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PRIME MINISTER'S DIARY

G8 Summit

On May 18 (local time), Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda visited Camp David, the United States, to attend the G8 Summit.

After arriving at Camp David, Prime Minister Noda joined the Japan-EU Summit Meeting with Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council (EU), and Mr. Jose Manuel Durao Barroso, President of the European Commission. Prime Minister Noda then attended the welcome reception held by Mr. Barack Obama, President of the United States, followed by a working dinner (agenda: region and political situation).

On May 19 (local time), after holding talks with Mr. Francois Hollande, President of France, Prime Minister Noda attended Session 1 (agenda: global economy) and Session 2 (agenda: energy and climate change) of the G8 Summit. Then, after attending the working lunch (agenda: Africa and food security), Prime Minister Noda attended Session 3 (agenda: Afghanistan's economic transition), Session 4 (agenda: transitions in the Middle East and North Africa), and Session 5 (agenda: closing session).

At the G8, Camp David Declaration, Fact Sheet (G8 Action on the Deauville Partnership with Arab Countries in Transition, G8 Action on Energy and Climate Change) and Statement by G8 Leaders on Global Oil Markets were released.

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Tomodachi

On April 29 (local time), Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda visited Washington D.C., the United States for a gathering to show appreciation to those who have contributed to the strengthening of Japan-U.S. relations, including people who supported Japan in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake. At the gathering, a booklet titled "Friends—we thank you!" was distributed to the participants. This booklet is a compendium of photographs showing some of the American servicemen and women who contributed to rescue and relief activities following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami as part of "Operation Tomodachi," along with selected photographs posted to the "My Reconstruction News" section on the website of the Prime Minister of Japan.

Prime Minister Noda wrote the following message for the booklet.

"This booklet has been compiled as a token of gratitude for our tomodachi (friends) across the Pacific Ocean, to offer a heartfelt arigato (thank you) from the people of Japan to the people of the United States... I hope that this token of our gratitude may help to sow new seeds of friendship and goodwill among future generations, and that the friendly relations between our two countries will continue to go from strength to strength."

The photos can also be viewed in movie format.

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