27.03.2023
Past
Special lecture by the Honorable Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan
On Monday, 18 May 2023, the Economic Security Research Program (ESRP) at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo hosted a symposium. The event featured the Hon. Rahm Emanuel, the Ambassador of the United States to Japan, and was attended by more than one hundred people. The symposium comprised a keynote speech by Ambassador Emanuel, a subsequent discussion with Professor Akira Igata, Project Lecturer and Director of the ESRP, and a Q&A session with the audience.
Ambassador Emanuel held key positions in the U.S, including serving as a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Chief of Staff to the President during the Obama Administration, and Mayor of Chicago. He has been serving as the Ambassador of the United States to Japan since 2021.
After a welcome speech by Masakazu Sugiyama, the Director of RCAST, Ambassador Emanuel delivered his keynote address. He touched upon the content of his report on economic coercion, emphasizing that the current state of international relations has been significantly disrupted by factors such as COVID-19, Chinese coercion, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He further stressed the need for a collective defense against economic coercion, especially with regard to China.
Following his keynote, Ambassador Emanuel engaged in a discussion with Professor Igata and responded to questions from the audience. The discussion spanned a wide range of topics, including not only economic security but also Ambassador Emanuel's leadership during his tenure as Mayor of Chicago, his insights into Japanese domestic issues, and the merits of liberal democracy.
The content discussed during this symposium is reflected in the framework about economic coercion presented at the G7 Hiroshima summit.
Our program is deeply committed to cutting-edge policy research in the field of economic security. We endeavor to find solutions that harmonize the rapidly evolving realms of science and technology with the dynamic arena of international politics. Both elements are crucial in our pursuit of a better society.
Moving forward, our program will continue to facilitate dialogue with visionary societies through similar events centered on economic security.