In the International Hall of CEI Day May 31, 2016, we had as a guest Mr. Gonzalo de Benito Secades, ambassador of Spain in Tokyo, speaking to a group of businessmen, academics world and journalism.
El embajador de España en Tokio, Gonzalo de Benito Secades, began giving an overview of the current situation, with particular emphasis on the economic situation. After a period of instability during the 90s, due to the outbreak of a financial and real estate bubble and more recently, the Fukushima disaster, Japan is going through a period of economic recovery. With the coming to power in December 2012, Shinzo Abe new economic measures were carried out, the known “Abenomics”. The “Abenomics” are economic policies aimed at fiscal consolidation, structural reforms and an expansionary monetary policy. The result of these policies has been in recent years with the growth of GDP. In 2015, Japan’s GDP grew by 0.5% and the forecast for the year 2016 is 0.8%. modest numbers when compared with other powers like the US or China, but optimistic figures reflecting Japan’s economic recovery.
International Classroom – Japan – CEI International Affairs
Along with this economic stability, Japan is also experiencing a period of great political stability. Shinzo Abe’s government has an absolute majority and has a strong strategic vision of the country. It has also been made in his government, a review of defense policy. It seeks greater international involvement and a proactive contribution to peace, defending the right of collective self-defense. Japan wants to help the allied countries, contributing their self-defense forces. It is a major change, if we consider that since World War II, Japan has remained on the sidelines of an active stance on the ground.
As regards relations between Spain and Japan, the ambassador stressed the existence of a clear framework for them. Since October 2013 we have the agreement “Partnership for Peace, Growth and Innovation”, valid until 2018, which seeks to develop relations between the two countries in political and security issues, economic cooperation, science and technology, tourism and cultural exchanges. An important approach and strengthening these relations step is the direct flight between Madrid and Tokyo, Iberia will operate from October this year, favoring the relationship between the two countries, especially the strong Japanese tourism to Spain.
The objectives for the coming years, especially in the biennium 2016-2018, is to carry out the signing of bilateral agreements on issues of air services, tourism and sports cooperation, economic and industrial dialogue and exchange between diplomatic schools of both countries. In addition, it is working on an official visit of the King of Spain to Japan and the celebration of the 150th anniversary of diplomatic relations, to be held in 2018.
International Classroom – Japan – CEI International Affairs
In this favorable outlook, the ambassador spoke of the need to improve understanding between the two countries to facilitate approach and improve, especially economic exchanges, since both Spanish imports to Japan, and imports it to Spain, not exceed 1% of the same.
En el debate que ha seguido a la intervención del embajador, la periodista Rosa María Calaf, destacó la incorporación de las mujeres al labor market and positive consequence for economic recovery. In addition, Calaf highlighted the challenge of aging of the Japanese population that has a third of its population over 65 years old.
To the question of one of the participants on the future of Japan, Ambassador Benito Secades wanted to emphasize that the country will not offer level rise of countries like China or India but the energy sector, especially renewable energy, together with pharmaceuticals and footwear sectors are promising.
Finally, a subject that was treated with special interest by several entrepreneurs, was the benefits that a stopover in Barcelona flight between Madrid and Tokyo would bring to the city, especially for the tourism sector.
Article written by:
Ms. Carolina Torrecilha Valgañón
Student of the Preparaction to Join the Diplomatic Corps.
E-Secretaria
Campus Virtual (Másteres)
Moodle