Greetings,
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WATANABE Mayu, President, CEAC
"CEAC Updates"
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Invitation : the Japan Forum on International Relations Public Symposium “The War in Ukraine and European Security”
As the war in Ukraine continues over an extended period, Europe’s security environment has entered a phase of profound transformation. Triggered by Russia’s invasion, NATO has expanded its membership, European countries have significantly increased their defense spending, and the strategic posture of the European Union (EU) is being redefined. At the same time, Europe faces a complex set of challenges, including energy security, economic resilience, political fragmentation, and the resurgence of populism.
Against this backdrop, the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR), a sister organization of the Council on East Asian Community (CEAC), will host a high-level symposium entitled "The War in Ukraine and European Security." The realities of the war in Ukraine cannot be regarded as distant concerns for Japan and Asia. At this symposium, Ambassadors of the European Union and its member states will be invited to share their perspectives on the evolving European security architecture and its implications for the international order, followed by an in-depth discussion.
As this will be a rare opportunity to hear directly from several key EU ambassadors, we sincerely hope that you will be able to attend.
1. Date & Time: Thursday, January 22, 2026, 14:30–16:45
2. Venue: International Conference Hall, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (1-15-16 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8524, Japan)
3. Format: In-person only
4. Organizers: The Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) and The Kasumigaseki Foreign Service Association (KaFSA)
5. Co-organizer: The Nippon Foundation
6. Working Language: English and Japanese (simultaneous interpretation provided)
7. Program: https://www.jfir.or.jp/en/2026/01/06/4905/
Moderator: Dr. WATANABE Hirotaka, Distinguished Research Fellow, JFIR / Professor, Teikyo University / Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
Opening Remarks:
Ms. WATANABE Mayu, President, JFIR
Amb. KAWAMURA Yasuhisa, President, KaFSA
Keynote Presentations:
H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union to Japan
H.E. Paweł Milewski, Ambassador of Poland to Japan
H.E. Tanja Jääskeläinen, Ambassador of Finland to Japan
H.E. Viktoria Li, Ambassador of Sweden to Japan
Mr. Martin Huth, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Germany to Japan
Panel Discussion with the Keynote Speakers, joined by:
Amb. YANAGI Hidenao, Former Ambassador of Japan to Germany
Amb. MATSUDA Kuninori, Former Ambassador of Japan to Ukraine
Dr. WATANABE Hirotaka, Distinguished Research Fellow, JFIR
Dr. ITO Takeshi, Professor, The University of Tokyo
Closing:
8．Participation Fee: Free of charge
9．Registration: Please register by Friday, January 16, 2026, via the online form on the right: ( https://forms.gle/JPVDcVMGrukUZqtS9 )
A confirmation email with an admission pass will be sent by email by the day before the event. Please note that seating is limited due to venue capacity, and registration will close once the maximum number of participants has been reached.
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Officer in Charge: KIKUCHI Yona
The Council on East Asian Community
2-17-12-1301,
Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 107-0052
JAPAN
Tel: +81-3-3584-2193