summary
Lecture: Royal Institute of Prachatipok Chulalongkorn University
Title: Recent developments of Japan’s security and foreign policy and Southeast Asia Meiji Restoration: Start of Full-scale Modernization of Japan
Date and time: September 12 (Monday) 9:30-11:30, September 13 (Tuesday) 9:00-11:00
Place: Prachatipok Royal Institute Auditorium, Chulalongkorn University Lecture Room
Organized by: JICA, Royal Institute of Prachatipok JICA, Chulalongkorn University
participant
Thai government and private sector officials Students, faculty members, etc. of the Faculty of Political Science and the Faculty of Humanities
Background and Objectives
In September 2022, Shinichi Kitaoka, JICA Special Advisor (former JICA President), traveled to Thailand to deliver the “JICA Chair Special Lecture” at Prachatipok Royal Institute and Chulalongkorn University.
This was the second “JICA Chair Special Lecture” at Chulalongkorn University following March 2022 and the first at the Royal Institute of Prachatipok. The event ended on a high note with a lively exchange of questions and answers between the participants.
Summary of Special Lecture and Q&A Session
Royal Institute of Prachatipok
Special Advisor Kitaoka gave an overview of the defense and security policy reforms implemented under the Abe administration and foreign policy, including the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Partnership (FOIP), and stressed the importance of strengthening ties between Japan and ASEAN countries, which share common challenges in the current international situation. He stressed the importance of strengthening ties between Japan and ASEAN countries, which share common challenges in the current international situation.
During the Q&A session, questions were raised about the role of Southeast Asia in the wake of the crisis in Ukraine, the feasibility of a “Western Pacific Alliance,” and other issues, leading to a lively discussion. Special Advisor Kitaoka expressed his expectations for Thailand to play a more active role in the international community and pointed out the lack of opportunities for free and active exchange of opinions between individual Southeast Asian countries and Japanese public intellectuals, and emphasized the need to revitalize this through various opportunities such as the JICA chair. He emphasized the need to stimulate this exchange through various opportunities, such as the JICA Chair.
Chulalongkorn University
Touching on the similarities between the history of modernization in Japan and Thailand and the strength and importance of the current ties between the two countries, including human exchange, Special Advisor Kitaoka explained the political system and social conditions of the Edo period, which were preconditions for the Meiji Restoration, and the key success factors of Japan’s modernization, including the appointment of human resources and absorption of foreign knowledge during the Meiji Restoration.
During the Q&A session, questions were asked about the background of Japan’s rapid modernization and the secret of maintaining its traditions and culture in the midst of modernization.
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