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| Image: Flickr user APEC 2013 |
By Clint Richards
Japan will seek to build on progress in energy, defense and trade with its regional partners next month.
In addition to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s planned trip to Latin America at the end of July, government sources on Thursday indicated that he will also make a trip through Oceania, visiting Papua New Guinea (PNG), New Zealand and Australia starting July 6. The trip will likely address three large Japanese concerns: energy, trade and defense. Abe will probably emphasize only one of these concerns in each country, although the others will come into play to a greater or lesser degree. As these issues are major pillars of Abe’s administration, finding regional partners and addressing their concerns will be a focal point for the government this summer.
Abe’s visit to PNG has been rumored for at least a month, and would be the first visit by a Japanese prime minister since 1985. PNG recently completed a $19 billion liquefied natural gas project, and its first shipment set sail for Japan late last month. A new investment deal between the countries went into effect in January, allowing Japanese businesses to operate under the same rules as domestic companies. Abe is expected to meet with Prime Minister Peter O’Neill – although this will of course require O’Neill to overcome his current problems – and to call for “further improvements in the business environment to encourage Japanese business ventures by allowing greater ease in making investments and starting corporate activities in the country,” according to the Yomiuri Shimbun. The LNG project will supply four main customers in China, Japan and Taiwan, and Abe will want to ensure a smooth beginning to the partnership as Japan’s dependence on natural gas imports increases. He is also expected to address maritime security during his visit.
Read the full story at The Diplomat