11.16.2023

JCS was Responsible for Running the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Osaka-Sakai

---

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) organized the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Osaka-Sakai in Osaka and Sakai Cities on Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29. The meeting was held as one of the ministerial-level meetings of the G7 Hiroshima Summit and was cochaired by Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa and METI Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura. Dialog occurred on rules to govern trade on a global scale. As the G7 Presidency, Japan led discussions on efforts to maintain and strengthen the free and fair trading system and enhance economic security and put together the G7 Trade Ministers’ Statement.

The meeting was attended by the G7 ministers responsible for trade, and the outreach session held on Saturday, October 28 brought together ministers of non-G7 partners (Australia, Chile, India, Indonesia, and Kenya), heads of international organizations (World Trade Organization, Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, and Economic Research Institute for ASEAN, East Asia), and business leaders. JCS was responsible for running the first G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting, which included resource-rich countries and emerging or developing economies.

An International Media Center PR Zone was installed in the venue for foreign delegates and the Japanese and foreign press to disseminate information about regional attractiveness to the world. In the PR Zone, municipalities mainly from southern Osaka showcased uniquely Osaka-esque specialty products, culture, and history. There were also numerous exhibition booths set up by organizations such as the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition and by private sector companies.

During the meeting, a welcome event was hosted by Sakai City, which was a flourishing international trading hub in the medieval period. Visitors were treated to the performance of Futon Daiko (a float that contains taiko drums), which has a long history in Sakai, and the ceremony of the “way of tea” (chanoyu), which was perfected by Sakai-born tea master Sen no Rikyu. The captivating history, traditions, and culture of Sakai were shown to the world.

JCS was also responsible for planning and running the PR Zone and welcome events organized by the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting 2023 Osaka-Sakai Promotion Cooperation Council.
We sincerely thank all the participants and stakeholders of the G7 Trade Ministers’ Meeting in Osaka-Sakai and the associated events. JCS will continue to leverage our half century of international conference management expertise to make our client’s conference a success.