Japan-France Relations
State Minister for Foreign Affairs KUNIMITSU’s Visit to the French Republic (Overview)
From April 6 to 9, Dr. KUNIMITSU Ayano, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, visited the French Republic. The overview of the visit is as follows:
1. Participation in the One Health Summit
One Health Summit participants
Ministerial session of the One Health Summit
On April 7, State Minister KUNIMITSU participated in the One Health Summit held in Lyon. The Summit addressed major themes including zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), sustainable food systems, and exposure to pollution, recognizing that human, animal, and environmental health are interconnected.
At the ministerial session, State Minister KUNIMITSU delivered a statement and emphasized the importance of the One Health approach, noting that health threats are interrelated across borders and sectors. She also outlined Japan’s contributions to AMR countermeasures and health systems strengthening, and referred to advancing universal health coverage (UHC). Furthermore, referring to the “Japan-France Joint Statement on Global Health,” announced after the Japan-France Summit Meeting on April 1 during President Macron’s visit to Japan, she stated that Japan and France would further strengthen cooperation in this field. She also emphasized the importance of international cooperation through capacity-building by the UHC Knowledge Hub launched in Tokyo in collaboration with the World Bank and WHO.
With President Macron of France
2. Visit to Carester and Exchange of Views with President Carencotte
Exchange of views with Carester, a rare-earth-related company
State Minister KUNIMITSU visited Carester, a rare-earth-related company headquartered in Lyon, and exchanged views with Frédéric Carencotte, President. Both sides confirmed the importance of Carester’s rare-earths refining project that contributes to the resilience of critical mineral supply chains.
3. Visit to HORIBA France’s Hydrogen-Related Testing Facility and the Musée des Confluences undertaking restoration of Japanese cultural properties
Visit to HORIBA France’s Hydrogen-Related Testing Facility
Visit to Musée des Confluences
State Minister KUNIMITSU visited HORIBA France’s testing facility in Lyon for fuel cells and other hydrogen-related technologies. She exchanged views with company officials on advanced initiatives in decarbonization, including hydrogen technologies. She also paid a site visit to the Musée des Confluences, which is carrying out restoration work on Japanese cultural properties donated to the city of Lyon.