123rd year | no. 42,725 ISSN 0289-1956 © THE JAPAN TIMES, LTD., 2019 G20 host cities special TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019 ① ⑥ NISEKO MT. RESORT GRAND HIRAFU ⑤ ©OSAKA CONVENTION & TOURISM BUREAU ② Osaka, Osaka Prefecture ⑦ G20 Summit Meeting June 28 to 29 Kutchan, Hokkaido Prefecture Niigata, Niigata Prefecture Tourism Ministers’ Meeting Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting Oct. 25 to 26 May 11 to 12 Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture Okayama, Okayama Prefecture Ministerial Meeting on Health Ministers’ Meeting Trade and Digital Economy Oct. 19 to 20 June 8 to 9 Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions Ministers’ Meeting and Global Environment for Sept. 1 to 2 Sustainable Growth ③ ⑧ CITY OF MATSUYAMA June 15 to 16 KARUIZAWA TOURIST ASSOCIATION Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture Finance Ministers and Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture Central Bank Governors Meeting Foreign Ministers’ Meeting June 8 to 9 Nov. 22 to 23 ① Bandai Bridge on the Shinano River. ② Okayama Castle overlooking Korakuen Garden. ③ Dogo Onsen Honkan (hot spring). ④ Seaside Momochi featuring famed Fukuoka Tower. ⑤ Osaka Castle. ⑥ Mount Yotei. ⑦ Tsukuba, with Mount Tsukuba in the distance. ⑧ Karuizawa Shaw Memorial Church. ⑨ Oasis 21 (bus terminal and commercial facilities) and Nagoya TV Tower. ④ ⑨ CITY OF FUKUOKA AICHI PREFECTURE Timeless hospitality welcomes international guests apan is gearing up to host its first-ever forum concentrates on global economic Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea, South Southeast Asian Nations (Thailand), Afri- bility Board, Organization for Economic Japan has overseen similar events in the G20 Summit on June 28 and 29, as well matters and collaboration, but has also Africa, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. can Union (Egypt), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Development, Asian past, but the upcoming gathering of world as eight other ministerial meetings tackled issues in the realm of climate This mix of developed and developing Cooperation (Chile), the New Partnership Development Bank and World Health leaders and experts is among the largest J across several months. change, among other critical topics. nations accounts for around 80 percent of for Africa’s Development (Senegal) and the Organization. summit meetings the country has ever While the main event in Osaka repre- The current roster of summit members the world’s gross domestic product. United Nations. The G20 Summit Meeting was created hosted. It also marks the beginning of a series sents a broader undertaking, the other comprises Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Individual guest nations invited to this Additional entities on the guest list are to remedy the global financial crisis set of international events Japan will host over meetings are designed to gather experts of Japan, the U.K., the U.S. and the European year’s summit are the Netherlands, Spain, the International Monetary Fund, World off when the Lehman Brothers filed for the next several years — the Rugby World specific areas of expertise. Union — all G7 members — as well as Singapore and Vietnam; other leaders who Bank, World Trade Organization, Interna- bankruptcy in 2008, prevent future crises Cup, 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, The first meeting will take place in Niigata Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, India, are welcome represent the Association of tional Labor Organization, Financial Sta- and encourage balanced global growth and the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. and other ministerial events will run until and new perspectives in governance. With This new chapter in the country’s sweep- November; the schedule is as follows: the exception of 2009 and 2010 when two ing history sets the stage for visitors to 0 Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting on May 11 annual meetings were held during both discover the distinct culture and traditions and 12 in Niigata, Niigata Prefecture Prime Minister’s message years, this influential gathering typically present everywhere from modern cities to 0 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Gov- Japan has finally assumed the G20 presi- lenges has been nurtured, and was also and ocean plastic waste. occurs once a year. historical towns. Each municipality encap- ernors Meeting on June 8 and 9 in Fukuoka, dency for the very first time. Japan will chosen to host the Osaka-Kansai Expo Furthermore, we will discuss how to The first summit between world leaders sulates a unique side of Japan, be it a mani- Fukuoka Prefecture host the G20 Osaka Summit on June 28 in 2025. address the digital economy from an was held in Washington, D.C. in 2008, but festation of exquisitely preserved nature, 0 Ministerial Meeting on Trade and Digi- and 29. In addition to the G20 member At the Osaka Summit, Japan is deter- institutional perspective and issues that the G20 itself was formed prior in the 1990s outstanding cuisine or hidden wonders off tal Economy on June 8 and 9 in Tsukuba, countries, we will also welcome leaders mined to lead global economic growth arise from an aging society. We will intro- in response to major economic crises of the the beaten path. Ibaraki Prefecture of invited guest countries and head of by promoting free trade and innovation, duce Japan’s efforts, including the pro- time. The domino effect of these disasters Some of these regional charms are the 0 Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions invited guest international organizations. achieving both economic growth and ductivity revolution amid a “Society 5.0” showed international leaders the impor- result of local communities cultivating and Global Environment for Sustainable Osaka will be the venue for hosting reduction of disparities, and contributing era, toward achieving a society where all tance of including developing countries in their own diverse traditions, and regard- Growth on June 15 and 16 in Karuizawa, the G20, the “premier forum for inter- to the development agenda and other individuals are actively engaged. discussions on the international financial less of whether travelers arrive this year Nagano Prefecture national economic cooperation,” which global issues with the Sustainable Devel- We will take this as an opportunity to system. or in the decades to come, the country’s 0 Labour and Employment Ministers’ Meet- gathers and brings together many devel- opment Goals (SDGs) at its core. Through exhibit Japan’s omotenashi spirit (hospi- G7 finance ministers held the G20 Finance hospitality is one enduring trait that will ing on Sept. 1 and 2 in Matsuyama, Ehime oped countries and emerging countries these efforts, Japan seeks to realize and tality) and introduce the unique aspects Ministers and Central Bank Governors meet- continue to welcome them wherever they Prefecture with growing presence in the interna- promote a free and open, inclusive and and attractiveness of Japan and the host ing in 1999. Later, it was decided that the choose to roam. 0 Health Ministers’ Meeting on Oct. 19 and tional economy. Osaka has historically sustainable, “human-centered future cities to the world. summit-level discussions involving the same 20 in Okayama, Okayama Prefecture prospered as a commercial hub and its society.” With great support from you all, I am members were necessary, leading to the G20 “G20 host cities special” pages are sponsored 0 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting on Oct. 25 and unique tradition and culture, including In addition, we will lead discussions determined to lead the Osaka Summit Summit Meeting as it is known today. by the government of Japan. 26 in Kutchan, Hokkaido Prefecture food culture, has recently gained much on the supply of global commons for toward great success. 0 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Nov. 22 and reputation at home and abroad. More- realizing global growth such as quality 23 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture over, Osaka has thrived as a merchant infrastructure and global health. As the The text is an edited excerpt of Prime Min- Overall, the G20 Summit meeting brings city and has constantly sought to take in presidency, we will exert strong leader- ister Shinzo Abe’s message on the govern- together the heads of member and guest new ideas. It is a place where the spirit ship in discussions aimed toward resolv- ment’s G20 website (https://www.g20. nations as well as representatives of invited and willingness to take on new chal- ing global issues such as climate change org/en/). global organizations. Traditionally, the PAGE: 1 B2 | The Japan Times | Tuesday, March 5, 2019 G20 host cities special Osaka, Osaka Prefecture A vibrant landscape of cultural dynamism With a history of about 1,400 years and of bamboo.” It is also one of the few muse- long flourishing as a commercial center, ums in the world that is located completely Osaka is never boring, with its mix of tradi- underground, according to the museum. tional and contemporary attractions. There is much Among them are Osaka Castle, Tsuten- to explore in the kaku Tower and the 300-meter-tall Abeno downtown areas Harukas, the country’s tallest building. These of Osaka, which and other landmarks frame the unique food are split into the culture of the vibrant metropolis that is also Kita (north) and known for its hospitality and friendly locals. Minami (south) The venue of the June 28 and 29 G20 areas, among other Summit Meeting is also known as an aqua districts. metropolis. The city’s waterways are among Kita is home its more prominent features, including the to Osaka Station Yodo River that flows from Lake Biwa into Osaka resident and Japan’s lon- Osaka Bay. They have historically bolstered Ibai Vinas Ameztoy gest shopping the city’s prosperity and development into a street — the whop- commercial hub. ping 2.6-kilometer-long Tenjinbashisuji Shinsekai district, with Tsutenkaku Tower in the distance. ©OSAKA CONVENTION & TOURISM BUREAU A night view of Nakanoshima. AQUA METROPOLIS OSAKA There are various types of cruises available Shotengai featuring about 600 shops and day and night, including an amphibious bus restaurants.