Press Releases
Foreign Minister Hayashi Attends a Seminar to Mark the Launch of VUB-CSDS Japan Chair
On 24 October, Mr. HAYASHI Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, attended a seminar held in International House of Japan to mark the official launch of the Japan Chair at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy (VUB-CSDS).
Minister Hayashi gave a speech and congratulated the VUB-CSDS, a leading think tank in Europe, on the establishment of the Japan Chair. Referring to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, he noted that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region cannot be discussed separately and that strengthening cooperation with partner countries is important. He also expressed his hope that the Japan Chair will serve as a major hub of Japan studies and will communicate to the global policy community about potential for Japan's international contributions and cooperation.
- (1) VUB-CSDS is a Brussels-based think tank established in 2021 as the predecessor of the existing Institute for European Studies (IES:established in 2001) through the reorganization of Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). It mainly deals with international issues, with a focus on security and foreign policy strategy. Its director is Dr. Luis Simón.
- (2) In March this year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan contributed 540 million yen (4.46 million euros) to VUB-CSDS for the establishment of a Japan Chair to lead Japanese studies. The Institute's Senior Fellow Dr. Eva Pejšová was appointed as the Chair holder.
- Speech by Foreign Minister Hayashi (Japanese (PDF)
/ English (PDF))