Kishida in France to address OECD Ministerial Council as chair country leader

Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio arrived in France on Wednesday.

He will attend on Thursday a meeting of the Ministerial Council of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which Japan chairs this year.

In a speech he plans to deliver during the talks, Kishida is to explain Japan's efforts to promote what he calls a "new form of capitalism." The prime minister will stress the importance of maintaining and strengthening a free and fair economic order.

Kishida also intends to announce Japan's commitment to tackling global issues, including the use of generative artificial intelligence and climate change.

In particular, Kishida is to disclose plans to establish an international framework to discuss creating rules for governing AI. He also plans to announce support for the practical use of technology to provide information on those placing articles and advertisements on the internet as a measure against fake information.

Kishida also will express his intention to strengthen cooperation with Southeast Asian countries.

In France, Kishida will hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron at a working lunch to discuss their response to China, which continues to ramp up its maritime activities, among other issues.

The two will likely confirm cooperation in the security and economic fields as well as the promotion of human exchanges.