japanese pm visit to canada

Japanese PM Fumio Kishida visits Ottawa to discuss economy, trade, China and Russia

Kishida's visit is first from asian head of government since canada launched its new indo-pacific strategy.

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Russia's nuclear threats over Ukraine resonate deeply with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who made the war in eastern Europe a key topic of his talks Thursday with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during a whirlwind visit to Ottawa ahead of a trip to the U.S.

Kishida is from Hiroshima, where the world's first wartime use of atomic weapons still casts a long shadow.

His officials say holding this year's G7 meeting in the city — which was largely obliterated in the American attack in 1945 that hastened the end of the Second World War — will be hugely symbolic in the context of current geopolitical tensions among Moscow, Beijing and Washington.

Kishida is winding up a world tour that has seen him travel to Italy, France, the U.K. and now Canada ahead of the G7 summit in May. He has signalled he wants to keep the G7's attention on Ukraine and the economic fallout from Russia's invasion.

"Being faced with Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which shook the very foundation of the international order, the international community is now at a historic turning point," Kishida said in a video statement before his global tour.

"The G7 firmly rejects … the threat or use of nuclear weapons and upholds the international order based on the rule of law."

Following his meeting with Trudeau, Kishida cited his government's recently unveiled national security strategy — which pledges to double the country's defence spending by 2027 by injecting an additional $320 billion into the military.

Although he did not point specifically to China's threats to reclaim Taiwan by force, Kishida said Japan and Canada "strongly agree" that there should be no attempt to change the international "status quo" through violence.

"That should never happen anywhere, including in Asia," he said.

WATCH | Japanese ambassador on Kishida's visit

Japan's Prime Minister says China a 'central challenge' for both Canada and Japan

Kishida pointed to the unpredictable nature of the regime in North Korea and the number of ballistic missiles it has tested this year.

He did not mention the long-running dispute with Moscow over the Kuril Islands, which Russia has occupied since the end of the Second World War. Japan, he said, is trying to address difficult questions with its security policy.

"We're seeing such tough changes in the security environment," Kishida said. "The lives of ... Japanese people and businesses, can we really protect them?"

Canada is still working on its own defence policy reset, but Trudeau insisted his government also has recognized the threat and has begun making investments in the military.

"We're all recognizing that the world is changing. The world changed when Russia chose to invade a peaceful neighbour and we understand that persistent threats caused by unstable or authoritarian states around the world ... that's going to require us - unfortunately - to continue to step up," Trudeau said.

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Ahead of his face-to-face meeting with Trudeau on Parliament Hill, Kishida said he welcomed Canada's new Indo-Pacific Strategy, which signalled deeper Canadian military and economic involvement in the region.

"I also truly welcome the deepening of the involvement and engagement of Canada in the Indo-Pacific region. And I also look forward to steadily implementing the Japan-Canada Action Plan, and also in promote [sic] co-operation in pursuit of a free and open Indo-Pacific through that steadily implementation," Kishida said through an interpreter.

The Japanese prime minister then turned his attention to energy and the economy.

"We are facing an energy crisis and countries around the world are trying to strike the balance between ensuring a stable supply of energy as well as, on the other side, the de-carbonization," he said, "And in that sense, I am confident that Canada will play a major role, as a resource-rich country."

Trudeau focused most of his remarks on the growing economic relationship between the two countries and mentioned "a big trade mission coming from Japan to look at critical minerals" in this country — minerals that are in high demand for battery production. Canada is also sending a trade mission to Japan this year, Trudeau said.

The visit is "a great opportunity for us to continue the conversations we've been having over many summits over the past years on regional security on global security, on trade and economic growth," Trudeau said.

Trudeau and Kishida attended a luncheon at the National Arts Centre before hosting a joint news conference at 2:30 p.m.

Seeking energy security

This is the first Canadian visit by an Asian head of government since Ottawa launched its Indo-Pacific strategy last November, which called for closer ties with countries that can counterbalance China's influence.

Japan is similarly trying to pivot away from relying on China and Russia for electricity and food.

To that end, Kishida has created the position of a minister of state for economic security and is trying to bring nuclear reactors back online after dozens were shut down following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.  

The country is so reliant on Russian fuel that G7 countries gave Japan an exemption on a measure that caps the price of Russian oil below market rates, to spare Japan the same scramble for energy sources that Europe undertook last year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Senior reporter, defence and security

Murray Brewster is senior defence writer for CBC News, based in Ottawa. He has covered the Canadian military and foreign policy from Parliament Hill for over a decade. Among other assignments, he spent a total of 15 months on the ground covering the Afghan war for The Canadian Press. Prior to that, he covered defence issues and politics for CP in Nova Scotia for 11 years and was bureau chief for Standard Broadcast News in Ottawa.

• Follow Murray Brewster on Twitter

With files from The Canadian Press

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Japanese PM asks for Canada’s help on clean energy

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick /The Canadian Press via AP)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau welcomes Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida to Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick /The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, riht, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida hold a joint news conference near Parliament Hill, Thursday, January 12, 2023 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau smiles as he listens to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speak during a joint news conference, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walk to a joint news conference, Thursday, January 12, 2023 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida listens via a translation aid as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question during a joint news conference, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida walk to a joint news conference, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 in Ottawa. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida looks on as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responds to a question during a joint news conference, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023, in Ottawa, Ontario. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

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OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is looking to Canada to help his country wean itself off fossil fuels from places such as Russia.

Kishida is in Ottawa Thursday for his first visit as Japan’s head of government, as part of a tour of other Group of Seven countries.

Japan holds the G-7 presidency this year and is set to host meetings with the leaders of some of the world’s richest countries. The group includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Tokyo plans to use the presidency to coordinate with other states on economic management and punishing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

Kishida arrived late Wednesday in Ottawa from London, and is expected to head to Washington, D.C. later Thursday.

The visit comes during a time of geopolitical alignment between Japan and Canada, both of which have recently singled out China as a threat to stability in the region.

Kishida’s arrival marks the first visit to Canada by an Asian head of government since Ottawa launched its Indo-Pacific strategy last November, which called for closer ties with countries that can counterbalance Beijing’s influence.

A new Japanese defense strategy unveiled last month included working with allies to ward off threats from North Korea and China, and made it legal for Japan to conduct military strikes against enemy bases. Tokyo is boosting its military spending by 26% in just one year.

Meanwhile, a regional trade deal launched in 2018 has helped both countries expand trade with each other’s markets. Under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, Canada has increased its exports of pork and oil to Japan, while it has brought in more imports of Japanese machinery and auto parts.

“Trade is booming between our two countries,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a Thursday lunch he hosted for Kishida and corporate executives.

“We share a vision for peace and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.”

Kishida told guests that liquefied natural gas will play a “crucial role” in Japan’s energy transition, and that Canada’s looming LNG export terminal is one example of multiple ways Ottawa can help.

“On science, technology and innovation, (digital transformation) and startups, I am very keen to further strengthen co-operation between industry, government and academia in both countries,” Kishida told participants in Japanese, through an English interpreter.

“Nuclear power will also play a key role, and we look forward to working together to make the nuclear supply chain more resilient.”

The Canadian government will lead a trade delegation to Japan this fall, Trudeau said, and Japanese companies interested in mining and electric-vehicle battery components aim to visit Canada in the spring.

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Japan PM's first visit to Canada could highlight LNG needs

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida speaks during his New Year's press conference in Ise, central Japan Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. The Japanese Prime Minister will visit Ottawa next Wednesday, the first Canadian visit by an Asian head of government since Ottawa launched its Indo-Pacific strategy last November. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Kyodo News via AP

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's first official visit to Canada will take place next week, as Tokyo looks to Canada to provide much-needed liquefied natural gas.

Japan takes over the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven this year and Kishida is embarking on a multi-country tour.

The G7 started as a forum for the world's largest economies to co-ordinate economic policy, but has broadened its role in recent years to take a key role in punishing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

The group includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Kishida is set to arrive Wednesday in Ottawa from London, and will leave Thursday for Washington.

It will be the first Canadian visit by an Asian head of government since Ottawa launched its Indo-Pacific strategy last November, which called for closer ties with countries that can counterbalance China's influence.

Japan is similarly trying to pivot away from a reliance on China and Russia for electricity and food.

To that end, Kishida has created the position of a minister of state for economic security, and is trying to bring nuclear reactors back online after dozens were halted following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

The country is so reliant on Russian fuel that G7 countries gave Japan an exemption on a measure that caps the price of Russian oil below market rates, to avoid Japan facing the same scramble for energy that Europe undertook last year.

Trevor Kennedy, the Business Council of Canada vice-president for international policy, said Kishida will likely seek a further commitment from Canada to sell liquefied natural gas, and mention an ongoing interest in hydrogen.

"They're stuck in a situation where they're sourcing their LNG from Russia, and they don't have another option," said Kennedy, who has worked in Japan.

Japan and South Korea have invested in Canada's first LNG export terminal in Kitimat, B.C., which is set to come online in 2025.

Kennedy said both countries and Canadian firms are watching to see whether the terminal meets that timeline, given the delays other large energy projects in Canada have faced.

He said the energy sector, Tokyo and Seoul also want Ottawa to boost the LNG sector by expanding the terminal or launching more of them. Otherwise, Japan and South Korea will have to rely on gas from Russia, or ask faraway countries to send supplies through waters China is trying to control.

Last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada's goal is to be as close to South Korea and Japan as Ottawa is to Germany, France and the U.K.

Kennedy said it's an obvious decision, given the pair are democratic countries who share the same values. But he said it requires a sense of urgency.

"We need to be more deliberate about how we engage," he said.

"A lot of it is a mindset, and just understanding that these are our neighbours."

Kennedy said Canadian businesses have been looking past Japan for the last three decades. The country's economic bubble burst in 1991, just as other Asian countries started posting stronger growth. Japan's population is also aging at one of the fastest rates in the world.

Yet the country remains the world's third-largest economy, Kennedy noted, and it's flush with capital that firms are seeking to invest abroad.

Railways and telecommunications companies, for example, have barely any room to develop more services within Japan, and have been focusing on investments elsewhere.

The CPTPP trade deal, which spans most of the Pacific Rim, has helped boost Canadian exports to Japan, particularly pork and canola products.

Japanese companies are now looking to expand electric-vehicle production in North America, and Ottawa is under pressure to match American subsidies on the production of green vehicles and components.

Last month, Japan's new defence strategy called for working with allies to ward off threats from North Korea and China, and has made it legal for Japan to strike enemy bases. Tokyo is also boosting military spending by 26 per cent in just one year.

Next week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Kishida will likely take stock of a plan both countries issued last October, spanning everything from fighting illegal fishing to implementing a military intelligence sharing deal.

Kishida might also publicly endorse Canada's desire to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, a forum for co-ordinating supply chains and tax policy. Ottawa claims that all members of that group want Canada to join.

At a Thursday speech in Washington, Japanese trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said his country plans to use its year leading the G7 to encourage allies to lessen their dependence on rogue states like Russia and China.

He told the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank that rich countries assumed that economic ties with poorer states would have made them less volatile.

“It was poverty that sparked violence and conflict; prosperity was a seabed of peace,” Nishimura said. “Our assumption was unmistakably an illusion.”

He argued that like-minded countries need to identify the states that undertake "economic coercion" and have clear strategies to lessen their effect.

“By making economic growth possible, the free-trade system ended up increasing the legitimacy of authoritarian regimes,” he said.

Nishimura noted that Russia has cut off gas exports to punish countries. He chastised China for arbitrarily banning agricultural imports such as pineapples from Taiwan, an example reminiscent of China’s past ban on Canadian canola.

“There is a risk involved in relying excessively upon a single country economically and we now fear that risk more intensely than ever,” Nishimura said.

He said countries need to put up cash for innovation, such as producing semiconductors and recycling the rare minerals found in electronic waste. “We must make bold investments at a scale never seen before."

Experts will watch for large-ticket announcements at the G7 leaders summit this May in Hiroshima. Kishida has hinted he might also use the summit to try furthering the cause of nuclear disarmament, given the host city was devastated by an atomic bomb in the Second World War.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 7, 2023. 

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Japanese PM visits Ottawa, asks for Canada's help on clean energy transition

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OTTAWA — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has asked Canada to form closer ties during a visit to Ottawa that experts say comes at a time when the two countries have significant geopolitical alignment.

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Japanese PM visits Ottawa, asks for Canada's help on clean energy transition Back to video

Kishida visited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the first time as Japan’s head of government, part of a tour of other G7 countries as Japan seeks ways to wean off fossil fuels from places such as Russia.

Japan holds the G7 presidency this year and is set to host meetings with the leaders of some of the world’s richest countries. The group includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Tokyo plans to use the presidency to co-ordinate with other states on economic management and to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

Kishida arrived in Ottawa from London late Wednesday and was off to Washington, D.C., on Thursday afternoon.

“It absolutely is crucial, even if it’s a short visit,” said Ian Burney, who served as Canada’s ambassador in Tokyo from 2015 to 2021.

“There is a near-perfect alignment between Japan’s desire to diversify its sources of imports and Canada’s desire to diversify our export markets, which remains extremely overly reliant on just one market to our immediate south,” said Burney, who is now an investment adviser.

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Kishida’s is the first visit to Canada by an Asian head of government since Ottawa launched its Indo-Pacific strategy last November, which called for closer ties with countries that can counterbalance Beijing’s influence.

A new Japanese defence strategy unveiled last month included working with allies to ward off threats from North Korea and China, and made it legal for Japan to conduct military strikes against enemy bases. Tokyo is boosting its military spending by 26 per cent in just one year.

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“We agreed that we would strongly oppose unilateral attempts (by China) to change the status quo by force,” Kishida said of his discussion with Trudeau, through an interpreter.

Meanwhile, a regional trade deal launched in 2018 has helped both countries expand trade to each other’s markets. Under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, Canada has increased exports of pork and oil to Japan and brought in more Japanese machinery and auto parts.

“Trade is booming between our two countries,” Trudeau said at a Thursday lunch he hosted for Kishida and corporate executives.

“We share a vision for peace and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.”

University of British Columbia political scientist Yves Tiberghien said Canada gained “first-mover advantage” by inking the trade deal with Japan, which the United States still hasn’t done.

He noted Kishida’s visit comes just months after Japan and Canada both singled out China as a threat to stability in the region.

Kishida told Thursday’s lunch guests that liquefied natural gas will play a “crucial role” in Japan’s energy transition and that Canada’s looming LNG export terminal is one example of the ways Ottawa can help.

“On science, technology and innovation, (digital transformation) and startups, I am very keen to further strengthen co-operation between industry, government and academia in both countries,” Kishida said through an English interpreter.

“Nuclear power will also play a key role and we look forward to working together to make the nuclear supply chain more resilient.”

Yet Trudeau and Kishida did not commit to any further LNG projects, such as a proposed Phase 2 expansion of the looming terminal at Kitimat, B.C.

“We’re going to continue to look for ways to be that reliable supplier of energy,” Trudeau said.

“Even as we do talk about things like LNG and other traditional sources of energy, we know the world is moving aggressively and meaningfully towards decarbonizing, towards diversifying, towards more renewables,” he added.

Burney said global competition makes it essential for Canada to meet the 2025 timeline to export LNG.

“It was an area of some frustration for me because we’ve been talking about becoming a major energy supplier to Japan for decades and for most of that time, it was just that — talk,” he said.

“Frankly, all eyes are on that project. It is, to my mind, crucial that that be completed on schedule.”

He noted Canada’s first major energy exports to Japan started in 2019 through a propane-export facility that quickly made up a sizable chunk of Japan’s supply.

Tiberghien said the two countries also see eye-to-eye on a shift toward green technology, digital innovation and artificial intelligence, all the while decoupling from China.

“There is tremendous interest at doing more with Canada on defence, economic security, green technology, artificial intelligence, lithium, LNG, batteries — you name it,” he said.

There has been a recent uptick in visits by Liberal ministers to Tokyo and Trudeau said a trade delegation will head to Japan in the coming year. He also said Japanese companies interested in mining and electric-vehicle battery components aim to visit Canada in the spring.

Burney said the Indo-Pacific strategy hit the right tone, but ought to have included new opportunities for Canadian youth to do exchanges in Japan, similar to the Japan’s massive program for English teachers.

“Few things matter more in Japan than personal relationships,” he said. “They often open doors to other opportunities.”

Both experts said the countries share so many values and so few irritants that they take each other for granted, focusing more on Washington or Europe.

Part of the current convergence stems from a relative abatement of hostility between Japan and South Korea compared to recent decades.

The memory of Japan’s colonization of Korea and human-rights breaches it committed before and during the Second World War flares up when Japanese politicians visit nationalist historical sites, or when Korean leaders bring up forced labour and sexual exploitation.

“Canada could have an interesting, special relationship with both at the same time and maybe play an external role in lessening any tension between them,” Tiberghien said.

He said Japan and Korea put an emphasis on anniversaries, and 2023 gives a pretext for Ottawa to hold events that commemorate 95 years of diplomatic relations with Japan and 60 years of the same with South Korea.

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Japan PM visit could highlight LNG needs, as Tokyo pushes away from Russia and China

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's first official visit to Canada will take place next week, as Tokyo looks to Canada to provide much-needed liquefied natural gas.

Japan takes over the rotating presidency of the Group of Seven this year and Kishida is embarking on a multi-country tour.

The G7 started as a forum for the world's largest economies to co-ordinate economic policy, but has broadened its role in recent years to take a key role in punishing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

The group includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Kishida is set to arrive Thursday in Ottawa from London before heading to Washington.

It will be the first Canadian visit by an Asian head of government since Ottawa launched its Indo-Pacific strategy last November, which called for closer ties with countries that can counterbalance China's influence.

• Capital Dispatch: Sign up for in-depth political coverage of Parliament Hill

Japan is similarly trying to pivot away from a reliance on China and Russia for electricity and food.

To that end, Kishida has created the position of a minister of state for economic security, and is trying to bring nuclear reactors back online after dozens were halted following the 2011 Fukushima disaster.

The country is so reliant on Russian fuel that G7 countries gave Japan an exemption on a measure that caps the price of Russian oil below market rates, to avoid Japan facing the same scramble for energy that Europe undertook last year.

Trevor Kennedy, the Business Council of Canada vice-president for international policy, said Kishida will likely seek a further commitment from Canada to sell liquefied natural gas, and mention an ongoing interest in hydrogen.

"They're stuck in a situation where they're sourcing their LNG from Russia, and they don't have another option," said Kennedy, who has worked in Japan.

Japan and South Korea have invested in Canada's first LNG export terminal in Kitimat, B.C., which is set to come online in 2025.

Kennedy said both countries and Canadian firms are watching to see whether the terminal meets that timeline, given the delays other large energy projects in Canada have faced.

He said the energy sector, Tokyo and Seoul also want Ottawa to boost the LNG sector by expanding the terminal or launching more of them. Otherwise, Japan and South Korea will have to rely on gas from Russia, or ask faraway countries to send supplies through waters China is trying to control.

Last month, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly said Canada's goal is to be as close to South Korea and Japan as Ottawa is to Germany, France and the U.K.

Kennedy said it's an obvious decision, given the pair are democratic countries who share the same values. But he said it requires a sense of urgency.

"We need to be more deliberate about how we engage," he said.

"A lot of it is a mindset, and just understanding that these are our neighbours."

Kennedy said Canadian businesses have been looking past Japan for the last three decades. The country's economic bubble burst in 1991, just as other Asian countries started posting stronger growth. Japan's population is also aging at one of the fastest rates in the world.

Yet the country remains the world's third-largest economy, Kennedy noted, and it's flush with capital that firms are seeking to invest abroad.

Railways and telecommunications companies, for example, have barely any room to develop more services within Japan, and have been focusing on investments elsewhere.

The CPTPP trade deal, which spans most of the Pacific Rim, has helped boost Canadian exports to Japan, particularly pork and canola products.

Japanese companies are now looking to expand electric-vehicle production in North America, and Ottawa is under pressure to match American subsidies on the production of green vehicles and components.

Last month, Japan's new defence strategy called for working with allies to ward off threats from North Korea and China, and has made it legal for Japan to strike enemy bases. Tokyo is also boosting military spending by 26 per cent in just one year.

Next week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Kishida will likely take stock of a plan both countries issued last October, spanning everything from fighting illegal fishing to implementing a military intelligence sharing deal.

Kishida might also publicly endorse Canada's desire to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, a forum for co-ordinating supply chains and tax policy. Ottawa claims that all members of that group want Canada to join.

At a Thursday speech in Washington, Japanese trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said his country plans to use its year leading the G7 to encourage allies to lessen their dependence on rogue states like Russia and China.

He told the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank that rich countries assumed that economic ties with poorer states would have made them less volatile.

“It was poverty that sparked violence and conflict; prosperity was a seabed of peace,” Nishimura said. “Our assumption was unmistakably an illusion.”

He argued that like-minded countries need to identify the states that undertake "economic coercion" and have clear strategies to lessen their effect.

“By making economic growth possible, the free-trade system ended up increasing the legitimacy of authoritarian regimes,” he said.

Nishimura noted that Russia has cut off gas exports to punish countries. He chastised China for arbitrarily banning agricultural imports such as pineapples from Taiwan, an example reminiscent of China’s past ban on Canadian canola.

“There is a risk involved in relying excessively upon a single country economically and we now fear that risk more intensely than ever,” Nishimura said.

He said countries need to put up cash for innovation, such as producing semiconductors and recycling the rare minerals found in electronic waste. “We must make bold investments at a scale never seen before."

Experts will watch for large-ticket announcements at the G7 leaders summit this May in Hiroshima. Kishida has hinted he might also use the summit to try furthering the cause of nuclear disarmament, given the host city was devastated by an atomic bomb in the Second World War.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 7, 2023. 

This is a corrected story. A previous version said Kishida would arrive in Ottawa on Wednesday. He will, in fact, arrive on Thursday.

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• Entertainment

Japanese PM asks for Canada's help on clean energy

January 13, 2023 (Mainichi Japan)

OTTAWA, Ontario (AP) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is looking to Canada to help his country wean itself off fossil fuels from places such as Russia.

Kishida is in Ottawa Thursday for his first visit as Japan's head of government, as part of a tour of other Group of Seven countries.

Japan holds the G-7 presidency this year and is set to host meetings with the leaders of some of the world's richest countries. The group includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Tokyo plans to use the presidency to coordinate with other states on economic management and punishing Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

Kishida arrived late Wednesday in Ottawa from London, and is expected to head to Washington, D.C. later Thursday.

The visit comes during a time of geopolitical alignment between Japan and Canada, both of which have recently singled out China as a threat to stability in the region.

Kishida's arrival marks the first visit to Canada by an Asian head of government since Ottawa launched its Indo-Pacific strategy last November, which called for closer ties with countries that can counterbalance Beijing's influence.

A new Japanese defense strategy unveiled last month included working with allies to ward off threats from North Korea and China, and made it legal for Japan to conduct military strikes against enemy bases. Tokyo is boosting its military spending by 26% in just one year.

Meanwhile, a regional trade deal launched in 2018 has helped both countries expand trade with each other's markets. Under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, Canada has increased its exports of pork and oil to Japan, while it has brought in more imports of Japanese machinery and auto parts.

"Trade is booming between our two countries," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said at a Thursday lunch he hosted for Kishida and corporate executives.

"We share a vision for peace and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific."

Kishida told guests that liquefied natural gas will play a "crucial role" in Japan's energy transition, and that Canada's looming LNG export terminal is one example of multiple ways Ottawa can help.

"On science, technology and innovation, (digital transformation) and startups, I am very keen to further strengthen co-operation between industry, government and academia in both countries," Kishida told participants in Japanese, through an English interpreter.

"Nuclear power will also play a key role, and we look forward to working together to make the nuclear supply chain more resilient."

The Canadian government will lead a trade delegation to Japan this fall, Trudeau said, and Japanese companies interested in mining and electric-vehicle battery components aim to visit Canada in the spring.

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OTTAWA — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has asked Canada to form closer ties during a visit to Ottawa that experts say comes at a time when the two countries have significant geopolitical alignment.

Kishida visited Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the first time as Japan’s head of government, part of a tour of other G7 countries as Japan seeks ways to wean off fossil fuels from places such as Russia.

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Japan holds the G7 presidency this year and is set to host meetings with the leaders of some of the world’s richest countries. The group includes Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, plus the European Union.

Tokyo plans to use the presidency to co-ordinate with other states on economic management and to punish Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.

Kishida arrived in Ottawa from London late Wednesday and was off to Washington, D.C., on Thursday afternoon.

“It absolutely is crucial, even if it’s a short visit,” said Ian Burney, who served as Canada’s ambassador in Tokyo from 2015 to 2021.

“There is a near-perfect alignment between Japan’s desire to diversify its sources of imports … and Canada’s desire to diversify our export markets, which remains extremely overly reliant on just one market to our immediate south,” said Burney, who is now an investment adviser.

Kishida’s is the first visit to Canada by an Asian head of government since Ottawa launched its Indo-Pacific strategy last November, which called for closer ties with countries that can counterbalance Beijing’s influence.

A new Japanese defence strategy unveiled last month included working with allies to ward off threats from North Korea and China, and made it legal for Japan to conduct military strikes against enemy bases. Tokyo is boosting its military spending by 26 per cent in just one year.

“We agreed that we would strongly oppose unilateral attempts (by China) to change the status quo by force,” Kishida said of his discussion with Trudeau, through an interpreter.

Meanwhile, a regional trade deal launched in 2018 has helped both countries expand trade to each other’s markets. Under the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, Canada has increased exports of pork and oil to Japan and brought in more Japanese machinery and auto parts.

“Trade is booming between our two countries,” Trudeau said at a Thursday lunch he hosted for Kishida and corporate executives.

“We share a vision for peace and prosperity on both sides of the Pacific.”

University of British Columbia political scientist Yves Tiberghien said Canada gained “first-mover advantage” by inking the trade deal with Japan, which the United States still hasn’t done.

He noted Kishida’s visit comes just months after Japan and Canada both singled out China as a threat to stability in the region.

Kishida told Thursday’s lunch guests that liquefied natural gas will play a “crucial role” in Japan’s energy transition and that Canada’s looming LNG export terminal is one example of the ways Ottawa can help.

“On science, technology and innovation, (digital transformation) and startups, I am very keen to further strengthen co-operation between industry, government and academia in both countries,” Kishida said through an English interpreter.

“Nuclear power will also play a key role and we look forward to working together to make the nuclear supply chain more resilient.”

Yet Trudeau and Kishida did not commit to any further LNG projects, such as a proposed Phase 2 expansion of the looming terminal at Kitimat, B.C.

“We’re going to continue to look for ways to be that reliable supplier of energy,” Trudeau said.

“Even as we do talk about things like LNG and other traditional sources of energy, we know the world is moving aggressively and meaningfully towards decarbonizing, towards diversifying, towards more renewables,” he added.

Burney said global competition makes it essential for Canada to meet the 2025 timeline to export LNG.

“It was an area of some frustration for me because we’ve been talking about becoming a major energy supplier to Japan for decades and for most of that time, it was just that — talk,” he said.

“Frankly, all eyes are on that project. It is, to my mind, crucial that that be completed on schedule.”

He noted Canada’s first major energy exports to Japan started in 2019 through a propane-export facility that quickly made up a sizable chunk of Japan’s supply.

Tiberghien said the two countries also see eye-to-eye on a shift toward green technology, digital innovation and artificial intelligence, all the while decoupling from China.

“There is tremendous interest at doing more with Canada on defence, economic security, green technology, artificial intelligence, lithium, LNG, batteries — you name it,” he said.

There has been a recent uptick in visits by Liberal ministers to Tokyo and Trudeau said a trade delegation will head to Japan in the coming year. He also said Japanese companies interested in mining and electric-vehicle battery components aim to visit Canada in the spring.

Burney said the Indo-Pacific strategy hit the right tone, but ought to have included new opportunities for Canadian youth to do exchanges in Japan, similar to the Japan’s massive program for English teachers.

“Few things matter more in Japan than personal relationships,” he said. “They often open doors to other opportunities.”

Both experts said the countries share so many values and so few irritants that they take each other for granted, focusing more on Washington or Europe.

Part of the current convergence stems from a relative abatement of hostility between Japan and South Korea compared to recent decades.

The memory of Japan’s colonization of Korea and human-rights breaches it committed before and during the Second World War flares up when Japanese politicians visit nationalist historical sites, or when Korean leaders bring up forced labour and sexual exploitation.

“Canada could have an interesting, special relationship with both at the same time and maybe play an external role in lessening any tension between them,” Tiberghien said.

He said Japan and Korea put an emphasis on anniversaries, and 2023 gives a pretext for Ottawa to hold events that commemorate 95 years of diplomatic relations with Japan and 60 years of the same with South Korea.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 12, 2023.

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Japan-Canada Relations

Japan-canada summit meeting.

On January 12, commencing at 11:30 am (local time; January 13, 1:30 am Japan Time), for 75 minutes, Mr. KISHIDA Fumio, Prime Minister of Japan, held a summit meeting with the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, while visiting Ottawa, Canada. The overview of the meeting is as follows. After the summit meeting, Prime Minister Kishida attended a luncheon with business leaders hosted by Prime Minister Trudeau, where they exchanged views on the potential of economic relations between Japan and Canada in a friendly atmosphere.

• At the outset, Prime Minister Trudeau welcomed Prime Minister Kishida's visit to Canada in the positon and stated that he would like to cooperate to further strengthen Japan-Canada relations. In response, Prime Minister Kishida expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, and said it is a great pleasure to visit Canada for the first time in seven years since he visited as Minister for Foreign Affairs in 2016 and for the first time as Prime Minister. Prime Minister Kishida also expressed that he would like to collaborate with Canada to maintain and strengthen the peace and stability of the region and international community as Japan and Canada are both G7 members and Canada is an important strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region that shares universal values such as freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
• Prime Minister Kishida explained to Prime Minister Trudeau that Japan has decided to fundamentally reinforce its defense capabilities including the possession of a counterstrike capabilities and to increase its defense budget based on the new “National Security Strategy” (NSS) and other documents formulated last month, to which Prime Minister Trudeau gave his full support.
• Prime Minister Kishida also welcomed Canada's announcement of the "Indo-Pacific Strategy" last November and stated that the Strategy is in line with the "Japan-Canada Action Plan contributing to a free and open Indo-Pacific region," which was announced last October. The Prime Minister expressed his intention to work together with Canada, a country strengthening its engagement in the Indo-Pacific region as a Pacific nation, toward the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" through a steady implementation of the "Action Plan.”
• The two leaders exchanged their views on regional issues, including Ukraine, North Korea, and China.
• (1) Regarding Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the two leaders concurred to maintain the unity of the G7 and to continue strict sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine. They also confirmed that they are seriously concerned about Russia's nuclear threats, which are absolutely unacceptable, and that Russia should never use nuclear weapons under any circumstances.
• (2) The two leaders concurred that North Korea’s ballistic missile launches which are unprecedented both in their frequency and in their manner are absolutely unacceptable, and confirmed that they will continue to work closely together toward the complete denuclearization of North Korea in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions. They also confirmed that they will continue to cooperate in dealing with North Korea, including in addressing to illegal ship-to-ship transfers and the abduction issue.
• (3) The two leaders strongly opposed unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force in the East and South China Seas, and confirmed to continue close coordination in addressing various issues related to China.
• The two leaders also had a candid discussion on the CPTPP and concurred on the importance of maintaining the high standards of the agreement as well as to continue to work closely together. The two leaders also concurred to strengthen cooperation in economic areas including energy and food, as well as in the areas of development finance and economic security including responses to economic coercion.
• In addition, Prime Minister Kishida, under Japan’s G7 Presidency this year, expressed his determination to lead efforts to address the various challenges facing the international community, and explained to Prime Minister Trudeau the priorities of Japan’s G7 Presidency. Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his full support for the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit, and the two leaders concurred to continue to work closely together toward the success of the G7 Hiroshima Summit. Prime Minister Kishida stated that, at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, he would like to demonstrate the vision and determination by the G7 to firmly reject any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or the threat or use of nuclear weapons, and to uphold the international order based on the rule of law. Prime Minister Kishida and Prime Minister Trudeau also concurred that it is important for the G7 to work together in such areas as world economy including energy and food security, nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, economic security, and global issues including climate change, health, and development.

Related Links

• Prime Minister Kishida Visits France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States of America (January 9-15, 2023)

PM Kishida’s Visit to Brazil Reaffirms Friendship Backed by Nikkei Communities

Linking Japan and the World

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June 7, 2024

In May 2024, Prime Minister KISHIDA Fumio made the first official visit to Brazil by a Japanese prime minister in a decade. There, he held a Summit meeting with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with whom he concurred on the importance of enhancing cooperation as Strategic and Global Partners to uphold the rule of law and to ensure a world where human dignity is secured.

Prime Minister Kishida met with Brazilian President Lula for a Summit meeting and said Japan will strengthen cooperation with Brazil, which holds the G20 presidency this year, working together for the success of the G20 Rio de Janeiro Summit.

Prime Minister Kishida attended a welcome ceremony hosted by Nikkei (Japanese immigrants and descendants) communities in Sao Paulo, where he was welcomed by children.

At the University of Sao Paulo, Prime Minister Kishida delivered a speech on Japan’s foreign policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean, in which he announced that cooperation between Japan and countries in those regions is more important than ever to lead the world toward cooperation, and he outlined concrete directions to achieve this goal.

  　Prime Minister Kishida and President Lula issued a joint statement on the results of their discussions during the Japan-Brazil Summit meeting (Full text: Joint Statement on Further Strengthening the Brazil-Japan Strategic and Global Partnership ). During a press conference in Sao Paulo, Prime Minister Kishida stated, “To work toward the fundamental common goal of upholding and strengthening the free and open international order based on the rule of law and ensuring a world where human dignity is secured, Japan will apply its distinctive diversity and inclusiveness in working closely with other countries, including Latin American and Caribbean countries.” 　Japan will continue to make every effort in Summit diplomacy toward an international community characterized by cooperation, which Japan, as a nation of peace, is uniquely positioned to promote.

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Donald Trump’s felony conviction now means he’s banned from a host of countries including Canada and UK

There are nearly 40 countries that bar felons from entering, even to visit., article bookmarked.

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Now that Donald Trump is a convicted felon, his list of countries to visit has gotten much shorter.

Trump was found guilty on Thursday of 34 counts of falsifying records in an effort to keep adult film star Stormy Daniels quiet about an affair that occurred in the 2000s. That means certain freedoms Mr Trump once enjoyed may be out of his reach — and could have a serious effect on his ability to carry out his presidential duties, including traveling to foreign countries.

Nearly 40 nations - including Canada and the UK - have strict policies when it comes to allowing individuals with criminal records across their borders, and barring a special accommodation, Trump would be held to those same standards. It’s unclear if he would be allowed to visit if he wins the presidental election in November, but remains a felon.

Here are just five of the over 35 nations that can now ban Trump from entry now that he's a felon:

Despite Trump once retweeting someone who referred to him as the "King of Israel" and bragging that he moved the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Trump may not be able to visit the nation now that he's a felon.

Israel reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone with a criminal record, including felonies. Border control forces in Israel have the authority to bar entry for anyone suspected of committing a crime or with a record, and Trump meets both of those qualifiers.

According to the Canadian government's tourist hub, any "US Citizen or permanent resident that has a felony conviction on their criminal record may be deemed inadmissible to Canada for the purposes of immigrating, or even if they're merely coming to Canada to visit."

Canada even retains the right to bar individuals "arrested or accused of a felony crime ... even though you have not been convicted," meaning Trump would have faced issues visiting the US's northern neighbor the moment he faced charges.

The government notes that "a felony will likely result in inadmissibility."

Japan is fairly strict with its immigration and visitation rules, including laws preventing convicted criminals from entry.

Under Japanese law anyone convicted of a violation of "any law of regulation" of any country and has been sentenced to "imprisonment with or without work for 1 year or more, or to an equivalent penalty" can be barred from entry.

Japanese law does note that individuals convicted of a "political offense" are not subject to those rules. In Trump's mind, at least, he could qualify to visit under those terms. It's unclear if Japan would buy his version of events.

Under UK law, a felon can visit England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland with some restrictions and requirements in place. However, Britain can bar access to convicted felons.

Unless an “Immigration Officer is satisfied that admission would be justified for strong compassionate reasons,” they can refuse access to any convicted felon so long as the crime they committed would also be punishable by imprisonment in the UK.

China has strict policies when admitting anyone over its borders. Chinese officials conduct character assessments for anyone applying for a visa, and that includes a criminal history check, including felonies.

Even minor offenses can get someone barred from entering China, so Mr Trump may not be able to chide the Chinese in person if he were ever so inclined.

Full list of countries that restrict visits from felons

• Dominican Republic
• New Zealand
• Philippines
• South Africa
• South Korea
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom

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• Producing more vaccines in Canada and creating more jobs

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Vaccines save lives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Canadians came together, rolled up their sleeves and got their shots. And because of this teamwork, we got through the pandemic. But as we look back on the past few years, one thing is clear – we need to make more vaccines here in Canada, and we need to be able to make them fast.

Today, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, attended the official opening of Sanofi’s new state-of-the-art Vaccine Manufacturing Facility in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a federal investment of $20 million, the facility will be one of the most advanced vaccine manufacturing facilities in the world.

As the largest biomanufacturing facility in Canadian history, it will help the company expand the production of its life-saving vaccines. It will produce whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria vaccines for Canada and 60 international markets. And it will create over 200 good-paying jobs as well as support and maintain over 1000 other jobs in Ontario.

We’re investing in biomanufacturing, enabling breakthrough science, creating jobs, and producing the life-saving medicines that’ll keep Canadians healthy, right here in Canada. It’s a win for public health, a win for science, a win for our innovators and researchers, and a win for Canadian families.

And we’re not stopping there. This is just the first of two advanced vaccine manufacturing facilities the company is building in Toronto, Ontario. With a $415 million investment from our  Strategic Innovation Fund , we’re helping Sanofi build a new end-to-end flu vaccine manufacturing facility. Once operational, this facility will be able to produce enough vaccine doses to protect our entire population within six months of a pandemic flu strain being identified by the World Health Organization. This will make sure we’re better prepared for health emergencies, better protected against outbreaks, and better placed to get vaccines to Canadians, faster.

Strengthening our biomanufacturing and life sciences sector across the country will help re-establish Canada’s vaccine manufacturing capability, get them to families faster, and give our health scientists a fair chance to make groundbreaking discoveries – all while growing the economy and creating good jobs.

“Vaccines save lives. That’s why we’ll be producing a lot more of them in Canada, including flu vaccines. Sanofi’s two new facilities in Toronto will create good-paying jobs, protect the health and well-being of Canadians, and give our scientists, innovators, and researchers a fair chance to succeed.” The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

“Our government is pleased to support Sanofi as they expand their footprint in Ontario. This new state-of-the-art facility is another vote of confidence in our workers and our growing life sciences sector, helping to ensure people in Ontario and around the world have increased access to life-saving vaccines when they need them.” The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

“Today’s announcement represents a significant milestone in our vision to rebuild our domestic biomanufacturing sector. By attracting such significant foreign investments, our government is developing an industry and expertise that will help Canada contribute to global needs and be better prepared for a range of health threats, including future pandemics. These manufacturing facilities are building an important expertise in Canada by creating and maintaining highly skilled jobs for Canadians.” The Hon. François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

“Protecting the health and safety of people in Canada is one of our government’s top priorities. With this new facility, we can strengthen our domestic biomanufacturing capacity and improve health outcomes for Canadians.” The Hon. Mark Holland, Minister of Health

“With the resurgence of infectious diseases, the capacity to develop and produce vaccines in Canada is critical. In strengthening Canada's vaccination supply, we can better help protect our loved ones, our communities, and the most vulnerable among us.” The Hon. Ya’ara Saks, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health

“Sanofi’s Facility in Toronto adds to Canada’s roster of pharmaceutical manufacturers who are creating vaccines for a variety of life-threatening diseases and illnesses. The Government of Canada is pleased to support this project with $20 million that will bolster our domestic vaccine production, grow our biomanufacturing and life sciences sectors, and create good jobs.”  The Hon. Filomena Tassi, Minister Responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

“We at Sanofi are proud to have delivered Canada’s largest, state-of-the-art new vaccine manufacturing facility, which symbolizes our unwavering dedication to innovation and scientific advancement. As a leader in prevention, Sanofi will significantly increase capacity to protect children and adults world-wide against pertussis (whooping cough), diphtheria, and tetanus vaccines. In addition, Sanofi continues building its new flu and pandemic preparedness facility which will be operational in 2027. We thank the federal, provincial, and municipal governments for their crucial collaboration and for their commitment to public health.” Stephanie Veyrun-Manetti, Country Lead Canada and General Manager Specialty Care, Sanofi

Quick Facts

• Biovectra (Prince Edward Island): $39.8 million to expand mRNA and plasmid DNA manufacturing, enabling them to offer end-to-end manufacturing for mRNA vaccines.
• AbCellera (British Columbia): $175.6 million to support antibody discovery for clinical testing, in collaboration with Eli Lilly, and construction of a facility in Vancouver; $225 million to create a state-of-the-art biotech campus and make significant upgrades to its existing facilities in Vancouver.
• The Government also entered into an agreement with Moderna, which is building a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Laval, Quebec, that will be able to produce up to 100 million mRNA vaccine doses annually.
• Sanofi’s newly opened Vaccine Manufacturing Facility in Toronto, Ontario, was supported by a $20 million investment from FedDev Ontario, provided as a repayable contribution through the Advanced Manufacturing Fund. The Government of Ontario also supported the project with a $50 million investment through its Jobs and Prosperity Fund, and the City of Toronto is providing tax incentives to Sanofi through the Imagination, Manufacturing, Innovation and Technology incentive program.
• With a total cost of $925 million, the construction of Sanofi’s second facility in Toronto is also supported by an investment of $455 million from the company and $55 million from the Government of Ontario. Once up and running, it will produce the company’s Fluzone High-Dose Vaccine for its Northern Hemisphere campaign.
• The  Strategic Innovation Fund supports research, development, and commercialization of new products that pave the way for Canada as a global innovation leader and attract investments that create jobs. It was launched in Budget 2017 to ensure Canada remains a top destination for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs.
• Earlier this month, nearly $574 million in Government of Canada funding was announced to support 19 projects at 14 research institutions across Canada, through Stage 2 of the integrated Canada Biomedical Research Fund and Biosciences Research Infrastructure Fund.
• $30 million over three years, starting in 2024-25, to support the completion of the University of Saskatchewan’s Centre for Pandemic Research at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. This investment will enable the study of high-risk pathogens to support vaccines and therapeutic development, a key pillar in Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy.
• Sanofi is a global healthcare company and leader in the development of drugs and vaccines. It employs more than 100,000 people globally in 100 countries, with entities in Canada employing over 2,000 people, including almost 80 per cent of jobs related to vaccines. Sanofi’s heritage in Canada dates back to 1914, with the majority of its Canadian operations located in Toronto, Ontario. Over the past 110 years, the company’s site has been home to many advances in Canadian and global public health.
• Sanofi is the top investor in biopharmaceutical manufacturing and research and development in Canada. As part of the Government’s investment in Sanofi’s new flu and pandemic readiness facility, Sanofi will invest at least $79 million a year in Canada’s research and development sector.
• Sanofi has signed on to the Government of Canada’s  50 – 30 Challenge , pledging to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace by attaining gender parity and significant representation of under-represented groups within their senior leadership.
• Flu pandemics historically occur every 11 to 41 years, making it critical for Canada to have domestic biomanufacturing capacity for pandemic flu vaccines.

Associated Links

• Strategic Innovation Fund
• Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy
• Emergency preparedness and response
• Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation

Sanders protests Netanyahu’s visit to Congress

WASHINGTON (WCAX) - Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders says he plans to skip Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.

GOP congressional leaders have invited Netanyahu to deliver an address as a show of wartime support for the longtime ally despite mounting political divisions over Israel’s military assault on Gaza.

Sanders, who has been vocal in his opposition to U.S. complicity in Israel’s indiscriminate bombing of Palestinians, took to the Senate floor Monday to reiterate his concerns

“These children and thousands more are the direct result of Netanyahu’s policies – Netanyahu, the man Speaker Johnson has invited to address Congress...No, Mr. President, I will not be in attendance for that speech,” Sanders said.

The timing of Netanyahu’s visit remains uncertain.

Copyright 2024 WCAX. All rights reserved.

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