Guest speech of the Ambassador of Japan; H.E. Mr. Itaru Umezu

On the occasion of the recent EU–Japan year, the IMC Export Department, under the auspices of the Chair for International, Legal and Global Political Studies, was honored on November 22 by a visit and major guest lecture by His Excellency Ambassador Itaru Umezu, Japan’s Ambassador to the Republic of Austria. The Ambassador, who is also accredited to the OSCE and to Bosnia-Herzogovina, and Macedonia, spoke on the topic “Japan in Asia: The Current and Future Position of Japan.” His remarks were followed by nearly two hours of discussions with students and professors, and by a reception.

Ambassador Umezu’s remarks offered the IMC Export Fellows a rare opportunity to gain insights into Japan’s economic, environmental, energy and security policies, the emerging policy positions of the new Japanese government, Japan’s position in the 6-party talks on Korea, East Asian dynamics, and the role of R and D in Japan’s economic and technological development. Following his formal remarks the Ambassador provided thoughtful and inspiring responses to questions on EU-Japan relationships, trans-Pacific trade relations, Japan’s “soft power”and cultural appeal, Japan’s economic revival, and other topics.

An extraordinarily eloquent senior career diplomat, Ambassador Umezu joined the Foreign Ministry nearly 40 years ago. His major diplomatic assignments have included New York (twice), Hong Kong (twice) and London. Ambassador Umezu has also held other major diplomatic positions including Director of the Western European Division at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo and Deputy Secretary General of the New York-based KEDO (need to spell KEDO out). Before coming to Austria in 2004, Ambassador Umezu held the prestigious post of Deputy Grand Master of Ceremonies (Imperial Household Agency). Ambassador Umezu also holds the high degree in Human Sciences from the prestigious University of Tokyo.

Summing up after this content-intensive and extremely valuable event with Mr. Ernst Fietz, the EXP Program Director, and Mr. Anis H. Bajrektarevic, EXP Chair and principal host of the event, Ambassador Umezu stated that he has been very impressed by our faculty’s continued interest in Japanese affairs since the visit of our students to Japan’s Embassy and Cultural Center in 2003. The Ambassador also complimented the commitment and knowledge of our students as demonstrated in the questions and discussion with him as well as with the overall achievements of our young institution. He invited our students to repeat the 2003 visit, and also promised to return to our university for a future event.

Our next East Asia event is scheduled for early 2007 when the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Kim Sung-Hwan, will address the Export students.

Text: Mr. Bajrektarevic

The script of the speech of H.E. Mr. Itaru Umezu can be found here.