On December 15^th, 2021, Professor MIMURA MITSUHIRO, President of Japan’s Association of Northeast Asia Regional Studies and Senior Research Fellow of the Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia (ERINA), gave a keynote speech on “The Essential Elements of Regional Cooperation in Northeast Asia – Aimed at Lateral Relations Based on Equality and Mutual Benefit”, at the invitation of the Northeast Asian Research Center of Jilin University, the Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University, and the Institute of Japanese Studies of Jilin University. The lecture was held both online and offline. Wang Yanjun, Vice Dean of the Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University, addressed and presided over the lecture and served as an interpreter. Some faculty, undergraduates and postgraduates of the college participated in the event.  

    President MIMURA MITSUHIRO is a renowned Japanese scholar on Northeast Asia studies and a visiting scholar at the Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University. He once served as Chief of Research Division at ERINA, and external member of JETRO Institute of Developing Economies. He has in-depth studies on the economy of the Korean Peninsula and regional cooperation in Northeast Asia.

    In his lecture, President MIMURA MITSUHIRO elaborated on essential elements for regional cooperation in Northeast Asia from three aspects. Firstly, it was analyzed that China, Japan and South Korea play the lead in the current region based on economic statistical indicators including per capita GRP, proportion of trade value and aging population in Northeast Asia. Secondly, the essential basic elements for regional cooperation in Northeast Asia were interpreted in detail, that is, Northeast Asia is qualified for the transition from vertical cooperation to horizontal cooperation. Last but not least, future directions for sustainable cooperation in Northeast Asia were pointed out, and students were expected to “have a good knowledge of Northeast Asia studies and be a qualified Northeast Asian”.

    In the Q&A section, President MIMURA MITSUHIRO gave wonderful answers to the questions raised by students. Finally, Vice Dean Wang Yanjun made comments on the lecture and expressed gratitude to President MIMURA MITSUHIRO for sharing the research results.

    This academic report is a session of the High-end Symposium on Northeast Asia International and Regional Studies and also part of Japanese expert lecture series. The successful holding of the lecture has enhanced the understanding of regional cooperation in Northeast Asian among teachers and students of the college, and broadened their academic horizons. It is of positive significance to the academic exchanges between the college and Japan.