• 
• 
• 

 
On March 6, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received the Joint Statement by Science20 (S20) at the Prime Minister’s Office.
 
The Prime Minister said in his address,
 
“I would like to welcome all the members of Science20 (S20) to the Prime Minister’s Office. I also extend to all of you my warmest welcome to Japan.
 
As you mentioned in the joint statement, innovation is vital toward resolving global issues such as plastic waste in the oceans and climate change. For example, if we invent new technologies such as artificial photosynthesis or a technology that utilizes CO2 as a form of raw material, it brings us significantly closer toward the end of global warming. If we mass produce plastics that dissolve in the sea, I think that we achieve significant progress toward solving the problem of plastic waste in the oceans.
 
With regard to those which we, the political leaders, can do immediately, I certainly intend to advance them towards through cooperation within the G20 Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy and the G7. Meanwhile, revolutionary innovations are needed to make a significant progress towards resolving these issues; and we need to mobilize knowledge and wisdom from around the world. In this respect, I have great expectations of the activities that will be undertaken by S20.
 
As the chair of G20, I will also work together with President Macron of France, who is the chair of G7. I take your recommendations seriously and lead the discussions towards the resolution of global issues.
 
Once again, I would like to welcome all of you to Japan, and at the same time, hope that you will take this valuable opportunity to enjoy your stay in Japan. There are many delicious dishes and food you can try, and I believe that Dr. Yamagiwa, President of the Science Council of Japan (SCJ), will be able to introduce you to some of them; I hope that you will also enjoy the flavors of Japan.