Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Tokyo, where he is set to meet with Japanese leaders in his first bilateral visit to Asia since taking office.
During his two-day visit, Trudeau is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, the emperor and empress, as well as leaders in the automotive industry. On Thursday, Trudeau will join other world leaders at the G7 summit in the Japanese city of Ise-Shima.
The goal of Trudeau's meetings with the Japanese leaders will be to strengthen trade and investment relations between the two countries.
Japan was once Canada's second-largest trading partner, roughly 20 years ago. However, Japan has since slipped to fifth place, surpassed over the years by China, Mexico and the U.K.
Trudeau and Abe will discuss plans to revive the Japanese economy, which has been stagnating for years, despite Abe's stimulus plans.
Trudeau will also be working to convince Japanese auto makers to invest in Canada, selling them on Canada's experienced manpower and existing auto plants, reports CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Joyce Napier.
Other items on the agenda include investment, security, education and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Benoit Hardy-Chartrand, Asia-Pacific Expert at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, said that if ratified, the TPP could benefit the Canadian mining and oil industry. As well, Japan will be expecting to import more liquefied natural gas from Canada. Japan is the world's largest buyer of LNG.
With Japan hosting the G7 summit this year, experts expect the issue of security and China to be raised, Hardy-Chartrand said.
"China looms very large on Japan's radar," Hardy-Chartrand told 麻豆传媒 Channel, noting the tensions between the two countries involving disputes over territory in the South China Sea.
He said Japan may look to Canada to play a bigger role in security issues, be it as a neutral observer or mediator.
Generally, Japan will be looking to develop a broader relationship with Canada, rather than one that focuses primarily on trade, he said, adding that security and humanitarian assistance are areas that could be enhanced under Trudeau's government.
Perrin Beatty, the president and CEO of The Canadian Chamber of Commerce, told 麻豆传媒 Channel that TPP, energy exports and a 鈥渃lear statement鈥� from Canada signalling its commitment to manufacturing and the auto industry are the key to a successful trade relationship between Canada and Japan.
