Events category: Webinar

16 April 2026

Tojo: The Rise and Fall of Japan's Most Controversial World War II General

In this talk, based on his new book ‘Tojo’, Peter Mauch gave us a nuanced look at the life and leadership of General Tojo and his role in the rise and fall of Japanese militarism. This is the first English-language biography of the controversial leader since 1961, and Peter draws on the new archival sources that have since become available, including Tojo’s own writings and the diaries of his secretaries and numerous military sources. We follow Tojo’s career as he successfully launched himself into the highest echelons of political power and negotiated fractious military rivalries.

Booking closedMore info

27 November 2025

Is Abenomics Back under Takaichi?

Sanae Takaichi has become Japan’s 104th prime minister, and is the first woman to hold the job. Her economic policy emphasises large-scale fiscal spending and aggressive monetary easing. Both are reminiscent of Abenomics in their aim to boost economic growth; however, concerns about inflation persist due to the weak yen. In this webinar, Professor Noriko Hama will analyse the economic impact of Abenomics during the prime ministership of Shinzo Abe (2012–2020), and the potential impact of resurrecting the policy. She will also discuss the fundamental issues Japan faces, and suggest some responses.

Booking closedMore info

13 November 2025

The Housing Crisis in the UK and Japan

Rising housing costs have become a prevalent issue in many high-income countries, contributing to financial insecurity and social unrest. Whilst the UK presents one of the more extreme examples of this trend, Japan’s house prices have tended to remain low in comparison to other high-income nations. Nevertheless, this tendency no longer seems certain, especially in popular metropolitan areas such as Tokyo. In this webinar, Professor Jiro Yoshida unpacked the unique characteristics of Japan’s housing market whilst Dr Filipa Sá demonstrated how foreign investment has contributed to rising house prices in the UK.

Booking closedMore info

7 November 2025

Memories of War

This year marks 80 years since the end of World War II, which had devastating consequences for people in many countries. Despite this historical event providing many lessons, the world is once again experiencing a surge of conflict and war, with millions of individuals suffering. Often, individual and collective memories are not passed on, and may be forgotten. In this webinar, various panellists with different backgrounds will discuss how to pass on the memory of wartime tragedies to future generations.

Booking closedMore info

4 November 2025

Japan’s Security Policy in a New Era of Geopolitical Tensions

In the context of increasing global tension, the world has been experiencing a surge of conflict. Wars continue to rage in Ukraine and Gaza, while tensions in East Asia remain high. Where should Japan’s foreign and security policy be headed, at a time when the international order is being profoundly shaken by the United States, the now avowedly illiberal leader of the ‘free world’? In this webinar, Professor Nakano discussed recent security-related legislation, the expanding role of the Self-Defense Forces, the implications for Japan’s peace constitution as well as the principle of constitutionalism, and the effects of emerging right-wing populist political parties on political decision-making. He also shared recommendations for maintaining peace in East Asia at a time of flux and uncertainty.

Booking closedMore info

18 November 2025

The Impact of Donald Trump's Tariffs on the Japanese Economy

Donald Trump’s tariff policies have been designed to bring manufacturing back to the United States and protect American jobs. Although the practical results in the US have been mixed so far, retaliation from trading partners such as China and the EU has hit US agriculture especially hard. The impact of tariffs and policy uncertainty has also been significant globally, including in Japan, affecting regions and industries in different ways, with some companies tending to benefit, but others getting left behind. In this webinar, moderated by Professor Hugh Whittaker, Dr Daisuke Adachi talked about the impact of the tariffs; potential trends; related challenges; and lessons for Japan.

Booking closedMore info

25 September 2025

Populism in the UK and Japan: Elections, Immigration and Economic Insecurity

Political populism is on the rise globally, driven by factors including social inequality, economic insecurity and immigration. This trend is also evident in the UK and Japan, as reflected in recent elections and the current political landscape in both countries. In this webinar, Associate Professor Naoko Hashimoto discussed the politicisation of immigration in Japan, based on the experience of the July 2025 House of Councillors election, which featured a ‘Japanese First’ campaign launched by a few minor and relatively new political parties, as well as some apparently deliberate use of misinformation. Professor Jane Green addressed the realignment of the British electorate and the fragmentation of the right, exploring how Reform may overtake Labour in numerous constituencies and examining the underlying social factors.

Booking closedMore info

4 September 2025

Chashitsu: Auditory Tea Room

More than ritual, Chadō, the Way of Tea, is also a deeply sonic practice: a choreography of sound, silence, gesture, and space. Chashitsu, the tea room, becomes a resonant vessel for listening—a place where every element is attuned to create a shared sonic awareness. Drawing on this tradition, violinist and composer Midori Komachi and MSCTY founder/producer Nick Luscombe explore the aesthetics of Japanese sound design and immersive experiences grounded in the shared language of music and architecture. Their project, Chashitsu: Auditory Tea Room —a concert premiering at the Royal Albert Hall on 14th October 2025 alongside the launch of Komachi’s album of the same name — brings a new perspective to the tea room as a ‘sonic architecture’. Join Komachi and Luscombe as they offer an insight into their creative process ahead of the premiere, inviting you into a deeper Way of Listening.

Booking closedMore info

30 July 2025

Populism and New Political Divisions in Japan after the Election

Dr Masato Kamikubo examined how Japan’s unique political structure shapes its political landscape and how it differs from or resembles other democratic countries around the world. Specifically, he discussed the uniqueness of the Liberal Democratic Party’s ‘catch-all party’ system and how it has suppressed populism in Japan, compared with global democratic trends. Additionally, he analysed the emergence of new political forces such as ‘digital innovation groups’ driven by digitalisation, and the resulting shifts in political fault lines. The aim is to provide a concise overview of the future of Japanese politics and the broad implications of the elections.

Booking closedMore info

25 June 2025

Did the Atomic Bombs end World War II?

In August 1945, two atomic bombs were detonated over the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killing thousands of people, including many civilians. A few days later, Japan officially surrendered, bringing World War II to an end. Conventional wisdom credits the dropping of the atomic bombs with Japan’s surrender and the end of WWII in Asia. Professor Richard Overy tells a different story in his new book Rain of Ruin: Tokyo, Hiroshima and the Surrender of Japan. In this webinar, moderated by Professor Endo, Professor Overy discussed his views on the use of the atomic bombs and how they changed the post-World War II world.

Booking closedMore info
Toggle navigation