1.	The Seventh Meeting of the Overseas Economic Cooperation Council was held on February 28, from 8:00 to 8:45.
2.	Chief Cabinet Secretary, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Finance, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology attended the meeting under the topic "The promotion of understanding about Japan" and discussed issues on international youth exchange, hosting of foreign students, and Japanese language education overseas, which are increasing their strategic significance because of the progress of globalization of Japanese economy and society.
3.	First, with regard to international youth exchange and hosting of foreign students, both of which have a high proportion of people from East Asian countries, it was agreed that Japan will actively expand these programs with countries in other regions than East Asia including among others South Asia and Africa, mindful of the importance of fostering pro-Japanese public opinion in wider regions.
4.	It is expected that a larger number of people will come to Japan especially through the program announced in the East Asia Summit in January, whereby 6000 young people will be invited each year. With a view to facilitate hosting of these people, it was also confirmed that Japan will (a) make efforts to improve its coordination mechanism by establishing a contact network among related ministries and agencies and sharing information and experience; and (b) strengthen follow-up regime by building/supporting alumni associations of those who have participated in youth exchange programs or studied in Japan.
5.	As to Japanese language education, it was agreed that Japan will expand/improve hubs of language education and seek to consolidate the partnership among related agencies in order to strategically promote Japanese language education abroad in response to the rising global demand for Japanese language learning.