This homepage has been designed around a "stepping stones" motif – the welcoming stepping stones that are used in Japanese gardens to gently guide a visitor to a destination. At the Annual Meetings which will be held in Japan in 2012, we will welcome visitors from all over the world with Japanese hospitality and culture, as well as the latest in Japanese technologies.
With growing uncertainty facing the global economy, cooperation and partnership among the countries has never been more important. The Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, to be held in Tokyo in October 2012, will aim to promote global economic stability and to deliver a promising new start.
Following the first Tokyo Annual Meetings in 1964, this will mark the second time that these meeting are held in Tokyo.
Together with the Tokyo Olympics that were held in the same year, the 1964 Annual Meetings were an opportunity to promote Japan to the world and one of the driving forces behind Japan’s post-war new start.
A half century has passed since.
Japan presented itself as a candidate nation to host the 2012 Annual Meetings in hopes of once again achieving a new start.
We want the people of the world to see a nation that is in the process of a strong recovery following the devastating earthquake.
We want to demonstrate the underlying power of the Japanese economy through our unique advanced technologies and services, and by conducting a global event with perfect efficiency.
At the Annual Meetings here in Japan, where the importance of partnership and solidarity is well understood and appreciated, we want to strengthen the bonds between the countries and forge the global resolve to sweep away the uncertainty surrounding the global economy.
October 2012: From Tokyo, a promising new start for Japan and the global economy
Hiroshi Naka
Secretary General
The Japan Secretariat for the 2012 Annual Meetings of the International
Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group,
Ministry of Finance, Japan
Other related events are expected to be held from October 9. Information will be provided as soon as they are confirmed.
The meetings and most events will be held at these two venues, however some of the program will be held at the Hotel Okura Tokyo. Information will be provided as soon as they are confirmed.
> Contact Information;
The Japan Secretariat for the 2012 Annual Meetings of
the IMF and the World Bank Group Tel: +81-3-3581-4111 (Ext 5006,5009)
E-MAIL：
The Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, held in the autumn of each year, are formal gatherings of the Boards of Governors––the highest decision-making bodies of the two organizations. As customary, once in every three years the Annual Meetings are held outside the organizations’ Washington D.C. headquarters. The 2012 meeting will mark the second time this event has been held in Japan, with the first such meeting held back in 1964. The year will also mark the 60th anniversary of Japan’s membership to the Fund and the Bank.
As the Annual Meetings are attended by finance ministers, central bank governors, and other principals from around the world, the official events will also be complemented by a large number of bilateral conferences, regular meetings of the G7, G20, G24, G10, Commonwealth minister conferences, and other events. The Annual Meetings gather not only ministers and key government officials, but also members of the private sector, including representatives of financial institutions, as well as the media and civil society organizations (CSOs). A number of seminars and symposiums, held during the same week, provide additional opportunities for dialogue and networking. This is one of the largest international conferences in the world. During the meetings period, approximately 200 gatherings of all sizes will be held, attended by 10,000 participants. Total attendance including special guests, as well as private sector, media, and CSO representatives is expected to be approximately 20,000.
Japan, the 3rd largest economy in the world, is home to some 127 million people. The country consists of over 6,000 islands of which the 4 largest islands form most of the land area: Hokkaido, Honshu (main island), Shikoku, and Kyushu.
The country is a patchwork of old and new: busy metropolises mix with beautiful countryside landscapes, high-tech architecture stands next to centuries-old shrines, temples and rock gardens. Pop culture, cutting edge fashion and design live next to traditional arts and crafts.
The people of Japan are known for their industriousness, creativity, longevity, respect for tradition and sincere hospitality.
VISIT JAPAN 2011
> http://www.visitjapan.jp/eng/top.html
JNTO -Japan National Tourism Organization- Global Home Page
> http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/
Japan Tourism Agency
> http://www.mlit.go.jp/kankocho/en/index.html
Tokyo , the capital of Japan and a vibrant heart of the country, is home to the headquarters of many Japanese corporations and financial institutions.
The metropolis, divided into several municipalities, has over 30 million residents. Each district and neighborhood has individual characteristics, offering a myriad of styles for seeing and enjoying Tokyo––something for every interest. The areas of Yurakucho, Hibiya, and Ginza, which neighbor the sites of the 2012 Annual Meetings, are a shopping paradise for global designer brands and Japanese fashion.
Tokyo Metropolitan Government
> http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html
Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau
> http://tcvb.or.jp/en/
A valid passport is required to enter Japan.Participants from certain countries may also require a visa to enter Japan.Currently,passport holders of a number of countries may enter Japan for a short period under a visa waiver program.
Please refer to the following page of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for more information.
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html
If you are not sure whether you require a visa to enter Japan, please check with the nearest Japanese embassy or consulate in your country.
Thanks to the wonderful support of so many people from around the globe, Japan is on the road to recovery and once again looking to the future. The damage sustained in the regions affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake was catastrophic. However, there were many areas of Japan that were unaffected by the disaster. Our country is blessed with a rich natural bounty, and over the years we have cultivated uniquely Japanese technology, culture, and traditions, most of which are alive and well today.
We have joined together as one nation, with the earthquake affected areas as our core, and are working hard to progress along the road to recovery. The first steps toward creating a new Japan have already been taken, and we are steadily continuing on this journey.
