1. Attending APEC meetings

1. 2024 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting

Under the chairpersonship of H.E. Ms. Elizabeth Galdo Marín, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Peru (the APEC host economy in 2024), the APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting was held in Arequipa, Peru, from Friday, May 17, to Saturday, May 18. As a representative of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii participated in the meeting (Mr. Komura Masahiro, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, also attended it as a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA)). Following the end of the meeting, a joint statement and a chair’s statement were issued.

2. 2024 Joint Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Women and Ministers Responsible for Trade

Under the co-chairpersonship of Minister Galdo and H.E. Mrs. Ángela Hernández Cajo, Minister of Women and Vulnerable Populations, Peru (the APEC host economy in 2024), the first Joint Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Women and Ministers Responsible for Trade was held in Arequipa, Peru, on Friday, May 17. As a representative of METI, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii attended the meeting (Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komura also attended it as a representative of MOFA). Following the end of the meeting, a joint statement and a chair’s statement were issued.

2. Japan-Chile Public-Private Joint Meeting in the Field of Mining

On Wednesday, May 15, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii attended the Japan-Chile Public-Private Joint Meeting in the Field of Mining. The meeting brought together Ms. Ito Takako, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Chile, representatives of 11 subsidiaries of Japanese companies in Chile, governmental officials of Chile, and other stakeholders. Participants frankly exchanged views on Chile’s policies for mining and Japan’s policies for mining and mineral resources.

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3. Japan-Peru Public-Private Joint Meeting in the Field of Mining

On Thursday, May 16, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii attended the Japan-Peru Public-Private Joint Meeting in the Field of Mining, together with H.E. Mr. Henry Luna Córdova, Vice-Minister of Mines. The meeting brought together representatives of nine subsidiaries of Japanese companies in Peru and governmental officials of Peru. Participants explained the projects undertaken by Japanese companies and future prospects, Peru's policies for mining and its efforts to improve the investment environment, and measures for addressing decarbonization. They frankly exchanged views on these issues.

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4. Meetings with ministers of participating countries

1. Meeting with H.E. Ms. Aurora Elvira Williams Baussa, Minister of Mining

On Wednesday, May 15, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii held a meeting with Minister Williams in Santiago, Chile. The two sides held discussions on future ideal approaches to Japan-Chile cooperation in the field of mining. In particular, they focused on the Japan-Chile Public-Private Joint Meeting in the Field of Mining, which was held for the first time in eight years, and agreed that Japan and Chile will hold regular meetings and enrich bilateral cooperative ties in a continuous manner. Moreover, Japan confirmed to Chile, which is a country aiming at the sustainable development of lithium resources, the advancement of cooperation through the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and Japanese companies.

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2. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Rómulo Mucho Mamani, Minister of Energy and Mines, Peru

On Thursday, May 16, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii held a meeting with Minister Mucho in Lima, Peru. At the meeting, the two sides held discussions on future ideal approaches to Japan-Peru cooperation in the field of mining. They also focused on the Japan-Peru Public-Private Joint Meeting in the Field of Mining, which was held for the first time in five years, and agreed that the two countries will hold regular meetings and enrich bilateral cooperative ties in a continuous manner.

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3. Meeting with H.E. Ms. Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, Canada

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii requested Canada to support Japanese companies investing in Canada. In response, Minister Ng shared her willingness to support them as economic ties with Japan are important for the country. Regarding the value chains related to EVs, the two principals agreed that Japan and Canada will continue to communicate through various opportunities.

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4. Meeting with H.E. Ms. Claudia Sanhueza Riveros, Undersecretary for International Economic Relations, Chile

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii explained the current situation of investments in Chile by Japanese companies developing business in the country, while Undersecretary Sanhueza appraised the investments in Chile by a variety of Japanese companies. In addition, they agreed that Japan and Chile will cooperate in lithium development and collaborate in multilateral opportunities, including on APEC and WTO occasions. They also agreed that the two countries will communicate closely by taking advantage of a variety of opportunities to fortify bilateral economic ties.

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

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii explained anew the safety of discharging ALPS treated water into the sea and urged Hong Kong to immediately repeal its import restriction measures on Japanese foods. They agreed that Japan and Hong Kong will meet regularly for close communication by taking advantage of a variety of opportunities to fortify Japan-Hong Kong economic ties.

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6. Meeting with H.E. Dr. Cheong In-kyo, Minister for Trade, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Republic of Korea (ROK)

The two sides commended the improvement of Japan-ROK ties and the increased public-private exchanges and exchanged views on the potential for cooperation in the field of decarbonization. In addition, they agreed that Japan and the ROK will meet regularly for close communication to further fortify economic ties.

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7. Meeting with H.E. Mr. Liew Chin Tong, Deputy Minister of Investment Trade and Industry, Malaysia

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii explained business development in Malaysia by Japanese companies, while Deputy Minister Liew stated that Malaysia hopes to strengthen Japan-Malaysia cooperation in many fields, including energy. In addition, they agreed that the two countries will collaborate in multilateral opportunities, including on APEC, ASEAN-Japan, and IPEF occasions. They also agreed that Japan and Malaysia will strive to enhance bilateral economic ties by taking advantage of a variety of opportunities.

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8. Meeting with H.E. Ms. Teresa Mera Gómez, Vice-Minister for Foreign Trade of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, Peru

Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii and Parliamentary Vice-Minister Komura held a meeting with Vice Minister MERA. Parliamentary Vice-Minister Ishii proposed that Japan and Peru collaborate in addressing APEC’s investment issues and further enhance cooperative ties in the field of mining. They agreed that Japan and Peru will communicate closely by taking advantage of a variety of opportunities aiming at the success of APEC Peru.

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Related Materials

• Joint Statement of the 2024 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting (original text)Link
• Chair’s Statement of the 2024 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting (original text)Link
• Joint Statement of the 2024 Joint Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Women and Ministers Responsible for Trade (original text)Link
• Chair’s Statement of the 2024 Joint Meeting of APEC Ministers Responsible for Women and Ministers Responsible for Trade (original text)Link

Division in Charge

• Latin America and Caribbean Office, Trade Policy Bureau
• Mineral and Natural Resources Division, Natural Resources and Fuel Department, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy
• APEC Office, Trade Policy Bureau