The community is invited to attend the inaugural Howard H. Baker Jr. Memorial Lecture featuring Former Prime Minister of Japan Yasuo Fukuda at 5:30 p.m. October 28 at the Baker Center.
Fukuda was the ninety-first Prime Minister of Japan, serving 2007–08. Prior to his role as prime minister, he was the longest-serving chief cabinet secretary in Japanese history. Fukuda is responsible for laying the groundwork for the Japan-China summit that took place in November 2014 as he maintained a successful correspondent role between Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Fukuda’s lecture will address Ambassador Baker’s contributions to Japan-U.S. relations; the Japan-U.S. alliance, including efforts to strengthen it and its importance as a foundation of peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region; challenges that Japan and the U.S. face; reinvigorating youth exchange programs and elevating the relationship to bring enhanced collaboration in the fields of green energy, climate change and environmental protection.