Press Releases
Fourth Meeting of the Advisory Panel on Sustainability of the International Community and Submission of Interim Report to Foreign Minister Kamikawa
September 3, 2024
On September 3, Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended the fourth meeting of the “Advisory Panel on Sustainability of the International Community” and received an interim report at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
- Dr. KOTANI Motoko, Executive Vice President for Research, Tohoku University, presented that Japan has been making significant contributions to the international community in the field of science and technology, such as supporting the creation of STI for SDGs (Science, Technology, and Innovation for Sustainable Development Goals) roadmaps for developing countries. She emphasized the need to further strengthen these efforts in science and technology innovation. Dr. DEGUCHI Yasuo, Dean of the Graduate School of Letters, Professor of Philosophy, Kyoto University, presented on the relationship between individualism ("I") and the interests of society as a whole ("we"), and the need to deepen discussions of happiness that consider not only results but also processes. He also emphasized the importance of actively engaging in international discussions on these topics. In addition, Dr. TAKAMURA Yukari, Professor, Institute for Future Initiatives, University of Tokyo, shared her opinion that the international community is facing complex crises and that Japan should contribute to Japan's sustainable growth as well as the sustainability of the international community by taking the lead in setting the agenda for new rules and standards for sustainability, taking into account the changing landscape of international governance. Following these presentations, members engaged in a free and open discussion, offering a wide range of views.
- The members of the Advisory Panel submitted an interim report summarizing their opinions in the discussions to date to Minister Kamikawa.
- Minister Kamikawa expressed her gratitude for the elaboration of the interim report based on the discussions to date and reiterated that she had once again realized that many of Japan's challenges related to sustainable growth and prosperity are closely linked to the challenges of achieving the sustainability of the international community as a whole. She expressed her intention to continue to deepen the discussions based on the interim report and to effectively utilize it in her diplomatic activities.