Highlighting JAPAN

Courtesy Call on Prime Minister Abe by Mr. William (Bill) Henry Gates III, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

On December 16, Prime Minister Abe received a courtesy call from Mr. Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, before the opening of the International Conference on Universal Health Coverage in the New Development Era, held in Tokyo.

Japan-Australia Summit Meeting and Other Events

On December 18, Prime Minister Abe hosted a summit meeting and other events for the Hon. Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House and elsewhere. First, the two leaders held a meeting in a tearoom at the Urasenke Tokyo Branch. Next, at the Akasaka Palace State Guest House, the two leaders received a salute and attended a ceremony by the guard of honor and then held a summit meeting. Following this, the leaders made a joint statement to the press.

Unveiling of the Official Logo for the G7 Japan 2016 Ise-Shima Summit and Award Ceremony

On December 28, Prime Minister Abe unveiled the official logo for the G7 Japan 2016 Ise-Shima Summit, and an award ceremony was held at the Prime Minister’s Office. The selected logo was designed by Ms. Shiho Utsumiya from Oita Prefecture’s Tsurusaki Kougyou High School. Prime Minister Abe explained, “I believe that the work is a well-balanced design, combining the Japanese flag, cherry blossom petals, and the blue sea in the background, and expresses Japan’s natural beauty in a simple manner.”

Courtesy Call from Representatives of the Ship for World Youth Leaders

On January 20, Prime Minister Abe received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister’s Office from representatives of the Ship for World Youth Leaders, which is part of the Next Generation Global Leaders Program FY2015. Prime Minister Abe offered his wishes that the experience would be a precious asset for all of their futures, and that they would utilize it to fulfill roles as youth leaders in their respective countries.