#Japan #Tokyo #TCS #IFTC #Trilateral Cooperation

Overview of the International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation 2025

The International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC), organized by the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS), will be held on July 1, 2025, at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel in Tokyo. Since its inaugural event in 2011, the forum has rotated among the three nations—Japan, China, and South Korea—and this will mark its first return to Tokyo since 2018 and its first in-person gathering since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The theme of IFTC 2025 is “Creating the Future Together: The Significance of Japan-China-South Korea Cooperation in a Complex World.”

Goals and Importance

The forum aims to enhance cooperation among the three countries and contribute to policy-making. The TCS was established in 2011 to facilitate dialogue and collaboration, having since built a robust framework for interaction through various high-level meetings, including summits, ministerial forums, and over 70 practical discussions spanning politics, economy, culture, environment, and people-to-people exchanges.

IFTC serves as a vital platform for scholars, policymakers, and experts to gather insights, engage in meaningful policy discussions, and explore routes for deeper cooperation, especially in today's rapidly changing global environment. IFTC 2025 represents an opportunity to reassess the role of trilateral cooperation and discuss effective responses to regional and global challenges, paving the way for collective action.

Event Details

Date and Time: July 1, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 3:50 PM
Venue: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel (5-minute walk from Shibuya Station)
Format: In-person with online participation via Zoom
Registration: IFTC Registration
Organizer: Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS)
Supporters: Asahi Shimbun, People's Daily, and Chosun Ilbo
Languages: Japanese, Chinese, Korean, and English (simultaneous interpretation available)
Expected Attendance: Approximately 200 participants

Program

Opening Ceremony (9:30 AM - 10:20 AM)

• - Opening remarks by TCS Secretary-General Lee Hyun-seop
• - Congratulatory messages from representatives of the foreign ministries of Japan, China, and South Korea, including:

- Wu Jianghao, Chinese Ambassador to Japan
- Park Cheol-hee, South Korean Ambassador to Japan

• - Keynote speeches by distinguished speakers:

- Junko Kawaguchi, Former Minister of Environment and Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan
- Wu Hailong, President of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
- Kim Jin-pyo, Chairman of the Global Innovation Research Institute and former Head of the South Korean National Assembly

Session 1 (10:35 AM - 12:20 PM)

Topic: “Revitalizing Regional Cooperation: Institutionalizing Japan-China-South Korea Collaboration for Stability and Peace in Northeast Asia”

• - Moderator: Lee Ha-won, Chosun Ilbo's Foreign Affairs and Security Editor
• - Presenters:

- Japan: Yoshihide Toyosato, Professor Emeritus, Keio University
- China: Chen Dongxiao, President, Shanghai Institutes for International Studies
- South Korea: Kim Hyun-wook, Director, Sejong Institute

• - Discussants: Bilahari Kausikan, Special Honorary Fellow, National University of Singapore's Middle East Institute, and former Singaporean Foreign Minister

Session 2 (2:00 PM - 3:45 PM)

Topic: “Promoting Open Growth: Addressing Global Challenges and Pursuing a More Prosperous Northeast Asia”

• - Moderator: Atsushi Ijuin, Chief Researcher, Japan Center for Economic Research
• - Presenters:

- Japan: Sawako Shirahase, Senior Vice-Rector, United Nations University/Under-Secretary-General
- China: Yuan Boa, Director, Asia Research Institute, Ministry of Commerce
- South Korea: Hong Jong-ho, Professor, Seoul National University Graduate School of Environmental Studies

• - Discussant: Lim Kim-hwa, Managing Director, World Economic Forum

Conclusion

The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) aims to promote peace and prosperity among Japan, China, and South Korea since its establishment in 2011. The forum serves as a crucial meeting point for collaborative discussions, ultimately leading to beneficial actions in addressing pressing issues facing the three nations. For more information about the TCS, visit TCS Official Website.