The first in a series of workshops, "Thinking about the Reconstruction and Future of Ukraine," was organized in a collaboration between Sophia University, Keio University, and Tohoku University and was held at Sophia University on Friday, June 30.
At the workshop, Sophia University President Yoshiaki Terumichi opened the event with his welcoming remarks before Professor Yasuhiro Ueki of the same university delivered his keynote presentation. After this presentation, speakers from Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and other organizations introduced how they are planning on supporting Ukraine, drawing from their respective perspectives in industry, government, and academia. They also emphasized that apart from nation-level initiatives, there is potential for greater contributions from the private sector, that a humanitarian perspective will aid in more seamless reconstruction efforts, and that it is vital to train people in peacebuilding. Professor Koichiro Tanaka of Keio University's Graduate School of Media and Governance then provided commentary on the need for further cooperation within Japan, stating that the recent calls for "All Japan" to address these issues are emblematic that current efforts are not actually functioning very well. Lastly, Professor Toshiya Ueki, executive vice president of Tohoku University, presented on the current state of support for Ukraine.
This first workshop was also streamed online to a substantial audience. The next workshop is scheduled to be held at Tohoku University on Friday, September 8.