Japan-Israel Joint Press Release

January 20, 2015


H.E. Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, made an official visit to the
State of Israel on January18-20, 2015 and attended a summit meeting with
H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of the State of Israel.

Both sides highly valued the steady development of bilateral relations in
all fields, especially areas outlined in the "Japan-Israel Joint Statement
on Building a New Comprehensive Partnership" following Prime Minister
Netanyahu's official visit to Japan in May 2014. Both sides recognize the
concrete achievements in the areas listed below:

The Director of the Israel Space Agency made the first visit to Japan in
June 2014 and exchanged views with Japan’s space-related ministries and
agencies.

The first visit to Israel by the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and
Industry took place in July 2014. On that occasion the Israel-Japan Business
Forum discussing investment in startup businesses, high-tech research and
development and cyber security was held and the Memorandum of Cooperation in
the fields of industrial research and development between the Ministry of
Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and the Ministry of Economy of the
State of Israel was signed.

The Japanese Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications made his first
visit to Israel in July 2014. This visit strengthened the understanding that
ICT plays a key role in sustainable economy growth and socio-economic
activities with the Minister of Communications of Israel.

Japan’s Diet members visited Israel in July 2014 and reaffirmed their desire
to increase cooperation between members of the Diet and Knesset.

The Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Cooperation on Industrial
Research and Development between the New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization and MATIMOP – The Israel Industry Center for R&D
was signed in July 2014.

In October 2014, the Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology and the visiting Israeli Minister of Science,
Technology and Space exchanged views and affirmed the importance of further
science and technology cooperation.

A Japan Culture Week was held in Jerusalem in October 2014 where various
aspects of Japanese culture, including food, were introduced. Israeli
cultural activities were also held across Japan.

An Israel-Japan working session on R&D cooperation, cyber cooperation and
trade investment promotion was held during the visit of Israeli business
leaders, headed by the Director General of the Prime Minister's Office, to
Japan in November 2014.

The first dialogue between Japan and Israelon cyber security was held in
Tokyo in November 2014.

The Israeli Minister of Education and the Japanese Minister of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology exchanged views and ideas, and
discussed future cooperation in the field of education and youth exchange
during the Israeli Minister's visit to Japan in November 2014.

The Eighth Strategic Consultation between Japan and Israel was held in Tokyo
in December 2014.

In December 2014, officials from Japan’s National Security Secretariat
visited Israel and exchanged views with officials from Israel’s National
Security Council at the senior officials level.

The Memorandum of Cooperation Concerning Scientific Cooperation between
Japan Science and Technology Agency and the Israeli Ministry of Science,
Technology and Space was signed in January 2015. They concurred with the
implementation of the corroborative research program in the field of ICT.

Prime Minister Abe welcomed the "Plan to Strengthen Economic Ties and
Cooperation with Japan" approved by the Israeli Cabinet earlier this month.

Both sides emphasized the necessity to continue advancing efforts in the
abovementioned areas and to promote cooperation in other areas as follows:

Promoting exchanges between the defense establishments of Japan and Israel.

Cooperating in the field of new energy and cyber security.

Opening an Israeli trade office in Osaka for the Kansai Region.

Holding a preparatory meeting for the launch of negotiations on an
investment agreement.

Holding the seventh Japan-Israel Science and Technology Joint Committee
meeting.

Holding the seventh economic joint working group meeting.

Increasing joint research grants awarded by Israel by 50% in 2015.

Advancing plans in Israel for the visit of 500 young leaders from Japan over
three years.

Promoting two-way tourism by both countries.

Advancing mutual efforts to make progress on issues such as direct flights,
arrangements for working holidays, etc.

Promoting bilateral cooperation and exchanges in the field of sport under
"Sport for Tomorrow" programme.

Both sides also discussed regional issues and affirmed their commitment to
continuing to cooperate closely for peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific
and Middle Eastern regions.