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Public Symposium: Navigating in a World of Uncertainty – Challenges for Japan and Europe

The Keio Center for Strategy (KCS) at Keio University, the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (CSDS) at the Brussels School of Governance, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Japan Office are pleased to host a public symposium titled “Navigating in a World of Uncertainty: Challenges for Japan and Europe”.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues and the world enters into an ever more uncharted period, Europe and Japan – or more broadly Europe and the Indo-Pacific region – face increasingly connected challenges. The symposium will explore two of the key tasks for Japan and Europe, namely the need to enhance deterrence and to address the China challenges, while awaiting the US elections.

As Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine continues and the world enters into an ever more uncharted period, Europe and Japan – or more broadly Europe and the Indo-Pacific region – face increasingly connected challenges. The symposium will explore two of the key tasks for Japan and Europe, namely the need to enhance deterrence and to address the China challenges, while awaiting the US elections.


Date & Time: Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 14:45 – 17:30

Venue: North Building Hall (1F),
            Mita Campus, Keio University
            (2-15-45, Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-0073)
            *Click here to access the map 

Language: English and Japanese (Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation) 

Agenda: 

14:15 – 14:45 Registration

​​​​​​14:45 – 14:55 Opening remarks 

  • Michito Tsuruoka, Deputy Director, KCS / Associate Professor, Keio University 
  • Luis Simon, Director, CSDS 
     

14:55 – 15:05 Keynote address  

  • Petra Sigmund, Ambassador-Designate of Germany to Japan 
     

15:05 – 15:15 Keynote address 

  • Katsuro Kitagawa, Director-General / Assistant Minister, European Affairs Bureau, MOFA 
     

15:20 – 16:20 Session 1: “Enhancing deterrence” 

Speakers: 

  • Luis Simon, Director, CSDS 
  • Satoru Mori, Deputy Director, KCS / Professor, Keio University 
  • Moderator: Michito Tsuruoka, Deputy Director, KCS / Associate Professor, Keio University 
     

16:25 – 17:25 Session 2: “Addressing China Challenges” 

Speakers: 

  • Eva Pejsova, Japan Chair, CSDS 
  • Shinji Yamaguchi, Senior Research Fellow, National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) 
  • Marcin Jerzewski, Head of Taiwan Office, European Values Center for Security Policy (EVC) / Marcin Król Fellow, Visegrad Insight 
  • Moderator: Giulia Tercovich, Assistant Director, CSDS 


Registration: Please sign up here by Friday, October 11th.
*Registration will be closed once the number of participants reaches the capacity.

Join the Conversation on Inclusive Urban Spaces for Women!

Building upon the insightful discussions on the pivotal role of urban spaces in achieving gender parity at our 8th Annual Leadership Conference, TalentNomics India and KAS Japan invite you to contribute your valuable insights on the topic.

Your input will help us uncover the challenges women face in urban environments and identify effective strategies for promoting gender equity and safety.

To the survey: Inclusive Urban Spaces for Women (google.com)

NATO Parliamentarian Meeting

KAS Japan organised a dialogue meeting for Members of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PA) in Tokyo on 19 September 2022. The international group of senior lawmakers had the opportunity to exchange views and information with high-level Japanese policymakers and experts on important security and defence issues. Particular attention was given to discussing Russia’s war of aggression against the Ukraine and the necessary steps for an enhanced military cooperation of like-minded countries in the Indo-Pacific. Akihisa Nagashima, Member of House of Representatives and Secretary General of Diet Members Council for Comprehensive Security (DMCCS), moderated the meeting while Kevan Jones, MP from the United Kingdom, who was also Head of the Delegation of the NATO PA gave the thank you speech.

NATO Parliamentarian Meeting
Internship Programme

Your Internship at KAS Japan

Who should apply

You like Japan because of Anime, Manga and J-Pop? You are intrigued by its food and enduring love for tech gadgets? You always wanted to experience Tokyo’s nightlife and ride the Shinkansen? You want to feel lost in translation? Well, in that case, you might not have collected the most convincing reasons for your internship at KAS. But if you are concerned with international politics, Asia’s regional security, trade and multilateralism, gender equality and future technologies, and if you are interested in Japan’s economic and political potential, then you have found the right institution.

Requirements

Our internships offer professional training to master’s students, PhD candidates, or advanced law students. To be eligible for consideration, you must be officially enrolled as a student throughout the entire internship period. The internship does not replace a regular job, but serves the acquisition of professional knowledge, skills and abilities. At the end of the internship, a certificate will be handed out. Commitment, team orientation and the endorsement of Christian-Democratic values as they are supported by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung e.V. are essential prerequisites for internships. In the selection process, preference will be given to interns studying economics, political and social sciences as well as law with a strong regional focus on Asia and Japan. Political and/or economic knowledge of the region are essential. The commitment to participate in evening or weekend events of KAS and its partners is required. In addition to polite manners (which are crucial to succeed in Japan), a well-groomed appearance is expected and correct clothing on official occasions.

Preparations

Familiarize yourself with our projects and publications before you apply. General information about the work of KAS as a political foundation is essential and can be found on this website and www.kas.de/japan.

Language Abilities

A good command of the Japanese language, both spoken and written, is an advantage but not required. Contrary, we expect our interns to have a very good expression in German and English.

Duration

A duration of three month is encouraged and expected. Exceptions can be agreed with the director of the office.

Tasks

The tasks of the interns are determined individually at the beginning of the internship. Depending on the level of knowledge, the interns support the team with research, short studies on selected topics and in the organization of events.

Working Time

Interns are expected to work 38 hrs per week. The core working hours are set from 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m., including 1 hr lunch break and excluding commuting time. Home-office regulations are in place. Devices will be provided.

Vacation

There is no entitlement to leave days. Exceptions can be made in relation to the duration of the internship.

Costs and Living Allowance

The general costs for living, commuting and especially accommodation in Tokyo are significantly higher compared to the region. Hence, a thorough calculation is required.  KAS does not grant financial compensation or subsidies for internships.

Application

Please send your application documents (curriculum vitae, letter of motivation, relevant certificates) in English to KAS-Tokyo@kas.de, addressed to the director of the office. The documents must indicate the current areas of study and interest, the desired time and duration of the internship as well as the level of language skills. It is advised to apply one year in advance for the desired internship period. We strongly encourage applications of Japanese nationals.