The delegation of the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) visited Italy and Belgium from March 20 to 26, 2025 and conducted a series of roundtable discussions with research institutes in these countries. The delegation held consultations with Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS Europe), the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI, =Institute of International Affairs), European Policy Centre (EPC), North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Centre for Finance and Security (CFS) at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) and discussed the changing international order and security issues.
1) JIIA-SAIS Europe Roundtable in Bologna
On March 20, the JIIA delegation consisting of Mr. Tomoyuki Yoshida, Chief-Executive Director of JIIA, Professor Ken Endo, University of Tokyo / JIIA Adjunct Fellow, Professor Keisuke Iida, University of Tokyo, Professor Naoko Eto, Gakushuin University, Ms. Maiko Takeuchi, Consulting Fellow at the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Ms. Asako Takashima, JIIA Research Fellow visited the SAIS Europe campus in Bologna (the SAIS Europe delegation was led by Professor Hartmut Mayer, Steven Muller Chair) and held a roundtable discussion. As SAIS Europe is an American research institute based in Europe, it was possible to exchange ideas with both European and American experts. The discussions focused on the impact of the new Trump administration on the international order, but also covered a wide range of other topics, including China's economic security strategy and security relations in the Indo-Pacific and the North Atlantic.
2) JIIA-IAI Roundtable in Rome
On March 21, the JIIA delegation visited IAI, an Italian think tank, in Rome (the IAI delegation was led by President Michele Valensise and Director Nathalie Tocci) and held a roundtable discussion. North Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security relations and economic security were openly discussed. In particular, opinions were exchanged on the sense of panic that the Trump administration in the US has created in Europe, as well as the potential for Japan-EU defense cooperation, and Japan's support for Ukraine. Additionally, discussions on economic security addressed how the EU and Japan will respond to the tariff war being waged by the US.
3) JIIA-EPC Roundtable in Brussels
On March 24, the JIIA delegation visited the EPC in Brussels (the EPC delegation was led by Dr. Fabian Zuleeg, Chief Executive) and held a roundtable discussion with speakers from other research institutes as well as government officials. The first half was an open session on economic security and the strengthening of supply chains. The sense of threat created by the new Trump administration was discussed, as well as the possibility of ensuring economic security through frameworks such as the WTO or G7. The second half was a closed session where a roundtable discussion was held on the security relationship between the Indo-Pacific and the North Atlantic, as well as the possibilities and challenges of cooperation between Japan and Europe. Perceptions of the threat of nuclear proliferation were compared, and future policies were discussed.
4) JIIA-NATO Roundtable in Brussels
On March 25, the JIIA delegation visited NATO in Brussels (the NATO delegation was led by Ms. Gwendoline Vamos, Senior Officer, Asia-Pacific Global Partnerships at NATO Headquarters)and held a roundtable discussion including with Japanese government officials. Mr. Scott W. Bray, NATO's Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence and Security, delivered a keynote address on the security threat currently facing NATO and emphasized the importance of alliances in terms of information sharing. Other discussions focused on the threat posed by China and Russia, and the impact of the new US administration on NATO. Nuclear non-proliferation was discussed in the second half of the session, and in the current situation where the threat of nuclear weapons is becoming a reality, possible cooperation between NATO and Japan on nuclear non-proliferation was discussed.
5) JIIA-the Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI
On March 26, the JIIA delegation visited the Centre for Finance and Security at RUSI (the CFS delegation was led by Director Tom Keatinge) and held a roundtable discussion with other research institutions and government officials. The European side expressed a great deal of interest in Japan's economic security, and there was a lively discussion about cooperation with the private sector. Opinions were exchanged on cooperation in the digital market and other areas, and the importance of regular meetings and information exchange was emphasized.
