[Event Report] KGRI Special Seminar "NATO and Japan: powerful partners for a new security reality" (held on February 1, 2023)

2023.02.14

On February 1, 2023, Keio University Global Research Institute (KGRI) hosted a special seminar and invited H.E. Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of NATO, to be the speaker on "NATO and Japan: powerful partners for a new security reality." This seminar was also a preliminary event of the Keio Center for Strategy, a new KGRI Research Center to be established in 2023. Around 100 students, faculty members, and guests attended this special seminar.

The event kicked off with the opening remarks by President Kohei Itoh. He quoted the motto of Keio, "the pen is mightier than the sword," to restate Keio University's position for sustainable world peace by diplomatic means.

Opening Remarks by President Kohei Itoh

The event then moved to H.E. Mr. Jens Stoltenberg's speech titled "NATO and Japan: powerful partners for a new security reality," emphasizing the importance of international collaboration for world peace. After his speech, Mr. Stoltenberg joined the panel discussion with Professor Yuichi Hosoya and Professor Satoru Mori, under the moderation of Associate Professor Michito Tsuruoka, to discuss issues like the latest NATO strategies and the scopes of international collaboration.

Keynote speech by H.E. Mr. Jens Stoltenberg

Panel discussion: (L-R) Professor Michito Tsuruoka, H.E. Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, Professor Yuichi Hosoya, Professor Satoru Mori

Associate Professor Tsuruoka then opened the floor for questions and invited students to raise their thoughts and questions to Mr. Stoltenberg. Students took active participation with excitement and enthusiasm that stimulated a lively and insightful discussion. Mr. Stoltenberg also commented on the importance of academic freedom that the university represents and welcomed this kind of direct discussion in the time of crisis.

Dialogue with students

H.E. Mr. Jens Stoltenberg answering questions from students

Presentation of souvenir by President Itoh

Clickhereto view the article on the NATO website.

Photo: Aki Takematsu