WT/MIN(22)/ST/89 /Add.1  
12 June 2022 
(22-4526) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR HAYASHI YOSHIMASA  
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS  
JAPAN 
Addendum  
Introduction  
First, let me pay my deepest respect to H.E. Mr. Timur Suleimenov, First Deputy Chief of Staff of 
the President of the Kazakhstan and Chairman of the Twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference, and the 
Government of Kazakhstan, to the Government of Switzerland, and to Dr. Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala, the 
Director -General of the WTO, and her team for their efforts in holding the first Ministerial Confere nce 
in four and a half years in the midst of the pandemic.  
 
The WTO plays an important role as the core of the rule -based, free and open multilateral trading 
system. As the international community faces challenges such as the COVID -19 pandemic and 
Russia's  aggression against Ukraine, let us guide the direction toward which the WTO should go, as 
well as indicate that WTO members remain strongly committed to the multilateral trading system 
and continue to support the international economy through trade at MC1 2. 
 
Views on current international situation  
The world has come to its first turning point since the end of the Cold War.  
 
This aggression is an outrageous act that threatens the very foundation of the international order. 
It has also disrupted the world’s  energy and food supplies and caused problems that extend beyond 
the countries and regions directly involved.  
 
The international community, including WTO members, must unite and respond resolutely to this 
atrocity to maintain the international order.  
 
Food security and supply chain  
Under these circumstances caused by the Russian aggression, the trade -related challenge that WTO 
members should first jointly address at the MC12 is food security and supply chain issues.  
 
At the same time, it is important th at WTO members act in accordance with WTO rules without 
getting caught in a negative spiral of export bans and restrictions that could stop the flow of food 
trade.  
 
As a net importer of food, Japan has stressed the importance of transparency and clarificat ion of 
rules related to export restrictions. I hope that we can take this opportunity for the WTO to provide 
political guidance on agriculture and food security.  
 WT/MIN( 22)/ST/ 89/Add.1  
 
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  Fisheries subsidies negotiations  
The fisheries subsidies negotiations are an ambitious effort  to develop a trade agreement that takes 
into account the environmental aspects of protecting fishery resources. To exhibit the rule -making 
functions of the WTO, we must demonstrate our willingness to reach an agreement in the remaining 
areas of negotiatio n. To protect fishery resources and achieve the SDGs, the outcome agreement 
must be meaningful and effective.  
 
Conclusion  
Japan will contribute to the WTO so that it can continue to play an important role in the global 
economy as the core of a multilatera l trading system. As the world economy undergoes rapid shifts 
brought about by globalization and digitalization and faces new crises such as climate change and 
the pandemic, contributing more flexibly to rule -making in international trade is particularly 
important in order for the WTO to ensure its relevance. Japan is committed to supporting and leading 
the WTO through a plurilateral approach in areas such as e -commerce negotiations.  
 
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