Date : August 1, 2025
What Role Should Japan Play Now, 80 Years After World War II (Prof. Hiroshi Nakanishi, Professor, Kyoto University, Graduate School of Government)
post date : 2025.07.18
This year marks 80 years since the end of World War II. Having moved forward as a democratic nation under a peace constitution, this is a valuable opportunity for Japan to look back over that period and consider its future path. At the same time, the international community is being faced with factors causing serious instability. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is an attempt to unilaterally change the status quo through force, and has shaken the foundations of international order. Furthermore, in the Middle East, the conflict between Israel and Gaza has intensified, as well as tensions rising between Iran and neighboring countries, threatening the stability of the region to an unprecedented degree. Returning Trump administration has been swaying the America-led postwar order as never before.
The FPCJ has invited Prof. Hiroshi Nakanishi, a professor at the Kyoto University Graduate School of Government , to discuss what role Japan should play 80 years after World War II, looking back at postwar Japan from a historical perspective, discussing what path Japan should take moving forward, and what role it should play in the international community, considering current geopolitical issues and the rapidly changing international situation.
Please note that you cannot physically attend this briefing, as it will be a Zoom webinar.
Embassy representatives and FPCJ supporting members may also participate in the briefing as observers (admission free).
■Date & Time: 14:00- 15:30, Friday, August 1, 2025 (Deadline for application: Noon, Thursday, July 31)
■Theme: What Role Should Japan Play Now, 80 Years After World War II
■Briefer: Prof. Hiroshi Nakanishi, Professor, Kyoto University, Graduate School of Government
Brief Bio: Born in 1962. Associate professor at Kyoto University in 1991. Professor at Kyoto University in 2002. President of the Japan Association of International Relations from 2014–2016. Dean of Kyoto University Graduate School of Government from 2016–2018 . Specialized in international politics. Works include What Is International Politics (2003, winner of Yomiuri Yoshino Sakuzo Award) and Liberal International Politics Adrift (2024, co-author).
■Language: Japanese, with consecutive English interpretation
As in our standard press briefings, there will be a Q&A session at the end.
*In principle, questions will only be accepted from members of the foreign press.
■Members of the Foreign Press:
Please send any questions for the briefer or topics you are interested in to cp@fpcjpn.or.jp by noon on Tuesday, July 29.
As there will only be a limited amount of time to ask questions during the briefing, we will collect questions and provide them to the briefer in advance.
■How to Apply: Please refer to the email we sent.
*We will not be accepting applications by email.