Press Conferences
Press Conference by Foreign Press Secretary Takeshi Osuga
Wednesday, August 21, 2019, 4:30 p.m. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Japanese
Opening Remarks
(1) Appointment of Mr. Hisashi Michigami, Consul-General of Japan to Busan, as Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat
Mr. Takeshi Osuga, Press Secretary: I have an announcement related to the Japan-China- Republic of Korea (ROK) Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting that was held in China today. Mr. Hisashi Michigami, Consul-General of Japan to Busan, is to be appointed Secretary-General of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat on September 1. The Government of Japan expects that Consul-General Michigami will contribute to further deepening the trilateral cooperation between Japan, China and the ROK.
(2) Start of Call for Nominations for the 3rd Japan SDGs Award
Press Secretary Osuga: I have an announcement regarding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We have started a call for nominations for the 3rd Japan SDGs Award on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Nominations will be accepted until September 30. The Japan SDGs Award honors excellent initiatives of companies, organizations, and other entities in Japan that contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. The Award was established in FY2017. A variety of entities received the past two awards, including not only large enterprises but also small and medium enterprises (SMEs), universities, club activities of schools, NPOs, and NGOs. Through the SDGs Award, the Government of Japan hopes to support such initiatives of various entities in Japan and scale up concrete actions towards the achievement of SDGs in Japan.
Visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Zarif of Iran to Japan
NHK, Watanabe: It has been reported that Minister of Foreign Affairs Zarif of Iran will visit Japan. Could you please comment on the timing of this visit? What are your expectations for the meeting? What preparations are being made by the Government of Japan?
Press Secretary Osuga: Minister Zarif’s visit to Japan is currently being arranged and has not yet been decided. As the visit has not been finalized, I would like to refrain from speculating on the outcome.