Canada’s strategic importance is increasing amid the ongoing drastic changes to the international situation. In particular, Canada’s resource development, including of LNG and critical minerals, is of significance. In January, at a joint press conference by our prime ministers, Prime Minister Kishida remarked that the international order is exposed to various challenges and the security environment is increasingly tough.
It has been said that the Japan-Canada relationship is good but for the problem that we have no problems. Following the G7 Summit in Hiroshima this month and in light of the geo-political reality of the 21st century, we can further strengthen our cooperation and coordination and evolve our bilateral relationship into a new chapter. The seminar will discuss the potential opportunities for cooperation between Japan and Canada after G7 Hiroshima.
About the speaker
Kanji Yamanouchi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Canada
KANJI YAMANOUCHI has been the Ambassador of Japan to Canada since May, 2022. Prior to this assignment, he was the Ambassador / Consul-General of Japan in New York (2018 – 2022).
Ambassador Yamanouchi has been serving Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for over 38 years, during which he has held the positions of: Director of the First Southeast Asia Division in 2003; Director of the Press Division in 2004; Director of the First North America Division in 2007; Executive Assistant to the Prime Minister in 2009; Deputy Director-General of the Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau in 2011, and Assistant Minister / Director-General for the Economic Affairs Bureau in 2016.
His diplomatic postings include assignments to the Embassy of Japan in the U.S. as First Secretary in 1997 and the Embassy of Japan in Korea as Counsellor in 2001. In 2013, he was posted to the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. for the second time as the Minister for Economic Affairs.
Ambassador Yamanouchi graduated from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies and went on to receive his M.A. in Political Science from Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut. He is married and has one daughter.
Lunch will be served at 11:30am. The Ambassador’s talk will begin at 12:00pm EDT.
This event is co-sponsored by the Balsillie School of International Affairs, Centre for International Governance Innovation and Japan Futures Initiative.
