2026 New Year Message from H.E. Ambassador Kanji Yamanouchi
2026/1/1
Happy New Year. I would like to extend my New Year's greetings. This is the Year of the Horse. I hope that this will be a year full of leaps, as strong and confident as a swift horse galloping high into the sky.
Last year was an eventful one for Canada. It began with the resignation of former Prime Minister Trudeau in January, followed by the appointment of Mr. Carney as the new Prime Minister in March, the dissolution of Parliament, the general election in April, the inauguration of the new Carney government in May, and the hosting of the G7 Kananaskis Summit in June. Throughout the year, Canada hosted a total of seven G7-related ministerial meetings, including G7 foreign ministers' meetings in the spring and autumn, and six engagement group meetings, including the Business Summit (B7). Canada achieved solid and steady results in various fields while navigating a challenging year. Particularly memorable was the G7 Kananaskis Summit, held in a month after the inauguration of the new Carney government. In addition to Prime Minister Carney's remarkable leadership, the adoption of the G7 leaders’ 7 joint statements including on the critical minerals action plan, AI, and quantum technologies as well as the Chair's Summary was a significant diplomatic achievement. I would like to express my respect once again for Canada's leadership and contribution as the G7 Presidency.
Focusing on the bilateral relations between Japan and Canada, in the wake of the Japan-Canada summit meeting at the G7 Kananaskis Summit, the Japan-Canada summit meeting at APEC, and the Japan-Canada foreign ministers' meeting at the G7 Niagara Foreign Ministers' Meeting, high-level communication has been conducted closely and continuously. Additionally, there have been several important developments that open up new prospects for cooperation in the economic and security fields.
First, at the end of June, LNG production through the LNG Canada project in British Columbia began. LNG shipments to the Asian region, including Japan, commenced. It is Canada's largest LNG project with an annual production capacity of 14 million tons, and it can be transported to Japan in about 10 days, making it a game-changer for energy security in our country and the Indo-Pacific region. I have high expectations for the realization of "LNG Canada Phase 2," which has been selected as a "major project" promoted by the Carney government. I will also pay close attention to the Carney government’s "energy superpower" concept.
In July, our two countries signed the Security of Information Agreement. The international community is facing changes defining an era, and as the importance of exchanging classified information with trusted countries increases. It is expected that the relationship in the security field will further expand and deepen based on this agreement, which promotes the exchange of classified information between Japan and Canada. Additionally, it is anticipated that the early signing of the Japan-Canada Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement will be achieved, further strengthening cooperation in the defense industry field, including the buildup of a resilient and reliable global defense supply chain.
In September, Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jets conducted their first-ever visit to Canada, marking a new step in Japan-Canada air services cooperation. During this visit, active discussions were held on tactical exchanges and joint training by both air services, greatly deepening mutual understanding and trust. The Canada expressed high praise for the operational capabilities and mobility of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, signaling a strong desire for expanded cooperation in the future. We hope that this historic visit will lead to further development of Japan-Canada defense relations.
In December, the Committee on Canada of Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation, made its first visit to Canada in nine years, and in Ottawa, we had the opportunity to exchange views with Prime Minister Carney, Foreign Minister Anand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Hodgson, Minister of Industry Joly, Minister of Finance Champagne, and Minister of International Trade Sidhu as well as Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group executive committee members. We were able to have meaningful discussions that could lead to further strengthening of cooperation, focusing on trade diversification, promotion of large infrastructure projects, and energy exports, which have been emphasized by the Carney government. Additionally, the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Keidanren and the Business Council of Canada established another framework for Japan-Canada business cooperation, which is encouraging, and we look forward to further progress.
There has also been much progress in people-to-people exchanges. With 2025 Expo Osaka, Kansai for example, many Canadians visited Japan, and I hear that the number of visitors to Japan almost reached 700,000 last year, a 20% increase from the previous year (as of mid-December 2025). At the pavilion with the concept of "Regeneration" of Canada, through immersive experiences using augmented reality (AR), Canada's natural beauty, diversity, history, and innovation were expressed, as well as showcasing Canadian food and vibrant performances, captivating many visitors.
In September, the first North American International Yosakoi Festival was held in Lethbridge, Alberta. I participated and experienced firsthand the connections with people beyond the Japanese community sparked by Yosakoi, as well as the new hopes revealed through those connections. The day after the festival, I also attended the NAJC (National Association of Japanese Canadians) annual meeting held in Lethbridge. The theme was "Connections." I hope that the collaboration within the Japanese community will continue to be strengthened, and further hopes will be nurtured.
From October to November, Canada's only MLB team, the Toronto Blue Jays, participated in the World Series for the first time in 32 years. I donned the "Jays" uniform every day and cheered passionately with colleagues and locals from Ottawa. Although they narrowly lost to the Dodgers, I am confident that the Jays will shine in the world stage again.
Last but not least, I will continue to place great value on the JET Program, which has played an important role in promoting interpersonal exchanges between Japan and Canada since its establishment in 1988 in Canada, with over 10,000 young people participating.
Due to space constraints, I cannot cover all the recent developments in Japan-Canada relations here, but I would like to express my sincere respect for everyone who is working hard every day to promote Japan-Canada relations in various fields and forms. Japan and Canada are neighboring countries across the Indo-Pacific, sharing fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We are reliable, like-minded countries and important strategic partners in a challenging geopolitical situation. We will continue to make strong efforts to steadily advance various initiatives bilaterally or in the Indo-Pacific and elevate Japan-Canada relations to even greater heights. I appreciate your continued support this year.
Last year was an eventful one for Canada. It began with the resignation of former Prime Minister Trudeau in January, followed by the appointment of Mr. Carney as the new Prime Minister in March, the dissolution of Parliament, the general election in April, the inauguration of the new Carney government in May, and the hosting of the G7 Kananaskis Summit in June. Throughout the year, Canada hosted a total of seven G7-related ministerial meetings, including G7 foreign ministers' meetings in the spring and autumn, and six engagement group meetings, including the Business Summit (B7). Canada achieved solid and steady results in various fields while navigating a challenging year. Particularly memorable was the G7 Kananaskis Summit, held in a month after the inauguration of the new Carney government. In addition to Prime Minister Carney's remarkable leadership, the adoption of the G7 leaders’ 7 joint statements including on the critical minerals action plan, AI, and quantum technologies as well as the Chair's Summary was a significant diplomatic achievement. I would like to express my respect once again for Canada's leadership and contribution as the G7 Presidency.
Focusing on the bilateral relations between Japan and Canada, in the wake of the Japan-Canada summit meeting at the G7 Kananaskis Summit, the Japan-Canada summit meeting at APEC, and the Japan-Canada foreign ministers' meeting at the G7 Niagara Foreign Ministers' Meeting, high-level communication has been conducted closely and continuously. Additionally, there have been several important developments that open up new prospects for cooperation in the economic and security fields.
First, at the end of June, LNG production through the LNG Canada project in British Columbia began. LNG shipments to the Asian region, including Japan, commenced. It is Canada's largest LNG project with an annual production capacity of 14 million tons, and it can be transported to Japan in about 10 days, making it a game-changer for energy security in our country and the Indo-Pacific region. I have high expectations for the realization of "LNG Canada Phase 2," which has been selected as a "major project" promoted by the Carney government. I will also pay close attention to the Carney government’s "energy superpower" concept.
In July, our two countries signed the Security of Information Agreement. The international community is facing changes defining an era, and as the importance of exchanging classified information with trusted countries increases. It is expected that the relationship in the security field will further expand and deepen based on this agreement, which promotes the exchange of classified information between Japan and Canada. Additionally, it is anticipated that the early signing of the Japan-Canada Defense Equipment and Technology Transfer Agreement will be achieved, further strengthening cooperation in the defense industry field, including the buildup of a resilient and reliable global defense supply chain.
In September, Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-15 fighter jets conducted their first-ever visit to Canada, marking a new step in Japan-Canada air services cooperation. During this visit, active discussions were held on tactical exchanges and joint training by both air services, greatly deepening mutual understanding and trust. The Canada expressed high praise for the operational capabilities and mobility of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, signaling a strong desire for expanded cooperation in the future. We hope that this historic visit will lead to further development of Japan-Canada defense relations.
In December, the Committee on Canada of Keidanren, the Japan Business Federation, made its first visit to Canada in nine years, and in Ottawa, we had the opportunity to exchange views with Prime Minister Carney, Foreign Minister Anand, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Hodgson, Minister of Industry Joly, Minister of Finance Champagne, and Minister of International Trade Sidhu as well as Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group executive committee members. We were able to have meaningful discussions that could lead to further strengthening of cooperation, focusing on trade diversification, promotion of large infrastructure projects, and energy exports, which have been emphasized by the Carney government. Additionally, the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Keidanren and the Business Council of Canada established another framework for Japan-Canada business cooperation, which is encouraging, and we look forward to further progress.
There has also been much progress in people-to-people exchanges. With 2025 Expo Osaka, Kansai for example, many Canadians visited Japan, and I hear that the number of visitors to Japan almost reached 700,000 last year, a 20% increase from the previous year (as of mid-December 2025). At the pavilion with the concept of "Regeneration" of Canada, through immersive experiences using augmented reality (AR), Canada's natural beauty, diversity, history, and innovation were expressed, as well as showcasing Canadian food and vibrant performances, captivating many visitors.
In September, the first North American International Yosakoi Festival was held in Lethbridge, Alberta. I participated and experienced firsthand the connections with people beyond the Japanese community sparked by Yosakoi, as well as the new hopes revealed through those connections. The day after the festival, I also attended the NAJC (National Association of Japanese Canadians) annual meeting held in Lethbridge. The theme was "Connections." I hope that the collaboration within the Japanese community will continue to be strengthened, and further hopes will be nurtured.
From October to November, Canada's only MLB team, the Toronto Blue Jays, participated in the World Series for the first time in 32 years. I donned the "Jays" uniform every day and cheered passionately with colleagues and locals from Ottawa. Although they narrowly lost to the Dodgers, I am confident that the Jays will shine in the world stage again.
Last but not least, I will continue to place great value on the JET Program, which has played an important role in promoting interpersonal exchanges between Japan and Canada since its establishment in 1988 in Canada, with over 10,000 young people participating.
Due to space constraints, I cannot cover all the recent developments in Japan-Canada relations here, but I would like to express my sincere respect for everyone who is working hard every day to promote Japan-Canada relations in various fields and forms. Japan and Canada are neighboring countries across the Indo-Pacific, sharing fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. We are reliable, like-minded countries and important strategic partners in a challenging geopolitical situation. We will continue to make strong efforts to steadily advance various initiatives bilaterally or in the Indo-Pacific and elevate Japan-Canada relations to even greater heights. I appreciate your continued support this year.