Press Releases
Courtesy Call on Foreign Minister HAYASHI by Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Mr. Bill Gates, and presentation of the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun
August 18, 2022
On August 18, commencing at 11 a.m. for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, received a courtesy call from Mr. William (Bill) Henry Gates III, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and presented the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun to Mr. Gates. The overview is as follows.
- At the beginning of the ceremony, Minister Hayashi presented the Diploma of Decoration and the Order to Mr. Gates, expressing his gratitude for the significant contributions he has made to global health over the years, and congratulated him on receiving the Decoration. In response, Mr. Gates expressed his gratitude for the Decoration and his desire to continue contributing to global health in close cooperation with Japan.
- During the discussion after the ceremony, Minister Hayashi expressed his hope that the Global Fund, whose 7th replenishment meeting is scheduled this September, will accelerate its efforts on strengthening health systems, which contributes to preparedness of future pandemics, in addition to taking responsive measures for the three major infectious diseases. In response, Mr. Gates extended his gratitude for the leadership and contributions by the Government of Japan in global health, and stated that the Gates Foundation looks forward to working with Japan on international frameworks such as the Global Fund, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) and the Global Health Innovative Technology Fund (GHIT).
- Both sides confirmed to continue working closely, including on the three major infectious diseases, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and polioviruses, with a view to the G7 Hiroshima Summit to be chaired by Japan next year, as well as to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).