Focussing on global cooperation around aviation and environmental protection priorities, ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano's mission to Japan, which took place from 27 May to 2 June 2023, encompassed bilateral meetings with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan's State Minister, Shunsuke Takei (pictured left), Vice-Minister, Masatoshi Akimoto; and Deputy Director-General for Global Issues, Keiichi Hara.
The President also met with Japan's State Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Toshiro Toyoda (pictured right) and Assistant-Vice Minister for Aviation, Toshiyuki Onuma.
In addition to regional and global aviation safety and security concerns, the leaders exchanged views on sustainable aviation fuel initiatives, notably within the context of achieving the long-term goal of decarbonization of aviation decided at the 41st session of the ICAO Assembly.
The upcoming ICAO Aviation Environment Conservation Committee Steering Group Meeting, to be held in Takamatsu in October this year, was also highlighted in this vein.
On behalf of ICAO, Mr. Sciacchitano expressed the Organization's gratitude for Japan's long standing commitment and contributions towards its activities, and set forth ICAO's safety, security, and sustainability priorities for near and medium term. He also commended the Government and the Aviation Industry of Japan for their commitment to make available and use 10 percent of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) at Japanese airports by 2030.
The mission also featured advocacy and cooperation on similar themes with the leadership of Japanese airline and airport operators. Mr. Sciacchitano's discussions with the CEOs of Japan Airlines, ANA Airlines, Haneda Airport, and Narita International Airport - Messrs. Yuji Akasaka, Koji Shibata, Isao Takashiro, Akihiko Tamura, respectively - reflected ICAO's commitment to assuring mutually beneficial cooperation across the aviation value chain towards achieving global air transport sector's priorities. He additionally gave a lecture to Sophia University students.
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