According to the Foreign Ministry, Japan's government plans to designate a dedicated permanent representative focused on World Trade Organization matters for the first time at its Geneva-based permanent mission to international organizations.
This move appears aimed at enhancing collaboration and coordination with other nations within the WTO, which serves as the foundation of the multilateral trading framework, in response to the significant tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on their goods.
"The situation around the multilateral trading system has become even more challenging, but I'll work to achieve results," Katsuro Nagai, deputy chief of mission at the Japanese Embassy in Indonesia, who will arrive as the first representative to the WTO said.
Nagai held a senior diplomatic position at Japan's mission in Geneva, where he represented the country as permanent ambassador to various international bodies, such as the World Trade Organization, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, and the World Intellectual Property Organization.
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In recent years, the WTO has encountered difficulties, notably the halt of its dispute resolution mechanism.
Nagai, who previously served as economic minister at the Geneva mission, said, "I hope to contribute to the creation of new rules and WTO reform by taking advantage of my experience in free trade talks."
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The Director-General had earlier conversations with the Prime Minister and other senior government officials regarding the increasing challenges confronting the global multilateral trade framework, such as escalating commercial disputes and potential system fragmentation risks.
Both parties agreed that during periods of instability and upheaval, the importance of the multilateral trading framework cannot be disputed.
They reaffirmed their mutual dedication to collaborating effectively with each other and fellow WTO member nations to address present and emerging tensions in international commerce, enhance the multilateral trade framework, and pursue substantial WTO reforms.
The significance of unrestricted, transparent, and stable trade as a fundamental catalyst for economic expansion and strengthening the multilateral trade system centered around the WTO emerged as central topics throughout the discussions, as highlighted in the joint press statement.
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Beyond her meeting with the Prime Minister, DG Okonjo-Iweala also held discussions with Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister Takeshi Iwaya, Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato, and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto while visiting Tokyo.