Japan has indicated interest in joining the Open Government Partnership, again and tentatively.
The suggestion came in one paragraph of a lengthy joint statement issued after a two day visit to the United Kingdom by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
While well short of a commitment to join, the Japanese government apparently indicated “willingness to accelerate the process of consideration towards joining the Open Government Partnership.”
In addition, FreedomInfo.org has learned that Japan is sending a delegation to the OGP regional meeting in Bali May 6-7.
The paragraph states.
We reiterate our commitment to transparent economies, government and societies, and the UK welcomes Japan’s willingness to accelerate the process of consideration towards joining the Open Government Partnership, which Japan considers an important initiative. We have also decided to work together to promote strong principles of corporate governance.
The UK was the lead co-chairman of the OGP in 2013 and has promoted OGP membership.
Previous hints of Japanese OGP membership have led to nothing. In 2012 Japan pledged, along with the other G-8 members, to assist developing countries with progress towards membership of the OGP.
See October 2013, article by Jeff Kingston, Director of Asian Studies, Temple University Japan, in FreedomInfo.org. Also, a February 2013 article in FreedomInfo.org by Tokyo-based attorney Joel Rheuben.
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