World Economic Forum (Davos)
Prime Minister Kishida’s Special Address at the Davos Agenda 2022
January 18, 2022
Photo: Cabinet Public Affairs Office
On January 18, at around 8 p.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Prime Minister Kishida attended the Davos Agenda meeting which was held online and delivered a special address. The overview of the event is as follows.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Kishida emphasized his determination to directly tackle three agendas, (1) overcoming the COVID-19, (2) reviving the Japanese economy through a “New Form of Capitalism,” (3) pursuing “realism diplomacy for a new era”, in his political style of taking an aggressive approach and introducing policies swiftly, while placing the utmost importance to directly communicating with the people and workers at the frontline.
- In addition, Prime Minister Kishida, after pointing out current challenges, underscored his determination to transform the economy and society toward a new era, while protecting the universal value of democracy. Stressing the importance for the global leaders to work together to promote economic and social reforms, Prime Minister Kishida explained his plan to lead the global trend with this “New Form of Capitalism,” demonstrating concrete examples of how capitalism can evolve.
- Prime Minister Kishida also stated that in this “New Form of Capitalism,” he would demonstrate to the people a clear and full picture of the historic challenges Japan is currently facing and that he would attach the importance to having both the public and private sectors work together towards reforms, sharing the full picture of social and economic transformation, rather than leaving everything to the market and competition. Furthermore, he reaffirmed his determination to achieve a full-scale “twin-engine of growth and distribution,” by launching new mechanisms to inspire investment and change the way of sharing added values.
- After introducing his policies for establishing a green society, promoting digitalization, as well as investment in people as a key to addressing these areas, Prime Minister Kishida committed to boldly pursuing the inclusive transformation of Japan's economy and society and to designing and implementing a mechanism that will bring out the people's endeavor and promote investment, especially, in the areas of vulnerability in the Japanese economy.
- Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum welcomed Prime Minister’s participation to the meeting and valued the strong and long-lasting cooperative relationship between Japan and the WEF. He also expressed his expectation for Japan’s comprehensive efforts toward economic and social reforms.
- The session was held as a public event. The representatives of the WEF members attending the session expressed strong interest in Japan’s policy priorities and took part in active exchange of views with the Prime Minister.