32Nd EU-Japan Interparliamentary Meeting Tokyo, 18

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2009 - 2014 Delegation for relations with Japan 32nd EU-Japan Interparliamentary Meeting Tokyo, 18 - 20 May 2011 REPORT The European Parliament’s Delegation visited Japan (Tokyo) from 18 to 20 May 2011 in the framework of the 32nd EU - Japan Interparliamentary Meeting. Nine Members participated: Chair Hans van Baalen (ALDE, NL), first Vice-Chair Sandra Kalniete (EPP, LV), second Vice-Chair Zasada (EPP, PL), Ioan Paşcu (S&D, RO), Csaba Sógor (EPP, RO), Ramona Mănescu (ALDE, RO), Frieda Brepoels (Greens/EFA, BE), Malcolm Harbour (UK, ECR), Bruno Gollnisch (FR, NI). The visit achieved its goal which was the strengthening of Interparliamentary relations. The 32nd Interparliamentary meeting was held on 19 and 20 May and the Japanese Delegation was led by Mr. Hatoyama, President of the Friendship Group with the EU and former Prime Minister of Japan. The fact that the visit took place at the date initially scheduled was much appreciated by the Japanese counterparts and it emphasized the solidarity the EU showed from the date of the earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011, onwards. On the evening of 17 May 2011, Ms Brepoels MEP had a meeting on human rights with representatives of various civil society organisations. She had an intensive exchange of views with members of Amnesty International, Human Rights Now and the Center for Prisoners' Rights Japan. A wide range of issues were discussed: death penalty, refugees statute, prisoners' rights, judicial reform in Japan, the National Human Rights Institution etc. The civil society representatives briefed Ms Brepoels on current issues and asked for the support of the European Parliament on a number of points. They noted that no essential developments were done regarding the issue of the death penalty in Japan; there is low recognition rate and difficulty to be recognised as a refugee, lack of legal status and financial difficulties for asylum seekers. They expressed their worries that the new National Human Rights Institution, created at the United Nations' request, will not be an independent body if it is affiliated under the Ministry of Justice. Ms Brepoels promised that she would bring their message back to Brussels and she would discuss the issues mentioned above at the meetings with the Japanese authorities in the forthcoming days. CR\872716EN.doc 1 PE465.370v01-00 Wednesday 18 May 2011 Briefing by the EU Delegation to Tokyo, led by Ambassador Schweisgut The MEPs were briefed by the EU Delegation to Tokyo on the latest developments in Japan's political and economic scene. The emphasis was put on the Japanese change of attitude after the earthquake and tsunami which hit Japan in March 2011 Since 11 March the tensions that were previously evident in domestic politics have for the most part subsided in the interests of national unity. There have been a few eruptions from both the main LDP opposition and from within the DPJ, mostly aimed at Prime Minister Kan, but on the whole the Kan administration is no longer hamstrung by intraparty strife. The latest opinion polls show the approval rating of the Kan administration at the 30% mark, up from a pre-crisis 20%. That said, the PM is on record as saying he would not quit even if his approval rating dropped to 1%. Before the disaster on 11 March, Japan’s economy was emerging from a brief deceleration phase and was seen to be returning to moderate growth with anticipated support of robust external demand in 2011. Despite the scale of the disaster, the impact on the 2011 GDP is expected to be relatively limited, (average growth estimates revised down to 0.4% from 1.6%). Domestic demand is set to be boosted by reconstruction efforts from the second half of the year. The Cabinet Office estimated that reconstruction costs could reach ¥25 trillion (€210 billion approx.) or 5% of GDP. Supplementary budgets in Financial Year 2011 are predicted to total ¥10 trillion (€84 billion approx) or 2% of GDP. The first supplementary budget of ¥4 trillion (€34 billion approx) passed in early May and was financed by discretionary spending cuts and drawings from the public pension reserves. It is widely perceived that it will be the second and possibly third supplementary budgets that will pose the greatest fiscal challenge for the government. At the regional level, the June deadline on the decision about entering preliminary TPP trade talks is likely to be postponed due to preparations being disrupted by the disaster. At the multilateral level, one consequence of the nuclear crisis is the emphasis put by Japan on nuclear safety. Prime Minister Kan is keen to have nuclear safety issues as a theme at the next G8 Summit. On the issue of a future EU - Japan Free trade Agreement, Mr Schweisgut said that the EU is expected to propose to Japan at the EU - Japan Summit in Brussels on May 28th that the two sides hold preparatory talks, known as a "scoping exercise," with the aim of narrowing down issues and problems to be discussed during the full-scale negotiations. The scoping exercise is the best sign that the EU can give because it means that it is an important matter on its agenda. He was sure that the two main topics on the Summit's agenda would be the FTA/EPA and food safety. Answering MEPs' questions on agriculture, Mr Schweisgut noted that Japanese agriculture, since 90% of the fishery sector was destroyed, needed to be rebuilt and only after can it be subjected to regularisation. CR\872716EN.doc 2 PE465.370v01-00 Meeting with Mr Takashi Shinohara, Senior Vice-Minister at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries The estimated damage of the earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear power station disaster is estimated at ¥ 1.49 trillion on the agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors. Around 24 000 ha of land were damaged by tsunami in the area affected. The EP Delegation raised topics such as the compatibility between a future FTA and Japanese agriculture, consumer's concerns on food safety, the situation of rice farmers and the mutual confidence needed to be built on both sides. Minister Shinohara inquired on the CAP's within the EU and the EU legislative system in general. He noticed that in October 2010, a special body was created within the Japanese Cabinet to seek compatibility between FTA's and agriculture reform. Due to the earthquake, its activity is on hold for the time being. The Vice-Minister urged the EU to withdraw its restrictions on Japanese exports, thus supporting Japan to rebuild a productive agriculture sector post-disaster. Courtesy call on H.E. Mr Takahiro Yokomichi, Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Yokomichi noted the importance of the long lasting EU - Japan relations which exist since 1979. He expressed his gratitude for the EU's support post earthquake and emphasized the effort of the Japanese people to maintain the situation under control. He considers that the launching of negotiations in view of an EU - Japan FTA would enhance cooperation and would create a win-win relation. The EP Delegation highlighted the solidarity of the EU with Japan and its respect for the way in which the people of Japan reacted to the crisis. This unfortunate situation could create the base of a better communication between the two sides, to jointly work on a common approach regarding such issues as nuclear and food safety. Courtesy call on H.E. Mr Takeo Nishioka, President of the House of Councillors A wide range of issues were discussed during the meeting: post disaster assistance, the EU - Japan FTA, Japan's foreign policy in conflict areas such as Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq. Energy policy, the death penalty, relations of Japan with China and Russia. Mr Nishioka pointed to the support offered by Japan to the Afghan process of reconstruction. He agreed that the EU - Japan cooperation in this area should be improved. The instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan have a direct impact on Europe and Japan, therefore both Japan and the EU have a strategic interest in the region. Regarding the death penalty, he informed the delegation that a consensus to abolish the death penalty had not been reached yet. Speaking about relations with China and Russia, he stressed that the situation is sensitive, but they are interested in having a good relation with both countries and they are working towards this. CR\872716EN.doc 3 PE465.370v01-00 Meeting with Mr Banri Kaieda, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry The main topic of interest was the EU - Japan Free Trade Agreement. Minister Kaieda explains that the FTA is vital for both Japanese and European economies. Japan is ready to tackle the non tariffs barriers after the launching of negotiations. The EP Delegation said that preparatory talks should be held before the starting of negotiations. On the basis of a successful scooping, the EU can decide to start the negotiations or not. Both sides agreed that a deep and comprehensive FTA/EPA is needed and it has to address all issues of shared interest such as tariffs, non-tariff barriers, public procurement, agriculture including food safety etc and that this exercise has to be based on a reciprocal trust. Thursday 19 May 2011 Meeting with Mr Yoshinori Suematsu, Senior Cabinet Vice Minister The discussion was focused on Japanese political life post disaster, the FTA, the nuclear crisis, its impact on nuclear energy, the issue of food safety. The EP Delegation noted that the Europeans were very much moved by the response of the Japanese people, and government, to the disaster and ensuing accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

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