Wednesday 18 February 2015
5:00pm – 6:00pm

Japan’s Foreign Policy: Challenges and Prospects in Japan-China Relations

Drinks reception: 6:00pm – 7:00pm

13/14 Cornwall Terrace (Outer Circle)

Organised by The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation

Japan and China have cultivated a very close relationship. Because of this close relationship, it is inevitable that frictions and confrontations should sometimes occur. What is happening around the Senkaku Islands now? What is China’s intention? Is it really appropriate to have this spat over the Senkaku Islands territorial dispute? What is Japan’s position and what can be done to improve the bilateral relationship? Moreover, what role can the UK play in this regard?

Ambassador Yamagami presented his unique perspectives on these issues, and talks about recent developments between the two countries, including the Japan-China Summit Meeting. Japan is a major international player which is committed to contributing to stability in the region.

Ambassador Yamagami powerpoint presentation

About the contributors

Ambassador Shingo Yamagami

Ambassador Shingo Yamagami is Ambassador for Policy Planning and International Security Policy, and Deputy Director-General of Foreign Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan (MOFA). He has great expertise in international politics and security from his experience including working as Political Minister at the Embassy in London (2009-12); Director of the Second North America Division (2003-04); Consul at the Consulate-General in Hong Kong (1998-2000); and Deputy Director of the China and Mongolia Division (1996-98). He also has wide experience in legal and treaty affairs, where he served as Director of Treaties Division (2004-07) and then Deputy Director-General of the International Legal Affairs Bureau (2012-14). His engagement with treaty-making includes his years as Counsellor at the Permanent Mission in Geneva (2000-03) as well as his stint as Deputy Director of the WTO Office in MOFA (1993-96). In addition to his duties at MOFA, he currently teaches international law and politics at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo.