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METI State Minister Nakatani Visits Israel and Jordan

Japanese

July 21, 2023

External Economic Policy

From July 10 (Mon.) to 13 (Thur.), 2023, Mr. Nakatani Shinichi, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, visited Israel and Jordan. In Jordan, he held meetings with related ministers and participated in a Jordan-Japan Business Forum. In Israel, he held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Nir Barkat, Minister of Economy and Industry, and exchanged views with the representatives of local startups, experts in the field of cybersecurity, and representatives of Japanese companies developing business in the country.

1. Israel

(1) Meeting with Minister Barkat (July 10)

The two sides exchanged views on a variety of issues, including the Joint Study Group on the Possibility of a Japan-Israel Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), an entrepreneurship development and overseas  dispatch programs targeting entrepreneurs and others, the potential for cooperation in the field of cybersecurity, and the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. In addition, they confirmed that Japan and Israel will continue to collaborate in order to develop their economic ties.

(2) Meeting with H.E. Dr. Daniel Gold, Head, Defense Research and Development Directorate (DDR&D), Ministry of National Security (July 10)

The two sides focused on the field of cybersecurity and exchanged views on certain issues, including the utilization of dual-use technologies and ideal approaches to collaboration with startups.

(3) Exchanging views with representatives of Israeli startups (July 10)

Representatives of some Israeli companies and startups in the fields of cybersecurity, the environment, space, and drones gave pitch presentations. State Minister Nakatani exchanged views with them and talked about the potential for cooperation with Japan.

(4) Exchanging views with representatives of Japanese companies developing business in Israel (July 10)

State Minister Nakatani held a meeting with representatives of Japanese companies developing business in Israel and exchanged views with them on the ideal approaches to achieve this, challenges therein, and other issues.

(5) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Gaby Portnoy, Director General, Israel National Cyber Directorate (July 11)

The two sides held discussions on the future enhancement of Japan-Israel collaboration, including Israel’s cybersecurity policies and human resource development of cybersecurity professionals.

(6) Meeting with Professor Yuval Elovici of Ben-Gurion University and facility visits related to cybersecurity (July 11)

The two sides exchanged views on cybersecurity research and cybersecurity measures for systems using AI at Ben-Gurion University, as well as other issues.

In addition, State Minister Nakatani visited the Israeli Cyber Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the National Lab for Infrastructure, Energy, Industrial Control Systems and Cybersecurity (INCL-Lab) and exchanged opinions on collaboration with private companies engaged in cybersecurity measures and human resource development.

2. Jordan

(1) Participating in the Jordan-Japan Business Forum (July 12)

A Jordan-Japan Business Forum was held in Amman, the capital city of Jordan. As a representative of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, State Minister Nakatani attended the forum and delivered opening remarks. He conveyed a message hoping for further development of Japan-Jordan economic exchange. Some ministers from the Jordan side held speeches and explained the investment environment in Jordan and the potential for collaboration in respective fields.

(2) Meeting with H.E. Dr. Saleh A. Al-Kharabsheh, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (July 12)

State Minister Nakatani and Minister Kharabsheh exchanged views on the potential for critical minerals in Jordan and other issues. In addition, they confirmed that Japan and Jordan will continue to collaborate in order to develop Japan-Jordan economic ties, mainly in the field of critical minerals.

(3) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Ahmad Al Hanandeh, Minister of Digital Economy and Entrepreneurship (July 12)

State Minister Nakatani and Minister Hanandeh exchanged views on the potential for cooperation in the fields of semiconductors and startups. In addition, they confirmed that Japan and Jordan will continue to collaborate in order to develop Japan-Jordan economic ties, mainly in fields related to digital technology and startups.

(4) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Yousef Mahmoud Al Shamali, Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, and H.E. Ms. Zeina Toukan, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation (July 12)

State Minister Nakatani, Minister Shamali, and Minister Toukan exchanged views on the potential for cooperation in such fields as bilateral trade, semiconductors, and critical minerals, and on the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. In addition, they confirmed that Japan and Jordan will continue to collaborate in order to develop Japan-Jordan economic ties.

Division in Charge

Middle East and Africa Division, Trade Policy Bureau

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