Ambassador Orita delivers the opening speech

On April 21, a Conference on Japan's Foreign Policy was held in memory of the late Ambassador Katsuhiko Oku at St Antony's College, Oxford University. The Conference was organised by the Nissan Institute of Japanese Studies and the Middle East Centre, with the support of the Embassy of Japan.

In his speech during the opening of the Conference, Ambassador Orita paid tribute to Ambassador Oku and the significance of his work in Iraq. He talked about the various challenges that the Middle East has provided Japanese foreign policy with over the years, and went on to highlight Japan's policy toward East Asia. "As an active and responsible member of the international community, Japan finds it increasingly important to have both its own clear analysis of the international situation and the capacity and will to work towards its own agenda. What Japan thinks and how it acts is bound to have an impact on other members of the international community."

Left to right: Professor Foot, Dr Tsang, Dr Rose and Minister Ishii

During the morning session titled Japan's Role in a Changing Asia , specialists in regional studies lectured on Japan's relations with North Korea, China, and countries in Southeast Asia. They analysed the present situation and the role that Japan should play in aiding the stability and security of the region. The panel discussion was chaired by Dr Steve Tsang (St Antony's College), and panellists included Professor Rosemary Foot (St Antony's College), Dr Caroline Rose (Leeds University) and Masafumi Ishii (Minister of the Embassy of Japan). Japan's relationship with China was discussed from various viewpoints as the main agenda.

The afternoon session titled The Middle East in Turmoil: How Japan can help, was chaired by Sir Marrack Goulding (Warden of St. Antony's College) and featured lectures on the relations between Japan and the Middle East by Yoshiji Nogami (Senior Fellow, Chatham House and former Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan) and Professor Kamel Abu Jaber (Senior Associate Member of St. Antony's College and former Foreign Minister of Jordan). They discussed various issues including Iraq, the Middle East Peace Process, the development of the region and the role that Japan can play.