The Importance of History: Yukio Okamoto on Addressing Japan’s Past

To register, please contact the Corporate Program at 212-715-1208 or email [email protected].

As Prime Minister Abe prepares his official statement commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the world is watching closely to see how Japan will frame its historical narrative. Yukio Okamoto, a foreign policy expert and former Special Adviser to Prime Minister Hashimoto and Prime Minister Koizumi, has been appointed to a special committee to help the Abe administration decide how Japan will confront its past and address controversial historical issues. As collective memories of the war continue to play a significant role in East Asian relations, allies such as the U.S. have shown concern over how Abe will reflect on the past and how his words will be interpreted in the region. Okamoto discusses how Japan should effectively address these issues domestically and internationally.

Speaker: 
Yukio Okamoto, Robert E. Wilhelm Fellow, MIT Center for International Studies and former Special Advisor to the Prime Minister of Japan

Agenda
6-6:30 pm    Registration
6:30-7:45     Lecture and Q&A
7:45-8:15     Reception

Admission:
Non-members: $15
Japan Society Corporate Members: Free, up to designated number of tickets; additional tickets $10
Japan Society Individual Members at Patron Circle level and above: $10

Academic and government: $10

Seating is available on a first come, first served basis.

Prepayment must be made with a credit card. All registrations and cancellations must be made at least 48 hours prior to the event. Substitutions are welcome.



For further information or assistance, please contact the Corporate Program at 212-715-1208 or email [email protected].

Stories from the War
Marking the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII, Japan Society presents the Society-wide series Stories from the War. Encompassing theater performances, film screenings, lectures, panels and educational opportunities for young people, programming from January to August explores history and considers challenging issues that the U.S. and Japan faced surrounding WWII through a contemporary lens.