On November 10th, 2022, a high-end lecture on "30 Years of History of Japan-Russia Economic Relations" of the High-End Symposium on Northeast Asia International and Regional Studies was successfully held at Jilin University. The lecture was jointly organized by the Northeast Asian Research Center of Jilin University, the Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University, and the Special Committee for Northeast Asian Regional Studies, Academic Association for International Cultural Exchange. The Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University invited Professor ARAI HIROFUMI, Director and Chief Research Fellow of the Research and Studies Department, Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia (ERINA), to deliver the lecture. The lecture was hosted by Associate Professor Li Hongmei, Deputy Director of the Institute of World Economics, Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University. Associate Professor Hu Renxia, Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University, and postgraduate students and doctoral students majoring in World Economics and International Politics attended and enlivened the lecture. At the beginning of the lecture, Associate Professor Li Hongmei, on behalf of Prof. Wu Hao, Dean of the Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University, extended a warm welcome and high appreciation to Prof. ARAI HIROFUMI.

    Professor ARAI HIROFUMI is currently the Director and Chief Research Fellow of the Research and Studies Department, Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia (ERINA), a permanent member of the Japan’s Association of Northeast Asia Regional Studies, and an Honorary Professor of the Institute of Economics of the Far East Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. His main areas of research are logistics and energy cooperation in Northeast Asia and development policy in the Russian Far East.

    Prof. ARAI HIROFUMI first reviewed the historical events that had a significant impact on Japan-Russia economic relations, such as the Japan-Russia Treaty of Friendship, the Russo-Japanese War in the early 20th century, and the Japan-Soviet Union Joint Declaration, as well as the history of Japan-Russia economic development before the establishment of the Russian Federation. He then focused on the economic development of the Russian Federation in the 30 years since its establishment and its economic relations with Japan, specifically Japan's dependence on Russia for energy and the need for deeper economic cooperation between Japan and the Russian Far East, but the Russian-Ukrainian conflict has cast a shadow over Japan-Russia economic cooperation. Professor Arai presented an insightful presentation.

    During the Q&A session, students who attended the lecture enthusiastically asked questions, and Professor Arai answered them wholeheartedly. At the end of the event, Associate Professor Li Hongmei commented that Professor Arai's lecture and his research series are of great value and will help students and faculty of the Northeast Asian Studies College of Jilin University, especially those studying Russian and Japanese economies, to clarify their research ideas and discover new research perspectives.