Visit to Japan by Mr. Donald J. Johnston, OECD Secretary-General
(Overview and Evaluation)
March 16, 2006
Points
- Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Donald J. Johnston visited Japan from March 12 to 16 to attend related meetings of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC)/OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs (CFA).
- In his meetings with key Cabinet ministers and members of the business community associated with the OECD, the Secretary-General made a positive assessment of the advancement of structural reform in Japan and its economic upturn.
- At the reception held by Minister for Foreign Affairs Taro Aso, the Foreign Minister praised the contributions made by Secretary-General Johnston over the past ten years, including his efforts to reform the OECD and incorporate the views of Pacific countries in the activities carried out by the OECD. In response, Secretary-General Johnston expressed his appreciation for the intellectual contributions as well as personnel and financial assistance Japan extended to the OECD during his tenure.
1. Overview
(1) Mr. Donald J. Johnston, Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), visited Japan from March 12 (Sun) to 16 (Thurs) to attend related meetings of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD (BIAC)/OECD Committee on Fiscal Affairs (CFA) held on March 13 (Mon) and 14 (Tues). This visit marked Mr. Johnston's final visit to Japan as OECD Secretary-General, who has been serving in this capacity since 1996.
(2) Taking the opportunity of this visit, Secretary-General Johnston exchanged views with relevant Cabinet ministers. In addition, Mr. Taro Aso, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a reception in view of the contributions made by the Secretary-General during his ten-year tenure. (During his visit, the Secretary-General paid courtesy visits and exchanged views with the following Cabinet ministers: Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Seiji Suzuki; Minister of Finance Sadakazu Tanigaki; Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Toshihiro Nikai; Minister of the Environment Yuriko Koike; and Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy and Financial Services Kaoru Yosano.)
(3) Regarding exchanges with the business community, Secretary-General Johnston met with Mr. Hiroshi Okuda, Chairman of Nippon Keidanren, and exchanged views at meetings attended by many figures from Japan's business community.
2. Evaluation
(1) The attendance of Secretary-General Johnston in a meeting to consider the methods for resolving the disputes over double taxation, a topic of interest to the business community, helped renew the Japanese business community's interest in the activities of the OECD.
(2) Through an exchange of views with key Cabinet ministers and members of the business community associated with the OECD, it was confirmed that the OECD positively assesses the advancement of economic structural reform in Japan and its economic situation. Moreover, deep appreciation for Japan's intellectual, personnel and financial contributions to the OECD was re-extended by a high-ranking official.
(3) The reception hosted by Foreign Minister Aso was attended by approximately 120 people associated with the OECD from political, economic and government circles. It served as an opportunity to hold a meaningful exchange of views with officials from the OECD including Secretary-General Johnston. It also contributed to enhancing Japan-OECD exchanges.
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