This workshop takes stock of major developments in Japan and the EU to explore ways through which we should better interpret the recent push for energy transition, digitalisation, their emphasis on universal values.
Keynotes by
Kono Taro | Member of the House of Representatives of Japan
Kitaoka Shinichi | Outgoing President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency
This policy workshop takes stock of major developments in Japan and the EU to explore ways through which we should better interpret the recent push for energy transition, digitalisation, their emphasis on universal values. The re-emergence of traditional security threats across the Indo-Pacific is accompanied by the progressive securitisation of the global commons, thus questioning our economic revitalisation following the COVID-19 crisis.
The workshop is delighted to welcome former Minister of Foreign Affairs and of Defense, among others, Kono Taro who will explore in an online discussion (by invitation only) the potential for Japan-EU policy coordination in the wake of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Moreover, we are delighted to have outgoing president of the Japan International Cooperation Agency Kitaoka Shinichi to discuss his proposal in favour of a West Pacific Union. The concept of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) is taking firm hold as a new core vision of Japan’s foreign policy and is being widely shared with regional and global players. It has been endorsed at the US-Japan and Group of Seven (G7) summit meetings. So far, however, there has not been sufficient discussion about specific approaches to promote it. In particular, the discussion on Southeast Asia, the region where the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean meet, has been insufficient. Should Southeast Asia come under the strong influence of China, the significance of FOIP would be halved.
Since 2020 President Kitaoka, currently special advisor to the new president, has been proposing the establishment of a Western Pacific Union (WPU) at the heart of the FOIP as a loose regional association by grouping the Western Pacific countries (Indonesia, the Philippines, and Viet Nam), Australia and Pacific Island Countries. The proposed WPU aims to contribute to the regional and world’s peace and prosperity, while not confronting China directly, by upholding the principles of freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
By invitation only.