One of our main activities is organising and hosting Luncheon Briefings on pertinent topics of EU-Asia relations. Beginning with an informal lunch, the Briefings usually last for 1.5 hours, including questions.

Attendees include EIAS members and other interested parties.

Experts wishing to discuss a possible topic for a Lucheon Briefing are invited to contact EIAS Direct Dr Willem van der Geest.

The Future of Japan-Europe Relations and their impact on the Security Environment in East Asia
12 January, 2006, EIAS, Brussels from 15h00 – 16h20

Speaker: Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Japan
Chair: Dr. Willem van der Geest, Director, European Institute for Asian Studies

Download Prof. Yamanaka's Speech (pdf)

As strategic partners, sharing a responsibility to build up a better and more peaceful society in the world based on common fundamental values, Japan and the EU cooperate with each other on a wide range of global issues. Whilst the EU continues to increase its importance in world affairs, it has become imperative for both Japan and the EU to recognize each other’s security environments and concerns.

The European Institute for Asian Studies is honoured to welcome Prof. Akiko Yamanaka, Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, to its premises for a Briefing on the aforementioned issues. Prof. Yamanaka has a wealth of experience in both the political and academic field, enabling her to discuss security issues in the Asia-Pacific and their implications for Europe. She is a member of the House of Representatives and the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Her work and research has been prominent in the field of international relations, mainly focusing on political and security areas, as professor at Hokkai University, senior adviser at the Center of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), visiting researcher and visiting professor at the Brookings Institution and the Royal Institute of International Affairs. As a member of the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s Advisory Group on International Cooperation for Peace, she plays an important role in Japan’s policy formulation in international peace cooperation.

At this briefing, Prof. Yamanaka presented her views on Japan – EU relations, as well as the current security environment in East Asia. She also touched upon issues regarding the EU arms embargo on China.

Download Prof. Yamanaka's Speech (pdf)

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