タグ: Shinzo Abe

Tokyo 2020: IOC Lights Torch, Mori Says It’s a “Go!”

                        by David Parmer / Tokyo

The torch-lighting ceremony for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics was held in Olympia, Greece on March 12. IOC President Thomas Bach attended the colorful ceremony where men and women in ancient Greek costume danced, soldiers in traditional uniform stood to attention and the fire was passed to the Olympic torch.

The day before, March 11, Mr. Yoshiro Mori, president of the Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee held a press conference in Tokyo and said that the games would open as scheduled and would not be postponed or cancelled. Mori said that the committee’s stance was to proceed with preparations for a safe Olympics.

Mori’s sentiments were echoed by Minister Seiko Hashimoto who told the Diet it was inconceivable to cancel the Olympics. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Tokyo Mayor Yuriko Koike were all on board with the same message.

Organizers are monitoring the Corona Virus epidemic which has recently been upgraded to “pandemic.”  and will hold a more meetings this spring to assess the situation.

What do you think about this? Should the Olympics be postponed or cancelled, or should they go forward as scheduled? Give us your thoughts on this or any other current topics.

Photo: Tsutomu Takasu via flickr

Abe to Lead G20 Summit in Osaka.

                      by David Parmer / Tokyo

On June 28 the leaders of 19 countries and the EU plus assorted invited organizations will converge on Osaka Japan for the 2019 Summit of Financial Markets and the World Economy, more commonly know as “The G20.”

Preceded and followed by a number of “satellite” ministerial meetings around the country, these leaders and guests at the Osaka venue will discuss global issues and issues related to the world economy. Topics will include:

  • Global economy
  • Trade
  • Innovation
  • Environment and Energy
  • Employment
  • Women’s empowerment
  • Development
  • Health

Host for this 14th meeting will be Japan, and point man will be her prime minister, Shinzo Abe. In his January 2019 speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland Abe laid out his hopes for the June 2019 Osaka summit.

His biggest priority was data governance:

“I would like Osaka G20 to be long remembered as he summit that started world-wide data governance.”

Mr. Abe’s second point was his desire for disruptive technology to address climate change:

“In Osaka, here comes my second point, ladies and gentlemen, I would very much like to highlight what innovation does and how much innovation counts in tackling climate change, because, and this is an important “because,” we NEED disruptions.”

And finally, in the Davos speech Mr. Abe said:

“My third and last point is about Japan’s commitment. Japan is determined to preserve and committed to enhancing the free, open, and rules-based international order.”

On the official Japanese G20 website, Mr. Abe defined Japan’s further aims at the G20:

“At the Osaka Summit, Japan is determined to lead global economic growth by promoting free trade and innovation, achieving both economic growth and reduction of disparities, and contributing to the development agenda and other global issues with the SDGs at its core. Through these efforts, Japan seeks to realize and promote a free and open, inclusive and sustainable, “human-centered future society.”

In addition, we will lead discussions on the supply of global commons for realizing global growth such as quality infrastructure and global health. As the presidency, we will exert strong leadership in discussions aimed towards resolving global issues such as climate change and ocean plastic waste.

Furthermore, we will discuss how to address the digital economy from an institutional perspective and issues that arise from an aging society. We will introduce Japan’s efforts, including the productivity revolution amid a “Society 5.0” era, towards achieving a society where all individuals are actively engaged.”

Mr. Abe ended his welcome with pledge:

“With great support from you all, I am determined to lead the Osaka Summit towards great success.”

 News reports leading up to the G20 summit have been focusing on a possible Trump-Xi meeting on the sidelines to discuss the US-China trade war. This is indeed of great importance to all concerned; to the parties involved, to the region and to the world.

Having said that, Mr. Abe’s strong commitment to get things done, and important things at that, would deserve a bit more coverage and focus than say Japan’s world-renowned ometenashi hospitality and the Trump-Xi meeting.

Speech by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Davos 2019

Message by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe G20 Website

Photo: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe official photo via wikipedia