NEWS

On Saturday, November 22, 2025, Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU) hosted a public symposium entitled “Trump 2.0 and Economic Security,” organized by the College of Asia Pacific Studies. Since the inauguration of the second Trump administration in the United States, its policies and statements have continued to exert significant influence on global markets and the international political economy. This symposium was held with the aim of examining how we should understand and respond to the rapidly changing international environment, with a particular focus on economic security.

The symposium opened with remarks by APU President YONEYAMA Hiroshi, followed by a keynote lecture by SUGAWARA Junichi (Owls Consulting Group Inc.). Using economic security as a key concept, Mr. SUGAWARA explained the accelerating transformations of the international order under the second Trump administration and the growing crisis facing the liberal international order. Drawing on the latest developments, his lecture provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their understanding of how the global situation centered on the United States is evolving, as well as the underlying factors and future outlook.

The subsequent panel discussion was moderated by Professor KIKKAWA Takuro, Dean of the College of Asia Pacific Studies. In addition to Mr. SUGAWARA, panelists included Professor SATO Yoichiro, Associate Professor VYAS Utpal, and Assistant Professor WATANABE Tsukasa, all from the College of Asia Pacific Studies. The discussion explored economic security from multiple perspectives, including challenges in the Asia Pacific region, Japan’s approach to economic security and the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” concept, the impact of U.S.–China tensions on neighboring countries, and responses to challenges posed by historical revisionism. The session also featured lively questions from the audience, fostering a meaningful exchange of views between participants and speakers.

Through this symposium, participants shared valuable insights into the perspectives on economic security required in today’s turbulent international environment. APU will continue to create opportunities for academic exchange that connect the local community with the world and to promote deeper understanding of pressing social issues.