Ambassador’s Lecture: Japan-Canada Relations and the Vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific
2019/10/25
On October 7, 2019, Ambassador Kimihiro Ishikane gave a lecture entitled “Japan-Canada Relations and the Vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific” as part of the Ambassadors Speakers Series organized by the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University.
At the beginning, Lawrence David Lederman, the chair of the Ambassadors Speakers Series and Dr. Yiagadeesen Samy, Director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, gave short remarks and introduced Ambassador Ishikane.
Ambassador Ishikane began his presentation by commenting on the current state of Japan-Canada relations and the need to further enhance the relationship. He remarked that Japan and Canada share many commonalities – such as shared values, promotion of free trade, membership in multilateral fora and contributions to the global agenda; that both countries have many potentials and that Japan and Canada share common interests in dealing with global challenges.
Ambassador Ishikane stressed “Japan-Canada relations are good overall. But we shouldn’t take it for granted. We can do more, we should do more.”
In the second half of his lecture, Ambassador Ishikane introduced Japan’s vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, which is built around three pillars: promotion and establishment of rule of law, freedom of navigation and free trade; pursuit of economic prosperity and a commitment for peace and stability. Ambassador Ishikane concluded by talking about opportunities to strengthen Japan-Canada relations as part of the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, notably through politico-security cooperation and enhanced economic ties.
Following the lecture, Ambassador Ishikane took questions from members of the audience. The questions touched on a variety of topics. Dr. André Plourde, Dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs at Carleton University, concluded the event by thanking Ambassador Ishikane for his lecture.
At the beginning, Lawrence David Lederman, the chair of the Ambassadors Speakers Series and Dr. Yiagadeesen Samy, Director of the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, gave short remarks and introduced Ambassador Ishikane.
Ambassador Ishikane began his presentation by commenting on the current state of Japan-Canada relations and the need to further enhance the relationship. He remarked that Japan and Canada share many commonalities – such as shared values, promotion of free trade, membership in multilateral fora and contributions to the global agenda; that both countries have many potentials and that Japan and Canada share common interests in dealing with global challenges.
Ambassador Ishikane stressed “Japan-Canada relations are good overall. But we shouldn’t take it for granted. We can do more, we should do more.”
In the second half of his lecture, Ambassador Ishikane introduced Japan’s vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, which is built around three pillars: promotion and establishment of rule of law, freedom of navigation and free trade; pursuit of economic prosperity and a commitment for peace and stability. Ambassador Ishikane concluded by talking about opportunities to strengthen Japan-Canada relations as part of the vision of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, notably through politico-security cooperation and enhanced economic ties.
Following the lecture, Ambassador Ishikane took questions from members of the audience. The questions touched on a variety of topics. Dr. André Plourde, Dean of the Faculty of Public Affairs at Carleton University, concluded the event by thanking Ambassador Ishikane for his lecture.
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| Ambassador and Mrs. Ishikane with Mr. Lederman and Dr. Samy |
Ambassador Ishikane beginning his presentation |
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| Ambassador Ishikane delivering his lecture |
Ambassador Ishikane delivering his lecture |
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| A member of the audience asking a question | Dr. Plourde thanking Ambassador Ishikane |