The importance of Japan-Russia cooperation in the new world order
Masami Tanimoto
Hello, everyone. I’m Masami Tanimoto, a junior student at Soka University. I reallyappreciate to meet you and to have such an opportunity to give keynote speech in frontof you today.
Before talking the main theme, I want to let you know that this year is special for both
Japan and Russia because in 2020-2021, we have the regional interactive years. We will
be able to encourage our relationship stronger especially by a lot of fields.
As you know, the world situation is becoming new totally. The serious epidemic ofcoronavirus is being occurred on the earth and the sates system in some countries arechanged. Also, our lifestyle is altered. Many things were lost including common senses,conventional way of thinking and even lives. Actually, in Japan and the US, the newleaders appeared. The world is fluctuating now. Then, what will make our life easier tolive? What will give us the peace? -It is the cooperation in the civil level like today. The
cooperation between citizens is the most important in current situation because thepolitical relationship aims at monetary benefits or power struggles, on the other hand,the civil one has nothing like them, so, even if the world order is changed so much, theconnection between each citizens will not be changed definitely. Also, Japan and Russia
are neighboring countries each other. This location has very significant meaning that tohave friendship between near countries can contribute to make the peaceful world.
Besides, the coronavirus gave us an important perspective to consider the nature more.
To make our cooperation sustainable one, we also should pay attention to the naturalfactors.
Today, I would like to talk about the importance of Japan-Russia cooperation in the
new situation through four points.
To begin with, the direct and civil interactions by people in the two countries are very
important to understand each other intrinsically. Unfortunately, in Japan, the effect ofmass media is still strong, so many of Japanese cannot access the accurate informationand they are apt to have negative image of Russia. Japanese can see Russia by only
coverages or political facts. However, by direct interactions, we can know about Russia

and Russian without any other stereotypes. Through the conversation or discussion, wecan understand goodness of each countries and have affinity. The direct interactions incivil level give us the correct understanding each other.
Secondly, by the epidemic, ironically, we can connect more easily than before by online.
We can meet each other without using any transportations. Actually, a lot of events
including them for the Japan-Russia regional interactive years are already held on theinternet. For example, the classes to learn Russian language or Japanese, the seminar
to exchange technology or other skills for both countries. The opportunity to meet andtalk is increased absolutely. It means we can feel each other more closely. Coronavirus
gives us chances to cooperate more actively. Now is the time to emphasize ourrelationship.
Thirdly, to have sustainable cooperation we have to consider the natural factors.
According to Kouichi Goka, a Japanese scientist, the current pandemic is attributed tothe conventional action of human beings. For instance, the deforestation, erosion to theeco system and so on. We, humans developed quality of our lives and utilized natural
resources selfishly without consideration for the nature. Actually, the global warming,
natural disasters and the problems of nuclear reactors are serious. If your vision for thecooperation is lack of consideration for the nature, there will be limitations in your idea.
So, it is important to consider the nature to make our relationship sustainable one.
Finally, in fact, not only our daily life but the world order is being changed as well.
The environment surrounding us also will be changed. However, who will decide thedirection of our relationship is us. Today’s forum is the 9th of all. If our interaction
continues in the future, the cooperation between Japan and Russia will be better.
Because, as I mentioned, although the world situation is variable, the civil interactions
are invariable. Also, we are youth, so we can sustain it. And Japan-Russia interactions
will be able to lead not only the two countries’ relationship but also the world to be better.
I hope this forum will be the meaningful and valuable one to emphasize ourcooperation and to make the peaceful world in the new era. Thank you for your kindattention. (740 words)