8 | The Japan Times | Friday, April 20, 2018 (Sponsored content) G20 Summit 2019 Demonsrating leadership to foser global growth apan is preparing to welcome guests with omotenashi — quintessentially Japanese hospitality — as it redoubles J its determination to take a strong lead- ership role to achieve dynamic world eco- nomic growth and increased prosperity Kutchan, Hokkaido Pref.: Tourism Ministers’ Meeting when it hosts in 2019 the Group of 20 (G20) Summit Meeting in Osaka and its related ministerial meetings around Japan. First G20 Summit in Japan While Japan has successfully hosted the G7 Niigata, Niigata Pref.: Summit, U.N. conferences, Asia-Pacifc Eco- World leaders pose at the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany, in 2017. Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting nomic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ meet- CABINET PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICE ings, and many other major international meetings over the past 40 years, this will be mit is expected to have a signifcant impact counterterrorism, as well as immigration the frst time the country hosts the annual on world economic growth and prosperity,” and refugee issues. Karuizawa, Nagano Pref.: gathering of G20 leaders. the foreign minister said. “Japan is determined Ministerial Meeting on Energy Transitions and The meeting will bring together the to exercise strong leadership during its presi- Osaka and eight municipalities Global Environment for Sustainable Growth members of the G7 (France, the United dency and host the Summit successfully.” The G20 Summit will take place from June States, the United Kingdom, Germany, 28 to 29 in Osaka. There are eight other Japan, Italy, Canada and the European Premier economic forum ministerial meetings planned across Japan. Okayama, Okayama Pref.: Tsukuba, Ibaraki Pref.: Union), as well as Argentina, Australia, G20 meetings began in 1999 when G7 Fukuoka will host one for fnance ministers Health Ministers’ Meeting Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, the fnancial ministers and central bank gover- and central bankers, while a foreign minis- Ministerial Meeting on Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, nors sought to meet with a broader group ters’ meeting is scheduled to take place in Trade and Digital Economy South Africa and Turkey. Heads of guest of their counterparts to better address Aichi Prefecture. countries and international organizations international issues. The frst G20 meeting A gathering of tourism ministers is slated for will also attend. at the summit level was held in Washing- Kutchan, Hokkaido Prefecture, and an agricul- In the run-up to the Summit, ministerial ton, D.C., in November 2008 to address the tural ministers’ meeting will be held in Niigata. meetings will be held in various locations economic and fnancial crisis triggered by Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, will have a Matsuyama, Ehime Pref.: around the country. the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers. ministerial meeting on energy transitions and Labour and Employment Aichi Pref.: “Making the most of this opportunity These summits were conducted twice global environment for sustainable growth. Ministers’ Meeting Foreign Ministers’ Meeting that would see a host of delegates and jour- a year until 2010 and then annually, begin- Tsukuba, Ibaraki Prefecture, will host a nalists visit Japan, we’d like to show the ning with the 2011 gathering in France. The conference on trade and the digital econ- world our omotenashi spirit and the wealth 2019 Summit will be the 14th. Argentina omy, and a health ministers’ meeting will of attractions Japan has to ofer, including will host the 2018 Summit from Nov. 30 to take place in Okayama, while Matsuyama, local cuisine and other points unique to Dec. 1, while Saudi Arabia will host the 2020 Ehime Prefecture, will see labor and each host municipality,” Prime Minister meeting. employment ministers gather. Shinzo Abe emphasized. Designated as the “premier forum for In this special, the leaders of host munici- international economic cooperation” at the palities talked about the unique attractions Osaka, Osaka Pref.: Contributing to prosperity Pittsburgh meeting in September 2009, the each place has to ofer and their expecta- Summit Meeting Noting that this will be the largest Summit G20 Summit has had a tremendous impact tions for the meetings. to ever convene in Japan, Foreign Minister on various felds, especially the world Taro Kono underscored the signifcance of economy. “G20 Summit 2019” pages are sponsored by Fukuoka, Fukuoka Pref.: the meeting and expressed the country’s At G20 summits, leaders discuss a wide the government of Japan. Finance Ministers and range of issues facing the global commu- determination to carry out strong leader- Central Bank Governors’ Meeting ship under its presidency. nity, including the world economy, trade “The G20 accounts for over 80 percent of and investment, development, climate and global gross domestic product, so the Sum- energy, employment, digital topics and Osaka, Osaka Pref.: Summit Meeting Touting global goals, hos city welcomes summit guess ICHIRO MATSUI/HIROFUMI YOSHIMURA rate advanced technologies as part of its that also enjoys convenient access to the GOVERNOR OF OSAKA/MAYOR OF OSAKA push to be a “Future Society for Our Lives.” city’s center. With three airports, including That is to say, it aspires to develop a sustain- Kansai International Airport with round- With a population of 8.83 million and a able society where all people — regardless the-clock arrivals and departures, serving gross domestic product of approximately of age and gender — are able to live happy it, Osaka has outstanding ease of access for ¥39 trillion, Osaka is a major city of com- and healthy lives. It is also now working both domestic and international visitors. merce in Japan and has been since olden to invite World Expo 2025 to Osaka in a Even now, both the city and the prefec- times. Its fundamental spirit is one of manner consistent with the principles of ture, together with the rest of the Osaka respecting traditions while also embracing the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals community, are aiming to become an inter- the spirit of taking on challenges. It is an Osaka Mayor Hirofumi Yoshimura (lef) and (SDGs), aiming to make it an opportunity national city that represents Japan right area brimming with manufacturing com- Osaka Governor Ichiro Matsui to communicate these advanced eforts alongside Tokyo. By successfully holding The leaders’ summit is scheduled to take place at the Intex Osaka convention center. panies known for their can-do approach throughout the world. We hope to send this summit through eforts involving all of of “there is nothing we cannot make.” It health area, including water purifcation out these eforts through the G20 Summit Osaka, the prefecture and the city hope to international city. and that they experience the very fnest in has also been contributing to the world in technologies. as well. internationally enhance Osaka’s degree of Osaka sincerely hopes that all those hospitality. The city also hopes participants the feld of life sciences, including in regen- Alongside much of the world, Japan now The summit is scheduled to take place at name recognition, how it is regarded, while coming to the summit enjoy themselves by will feel the potential and enthusiasm erative medicine making use of induced faces the issue of a super-aging society. Intex Osaka, the largest international trade also having the meeting act as a catalyst encountering its various charms frsthand Osaka holds toward contributing to the pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and the public Osaka promotes endeavors that incorpo- fair and exhibition center in western Japan for robust growth toward becoming a truly in terms of history, culture, and other areas, resolution of global issues. Kutchan, Hokkaido Pref.: Tourism Minisers' Meeting Niigata, Niigata Pref.: Agriculture Ministers' Meeting Susainably evolving into international resort Agricultural powerhouse on a sustainable path EIJI NISHIE AKIRA SHINODA MAYOR OF KUTCHAN MAYOR OF NIIGATA The city of Niigata The foremost sym- tempts its visitors bol of the town of with Koshihikari, one Kutchan is Mount of the varieties of its Yotei, one of Japan’s premium rice, exqui- 100 most famous site top-of-the-line mountains. Looking sake made from rice, up at Mount Yotei is and cuisine featuring another symbol of a wide array of locally the town, developed grown ingredients. through global capi- Designated in 1869 as one of Japan’s fve tal — a cluster of luxury condominiums ports open to international trade, Niigata and hotels in its Niseko-Hirafu district. As has since developed as a major international numerous foreign tourists visit Kutchan, seaport town on the Sea of Japan. enchanted by the powder snow and mag- The city is very accessible. It lies approxi- nifcent views, the town continues to mately two hours from Tokyo by Shinkan- develop as a host community. In fscal 2017, sen bullet train and Niigata Airport is served as many as 350,000 non-Japanese enjoyed Attracted by high-quality powder snow, many foreign skiers and snowboarders visit resorts in Kutchan. by many domestic and international routes. The multipurpose convention center Toki Messe is seen behind the Bandai Bridge on the overnight stays in Kutchan, and it is non- The venue for the G20 Agriculture Minis- Shinano River. Japanese who own most of the 830 condo- In order to prepare a resort environment ronment where various cultures coexist; ters’ Meeting is the Toki Messe, a multipur- miniums located in 73 buildings. in which non-Japanese tourists can enjoy it also ofers facilities and an environment pose convention center featuring a hotel, as sustainable agricultural eforts, while also rants operated by farming families and The town’s superb snow quality had sim- themselves safely and with peace of mind, that can satisfy very high expectations. well as international conference and exhibi- working to increase proftability through incorporate information and communica- ply been a given to the townspeople, but Kutchan provides a general hospital that Visitors can experience stunning felds tion halls.