In the discussion of “Japan’s contribution to peace,” there is often an overwhelming level of attention on the activities of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. However, in reality, Japan has a much longer history in supporting fragile states through humanitarian and other non-military assistance efforts. In this discussion, Mr. Tase and Mr. Tsuruga, both of whom have working experience on the ground and at the United Nations, will share their thoughts on Japan’s role and explore the potential for further cooperation with the United States.
WHAT: Presentation on Japan’s contributions to peace with Mr. Kazuto Tsuruga and Mr. Kazuo Tase
Featuring:
Kazuto Tsuruga, Osaka University
Kazuto Tsuruga is a currently an associate professor at Osaka University’s Global Collaboration Center. Prior to joining the university in 2010, he served as a First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nation and dealt with peacekeeping and peacebuilding issues at the UN Security Council and the Peacebuilding Commission. Mr. Tsuruga also worked as a strategic planning officer in the United Nations Development Programme in Afghanistan, program manager at the Hiroshima Peacebuilders Center, and a consultant for Japan Bank for International Cooperation in Cambodia. His most recent publications include, “The UN Security Council and the Evolving Threats to Peace” (forthcoming, in Japanese), “International Engagement and Civilian Capacities for Peacebuilding – Implications of the Guéhenno Report and Challenges Beyond” in Japan and the United Nations (2012, in Japanese), and “Important Questions” in The Procedure of the UN General Assembly – Case Studies (2011, in Japanese). Mr. Tsuruga holds both a B.A. in social psychology and M.A. in International Development Cooperation from International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan.
Kazuo Tase, Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting
Tase Kazuo assumed the office of Director, Global Strategy Office, Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting, Japan, in June 2014 to support Japanese corporations to advance into emerging markets. Before moving to the private sector, between 2010 and 2013 he served as Acting Director at the UN Information Center in Pakistan. Prior to that he was Chief, Human Security Unit, OCHA at the United Nations. He joined the Japanese Foreign Service in 1992, and as First Secretary at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, he served as personal assistant for Mdm. Sadako Ogata when she led the Commission on Human Security. Tase has worked on a wide range of issues including UN peacekeeping, human rights and humanitarian assistance, African development, Japan’s financial contributions to the UN. He studied nuclear engineering and macro-economics in Tokyo University.
Moderator:
Yuki Tatsumi, The Stimson Center