Lecture of Ambassador Hayashi at University of Liege: “Japan and Belgium: Different Nations with Common Challenges”

On April 4, Ambassador Hayashi held a lecture entitled “Japan and Belgium: Different Nations with Common Challenges” at the University of Liege. Following the welcome address by First Vice-Rector Winand and the introduction of Ambassador Hayashi by Prof. Thele of the Centre d’Etudes Japonaises (CEJ), the Ambassador talked about the importance of promoting cooperation, and explained via 4 subjects where cooperation exists, namely the climate change issue, measures against declining birthrate and ageing society, the promotion of free trade and economic partnership, and finally security issue, that Japan and Belgium need to understand each other’s differences. At the same time, the Ambassador said, it is necessary to deepen the understanding of our common challenges. The audience of approximately 100 students, composed mainly of students majoring in Japanese Studies in the university, listened to the lecture. A lively Q&A session was held, where questions came up about topics such as the participation of men in child care, trade between Japan and Belgium, reactions of the Japanese people on the current climate change issue, the role of AI in the ageing society.