The 11th Asia Policy Forum was held in Tokyo on Nov. 22, co-hosted by Renmin University of China (RUC) and Hitotsubashi University (HU).
Under the theme “Sustainable Development and Challenges in East Asia,” the forum brought together academics and policymakers to discuss key issues such as the East Asian development model, energy and fuel strategies, digitalization and artificial intelligence, and international judicial cooperation.
Zhang Donggang, Chair of the University Council of RUC, and Satoshi Nakano, President of HU delivered opening remarks, celebrating the deep partnership between the two universities.
Zhang noted that HU is a key strategic partner for RUC in Japan and Asia, with a history of robust collaboration in academic research, talent development, and international exchanges. He highlighted the 2022 Strategic Cooperation Agreement between the two universities as a milestone that has advanced comprehensive collaboration.
Zhang emphasized that the forum’s theme reflects regional realities and global aspirations. He called on participants to leverage the platform to foster innovative solutions, deepen academic exchanges, and strengthen partnerships that contribute to sustainable development and global cooperation. He further reaffirmed RUC’s commitment to elevating the Asia Policy Forum into a more prominent, inclusive, and cutting-edge platform that aligns with the vision of building an Asian community of shared destiny and a global community for a shared future.
Nakano reiterated HU’s mission since its founding in 1875 to nurture global talent and advance social science research that addresses societal challenges. He emphasized Japan and China’s shared responsibility in contributing to sustainable development and global peace, expressing hope for continued academic collaboration between the two institutions.
During the forum, the deans of RUC’s School of Law, Yang Dong, and HU’s School of Law, Keisuke Takeshita, signed a Joint Doctoral Degree Agreement, witnessed by Zhang Donggang and Satoshi Nakano. The agreement marks a significant step in fostering deeper collaboration in legal education, academic exchange, and discipline development.
The forum featured four parallel sessions focusing on East Asian Development Models and Transformation, Energy and Fuel Strategies, Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, and International Judicial Cooperation.
Distinguished scholars from RUC and HU, including professors from economics, environmental science, interdisciplinary studies, and law, engaged in in-depth discussions. A dedicated youth forum provided a platform for doctoral students to explore topics related to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), strengthening the voice of Asia’s younger generation in addressing global challenges.
Since its inception in 2010, the Asia Policy Forum has alternated between RUC and HU, addressing critical topics such as the global financial crisis, energy cooperation, digital governance, and aging populations. It has become a hallmark of Sino-Japanese academic collaboration, providing a high-level platform for dialogue on pressing regional and global issues.
During their visit to Japan, Zhang Donggang and the RUC delegation participated in several related events, including the RUC School of Global Governance’s “Leadership Program for International Talent” and the 2024 Sino-Japanese Youth Development Forum. These activities further underscored the forum’s role in fostering cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.
By uniting scholars and policymakers, the Asia Policy Forum continues to advance regional collaboration, generate actionable insights, and contribute to a sustainable and prosperous future for East Asia and beyond.
