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[Provisional Translation]

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call from the National Parliamentarians’ Groups participating in the Tokyo meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Parliamentary Network, at the Prime Minister’s Office.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

“I would like to extend a welcome to the Prime Minister’s Office to the all members of the National Parliamentarians’ Groups participating in the Tokyo meeting of the OECD Global Parliamentary Network (OGPN).

Two years ago, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Japan’s entry into the OECD, Japan served as the Chair of the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. I visited the OECD Headquarters in Paris and gave a commemorative speech, and Secretary-General Gurría and I announced the start of the outreach program for Southeast Asian countries, implemented through cooperation between the OECD and Japan.  

I am delighted that on this occasion the Meeting of the OECD Global Parliamentary Network is being held in Japan for the first time.

From Asia, there are attendees from Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia, Myanmar, and Laos. Japan will continue to play the role of serving as a bridge between the OECD and Asia.

These steady steps towards outreach to Asia could not have been realized without the unstinting efforts of General Council Chairman Nikai. I would like to take this opportunity to again express my respect to Chairman Nikai for all of his hard work. 

As well as from Asia, many parliamentarians from both OECD member countries and OECD non-member countries are participating. Having this opportunity to meet the parliamentarians that have gathered here from all over the world has given me a renewed awareness of the importance of the OECD network.

The OECD plays the role of a global think tank, by providing intelligent analysis and evaluation of urgent global issues facing international society such as the global economy, development, and the environment, and suggesting relevant policies.

All of you, in your positions as parliamentarians, are making major contributions to the OECD’s global activities, and I would like to express my respect for your ongoing support of the OECD.

In the rows at the back, members of Japan’s Diet are attending on a nonpartisan basis. I am pleased that, although the ruling parties and the opposition parties hold intensive discussions during Diet sessions, here there is a very harmonious atmosphere. That reflects the significance of the OECD and the fact that, in common with all of you, we all truly share concerns and an awareness of issues in regard to support for the OECD.

For over half a century, the OECD has served as a fountain of wisdom for Japan. I hope that the water from this fountain will extend not only to OECD member countries but also to non-member countries in Asia and elsewhere.

I would like to conclude my welcome remarks by expressing my hope that active, meaningful discussions take place at the Tokyo Meeting, producing wonderful results.”