UK-Japan 21st Century Group
The 21st Annual Meeting of the UK-Japan 21st Century Group was held in Tokyo and Nagoya from March 10–13, 2005. The meeting was chaired by Hon.Yasuhisa Shiozaki, Member of the House of Representatives, (Japan Co-Chairman), and Rt. Hon. Dr. Jack Cunningham MP, (UK Co-Chairman).
In Tokyo the group members met with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, who stressed the importance of maintaining strong UK-Japan relations and expressed his gratitude for the role that the group played in securing British participation in the Aichi World Expo.
The group discussed a number of global issues that provide the UK and Japan with opportunities for closer cooperation. Those topics include: support for the poorest countries in Africa; combating communicable diseases such as AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria; the challenges of balancing economic development with protection of the environment; and promoting cooperation among various sectors in both countries, especially through the promotion of civil society organizations.
Mr. Ichiro Aisawa, Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, hosted a reception for the delegation, and the group visited the Aichi World Expo in Nagoya.
Agenda
Thursday, March 10 |
| Reception hosted by Ichiro Aisawa, Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs |
Friday, March 11 |
Session I: Briefing on Japan in East Asia • Teruaki Aoki, Corporate Executive Vice President, Sony Corporation • Yasuhisa Shiozaki, Member of the House of Representatives |
Meeting with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi |
Luncheon hosted by British Ambassador to Japan Graham Fry |
Session II: Briefing on the United Kingdom in the European Union • Victor Bulmer-Thomas, Director, Royal Institute for International Affairs |
Saturday, March 12 |
Session III: Responding to the Challenges of Global Governance
• Masashi Nishihara, President, National Defense Academy • Sir Stephen Gomersall, former Ambassador to Japan |
Session IV: The New Challenges of International Energy Security and UK-Japan Cooperation
• Yoshiyuki Kasai, Chairman, Central Japan Railway Company • Lord Howell, former Secretary of State for Energy; President of British Institute of Energy Economists • Neville Chamberlain, Chairman, URENCO |
Session V: Promoting Nature's Wisdom—Balancing Development with Protection of Environment • Hajime Sasaki, Chairman of the Board, NEC Corporation • Bill Emmott, Editor, The Economist |
Sunday, March 13 |
Session VI: The Rise of China and Its Economic and Security Implications for the International Order • Keizo Takemi, Member, House of Councilors • Seiji Maehara, Member, House of Representatives • Sir John Boyd, Master, Churchill College; Chairman, Governors of British Museum |
Concluding Session: Chairmen's Summaries and Recommendations |
Tour of the Aichi World EXPO (Nagoya) |