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The Honourable David Tkachuk, Senator, Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CJIG) and Mr. Mike Wallace, M.P., Co-Chair of the Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CJIG) conducted the CJIG annual Co-Chair’s visit to Tokyo (Japan) from April 7 to 12, 2013. The primary purpose of the visit was to discuss the parameters for the upcoming Bilateral Meeting between Canadian and Japanese parliamentarians, to be held in Canada. The visit also allowed the Co-Chairs to meet the new Co-Chair and Executive Committee Members of the Japan-Canada Interparliamentary Group, and reaffirm to their Japanese counterparts the importance of the Canada-Japan partnership. The Co-Chairs were accompanied by Mr. Roger Préfontaine, Executive Secretary for the CJIG. Objectives - To discuss the objectives and parameters for the Bilateral Meeting; - To raise Canada's profile in Tokyo through strategic engagement of Diet members, local officials and Japanese and Canadian businesses; and - To reinforce links between parliamentarians from Canada and Japan. The Japan-Canada Diet Friendship League The visit coincided with the re-establishment of the Japan-Canada Diet Friendship League following the 2012 lower House elections. The Co-Chair’s visit allowed for the renewal of ties with the recently elected members of the Lower House and the newly appointed League President, Minister of Justice, Sadakazu Tanigaki. The visit was successful in renewing the relationship between the two parliamentary organizations and opening the door to an early autumn visit to Canada by the Japan-Canada Diet Friendship League. Minister Tanigaki (Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP)) As the new President of the Japan-Canada Diet Friendship League, Minister of Justice, Sadakazu Tanigaki spent a significant amount of time with the visiting Co-Chairs. Minister Tanigaki reiterated his pleasure in accepting the role of President of the League. He expressed his desire to see an active relationship develop leading to concrete results. Recent consultations, in his view, demonstrated that parliamentarians can strengthen bilateral relationships. He pledged to work closely with the members of the League to ensure that there is a visit to Canada this calendar year. Mr. Wallace took the opportunity of the meeting to thank Japan for tabling legislation to ratify and implement the Hague Convention. He invited Japan to contact Canadian officials if they would like to discuss the implementation of the Convention. The Canada-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (CJEPA) was an important subject of discussion and both sides agreed to support efforts to seek a rapid conclusion to the negotiations. As Minister of Justice, Tanigaki discussed some of the challenges related to the Japanese justice and penitentiary system. In particular, he seemed eager to discuss means to combat recidivism through programs such as training opportunities for inmates. Ms. Shinako Tsuchiya (LDP) Following her return to the Diet, Ms. Tsuchiya has retaken her role as Secretary General of the Japan Canada Diet friendship League. Given the energy she previously devoted to the work of the League, her appointment is seen as a positive sign for the League. The Co-Chairs and Ms. Tsuchiya discussed the next steps for the relations between the Canadian and Japanese parliamentary groups and the prospects for the next annual consultations in Canada, and in particular, a visit including the province of Saskatchewan, possibly during the autumn. Themes for the Bilateral would include agriculture, mining, trade, energy and security issues. The Co-Chairs used the opportunity of their meetings with key decision makers to promote the CJEPA negotiations and Canada as a secure source for energy. Japanese Diet members were very interested in the Co-Chairs views of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. Automotive sector In addition to Tokyo, the Co-Chairs visited Nagoya to meet with companies that have invested in Canada and to obtain a better sense of the situation facing the Japan-Canada automotive sector. The Co-Chairs visited the Toyota Takaoda Plant and assembly line, the JTEKT Corporation, an automotive part manufacturer (bearings and driveline products) and the Toyota Boshoku Corporation (automotive interior products, systems and powertrain components). Japanese automotive stakeholders assured the Co-Chairs of their support for the CJEPA. Japan-Canada Bilateral Relations Japan remains a key factor in Canada’s strategic and economic interests. Both countries have maintained a vibrant relationship, and continue to cooperate on issues both at the bilateral and multilateral levels, including those related to the environment and development and security matters. Japan is one of the world’s largest economies and one of Canada’s most important economic and commercial partners. Moreover, it is important as a high-technology economy that offers significant potential for further partnership in their respective priority sectors. Conclusion The Canadian Parliament and the Diet of Japan share a most privileged relationship, enhanced through visits such as the annual Co-Chairs visits. These visits allow both legislatures to acknowledge the importance of the Canada-Japan partnership and to work towards a better understanding of the more immediate issues. The visit to Tokyo was an excellent opportunity for the Co-Chairs of the CJIG not only to fortify but also to create new contacts in Japan. Moreover, it allowed the Co-Chairs to undertake necessary discussions with their counterparts related to the planning and organization of the 19th bilateral meeting in Canada. A summary of the travel costs is appended to this report. Respectfully submitted,
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