Press Releases
Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister HAYASHI Yoshimasa by Mr. Gilbert HOUNGBO, Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO)
April 24, 2023
On April 24, commencing at 10:20 for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy call from Mr. Gilbert HOUNGBO, Director-General, International Labour Organization (ILO), who is visiting Japan to attend the G7 Kurashiki Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meeting. The overview is as follows.
- At the outset, Minister Hayashi conveyed his appreciation for Director-General Houngbo's policy initiatives. He stressed the importance of the international community uniting for the rule of law in the face of complex crises, and the importance of his continued support of the ILO's role in resolving global labour and human rights challenges via rule-making and the promotion of decent work.
- Minister Hayashi stated that as this year marks the centenary of the establishment of the ILO Office for Japan, he would like to continue to deepen the cooperative relationship between Japan and the ILO to achieve social justice, based on the trust and collaboration built among the ILO and the Japanese government, employer, and worker representatives , and the "ILO Centenary Declaration" for 2019.
- In response, Director-General Houngbo expressed his deep gratitude for Japan’s support of the ILO over the years. He stated his desire to continue to work with the Japanese government towards the realization of the ILO’s principles in areas such as the greater utilization of Japanese staff and assistance activities in the field.