On 8 October 2019, Dr Ashwani Kumar, India's former union minister for law and justice, delivered a public lecture on "India-Japan Global and Strategic Engagement" at Kyoto University's International Science Innovation Building. The event drew approximately 90 people, including faculty, staff, students, and members of the general public.
For fourteen years until 2016, Dr Kumar served in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, representing the state of Punjab. He held multiple ministerial positions during that period, including the Minister of State for Industry, Planning, Parliamentary Affairs, Science and Technology, and Earth Sciences, in addition to the Union Minister for Law and Justice. While in office, Dr Kumar also contributed to the strengthening of India-Japan relations, and for this work was conferred a 2017 Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese government.
Following an address by President Juichi Yamagiwa, and facilitated by Professor Kazuya Nakamizo of the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies (ASAFAS), Dr Kumar's 8 October presentation focused on the India-Japan "Strategic and Global Partnership" that has developed over the years as the two countries — Asia's leading democracies — jointly addressed a variety of geopolitical developments through frequent top-level meetings. He also emphasized the importance of individual connections in areas such as culture, education, and academic research in maintaining and enhancing the bilateral relations into future generations.
After the lecture, a wrap-up panel discussion was held with Dr Rohan D'Souza, associate professor at ASAFAS, joining Dr Kumar and Professor Nakamizo. The panelists discussed the differences between Indian and Japanese policies on science and technology, attributing them to historical factors — each country having followed a distinct path to modernity, and India having experienced colonial rule which Japan did not — and explored ways in which, despite these differences, the two countries can collaborate in envisioning a human-centric society in a manner similar to the Japanese government's Society 5.0 initiative. The discussion was followed by an audience Q&A.
The event then concluded with remarks from Dr Kayo Inaba, executive vice-president for gender equality, international affairs, and public relations, and the presentation of a gift to Dr Kumar by President Yamagiwa.
From left: President Yamagiwa, Dr Kumar, and EVP Inaba
Associate Professor D'Souza
Wrap-up session (from left: Associate Professor D'Souza, Dr Kumar, and Professor Nakamizo)
Dr Kumar accepting a gift from President Yamagiwa
