Professor Nobukatsu Kanehara visited Singapore from 17 to 21 February 2025 as part of the Distinguished Visitor Programme, hosted by the National Security Studies Programme (NSSP) at RSIS. A seasoned diplomat, he previously served in key roles on top of his illustrious career with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Currently, Professor Kanehara is a Professor in the Faculty of Law and the Department of Political Science at Doshisha University and serves as Executive Director at The Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
During his visit to RSIS, Professor Kanehara spoke at two closed-door dialogues and a public seminar. In the first closed-door dialogue, “Integrating Technology and National Security Policy”, he discussed the evolving nature of warfare, the security risks posed by emerging cyber threats, and Japan’s response to these challenges. The second closed-door dialogue, “Strengthening Crisis Preparedness and Management in National Security”, focused on Japan’s approach to crisis management, particularly in mitigating risks such as earthquakes. He highlighted the holistic nature of national security, involving multiple stakeholders beyond government and military institutions. During the Q&A session, he also addressed the implications of unregulated artificial intelligence (AI) and possible technological policy approaches that ASEAN could explore.
The visit culminated in a public seminar, “The Future of the Liberal International Order and Asia,” where Professor Kanehara examined the evolution of the post-Cold War international order, the impending rise of Asia as a geopolitical force, and the destabilising effects of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. He highlighted how these crises challenge the foundations of the liberal international order, particularly norms of sovereignty, international law, and multilateralism. Stressing the need for stronger regional cooperation, he pointed to ASEAN’s potential in fostering stability and dialogue in the Indo-Pacific. He also underscored the importance of reinforcing multilateral institutions to manage power shifts and uphold a rules-based global order.
