Japan-Ghana Summit Meeting and Other Events
Cabinet Secretariat, Tuesday, December 11, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On December 11, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The two leaders attended a salute and guard of honor ceremony, followed by a summit meeting. Afterwards, the leaders held a signing ceremony and a joint press announcement, and issued a Japan-Ghana Joint Statement.
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Foreign Minister Kono Pays a Courtesy Call on His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO, President of the Republic of Ghana
Foreign Affairs, Tuesday, December 11, 2018
On December 11, commencing at 4:00 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Mr. Taro Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, paid a courtesy call on His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO President of the Republic of Ghana, who is paying a visit to Japan. The overview of the courtesy call is as follows.
Minister Kono welcomed His Excellency President Akufo-Addo’s visit to Japan and expressed his expectation that President’s visit will further reinforce friendly relationship. Minister Kono also stated that he would like His Excellency President Akufo-Addo to attend the seventh Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD7). Moreover, Minister Kono mentioned that Japan would support the development of Ghana including through the cooperation in the field of development of quality infrastructure, health and human resource development and expressed his intention to cooperate with Ghana in the international arena as well.
In response, President Akufo-Addo expressed his delight for visiting Japan and stated that he would like to reinforce the old friendship between Japan and Ghana following the steps of his successors, while also expressing his gratitude for Japan’s support in the past. Furthermore, President Akufo-Addo mentioned the importance of the trade and investment relations with Japan and stated that he was looking forward to participating in TICAD7 next year.
Both sides also exchanged views regarding the World Expo 2025 in Osaka among other issues.
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Japan-Mongolia Summit Meeting and Other Events
Cabinet Secretariat, Thursday, December 13, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On December 13, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a summit meeting and other events with H.E. Mr. Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, Prime Minister of Mongolia, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
The two leaders attended a salute and guard of honor ceremony, followed by a summit meeting. Afterwards, the leaders held a signing ceremony and a joint press announcement, and then issued a Japan-Mongolia joint statement and a factsheet on the progress of the Japan-Mongolia Mid-term Action Plan for a Strategic Partnership.
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Press Conference by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
Cabinet Secretariat, Monday, December 10, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On December 10, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office.
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Press Conference on “the Kanji of the Year”
Cabinet Secretariat, Wednesday, December 12, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On December 12, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office.
In regard to “the Kanji of the Year (this year’s Chinese character),” the Prime Minister said,
“As one might have expected, ‘wazawai’ (meaning ‘disaster’) was selected as “the Kanji of the Year (this year’s Chinese character). This year, Japan indeed experienced numerous disasters. We will exert every effort for recovery and reconstruction so that everyone affected by these disasters return to their daily lives and live with peace of mind at the earliest possible date.
The Chinese character that represents this past year for me is ‘ten’ (meaning ‘turn’ or ‘transition’), as in the saying “ki-sho-ten-ketsu” (the four-part organization of a narrative, comprising an introduction, development, turn, and conclusion). We started off this year with the gold medal of figure skater Mr. Yuzuru Hanyu with his quadruple (four-revolution) jumps at the PyeongChang Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Professional shogi player, Mr. Souta Fujii, who is currently ranked 7-dan, also achieved great success this year. Furthermore, tennis player, Ms. Naomi Osaka, won the 2018 U.S. Open. We saw the emergence of the power of youth. This year might be a harbinger of transition to a new generation.
Turning our eyes to international politics, the U.S.-North Korea Summit Meeting was held this year. The state of international trade also underwent significant changes. In addition, from Japan’s perspective or my own perspective, this year also signaled a major turning point in Japan-Russia relations as I held a Japan-Russia Summit Meeting with President Putin in Singapore. .
Whether or not the future takes a turn for the better is up to us. Japan faces a significant turning point next year, and I hope to make it a great year for everyone. Thank you very much.”
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Advisory Panel on Security and Defense Capabilities
Cabinet Secretariat, Tuesday, December 11, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On December 11, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the seventh 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, Deputy Chairperson Kitaoka, and the rest of the distinguished experts for attending the six consecutive meetings of the Advisory Panel on Security and Defense Capabilities until today along with three discussion sessions with external experts and even a visit to the Self-Defense Forces, taking time out from your busy schedules, as well as participating in the intensive discussions over the short period of just three sessions.
Protecting the lives and peaceful livelihoods of the people is the most important responsibility of the Government. This is the primary responsibility that Japan should bear as an independent nation. In order to fulfill this responsibility thoroughly amid a drastically changing security environment, we must fundamentally strengthen our system for protecting the lives and property of the people, as well as our territorial land, sea and air, through our self-driven and autonomous efforts. At the same time, I believe that we must undertake reforms at a truly unprecedented pace compared to the past towards a defense capability which is truly necessary and lays out the foundation for our future, not a mere extension of the existing approaches, completely transitioning away from an approach that is based on the conventional separation of ground, air, and sea defense.
All the members of this Advisory Panel fully applied your respective viewpoints and experiences throughout the intensive discussions on the difficult challenges faced by Japan, held over this short period of time and discussed enthusiastically about the future of Japan’s defense capabilities and the direction that we should aim for. As the Prime Minister, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your efforts. Thank you.”
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Strategic Headquarters for National Space Policy
Cabinet Secretariat, Tuesday, December 11, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On December 11, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 18th meeting of the Strategic Headquarters for National Space Policy at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, a discussion was held on the Implementation Plan of the Basic Plan on Space Policy (revised FY2018).
Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,
“On November 1, the world’s first centimeter-level service using the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System ‘Michibiki’ was launched and businesses or services utilizing space are now transitioning to a new era. Even in sectors that have been unrelated to space so far, such as agriculture and logistics, there is a possibility that innovative businesses will emerge. I would like to ask for proactive support with novel ideas for space-related start-ups, such as discovering concepts and verification tests.
Even in the field of security, we have entered an era in which each country is competing fiercely with one another over the use of space. As Japan is also advancing the review of the National Defense Program Guidelines, I would like to ask for the further enhancement of our security under the leadership of the Ministry of Defense, and in cooperation with other relevant ministries and agencies, in particular, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
We are also seeing an emerging global trend in the field of international space exploration, for example of the moon and Mars, which are the next frontiers for mankind. With regard to Japan’s participation in the manned Lunar Orbital Platform-Gateway, an initiative conceived by the United States, please coordinate with the relevant countries so that Japan can contribute actively to the initiative in our areas of strength.
I would like all the relevant ministers, led by Minister Hirai, to closely work together on the steady implementation of the recently revised Basic Plan on Space Policy and its Implementation Plan.”
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy
Cabinet Secretariat, Monday, December 10, 2018
[Provisional Translation]
On December 10, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 16th meeting of the Council on Economic and Fiscal Policy in 2018, at the Prime Minister’s Office.
At the meeting, a discussion was held on the draft reform schedule including social security, a thematic topic of the Integrated Economic and Fiscal Reforms, followed by those towards the 2025 Japan World Exposition (Osaka, Kansai).
Based on the discussions, the Prime Minister said,
“Today, the Council first gave consideration to the draft reform schedule to implement the New Plan to Advance Economic and Fiscal Revitalization. There can be no fiscal consolidation without economic revitalization. This is the basic policy of the Abe Cabinet. This new schedule, which specifically lays out our responses to important issues in each of the major areas and our initiatives toward the expenditure reform and others, is of great significance, to the extent that we can call it a nautical chart showing the direction of the Cabinet’s Integral Economic and Fiscal Reform, so to speak.
As the private sector members of this Council pointed out today, I would like Minister Motegi to work steadily to compile a concrete, quantitative, and effective reform schedule by the end of the year. I would also like Minister of Finance Aso and the other relevant ministers to provide their full cooperation.
We also held discussions on the 2025 World Exposition, as the second topic. Minister Seko went all the way to Paris and worked persistently right until the very end. I would like to express once again my gratitude and respect to everyone who worked so hard to win the bid.
When I was a child, Japan hosted the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 and the Osaka Expo in 1970. At that time, I believe the Japanese pubic became aware that Japan was now part of the global community. I hope that we too, living in modern times and poised before a historical turning point, can leverage the events of 2020 and 2025 and work together to create an era that fills people with energy, just as some of the private sector members have proposed, looking ahead beyond the Heisei period, and lead the upcoming Expo in Osaka to great success.
The Government will work toward these goals through an all-Japan effort, with the support of the local communities and the business community. I ask for your continued cooperation in these endeavors.”
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Messages of condolence by Foreign Minister Taro Kono following the mishap of U.S. Marine Corps aircraft off the coast of Kochi-Prefecture
Foreign Affairs, Tuesday, December 11, 2018
Following the passing of members of the U.S. Forces in the mishap of U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 and KC-130 aircraft on 6th December, Foreign Minister Kono sent messages with his condolence and sympathy to the Honorable Mike Pompeo, Secretary of State of the United States of America, the Honorable James Mattis, Secretary of Defense of the United States of America, and Admiral Philip Davidson, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, on 11th December.
[Reference]
On 11th December, the U.S. Marine Corps announced the passing of six out of the seven crew members who were aboard the U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 and KC-130 aircraft involved in the mishap off the coast of Muroto-misaki, Kochi Prefecture, around 1:42 a.m. on 6th December.
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Launch of the G20 Osaka Summit Official Website
Foreign Affairs, Wednesday, December 12, 2018
1. The official website for the G20 Osaka Summit which Japan will host in 2019 was launched today in order to promote the significance and the theme of the summit widely in Japan and abroad.
2. The website is designed to provide not only information with regard to the G20 Osaka Summit itself to be held on June 28-29, 2019, but also various information for the purpose of promoting understanding concerning the G20 Summit overall including ministerial meetings. The website will be also posting contents on various attractiveness of respective cities holding the meetings.
G20 Osaka Summit Official Website URL:
(English) https://www.g20.org/en/
(Japanese) https://www.g20.org/jp/
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
Cease fire in Hudaydah, Yemen (Statement by Foreign Minister Taro Kono)
Foreign Affairs, Friday, December 14, 2018
1. Japan welcomes the progress that was achieved on Thursday, December 14, on the Yemen consultations in Stockholm, Sweden, including a cease-fire and withdrawal of troops in Hudaydah, prisoner exchanges and opening humanitarian corridors to the city of Taiz.
2. Although further discussion is needed toward the realization of peace, Japan highly appreciates the efforts by Mr. Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Yemen who has mediated, and by the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden which hosted the consultations, as an important step toward the stability of Yemen.
3. Japan strongly hopes that all parties continuously observe the agreement of the consultations that will lead to a further progress of the peace talk. Japan will continue to support the mediation efforts by Mr. Griffiths as well as the efforts towards peace by the parties concerned in coordination with the international community.
あのイーハトーヴォのすきとおった風、夏でも底に冷たさをもつ青いそら、うつくしい森で飾られたモリーオ市、郊外のぎらぎらひかる草の波。またそのなかでいっしょになったたくさんのひとたち、ファゼーロとロザーロ、羊飼のミーロや、顔の赤いこどもたち、地主のテーモ、山猫博士のボーガント・デストゥパーゴなど、いまこの暗い巨きな石の建物のなかで考えていると、
