Embassy of Japan in Canada

Foreign Ministers Cannon and Nakasone Reiterated Strategic Partnership across Asia-Pacific

During an official trip to Japan, Canadian Foreign Minister Cannon held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Nakasone on May 14.  Reiterating the importance of the long-standing partnership between the two countries, the ministers discussed a wide range of issues including: Japan-Canada political and security cooperation; regional concerns such as Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea; the ongoing fight against terrorism; nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation; economic relations; climate change; and desirability of even closer collaboration ahead of the 2010 APEC Summit in Japan and the G8 Summit in Canada.  As well, in recognizing the 80th Anniversary of our diplomatic relationship (2008-2009), they agreed to place renewed emphasis on a variety of people-to-people exchanges, especially those involving youth, students and scholars.

In the bilateral meeting, both Ministers reaffirmed their close cooperation towards the success of the Visit of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Canada, scheduled from July 3 to 14.[please refer to the attached the visit map]

Their meeting was followed by a joint press conference at which an announcement finalizing the Memorandum of Cooperation for Standard Operating Procedures for facilitating Canadian military aircrafts to use Japanese airports and facilities on their route for Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Operations in Asia was made.  The initiative is representative of the nature of the strategic Canada/Japan partnership across the Asia-Pacific region which has at its centre the goal of addressing regional and global concerns.

***FACT SHEET***

Canada-Japan Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (May 14, 2009)
and Recent Japan-Canada Relations

Based on shared values and a common experience as Asia-Pacific countries, Canada and Japan continue to build strong partnerships in international organizations such as the G8 and the United Nations. In particular, cooperative relations have been developing recently in the following areas:

1. Japan-Canada Political and Security Cooperation
(1) Cooperation in Support of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Operations
Japan and Canada have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation for Standard Operating Procedures that will expedite approvals necessary for Canadian military aircraft engaged in humanitarian and disaster relief missions to make use of Japanese airports and facilities. This agreement will facilitate the quick transportation, via Japan, of emergency aid and/or supplies en route from Canada to anywhere in Asia.

(2) Japan-Canada Policy Dialogues
Building upon existing high-level intergovernmental exchanges, including regular Political/Military and Military/Military talks, Canada and Japan intend to foster strengthened policy dialogue in this area. In addition to these government-to-government exchanges, a Canada-Japan peace and security symposium bringing together experts and government officials in the field is held annually.

(3) Afghanistan - Pakistan
Japan and Canada share an acute awareness of the importance of strong, pro-active measures to promote the economic self-reliance of the people of Afghanistan in both the medium and long terms, bearing in mind its significance to the regional security environment encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia. Japan recognises the tremendous sacrifices that Canada continues to make in Afghanistan, and Canada appreciates the enormous financial contribution Japan has made to the reconstruction efforts in that country. In the future Japan will, with close consultations with countries such as Canada, follow up with the concrete implementation of commitments made at the Friends of Pakistan Meeting and Donors' Conference held in Tokyo on April 17.  In so doing, we are actively searching for potential areas for Japan-Canada cooperation.

(4) East Asia and North Korea
Canada and Japan keep in close contact to accommodate an ongoing exchange of views on the state of affairs in East Asia.  Both share grave concerns related to North Korea’s nuclear and missile activities. As well, Canada has expressed sympathy to the Japanese families affected by the abductions issue.

(5) The Fight against Terrorism
The Canadian side has expressed gratitude for Japan's refuelling support of vessels engaged in anti-terrorism activities in the Indian Ocean. As well, both countries have sent vessels to participate in efforts to combat piracy off the coast of Somalia.

(6) H1N1 Influenza
Both Canada and Japan acknowledge the vital nature of cooperation in efforts to prevent the spread of infection across international borders. Naturally, both countries will continue to share all relevant information as it becomes available.  Canada has welcomed Japan's science-based approach to the issue and, in turn, Japan appreciates the strong measures that Canada has taken. Last week, a Canadian laboratory was the first to successfully decipher the genome.

2. Japan-Canada Economic Cooperation

(1) Promoting Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region and Globally
Japan and Canada have historically enjoyed strong and mutually-beneficial economic relations. Under the 2005 Canada-Japan Economic Framework the two countries have worked to further solidify this relationship. As well, they have consistently worked constructively together in multilateral fora, to increase international economic prosperity and stability.
The two countries will cooperate even more closely ahead of 2010, a year in which as hosts of APEC and the G8 respectively, both will play leadership roles on regional and world economic issues.
Japan has acknowledged the importance of the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative* Canada is promoting.

(2) Canada's Importance as a Supplier of Energy and Food
Canada has abundant energy resources, including crude oil (including oil sands, the second largest reserves in the world), uranium (largest production in world, supplying 28% of Japan's imports), natural gas (third largest producer), and coking coal.
Japan and Canada have completed joint experiments on the production of methane hydrates.
Japan imports significant quantities of various agricultural products from Canada including wheat (24% of imports), pork (21%), rapeseed [canola] (95%).  Canadian agricultural products represented 7.8% of total agricultural imports to Japan in 2008. Canada also provides 52% of Japan 's total potash fertilizer imports.

(3) Promoting Science/Technology and Energy Cooperation
Promoting concrete cooperation in the fields of science/technology and energy is acknowledged by both countries to be a priority. This year reciprocal missions focused on nanotech-enabled advanced materials were dispatched.

3. Promotion of Exchanges between Japan and Canada

With a view to further promoting friendly relations, both ministers agreed on the importance of continued cooperation in the promotion of all manner of bilateral exchanges, including:
(1) To commemorate 80 years of Japan-Canada diplomatic relations, Canada will provide 80 Japanese students with scholarships of 80,000 yen each to support study in Canada;
(2) Beginning in 2008, the maximum number of Japanese participants in the working holiday program was increased from 5,000 people to 10,000 people;
(3) The JET [Japan Exchange and Teaching] program which, to date, has had 7,310 Canadians participants (third after the U.S. and U.K); and
(4) The 75 sister cities/sister provinces/prefectures between Japan and Canada (e.g. Alberta-Hokkaido).

4. Visit of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Canada
Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress are scheduled to visit Canada from July 3 to 14.  Both Ministers ensured full cooperation to ensure the success of the Imperial visit.  Both anticipate that the visit will further strengthen the relations between the two countries.