1. APEC Ministerial Meeting

The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting was held on November 14 and 15 in San Francisco, the United States, under the co-chairpersonships of Dr. Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative, and Mr. Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, the United States, the host economy of the 2023 APEC. Minister Nishimura representing of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), and Ms. Kamikawa Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs, participated in the ministerial meeting.

At the meeting, participants held proactive discussions focusing on such subjects as supporting the multilateral trading system and advancing sustainable and inclusive trade.

The main remarks made by Minister Nishimura were as follows:

• He stated the need to promote energy transitions through various and practical pathways toward a common goal of net- zero to realize a sustainable future, and also stated the significance of the presence of startups that leverage innovation to solve social challenges. He stressed the importance of using data and AI to realize a sustainable future, and Japan’s intention to channel domestic debate on AI back into international fora.
• He mentioned the importance of the development of quality infrastructure development and investment to promote inter-connected regions, and stated the need to encourage the interconnection of trade platforms to address the disruption of supply chains. He also stressed the importance of the rules-based multilateral trading system touched upon four points on which he expects to see progress towards for the 13th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference (MC13), Japan places weight on WTO reform, in particular, [i] the restoration of the WTO dispute settlement mechanism, [ii] the realization of substantial outcomes concerning the negotiations on electronic commerce by the end of 2023, [iii] agreement in MC13 on the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmission, and [iv] commencement of deliberations on state intervention in the fields of trade and industry at the WTO.

Reference

• 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting Joint Ministerial Statement(PDF:191KB)PDF
• Chairs’ Statement on the 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting(PDF:121KB)PDF

During the meeting, winners of the First APEC Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Award 2023,* a program to award individuals and companies that have contributed to the realization of the BCG economy, were announced. Mr. Tsuboi Shunsuke, CEO, Sagri Co. Ltd., a candidate from Japan, was applauded as a winner in the youth category.

• *APEC Bio-Circular -Green Award 2023Link

2. Bilateral meetings and other occasions to meet with participants in the APEC Ministerial Meeting

Minister Nishimura exchanged views with representatives of participating economies on cooperation for the success of the meeting and to build bilateral economic ties.

(1) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce, China

Minister Nishimura stated the importance of ensuring the security of company staffs involved in business in China and securing a transparent and fair business environment, and strongly requested China to ensure the transparency of its legal enforcement and judicial processes, the appropriate operation of its export control measures, and correction of its preferential treatment of domestic products. In addition, he reiterated the safety of the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea and other facts and requested China to immediately repeal the import restriction on Japanese foods.

Both ministers agreed to establish two new frameworks, between METI and the Ministry of Commerce, China, called the Japan-China Export Control Dialogue and the Japan-China Working Group for Improving Business Environments.

Moreover, the ministers agreed to meet regularly for close communication by utilizing a variety of opportunities.

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(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Bang Moon Kyu, Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Republic of Korea

Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Minister Bang of the ROK. The two sides exchanged views on collaboration under the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and other fields of trade toward the establishment of a free and fair trade order and cooperation in such fields as innovation and energy. They agreed that Japan and the ROK will continue to maintain communication.

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(3) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Hong Kong

Minister Nishimura reiterated the safety of the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea and other facts and requested Hong Kong to immediately repeal the import restriction on Japanese foods. Also, the two sides confirmed the importance of promoting exchange in terms of trade and culture between Japan and Hong Kong.

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(4) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Indonesia

Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Minister Airlangga of Indonesia, the country which will serve as the ASEAN chair in 2023, the year commemorating the 65th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Indonesia diplomatic ties and the 50th anniversary of friendship and cooperation between Japan and ASEAN. The two sides confirmed mutual collaboration in IPEF and the WTO and agreed to enrich future economic ties between Japan and Indonesia as well as Japan and ASEAN. This will include the creation of projects that will become a symbol of cooperation in industries that will play leading roles in the future in both countries, the promotion of the Asian Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) concept, and the fostering of human resources that will support these efforts. In addition, Minister Nishimura expressed Japan’s appreciation to Indonesia for showing an understanding of Japan’s stance on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea and stated that Japan will continue to provide information with high transparency.

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(5) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia

The two sides agreed to collaborate in IPEF and other fields of trade toward the establishment of a free and fair trade order and to enhance bilateral ties, including the creation of projects that will become a symbol of cooperation in industries that will play leading roles in the future. These include enhancing the resilience of supply chains, digital transformation (DX), green transformation (GX), the promotion of the AZEC concept, and the promotion of innovation. In addition, Minister Nishimura expressed Japan’s appreciation to Malaysia for showing an understanding of Japan’s stance on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea and stated that Japan will continue to provide information with high transparency.

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(6) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore

The two sides confirmed Japan-Singapore collaboration in IPEF, the WTO, and other fields of trade and agreed to enhance bilateral ties, including the creation of projects, such as those involving DX and GX, that will become a symbol of cooperation in industries that will play leading roles in the future, the promotion of the AZEC concept, and the promotion of innovation. In addition, Minister Nishimura expressed Japan’s appreciation to Singapore for showing an understanding of Japan’s stance on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea and stated that Japan will continue to provide information with high transparency.

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(7) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Manoa Kamikamica, Minister of Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, the Republic of Fiji

The two sides held discussions on collaboration in IPEF toward the establishment of a free and fair trade order, the promotion of cooperation among startups and other entities in island countries, and other issues, and they agreed that Japan and Fiji, along with other island countries, will further enrich their economic ties. In addition, Minister Nishimura expressed Japan’s appreciation to Fiji for showing an understanding of Japan’s stance on the discharge of ALPS treated water into the sea and stated that Japan will continue to provide information with high transparency.

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Division in Charge

APEC Office, Trade Policy Bureau