・Theme: A quest for peace and coexistence of the divided states in East Asia
・Partner：Center for International Area Studies, Hankuk University of Foreign Studie, Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University (Taiwan)
・Support：International Collaborative Research Promotion Program, Ritsumeikan University
・Project summary：
The objective of this program is to identify causes for the emerging security conflicts surrounding the Taiwan Strait and the Korean Peninsula through inviting scholars/ experts in international relations. Nonetheless to say, the divided states (the two Koreas) in the region have always faced the risks of military conflicts. The issue focus on the other hand has extended from the scope of traditional national security to non-traditional ones including human security or has shifted to the conflicts surrounding identity and history over the past decades. The traditional discipline in international relations believes that state relations should stay peaceful under the circumstance of intensified economic mutual dependency (namely globalization) as well as of the condition nuclear deterrence functions. This notion however is challenged in the contemporary era of post “post-Cold War” era by the growth and formation of military tension in the region. This project attempts to answer why this tension is created and how each stakeholder should respond to this emerging security challenges.
・Activities: Academic exchange with the form of symposium

・Theme: The 60th anniversary of Japan-ROK diplomatic normalization and studies for Japan-ROK cooperation under the age of uncertainties
・Partner: CEAPCS’ individual project (collaboration with other research entities / organizations may be available in related events)
・Support: Korea Foundation (Policy-Oriented Research Program Related to Korea)
・Project summary:
　Reaching to the 60th anniversary for Japan-ROK diplomatic normalization in 2025, this project aims at making policy proposals for better promoting Japan-ROK bilateral relations under the circumstance multilateralism and nationalism are expanding. The contemporary international community faces unprecedented uncertainty including liquidity of international politics and economy, U.S.-China conflicts and cyber security issues. It redefines Japan and ROK’s benefits and values respectively and will make not just cooperative but pragmatic policy recommendations that are capable to overcome existing conflicts and dilemmas including history and territory disputes, economic competitions and identity issues. This approach acknowledges causes of dilemmas and conflicts but more importantly, it rather attempts to establish principles and norms that would prevent the bilateral relations from getting worse without turning the disputes into diplomatic issues.
・Activities: Hold several events including symposium and workshop and publish a collection of policy proposals. The center also plans to disseminate our stance about the related topics through Experts’ columns page in our website.

・Theme: Japan-ROK strategic partnership under the age of uncertainties
・Partner: Institute of Japanese Studies, Kukmin University
・Support: Korea Foundation (Policy-Oriented Research Program Related to Korea)
・Project summary:
Redefining Japan-ROK perceptions and values under the age of unprecedented uncertainty, this project aims at making pragmatic policy proposals on diverse bilateral issues considering not only cooperation but also measure of how to get over the common grounds of conflicts. We take three-step approach to achieve this goal. Firstly, we redefine and reconfirm the importance of common benefits and values of the Japan-ROK relations. Secondly, we seek measures for bilateral cooperation. Understanding the situation of complex coexistence of cooperation, competition and conflicts in each political issue, we pursue how the two countries can 1) overcome the issues and promote cooperation; 2) effectively use competition; and 3) manage conflicts and attempt to propose achievable policies rather than idealistic ones. Lastly, we conclude this project by proposing measures for achieving highly sustainable Japan-ROK relations and by suggesting management mechanism to avoid making the history and territory disputes explicitly political.
・Activities: Workshop among experts. Conducted Japan-ROK joint conference on June 7, 2024

・Theme: Japan-U.S.-ROK Policy cooperation on international relations in Northeast Asia—Tasks and prospects
・Partner: The Institute for Peace and Unification Studies, Seoul National University
・Support：International Collaborative Research Promotion Program, Ritsumeikan University
・Project summary:
This project aims at; 1) theoretically analyzing tasks and prospects about Japan-U.S.-ROK policy cooperation under the dynamic political changes in the Northeast Asia from the perspectives of international relations, peace studies and political economy; and 2) proposing policy implications. Russia’s attack to Ukraine, intensification of U.S.-China conflicts and North Korea’s weapons development have changed the political landscape in the region and the binary structure of Japan-U.S.-ROK and China-Russia-North Korea is gradually under reforming. Amid this change, this project challenges to identify trilateral tasks for breaking through the conflict barriers rather than seeking for counter measures to China-Russia-North Korea cooperation. This project therefore attempts to identify tasks for trilateral policy cooperation through promoting participation from the U.S., China, Russis and North Korea beyond cooperation between Seoul National University and Ritsumeikan University.
・Activities: Joint symposium and/or workshop with Seoul National University. Occasionally involve George Washington University.

・Theme: Japan-ROK-China and Northeast Asia related topics (changes each year considering political landscape in the region)
・Partner: Institute for the North Korean Studies, Dongguk University; Northeast Asian Studies College, Jilin University; Korea Research Center, Ristumeikan University
・Support: Korea Foundation (Policy-Oriented Research Program Related to Korea)
・Project summary:
This is trilateral academic network among Dongguk University of South Korea, Jilin University of China and Ritsumeikan University of Japan. Retaining accurate visions over continuously changing international relations in Northeast Asis, this framework aims at pursuing diplomatic approaches for trilateral cooperation under the common ground of issues. We hold annual conference with different themes considering the international political situation at the time. Our activity had continued through online even during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project contributes to promoting mutual understanding, common benefits and further development of trilateral relations. CEAPCS sends its researchers since 2024.
・Schedule: Annual trilateral academic conference in fall (Hosting venue: take rotation among the three universities).