"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Video Message by Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan for the Reykjavík Global Forum 2023

[Place]
[Date] November 14, 2023
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

Distinguished colleagues and friends,

I would like to congratulate the Women Political Leaders, the Government of Iceland, and the Parliament of Iceland for hosting the Reykjavík Global Forum 2023.

I have been working as a WPL Ambassador since 2016 and I am grateful for the results of our work on the "WPL Summit 2019" held in Japan. I'm honored to send a message to this Forum, in which I have been so deeply involved, now as the first female Foreign Minister of Japan in about 20 years.

The WPL Summit 2019 Outcome Declaration notes that promoting women's rights and enhancing women's participation in public life in the Asia- Pacific region contributes to advancement not only in the region, but across the world. It also recognizes the importance of bringing more women's perspectives to all policies, including the construction of a disaster resilient society that responds to the needs of the people.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am working hard on the promotion of Women,

Peace and Security, or WPS. The concept of WPS is that we have a better chance to achieve sustained peace when women hold leadership positions and actively participate in conflict resolution, reconstruction, and peacebuilding, while working on protecting and helping women and girls. This notion corresponds to the WPL Summit 2019 Outcome Declaration. In order to promote WPS, I established a parliamentary league on WPS in Japan last year. Furthermore, since my appointment as the Foreign Minister, I have emphasized the importance of WPS on various occasions, including at the United Nations High-level Week and my recent visit to ASEAN countries.

Today's Forum will cover themes of great importance today, such as "Digital Technology and Generative AI" and "The Future of Cities." The perspectives of the "WPL Summit 2019" and WPS are important for these themes as well. For example, I understand that climate change will be discussed in the "Future of Cities" session. Due to climate change and other factors, we are witnessing an increasing number of natural disasters in many parts of the world. The concept of WPS can also apply to disaster risk reduction and disaster response.

I expect that this forum will be an occasion for discussion with such perspectives in mind. I hope this forum will also serve as an opportunity to further promote gender equality and women's empowerment.

Thank you very much.