[Provisional Translation]

On Friday, October 12, from 2:10 p.m. for approximately 25 minutes at the Prime Minister's Office, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a summit meeting with H.E. Mrs. Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, President and Head of the Federal Department of Finance, Swiss Confederation, who is visiting Japan to participate in the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group. The overview is as follows.

1. Opening
   
   (1) Prime Minister Noda welcomed President Widmer-Schlumpf on her first visit to Japan, and President Widmer-Schlumpf said that she was pleased to be able to meet Prime Minister Noda.
   
   (2) Both leaders shared the view that they would greatly celebrate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Switzerland in 2014, and that it would be an opportunity to further deepen relations.
   
   
2. Bilateral relations
   
   (1) Prime Minister Noda thanked Switzerland for the support provided at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In response, President Widmer-Schlumpf expressed the admiration of the Swiss people for the way the Japanese people overcame the harm done by the disaster.
   
   (2) Prime Minister Noda spoke about the importance of the Japan-Switzerland Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). President Widmer-Schlumpf noted in reply that the EPA was functioning effectively and that Swiss companies were advancing into Japan.
   
   (3) In addition, following an explanation of energy policy in Switzerland by President Widmer-Schlumpf, the two leaders shared the view that they would continue to exchange opinions moving forward on the proliferation of renewable energies and energy conservation.
   
   
3. International issues
   
   (1) Prime Minister Noda welcomed the participation of Switzerland in the Asia-Europe Meetings (ASEM). In response, President Widmer-Schlumpf expressed gratitude for the support received from Japan for the realization of Switzerland's participation.
   
   (2) In addition, the two had an exchange of opinions on the current situations in East Asia and so on. In relation to this, the two leaders shared the view that the upholding of international law is important.