the conventional lens of the ground, maritime, and air defense categories. We need to identify an ideal form of defense capabilities that is truly needed to protect Japan, rather than developing them along the current path. To overcome these difficult challenges, we must analyze them from a variety of perspectives and pool know-how and experiences in an array of fields. I ask the experts gathered here today to contribute to discussions at this meeting by fully drawing on your wealth of academic expertise and experiences in each field with a focus on security and defense policy and share your candid views. Thank you for your participation.”
Ministerial Council on the Monthly Economic Report and Other Relative Issues
Cabinet Secretariat, Wednesday, August 29, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 29, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended a meeting of the Ministerial Council on the Monthly Economic Report and Other Relative Issues at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Regarding the assessment of the current state of the Japanese economy, the August Monthly Economic Report states, “The Japanese economy is recovering at a moderate pace. ”
Furthermore, in regard to short-term prospects, the Report states, “The economy is expected to continue recovering, supported by the effects of the policies, while employment and income situation is improving. However, attention should be given to the risks including the effects of situations over trade issues on the world economy, the uncertainty in overseas economies and the effects of fluctuations in the financial and capital markets. ”
Courtesy Call from a Delegation of Participants in the Japan-U.S. Governors Forum
Cabinet Secretariat, Tuesday, August 28, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On August 28, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from a delegation of participants in the Japan-U.S. Governors Forum at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Defense of Japan 2018 (Annual White Paper: English Version) published
Ministry of Defense, Tuesday, August 28, 2018
The security environment surrounding Japan has become increasingly severe, with various challenges and destabilizing factors becoming more tangible and acute.
Foreign Minister Kono holds a Working Dinner with President-elect of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly
Foreign Affairs, Thursday, August 30, 2018
On August 30, commencing at 7:40 p.m. for approximately seventy minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Foreign Minister of Japan, held a working dinner with H.E. Mrs. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President-elect of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The overview of the meeting was as follows.
1. At the outset, Minister Kono expressed his congratulations on Mrs. Espinosa’s appointment as President of the 73rd session of the UNGA, and stated that Japan, as a Vice-President of the UNGA would offer maximum support to President Espinosa’s leadership in resolving the challenges of the international society. President Espinosa expressed her appreciation for the invitation from Japan and strong support from Minister Kono.
2. Minister Kono emphasized the importance of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform and conveyed to President Espinosa that negotiation towards the reform needs to be progressed immediately. On North Korea, Minister Kono stated that it is critical that each country continues the full implementation of UNSC resolutions.
3. The two sides exchanged views on a wide range of issues such as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), gender-related matters and other global issues, and shared the view to work closely together in these fields.
Japan-Djibouti Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and Working Lunch
Foreign Affairs, Thursday, August 30, 2018
On August 30, commencing at around 11:30 a.m. for approximately 70 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a Foreign Ministers’ meeting and working lunch with H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti, who was making a working visit to Japan upon invitation by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The overview is as follows.
1. Minister Kono welcomed Minister Youssouf’s visit to Japan for the first time in 5 years after TICAD V. Mentioning that this year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relation between Japan and Djibouti, Minister Kono expressed that Djibouti is an important partner for Japan to implement Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy. In response, Minister Youssouf expressed gratitude for Japan’s contribution to the development of Africa, including Djibouti, and to the peace and stability of the international community. Minister Youssouf also expressed to enhance the cordial relationship between two countries on the occasion of the 40th anniversary. The two Ministers confirmed their collaboration for the success of the TICAD ministerial meeting which will be held in 2018 as well as TICAD7 in 2019.
2. In addition, the two Ministers shared the intention to collaborate to advance the reform of the United Nations Security Council. They also exchanged views on the regional situation including North Korea and cooperation in the international arena.
3. At the joint press occasion, the two Ministers exchanged diplomatic notes on “the Economic and Social Development Programme” for granting equipment for road maintenance. Minister Youssouf stated that Japan and Djibouti are in strategically important relationship and Djibouti contributes to regional peace and stability through hosting the Japan Self Defense Force base. He also expressed that Djibouti has supported Japan in international area and supports Japan's permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council.
4. Following the meeting, Japan-Djibouti Foreign Ministers’ Joint Press Statement was issued.
Foreign Minister Kono Visits Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and Mexico
YouTube, Monday, August 27, 2018
Japan-Turkey Foreign Ministers’ Telephone Conversation
Foreign Affairs, Friday, August 31, 2018
Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs, had a telephone conversation for approximately 15 minutes commencing at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, August 31, 2018, with H.E. Mr. Mevlüt ÇAVUŞOĞLU, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey. The overview is as follows.
1. Minister Kono, referring to the recent relationship between Turkey and the United States, mentioned that a strong and resilient Turkish economy is important for Japan, and Japan supports the economic stability of Turkey. In return, H.E. Mr. Mevlüt ÇAVUŞOĞLU expressed his gratitude to the remarks.
2. Minister Kono stated his hope for stabilization of the relationship between Turkey and the United States, as Japan enjoy friendly relationships with both countries, and expressed his intention to cooperate. In return, H.E. Mr. Mevlüt ÇAVUŞOĞLU welcomed it and explained the effort to improve the situation such as dialogues with the United States.
3. The two Ministers shared the view that they would continue to have dialogues. H.E. Mr. Mevlüt ÇAVUŞOĞLU expressed that he hoped the Japan-Turkey relationship, especially in the economic area, would be further strengthened.
Annual Review 2018 (Bank of Japan)
Bank of Japan, Friday, August 31, 2018
The Annual Review 2018 provides an overview of the Bank of Japan's organization and business operations, a review of its implementation of business operations and organizational management in fiscal 2017 (April 1, 2017-March 31, 2018), and a description of the Bank's accounts for the fiscal year.
Joint Press Release of the Seventh China-Japan Finance Dialogue (Beijing, China)
Ministry of Finance, Friday, August 31, 2018
The Seventh China-Japan Finance Dialogue was held in Beijing on August 31st, 2018. Liu Kun, China's Finance Minister, and Taro Aso, Japan's Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, co-chaired the dialogue, with senior officials from finance ministries, central banks and financial supervision authorities of both countries presenting.
The official visit to Japan by China’s Premier Li Keqiang in May this year has brought bilateral relationship back onto the normal track, which created favorable conditions for cooperation in various fields between the two countries. Both sides agreed to seize the opportunity and utilize the China-Japan Finance Dialogue to enhance policy communication and pragmatic cooperation, thus to contribute to continuous, healthy and steady development of China-Japan relations. Regarding financial cooperation, both sides agreed to work expeditiously on the initiatives agreed between the leaders of China and Japan in May 2018.
Both sides agreed that protectionism cannot be beneficial for any country, and agreed to maintain and promote the free, open and rules-based multilateral trading system. Both sides agreed to give full play to multilateral mechanisms including G20 and ASEAN+3 as well as multilateral development institutions including Asian Development Bank and World Bank, in the aspects of enhancing macroeconomic policy coordination, promoting poverty reduction and development; deepening regional economic and financial cooperation; and safeguarding the regional economic and financial stability. Both sides agreed to support each other during their respective presidency of G20 and co-chairmanship of ASEAN+3 in 2019 to foster concrete outcomes.
Both sides supported each other to carry on their domestic structural reform agendas, maintain regular communication and draw on each other’s experiences on issues including tax reform, budget management reform and public debt management.
Both sides reached consensus on expanding cooperation on financial market such as securities market and financial supervision, including the direction and measures for the next step. Both sides also exchanged views on business cooperation in third countries, and would discuss possibilities for future cooperation.
Both sides highly appreciated the findings of the Joint Research on the Chinese and Japanese Pension Systems, and will jointly release the Report. Both sides also agreed to continue conducting joint researches on key issues of common concerns.
The two ministers look forward to holding the Eighth China-Japan Finance Dialogue in Japan next year.
Tax Convention with Estonia will Enter into Force
Ministry of Finance, Friday, August 31, 2018
[Provisional translation]
1. On August 30, the exchange of diplomatic notes between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Estonia for entry into force of the Convention between Japan and the Republic of Estonia for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance (signed on August 30, 2017) took place in Tallinn.
2. This Convention, accordingly, will enter into force on September 29, 2018 (the thirtieth day after the date of exchange of diplomatic notes) and will have effect:
(a) with respect to taxes levied on the basis of a taxable year, for taxes for any taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2019; and
(b) with respect to taxes levied not on the basis of a taxable year, for taxes levied on or after January 1, 2019.
Tax Convention with Lithuania Entered into Force
Ministry of Finance, Friday, August 31, 2018
[Provisional translation]
1. Today, the exchange of diplomatic notes between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania for entry into force of the Convention between Japan and the Republic of Lithuania for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance (signed on July 13, 2017) took place in Vilnius.
2. This Convention, accordingly, entered into force today (the date of exchange of diplomatic notes) and will have effect:
(a) with respect to taxes levied on the basis of a taxable year, for taxes for any taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2019; and
(b) with respect to taxes levied not on the basis of a taxable year, for taxes levied on or after January 1, 2019.
(c) The provisions concerning the exchange of information and the assistance in the collection of taxes have effect from today, without regard to the date on which the taxes are levied or the taxable year to which the taxes relate.
Primary Factors behind the Heavy Rain Event of July 2018 and the Subsequent Heatwave in Japan from Mid-July Onward
JMA, Wednesday, August 22, 2018
Japan experienced significant rainfall particularly from western Japan to the Tokai region mainly in early July (The Heavy Rain Event of July 2018), which caused widespread havoc nationwide. Extremely high temperatures subsequently persisted throughout most of Japan from mid-July onward.
In this context, the Japan Meteorological Agency (with the help of the Tokyo Climate Center Advisory Panel on Extreme Climatic Events) investigates atmospheric and oceanic conditions considered to have contributed to such climate extremes and summarizes related primary factors. Based on this work, the Heavy Rain Event of July 2018 is attributed to an ongoing concentration of two massively moist air streams over western Japan and persistent upward flow associated with the activation of a stationary Baiu front. The related heatwave is attributed to the expansion of a persistent North Pacific Subtropical High and Tibetan High to the Japanese mainland. The serial occurrence of these two extreme climate events was caused by significant and persistent meandering of the subtropical jet stream in the upper troposphere. The long-term trend of increased intensity in observed extreme precipitation events in Japan and the clear upward trend in amounts of airborne water vapor also suggest that the Heavy Rain Event may be linked to global warming. Global warming and ongoing higher-than-normal zonally averaged tropospheric air temperatures associated with the northward shift of the subtropical jet stream are also considered responsible for the extreme heatwave.
Japan House London Grand Opening
Foreign Affairs, Friday, August 31, 2018
1. Japan House London will hold a ceremony to celebrate its Grand Opening on 13th September.
2. His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge will be attending the Grand Opening ceremony. H.E. Mr. Taro Aso, Deputy Prime Minister plans to attend the event from Japan, if the circumstances allow. The Duke of Cambridge and Deputy Prime Minister will tour the premises.
3. Japan House London opened in June this year and has been holding various exhibitions to display Japanese architecture, craftsmanship, etc. During the Grand Opening ceremony, presentation will be made on the “Japan-UK Season of Culture” to be held during the period starting at the Rugby World Cup 2019 and ending at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
[Reference] Japan Houses
Presenting the various appeals and policies of the country, Japan House is a brand new hub which aims to broaden the base of those who are well-versed or have an interest in Japan. While offering a “one-stop-service” where a wide variety of information on Japan can be found, along with a Japanese restaurant and retail floor, it aims to promote Japan as a whole from the dynamism of private companies to the charms of the countryside. Furthermore, through utilising the knowledge of experts, it is designed to address in detail the local needs and resonate with the local people.
[Reference] Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-20
Based on the agreement between the Prime Ministers of Japan and the UK in August 2017, the “Japan-UK Season of Culture 2019-20” bridges the Rugby World Cup 2019 and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Japan will organise the Japan Season of Culture in the UK, and the UK will oversee the UK Season of Culture in Japan in parallel.
The Japan Season of Culture in the UK will showcase Japan’s multi-faceted appeal, from its culture and art to innovation and cutting-edge technology in areas such as medicine, science and industry. By building on various areas of grassroots exchange and local community activities.
