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Russia and Japan in Asia 12,000,000 yen[Grant Project] Japan Center for International Exchange (Japan) The shift of Russian diplomacy following 9/11, such as allowing US military presence in Kyrgyzstan and Uzebkistan and US advisory groups to train counter-terrorist forces in Georgia, has brought Central Asia into the international limelight. Central Asia is also at the center of Japan's Silk Road Diplomacy and the region is expected to further increase in importance as a supplier of oil and natural gas. Meanwhile, China, which has border issues with various Central Asian nations, is also looking to increase its direct involvement in this area through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Given the recent change in the international environment in the region, it is of great value to organize a seminar to analyze new developments in the international arena and provide a forum for discussing future cooperation between Japan and Russia in relation to military/security and energy issues. The central theme of this year's seminar is "future cooperation between Japan and Russia in relation to military/security and energy issues." Third Japan-Russia Policy Dialogue Seminar "Recent developments in Central Asian countries and the future outlook of Japan-Russia relations." (June 2004 at the Hotel Metropol in Moscow.) A seminar will be held in Moscow inviting Japanese and Russian opinion leaders with influence over policy decisions. Dr. Tadashi Yamamoto, President of the Japan Center for International Exchange and H.E. Mr. Koji Watanabe, former Ambassador to Russia will attend from Japan, while Dr. Andrei V. Fedorov, Director of Political Programs at the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy in Russia, and Dr. Viacheslav A. Nikonov, President of the "Polity" Foundation will attend from Russia. The seminar will be held in English. Participants are also scheduled to visit various research institutions in Moscow. (Final year of a 3-year project) |
