The Prime Minister of Ireland, An Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen, delivered a speech at Keio University

On 15 January, the Prime Minister of Ireland, an Taoiseach, Mr. Brian Cowen delivered a speech at the North Building Hall of Mita Campus. The event was co-hosted by Keio University and the Embassy of Ireland in Tokyo, and the speech was entitled "Ireland, Europe and Japan - Partners in the Wider World".

Brian Cowen became Taoiseach (Prime Minister) in May 2008 having previously held the key Government posts of Minister for Finance and Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Taoiseach has extensive foreign policy experience, having played a key role as Minister for Foreign Affairs during the Northern Ireland peace process, Ireland's 2004 Presidency of the European Union (Ireland has been an EC Member State since 1973) and also during Ireland's 2001-2002 term in the United Nations Security Council.

In his speech, Prime Minister Cowen touched on exchanges between Ireland and Japan, including the fact that Lafcadio Hearn,an author also known Yakumo Koizumi, and Reverend William Gray who introduced hockey in Japan in 1906 by teaching the sport to Keio University students. Drawing on his extensive foreign policy experience, the Taoiseach's address focused on the challenges facing Ireland, Europe and Japan as partners on the world stage, in particular conflict prevention, disarmament, conflict resolution and peace building. He also mentioned Ireland's position within the European Union including the issue of the Lisbon Treaty, and the importance of a stronger partnership between the EU and Japan. He also spoke to the attendees with strength that the 21st century is an era of global challenges, and now is the time for global cooperation and alliance.

The Hall was filled with more than 250 people including students, faculty and staffs, guests of the Embassy of Ireland and members of the press, who all listened attentively to the speech, and engaged in an active exchange of views at the question-and-answer session.