Japan-United Kingdom Summit Meeting and Working Dinner (Outline)

April 10, 2012
Japanese

On Tuesday, April 10, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:15 p.m., Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a summit meeting at the Prime Minister’s office with the Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister of the UK, who is on an official working visit to Japan. Prime Minister Noda also hosted a working dinner for Prime Minister Cameron at the official residence.

1. Opening

Prime Minister Noda said that he was pleased to meet with Prime Minister Cameron again following upon the summit meeting in Cannes in November of last year. He thanked Prime Minister Cameron for his message in commemoration of one year after the Great East Japan Earthquake, and stated that he hoped that through the Japan-UK relationship the two countries could pursue together global prosperity and security. In response, Prime Minister Cameron said that he was pleased to be on his first visit to Japan as Prime Minister, that Japan and the United Kingdom were good trade partners, and that the two countries were allies. He remarked that he had been moved at seeing the courage and resilience of the Japanese people following the earthquake and tsunami, and commented that the United Kingdom wanted to continue to support the Japanese. In addition, both leaders shared the view that they would have an exchange of opinion on North Korea and other matters in this meeting.

2. Bilateral relations

1. 1) Prime Minister Noda stated that on the occasion of this visit to Japan, he was pleased to be able to issue a Joint Statement by the Prime Ministers of the UK and Japan(““A Leading Strategic Partnership for Global Prosperity and Security””) reaffirming the importance of the Japan-UK partnership. On security issues, he announced his expectations for further deepening of security and defence cooperation between Japan and the United Kingdom through a Foreign Minister-led strategic dialogue, a memorandum to be signed between Defence Ministers, the start of negotiations on an information security agreement and efforts toward the joint development and production of defense equipment. Furthermore, he remarked upon his expectations toward the contributions of Japanese companies operating in the United Kingdom for the British economy, touched upon the significance of sharing knowledge on increasing nuclear safety, and said that he wanted to further develop the Japan-UK relationship in light of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II this year and the holding of the Olympic Games in London.
2. 2) In response, Prime Minister Cameron stated that the start of the Foreign Ministers-led Strategic Dialogue was significant and that he was pleased with the release of the substantial and strong joint statement. Prime Minister Cameron also stated his expectation on the possibility of cooperation in the fields of defense and nuclear energy.

3. Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement(EPA), European Sovereign debt Crisis

Both leaders explained their respective positions on the efforts by eurozone countries and the increase of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) resources related to the sovereign debt crisis in Europe. Subsequently, Prime Minister Noda expressed his expectation toward Prime Minister Cameron for the launching of negotiations on the Japan-EU EPA. In response, Prime Minister Cameron stated that the United Kingdom strongly supported Japan concerning the Japan-EU EPA and expressed his appreciation to Prime Minister Noda for his leadership on tackling non-tariff measures for the sake of persuading other nations.

4. Cooperation in the International Arena

1. 1) Prime Minister Noda pointed out that a missile launch by North Korea was a security threat for Japan and was a violation of a United Nations Security Council resolutions. He stated that Japan would coordinate with the international community, including the United Kingdom, to urge North Korea’s restraint. In response, Prime Minister Cameron stated that the United Kingdom and Japan share a completely common stance on the matter.
   Moreover, both leaders confirmed that they share the concern over Iran’s nuclear issue and exchanged opinions on the influence of measures taken by the EU on insurance and reinsurance related to the transportat of Iranian crude oil.
2. 2) Both leaders exchanged opinions on regional situations such as Myanmar and the Middle East, and the London Olympics.

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