Japan-China Relations

1. We are pleased to host the first Japan-China High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Dialogue.
2. The establishment of a dialogue framework for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, as a follow-on from the political and economic dialogue frameworks, has further laid the foundation for building Japan-China relations suitable for a new era in widerange of  areas.
3. At this meeting, which is attended by members of a range of relevant departments, including Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Hagiuda, Education Minister Chen Baosheng, and Culture and Tourism Vice Minister Zhang Xu, I look forward to holding discussions for promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges between our two countries.

1. Through the Japan-China High-Level People-to-People and Cultural Exchange Dialogue, we will seek to promote many and diverse people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries in a broad array of areas.
2. Our long history of exchanges through which the two countries have learned from each other constitutes a valuable asset for advancing people-to-people and cultural exchanges. In recent years, mutual visits by the people of the two countries have reached at unprecedented levels. I hope to find ways in which we can continue to increase mutual understanding between the two countries and deepen Japan-China relations in a stable manner over the long-term.
3. I hope for a fruitful meeting, which will allow this dialogue framework to make a good start and open a new chapter in Japan-China relations.

1. Japan and China are neighboring countries with a history of exchanges spanning over 2,000 years. People-to-people exchanges, including cultural and sports exchanges, have played a significant role in deepening mutual understanding between ours peoples.
2. Through this dialogue, I expect that discussions on people-to-people and cultural exchanges between Japan and China will lead to further developing our bilateral relations. 

(1) Youth, cultural, sports, women, and other exchanges

1. The two sides shared the view that they will continue to steadily implement two-way exchanges of 30,000 students over a five-year period, beginning from this year, in accordance with the memorandum on youth exchanges signed between the Japanese and Chinese Foreign Ministers on the occasion of Prime Minister Abe’s visit to China last year. The two sides also shared the view that “Japan-China Youth Exchange Promotion Year” (2019) was implemented successfully. They shared the view that they will continue to materialize tangible measures for expanding youth exchanges, including school trips.
2. Noting that next year, 2020, is the year of the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, the two sides shared the view on further promoting people-to-people and cultural exchanges, including sports exchanges, by making next year the “ Japan-China culture and sports Exchange Promotion Year”.
3. The two sides shared the view that, in the lead-up to the 50th anniversary of the normalization of Japan-China relations in 2022, they will support preparations for exchange programs, including stage performances and exhibitions.
4. Japan introduced its initiatives, including the World Assembly for Women (WAW!). The two sides shared the view that both will make efforts for women’s empowerment, a challenge shared by the world.

(2) Tourism exchange

1. The two sides confirmed this year’s continued progress in increasing mutual visits toward their annual target of mutual exchanges by 15 million people, and shared the view on accelerating coordination for establishing the next target.
2. The two sides welcomed the launch of the Japan-China Tourism Representatives Forum, a framework for dialogue by members of the private-sector tourism industry for increasing mutual visits. Furthermore, the two sides shared the view on promoting initiatives for encouraging local exchanges.
3. Japan requested for improvements in the Chinese market environment for promoting tourism exchanges, including the easing of regulations for Japanese travel companies’ handling of overseas travel programs of Chinese people. In addition, Japan asked for the speedup of procedures related to the opening of new offices of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO).
4. China expressed its hope for promoting youth exchanges, including school trips. Regarding local exchanges, China introduced initiatives, including sister city exchanges and the Japan-China Governors’ Forum.

(3) Contents exchanges

1. The two sides shared the recognition that promoting two-way exchanges through diverse contents, which are in line with the rapidly expanding scope of the Japanese and Chinese contents market, will contribute to increasing mutual understanding between the two countries.
2. The two sides confirmed the progress in cooperation based on the Japan-China Film Co-production Agreement, and shared the view on continuing to work together to produce a joint work at an early date. In addition, the two sides confirmed they will continue their consultations on promoting other film contents exchanges.  
3. For the sound development of contents exchanges, Japan requested thorough protection of copyrights as well as greater transparency and the easing of regulations on foreign contents.

(4) Media exchanges