Why Japan matters?

His Excellency Mr KITANO Mitsuru, Ambassador of Japan to Ireland, will talk about the relationship between Ireland and Japan, particularly why Ireland and Irish people should engage with Japan. What are the commonalities between the two countries and peoples? What is the significance and benefit of focusing on Japan? What can Ireland and Irish people offer to Japan and Japanese people?

Ambassador KITANO was posted to Dublin in August 2019. He has over 40 years experience in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy at both Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Headquarters as well as Embassies and Permanent Missions abroad.

He has authored and co-edited four books in Japanese on such areas as public diplomacy and disarmament/non-proliferation. He has also contributed articles and research papers to English academic journals. His most recent article is ‘Ireland’s Neutrality Policy and Japan’s Alliance Policy’, Irish Studies in International Affairs, 2020, (2020). This article is based on his lecture for Dr Declan Downey’s final year History Module, Rise, Fall, Rise of Modern Japan at University College Dublin in April 2020.