Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the 50th Anniversary Symposium of Japan's Accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) held in Tokyo.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"Fifty years ago, in 1964, two events occurred that epitomize the end of Japan's postwar reconstruction. One was Asia's first Olympic and Paralympic Games, which were held in Tokyo. The other was the accession to the OECD by Japan, the first Asian country to do so.
Japan's accession to the OECD symbolized the fact that Japan had joined the ranks of developed countries. Since then, the OECD, as the world's largest think thank, has provided prescriptions to the variety of challenges confronting the Japanese economy and society.
Led by the strong initiative of Secretary-General Gurría, the OECD is currently strengthening its ties with other fora, such as the G20, as a 'do-tank' – a think tank that takes actions.
I firmly believe that the OECD's efforts to dispel its image as a 'club of rich countries' as well as its efforts to deepen relations with the growth centers of the world, particularly Southeast Asian countries, will raise the significance of the OECD further. 
This year, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Japan's accession to the OECD, Japan will chair the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) for the second time, 36 years since we first chaired the meeting. During the MCM, discussion will take place on the main theme of resilient economies and inclusive societies. Without even citing the example of the global financial crisis, it is apparent that in the current global society risks spread instantly. As such, the ability to swiftly recover from a shock, as well as resilience, are becoming increasingly important. Circumstances permitting, I would like to go to Paris in May and deliver a keynote address as the MCM Chair.
During today's symposium entitled 'Together with Asia, Toward the Next 50 Years,' discussion will also take place on the other theme of the MCM, which is strengthening ties between the OECD and Southeast Asia. It is somewhat of a shame that of the 34 OECD member states, there are no more than two member states from Asia – Japan and the Republic of Korea. 
I sincerely hope that one day, Southeast Asian countries, which are undergoing remarkable growth, will accede to the OECD.
I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing the hope that today's discussion will also be taken up in the MCM in May, and that this will illuminate the future of the OECD and Japan for the next 50 years."