IIPS Research Projects 2008
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On the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of its founding, the Institute for International Policy Studies (IIPS) is pleased to announce the following research project plans for fiscal 2008.

A New Era in Japan China Relations-Prospects and Issues

We will be focusing on Japan China relations, which, alongside its relations with the USA, are vital to Japan. As well as looking at the future prospects for Japan China relations, we will offer recommendations and attempt to define a strategy for Japan towards China, by presenting the issues that will need to be resolved in order to build favorable Japan China relations, and methods for dealing with them. We will be staging an open symposium based on the recommendations that we published on the occasion of President Hu Jintao’s visit to Japan, which was entitled A New Chapter in Japan China Relations?towards co-existence and co-development that overcomes history. We will be asking a representative from a Japanese company that is active in China to deliver the keynote address, and this will be followed by panel discussions with researchers of various aspects of Japan China relations?including politics and diplomacy, security, economics, the environment, and natural resources. This event takes place on 10 September 2008.

Building a New World Order-How Japan Should Proceed

With turbulence in Iraq and changes in the relationship between the USA and North Korea, the global situation is as fluid as ever. Against this backdrop, leadership changeovers are taking place in major nations such as Russia and the USA. At the same time, Japan also finds itself faced with a new order, including leadership changes in neighboring countries such as South Korea and Taiwan, and the need to address the issue of North Korea.

On the landmark occasion of the twentieth anniversary of its founding, this institute will make forward looking recommendations regarding the course that Japan ought to follow under these conditions towards the building of a new world order. An event is scheduled for 16 October 2008 and we will be asking former premiers and/or deputy premiers from Asian countries to deliver the keynote addresses, which will be followed by a symposium featuring participation by representatives of research institutions from around the world.

Japan China Forum-Beijing Conference

With the participation of distinguished experts from both countries in the realms of politics, economics, and academia, the forum will discuss from a wide range of perspectives the form that a new and broader Japan China relationship should take, and will work to increase mutual understanding while offering recommendations to the governments of both nations. Consideration will be given to China’s arrival as a nation that is making its presence felt in all spheres?including politics, security, and economics?and the growing relationships of mutual reliance in the Asian region. We will attempt to make significant contributions not only to Japan China relations but also to the medium and long term stability and development of the Asian region. The date of this event is 5 and 6 May 2008.

Japan Taiwan Forum-2008 Taipei Conference

Since 2002, IIPS has been holding the Japan Taiwan Forum in collaboration with Taiwan’s Foundation on International and Cross Strait Studies, as part of a research exchange program with the Taipei based organization. We have been exchanging views on policies geared towards the development of the entire Asian region, with the focus on issues such as security in the Asian region, China’s economic development and regional economic integration in Asia, and Asia and the new world order. The Japan Taiwan Forum’s 2008 Taipei Conference is held on 19 and 20 July 2008, and brings together representatives from both Japan’s and Taiwan’s political and academic communities.

Prospects for the Japan US Alliance

We will assess the global and regional situations in the medium term and conduct research from a wide range of perspectives into a vision for a new Japan US alliance with the aim to offer policy recommendations to the Japanese and US governments. To this end, we will intensify debate by establishing systems for continuing research involving specialists from the realms of academia and business, and engage in a process of dialogue with research institutions in the USA and elsewhere. During the process of research leading to recommendations, research results are intended to be published and disseminated in Japan and the USA.