Prime Minister Trudeau’s Official Visit to Japan and the Japan-Canada Summit Meeting

 

Rt. Hon. Justin Pierre James Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, visited Japan as an official state guest from May 23rd to 25th before the G7 Ise-Shima Summit Meeting with his spouse, Mrs. Sophie Grégoire Trudeau. On May 24th, Prime Minister Trudeau visited Meiji Shrine, had a meeting with Japanese automotive sector officials, and had an audience with the Emperor and Empress of Japan, before the Japan-Canada summit meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, followed by a joint press conference and official dinner. For this occasion, Ambassador Monji also went to Japan and attended the Japan-Canada Summit meeting and other events.
Japan is the third country to which Prime Minister Trudeau has made an official visit, after the United Kingdom and the United States.

 

 

Japan-Canada Summit Meeting was held on May 24, commencing at about 6:25 p.m. for approximately one hour. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

 

1. Opening Remarks

(1) Prime Minister Abe expressed a heartfelt welcome for the Prime Minister’s visit to Japan and commented that the two leaders had deepened their mutual understanding through the two previous Summit Meetings and that he hopes to reconfirm collaboration between Japan and Canada for success in the Ise-Shima Summit and conduct a broad exchange of views on bilateral cooperation.
(2) In response, Prime Minister Trudeau noted that he had been looking forward to this visit to Japan and was happy to receive a warm welcome from Japanese people, that there is significant potential to further advance friendly relations with Japan, and that Japan, the destination for his first bilateral visit in Asia, is an important partner in the Asia-Pacific region, and that he has great hope for Prime Minister Abe’s leadership at the Ise-Shima Summit.
(3) The two leaders agreed to further advance their bilateral relations that have a long history and bolster collaboration in the international arena as well as create a new era for cooperation between Japan and Canada

 

.2. G7 Ise-Shima Summit

The two leaders discussed responses for realizing robust, sustainable, and balanced growth in light of the current global economic situation with its growing uncertainty in regard to the global economy, the top theme for this Summit, and agreed that the G7 nations should take the lead in addressing the global economy and challenges to the international order.

 

3. Bilateral cooperative relations
(1) Prime Minister Abe commented that he hopes to further deepen security cooperation between Japan and Canada, and Prime Minister Trudeau stated that Canada hopes to proceed with security cooperation, including PKO activities.
(2) Prime Minister Abe noted that Japan wants to support Japanese studies at Canadian universities in order to promote mutual understanding between the two countries, and Prime Minister Trudeau commented that he welcomes assistance for Japanese studies.
(3) Both leaders welcomed the agreement to promote evolution of the Japan-Canada Joint Economic Committee (JEC) in order to meet today’s requirements in five main areas of infrastructure, energy, science and technology, business environment and investments, and tourism and student exchanges. They agreed to create a “new JEC” at an early stage and move forward in cooperation.
(4) Additionally, Prime Minister Abe stated that it is vital to promptly realize LNG exports from Canada and quickly move to create visible improvements in the business environment, and voiced his expectations for leadership by Prime Minister Trudeau. In response, Prime Minister Trudeau explained that he is taking these matters seriously and intends to proceed with detailed responses.

 

4. Regional situations and other matters

(1) The two leaders exchanged opinions on conditions in East Asia, including North Korea, and confirmed the need for applying meaningful pressure on North Korea through strict enforcement of the Security Council resolution and other sanctions. They also agreed to conduct strategic discussions on regional situations, such as the South China Sea and Russia and Ukraine, at the Ise-Shima Summit.
(2) Prime Minister Abe explained that early execution of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is important for strengthening the economic relationship between Japan and Canada and that Japan is striving for early approval in its National Diet. The two leaders confirmed that they intend to make advances on this debate in their respective countries.

 

5. Cooperation in the international arena

The two leaders confirmed their collaboration on early execution and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and agreed to continue cooperating on responses to global issues, including climate change.

 

Joint Press Conference (Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

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