Visit of the Honourable Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M., Speaker of the Senate, and a Parliamentary Delegation, Japan

 

From March 1 to 6, 2026, the Speaker of the Senate, Raymonde Gagné, C.M., O.M., led a parliamentary delegation to Japan. The delegation consisted of the Honourable Fabian Manning, Senator, the Honourable Raymonde Saint-Germain, Senator, and the Honourable Duncan Wilson, Senator. Accompanying the delegation throughout the visit were the Spouse of the Speaker, Vince MacNeil, Chief of Staff to the Speaker, and Karine Déquier, Parliamentary Exchanges Officer.

In Tokyo, Japan, Speaker Gagné had an audience with Their Majesties Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

Also in Tokyo, Speaker Gagné and the delegation met with the following officials:

• The Honourable Masakazu Sekiguchi, President of the House of Councillors of Japan;
• The Honourable Eisuke Mori, President of the House of Representatives of Japan;
• Kimi Onoda, Minister in charge of Economic Security;
• Iwao Horii, State Minister for Foreign Affairs;
• Kenji Yamada, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry;
• Katsumi Ogawa, Chairman of the Committee on Health, Welfare and Labour of the House of Councillors; and
• Shinako Tsuchiya, President of the Japan-Canada Diet Friendship League.

In Kyoto, the delegation was hosted by Tetsuro Fukuyama, Vice President of the House of Councillors, for a dinner where they engaged with local political representatives.

The delegation also travelled to Hiroshima to meet with members of the Canada-Hiroshima Society and the Honorary Consul of Canada. They visited the Peace Memorial Museum as well.

The purpose of the visit to Japan was to strengthen parliamentary relations and reaffirm shared commitments to democratic principles, the rule of law, and security, particularly in light of increasing geopolitical uncertainty. The delegation also engaged in discussions on a range of priority issues, including trade, aging populations, and the implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

The report will be available once it has been tabled in the Senate.