On 10 December 2020, the Canada–Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (CAJP) and the Japan-Canada Diet Friendship League held a virtual meeting. The meeting was led by the CAJP’s Co-Chairs, Senator Jim Munson and Mr. Terry Sheehan, M.P., who – respectively – delivered opening and closing statements. Senator Victor Oh, Senator Yuen Pau Woo, Ms. Monique Pauzé, M.P., Ms. Yasmin Ratansi, M.P. and Mr. Ramesh Sangha, M.P. made introductory remarks on specific topics or exchanged views with their Japanese counterparts.
Participants discussed a range of topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges posed by relations with China, expected relations with the United States under the incoming Biden administration, and parliamentarians’ role in their country’s domestic and foreign policy priorities. In particular, they highlighted that Canada and Japan are like-minded countries that can collaborate on several issues, including through such multilateral institutions as the World Health Organization, the World Trade Organization, the G7 and the G20. As well, they noted the pandemic’s impacts on mental health, including on suicide rates, and identified some of the challenges associated with holding the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo during a global pandemic. Concerning trade in the Asia-Pacific region, they spoke about the potential for extending the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to additional members. Finally, their discussions also focused on the importance of encouraging global efforts to meet the Paris Agreement’s targets.