TOP > What's up around the Prime Minister > May, 2007

17th Meeting of the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters Thursday, May 31, 2007 JAPANESE Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held the 17th Meeting of the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters. At the meeting, the Intellectual Property Strategic Program 2007 was decided upon. The Program decided upon consists of eight pillars: i) creation of intellectual property; ii) realization of a global patent system and prompt patent examination; iii) strengthening of measures against counterfeit and pirated copies; iv) strengthening of activities to promote international standards; v) support for small- and medium-sized enterprises and local communities; vi) formation of a nation that creates culture; vii) appealing the charm of Japan to the world; and viii) human resource development for intellectual property. Prime Minister Abe said, "Under this program, the Government, together with the private sector, will stand up to the challenge of becoming a globally advanced nation in the field of intellectual property and creating 'a beautiful country, Japan,' the vision of a country that I am aiming for. I will see to it that these efforts produce a significant outcome."