Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development spoke with Yoko Kamikawa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan on the margins of the second G7 Trade and Investment Ministers' meeting in Osaka, Japan. Minister Ng congratulated Minister Kamikawa on Japan's successful G7 Presidency.
During the meeting, Minister Ng highlighted the strong bilateral relationship between the two countries and underscored Canada's growing partnership with Japan in trade, investment, and innovation. To that end, Minister Ng highlighted the successes of Minister Nishimura's recent visit to Canada, which included the signing of Memorandums of Cooperation on Battery Supply Chains and Industrial Science and Technology research and development that will enhance economic and energy security between both countries.
As strong allies in support of rules-based international order both ministers discussed efforts to support an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core. Minister Ng emphasized the importance of continued engagement under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to foster its relevance and ambition, and she discussed Canada's priorities as 2024 CPTPP Commission Chair.
Minister Ng highlighted that she is looking forward to the start of the Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan in the coming days, with a significant Canadian business delegation from a wide array of sectors. As a key initiative under Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, the Trade Mission will create trade and investment opportunities for both countries in the areas of clean technologies, agriculture and processed foods, information communications technologies, creative industries and many others.
The 2 ministers discussed the importance of inclusive economic growth, recognizing the importance of women's economic empowerment. Minister Ng reiterated that enhancing relations with Japan as a likeminded partner in the Indo-Pacific is a priority for Canada and both ministers discussed ways to further advance Canada, and Japan's shared interests in the region and globally.
