In this episode of Japan Memo, Yuka Koshino and Robert Ward are joined by Dr Valérie Niquet, senior research fellow at the Foundation for Strategic Research (FRS) in Paris and the Japanese Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) in Tokyo.

Robert, Yuka and Valérie discuss the causes and trends in the recent Franco-Japanese rapprochement, and the implications of increasing overlap in France and Japan’s Indo-Pacific strategies and international outlooks. Topics discussed include:

• The causes for a convergence of French and Japanese Indo-Pacific and international strategies
• Franco-Japanese approaches to minilateralism and multilateralism in the region
• Priority areas of cooperation in maritime security, advanced technology and Africa
• The impact of the war in Ukraine on France – Japan and EU – Japan ties

The following literature is recommended by our guest for a deeper understanding of the topics discussed:

• ‘Line of Advantage: Japan’s Grand Strategy in the Era of Abe Shinzō’ by Dr Michael J. Green
• ‘Le Japon en 100 questions : Un modèle en déclin ?’ (‘Japan in 100 questions: a model in decline?’) by Dr Valérie Niquet

We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on the podcast platform of your choice.

Date of Recording: 16 March 2022

Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.

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