Abstract

Southeast Asia is an important partner for Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), a vision declared by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in August 2016. However, while Japan’s influence in Southeast Asia used to be strong, it is now being challenged by the trade with and investment from China. How should Japan reestablish its ties with Southeast Asian countries? This seminar will discuss the ways that Japan could further its relations with Southeast Asia, particularly through a “Western Pacific Union” (comprising Japan, Republic of Korea, ASEAN member states, Australia, Bangladesh, and the Pacific Island countries) as proposed by the speaker.

About the Speaker

Kitaoka Shinichi is Emeritus Professor of the University of Tokyo and Rikkyo University, and Special Advisor to the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). His specialty is modern Japanese politics and diplomacy. He obtained his B.A. (1971) and his Ph.D. (1976) both from the University of Tokyo.

Dr Kitaoka’s career includes President of JICA (Oct 2015-Mar 2022), President of the International University of Japan (2012-2015), Professor of National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) (2012-), Professor of Graduate Schools for Law and Politics, the University of Tokyo (1997-2004, 2006-2012), Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations (2004-2006), and Professor of College of Law and Politics, Rikkyo University (1985-1997).

He served on a variety of government panels, including as deputy chair of the Advisory Panel on the History of the 20th Century and on Japan’s Role and the World Order in the 21st Century in 2015. He received many honors and awards including the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2011 for his academic achievements in 2011.

He has numerous books and articles both in Japanese and English. His major books are as follows:

[English Books]

• Self-Respect and Independence of Mind: The Challenge of Fukuzawa Yukichi (Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture (JPIC), 2017)
• The Political History of Modern Japan: Foreign Relations and Domestic Politics (Routledge, 2018)
• From Party Politics to Militarism in Japan, 1924–1941(Lynne Rienner Publishers in association with JPIC, 2021)
• GOTŌ SHINPEI, Statesman of Vision: Research, Public Health, and Development (JPIC, 2021)

 [Japanese Books]

• Kiyosawa Kiyoshi [Biography of Kiyoshi Kiyosawa] (Tokyo: Chuokoron-sha, 1987; Expanded Edition, Tokyo: Chuokoron-Shinsha, 2004).
• Nichibei kankei no realism [Realism in Japan-U.S. Relations] (Tokyo: Chuokoron-sha, 1991).
• Jiminto [The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan: The 38 Years in Power] (Tokyo: The Yomiuri Shimbun, 1995; Tokyo: Chuokoron-Shinsha, 2008).
• Sekai Chizu wo Yomi Naosu [Reviewing the World Map] (Tokyo: Shincho-sha, 2019)
• Meiji Ishin no Imi [The Significance of Meiji Revolution] (Tokyo: Shincho-sha, 2020)