March 2023
Dr Declan M. Downey (School of History), was a guest of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its Visiting Scholar Programme from 5th to 12th March 2023. During this period, he conducted research for his next book-project concerning post-war Premier Yoshida Shigeru’s foreign policy as well as on the embryonic Irish-Japanese diplomatic relationship in the Diplomatic Archives in Tokyo. Also, Dr Downey had high level briefings with senior diplomatic and academic experts in Keio University and in the University of Tokyo on current policy and practice concerning Japan’s response to the emerging challenges of global security and stability. In addition, as part of Dr Downey’s legal and historical interest in matters of territorial sovereignty, he visited the recently founded National Museum of Territory and Sovereignty in Tokyo where he was informed of issues concerning Japan’s territorial integrity.
As part of his programme, Dr Downey was invited to the University of Kyoto to address academic staff and graduate students on ‘Ireland’s response to current changes in the geo-political situation (with specific reference to Eastern Europe & East Asia) and the challenges that they represent for Ireland and the European Union’.
Dr Downey with Dr Kiyoshi Wada (Director) and Dr Takeshi Sakuma (Deputy Director) at the Diplomatic Archives in Tokyo (Photos courtesy of Dr Downey)
Arising from Dr Downey’s visit, the University of Hiroshima through its involvement with Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, has expressed interest in establishing formal institutional links with UCD, and furthering closer academic cooperation and exchanges. Also, of noteworthy interest for UCD is the fact that one of Dr Downey’s former students, Dr Mahon Murphy, a UCD alumnus, is now an associate professor in History in the Faculty of Law at the University of Kyoto.
Dr Downey at the Imperial Palace in Kyoto (Photos courtesy of Dr Downey) and Dr Downey at the home and museum of Premier Yoshida Shigeru in Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan (Photos courtesy of Dr Downey).