Japan-Georgia Relations

• (1) President Margvelashvili arrived at Haneda Airport on October 21 and was greeted by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Minoru Kiuchi. President Margvelashvili then held a round table meeting with the Japan Association for Trade with Russia and NIS (ROTOBO), held a meeting with Secretary-General of Liberal Democratic Party Mr. Sadakazu Tanigaki, held a meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Mr. Koya Nishikawa, and gave a press conference at the Japan National Press Club.
• (2) On October 22 President Margvelashvili traveled to Kyoto, and looked around Kyoto.
• (3) On October 23 President Margvelashvili traveled to Tokyo, held a meeting with Speaker of the House of Representatives Bunmei Ibuki, held a meeting with the Chairman of the board of Marubeni Corporation, and held a meeting with a Vice-chairman of the Japan Association of Corporate Executives (Keizai Doyukai).
• (4) On October 24 President Margvelashvili met with the Japan-Georgia Parliamentary Friendship League, held a meeting and lecture meeting with Chairman of Nippon Foundation Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, received a courtesy call from Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Fumio Kishida, held a meeting with President of JICA Dr. Akihiko Tanaka, was granted an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, held a Japan-Georgia Summit Meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, held signing ceremony for a joint statement and a joint press announcement, and attended a dinner.

(1) Greeting by State Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Kiuchi

• (a) After being welcomed on his first visit to Japan by State Minister Kiuchi, President Margvelashvili expressed his hope for strengthening not only political relations but economic relations also throughout this visit to Japan.
• (b) Both sides briefly exchanged views on the situation in the Caucasus region, and expressed expectation that this visit will contribute to further development of bilateral relations.

(2) Courtesy call by Minister for Foreign Affiars Mr. Kishida

• (a) At the beginning, Minister Kishida welcomed President Margvelashvili's first visit to Japan, and expressed expectation that President Margvelashvili's visit will further advance relations between the two countries, which share basic values and together contribute to the peace and stability of the international community.
• (b) In response, President Margvelashvili said this visit to Japan was extremely memorable and impressive, and indicated he would like to further develop the friendly relationship the two countries have enjoyed thus far.
• (c) The two sides also exchanged views on international affairs, including the Caucasus situation.

(3) Japan-Georgia Summit Meeting

(a) Bilateral relations (general)

• a. Prime Minister Abe welcomed President Margvelashvili's first visit to Japan, and said he would like to develop the relationship between the two countries further based on their foundation as friendly countries that share basic values and are together committed to the peace and stability of the international community.
• b. President Margvelashvili said his visit to Japan had left a magnificent impression, and he would like to cooperate with Japan, the most robust democracy. He said this visit to Japan would elevate bilateral relations to a new level.
• c. In addition, President Margvelashvili requested that Japan changes the name it uses for his country, and Prime Minister Abe answered that the Government of Japan will consider using the name ‘Georgia’ in place of ‘Gruzia’.

(b) Economic relations

• a. President Margvelashvili mentioned recent moves to sign association agreements, including a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), and said he was able to hold productive meetings with representatives of Japan's business community and assistance organizations during this visit to Japan, and was overjoyed that these Japanese representatives were aware of the importance of Georgia.
• b. Prime Minister Abe mentioned that Georgia was taking steps to integrate its market with Europe, and pointed out that Georgia's favorable business environment provided significant opportunities for Japanese companies, along with explaining that Japan intends to provide grant aid in order to encourage Georgia's economic and social development efforts.

(c) The peace and stability of the international community

• a. Prime Minister Abe explained Japan's proactive contribution to peace initiatives, and President Margvelashvili explained Georgia's international contributions, and both leaders shared the view that they will mutually support both countries' initiatives, and will together play even more active roles in the peace and stability of the international community.
• b. In addition, the two leaders exchanged views on other regional affairs and global agendas, including United Nations Security Council reform. In the course of that, Prime Minister Abe reaffirmed that Japan's position was to support peaceful resolution of problems, based on the principle of Georgia's territorial integrity.

After the meeting ended, the two leaders signed the "Joint Statement between Japan and Georgia on "Solidarity for Peace and Democracy"" (English (PDF) / Japanese (PDF)). This was followed by a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Abe and his wife, which took place in an extremely relaxed atmosphere.