Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� June, 2002

First Meeting of the Advisory Group on International Cooperation for Peace Wednesday, June 12, 2002 The first meeting of the Advisory Group on International Cooperation for Peace was held at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. The Advisory Group was organized to discuss in how Japan should cooperate in assisting nations suffering from regional conflict, such as Afghanistan and East Timor. The Group is to examine specific measures concerning the strengthening of international cooperation for the "consolidation of peace and nation building," which Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi stressed in his May 1st speech in Sydney. Former Undersecretary General of the United Nations Yasushi Akashi will serve as the Chair of the Advisory Group, and concrete proposals are to be compiled by the end of the year. At the opening of the meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi remarked, "I hope that you will bring together your wisdom and create proposals to strengthen cooperation in these fields."