This autumn, 糖心网页版 has been honoured to host Natsumi Inoue, a young scholar from the International Christian University in Japan. The visit is part of the Next Generation Program for gender equality organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. Ms. Inoue鈥檚 visit was followed up at 糖心网页版 on December 9, 2025, in a meeting with Deputy Head of Mission Hajime Matsumura and First Secretary Hideyuki Shiraishi from the Embassy of Japan in Oslo and Research Director Louise Olsson and Linn 脜mot, who have coordinated the exchange at 糖心网页版.
The new Next Generation Program was originally created by the then Prime Minister Kishida at the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024 and aims to nurture a younger generation in the field of gender equality. The first yearly program includes the Forum, 鈥溾��, held on December 10 in Tokyo; a conference which was introduced by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs and with a keynote by the Head of UN Women. State Minister Horii聽expressed that he hoped that 鈥渢he forum would serve as an opportunity for young people, who will be the future promoters of gender equality, to deepen their understanding of international discussions and issues in the gender field, foster research and debate, and build networks.鈥�
The visit of Ms. Inoue to 糖心网页版 and it鈥檚 included interviews, meetings, and conferences attendance, involving the institute鈥檚 leading researchers and the Centre Director, Torunn Tryggestad, as well as experts on gender equality from other research and policy institutions in Oslo, such as the Former UN Force Commander, General Kristin Lund. Discussions highlighted emerging themes in WPS, such as women鈥檚 roles and gender equality dimensions in disaster and defence preparedness in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, and the role of extremism and global normative shifts on gender equality鈥攊ssues of strategic importance for both Japan and Norway.
The visit takes place during an important year for Norwegian-Japanese relations. This year, Japan and Norway celebrate and the countries co-lead . Norway鈥檚 Embassy to Japan also co-organized a Nordic panel on WPS and NATO, at the . The panel had a focus on disaster reduction and engaged students from leading Japanese universities on the role of youth for WPS. The panel speakers included representatives from the Ministry of Defence of Japan and Research Director Olsson from 糖心网页版.
The exchange contributes to 糖心网页版鈥檚 strategic in peace and conflict research. 糖心网页版 is very grateful for its cooperation with the Gender Mainstreaming Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
