WT/MIN(22)/ST/ 89 
12 June 2022 
(22-4527) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Twelfth Session  
Geneva, 12 -15 June 2022  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR HAGIUDA KOICHI  
MINISTER OF ECONOMY, TRADE AND INDUSTRY  
JAPAN 
I'm Hagiuda Koichi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.  
 
In delivering this speech, I must first touch on the geopolitical crisis that we face. The recent Russian 
invasion of Ukraine is an attempt to change the status quo unilaterally through force, and is a clear 
violation of international law. Japan will absol utely not tolerate this, and condemns it in the strongest 
terms possible. We call for an immediate cessation of this aggression.  
 
In order to tie together, through trade, the global economy that has been divided by Russia 's actions, 
I hereby call again on  all members to strengthen the WTO. WTO reform is as urgent as ever.  
 
As the environment surrounding international trade changes drastically, the WTO must respond to 
the need for rule -making. To that end, we should launch and conduct negotiations in a flex ible 
manner among like -minded members, rather than always waiting for a multilateral consensus to 
start negotiations. We are confident that such negotiations, open to all WTO members, will ultimately 
contribute to multilateral decision -making.  
 
For example , in the e -commerce negotiations co -chaired by Japan, 86 WTO members have chosen 
to participate, and we have already achieved convergence on 8 articles, with the aim to do so on 
the majority of issues by the end of this year. The creation of rules for digi tal trade that realize data 
free flow with trust will accelerate the development of the global digital economy.  
 
Talks on environmental sustainability have also begun. Let 's advance discussions quickly on 
facilitating the dissemination of products and tech nologies that contribute to the reduction of 
greenhouse gas emissions, including by addressing regulatory measures, and on what measures 
should be taken to protect the environment in terms of trade policy.  
 
On addressing challenges to secure a level playing field, such as rules for industrial subsidies, I 'd 
like to start discussions at the WTO at an appropriate time, with MC13 in mind.  
 
In parallel to these efforts, there is an urgent need to respond to the damage to the dispute 
settlement function, i n order to ensure compliance with WTO rules by all. The importance that Japan 
attaches to governance through WTO rules is demonstrated by Japan 's active use of dispute 
settlement procedures even after the suspension of the Appellate Body. We will work with  other 
WTO members to reform the dispute settlement system towards MC13.  
 
Next, a word on a challenge facing us every day, the response to the pandemic.  
 
Securing medical supplies has become an issue for all WTO members. Under such circumstances, 
what can the WTO do to maintain supply chains, including by restraining the use of export 
restrictions?  
 
We need to demonstrate our political will, here and now, to fulfil the power of trade in our response 
to current and future pandemics.  
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  Japan has been promoting  initiatives such as COVAX to enable the supply of vaccines to developing 
countries. On the handling of intellectual property rights, we wish to contribute to discussions to find 
a landing zone.  
 
The WTO is the only international organization that can fost er an environment for the economic 
growth of both developed and developing members.  
 
With the world 's eyes on MC 12 this week, let 's send a message from Geneva that the WTO is fully 
capable of dealing with the difficulties that it faces.  
 
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