Speech by Prime Minister Schoof during his visit to Keio University in Tokyo

Ladies and gentlemen,

Students,

I couldn’t imagine coming to Japan without speaking with young people here.

Because when governments talk about working together towards a better future, we’re talking about your future.

And the future of young people in the Netherlands.

That’s why I’m here today, and I can’t wait to hear from all of you.

Thank you for coming, and for your gracious hospitality.

When I was preparing for today’s visit, I learned about a very special, personal link between the Netherlands and this renowned institution.

The founder of Keio University, Fukuzawa Yukichi, studied Dutch, and visited our country in 1862.

He was a major advocate of cooperation between Japan and the West – even back then.

And his particular interest in our country arose from the fact that the Netherlands was Japan’s first – and for a long time only – Western trading partner.

This year marks four hundred and twenty-five years of shared history between our countries. And that’s what brings us together today.

It’s not surprising that, throughout those four centuries, trade and economic cooperation have always been a key part of our bilateral relationship.

I’m glad that’s still the case.

And long may it continue!

At the same time, our partnership is increasingly dominated by geopolitical developments. And by issues involving peace and security.

Of course, the 24th of February 2022 was a clear turning point.

As you know, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on that day was a gross violation of UN treaties and the international legal order.

Make no mistake: if we fail to uphold the international legal order, then every nation will be vulnerable to invasion by aggressive, militarised neighbours.

Of course, the war in Ukraine is unfolding on the doorstep of the European Union, far away from Japan and other countries in this region.

But as your former Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, said at the time of the invasion: ‘Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow.’

And he was right.

I also believe that this conflict has fundamental repercussions for the future of the international rules-based order.

So today I’d like to express my great appreciation and gratitude for Japan’s practical actions: both as a partner in upholding sanctions against Russia, and in the support you have pledged for Ukraine’s reconstruction.

We’re working together towards the just and lasting peace that is so urgently needed.

In today’s globalised world, everything is connected to everything else.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Chinese actions around Taiwan, North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia: nothing takes place in a vacuum.

Everything is action and reaction for those autocratic countries, that care little for democracy, human rights or the international legal order.

We must be aware that autocratic governments around the world are watching the response of democratic countries like Japan, and the EU member states, very closely.

And they can see how Japan and NATO are already working together in many areas.

So we’re sending a vital message.

There’s also an important economic dimension to this.

More specifically: an issue of economic security and resilience.

Someone who recognised this very clearly was another former Japanese prime minister, Shinzo Abe, who introduced the concept of the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’.

When you consider that 80 per cent of global trade flows through the Indo-Pacific region, it’s clear that both Japan and the Netherlands depend on this route for their prosperity.

In fact, it’s essential for the future stability of the world.

Because open economies – like those of Japan and the Netherlands – are especially sensitive to any disruption to global trading.

And with a looming global trade war, economic developments are increasingly driven by politics.

Leadership in technology is not just about earning potential, but also about power and influence.

Here too, everything is connected to everything else.

I firmly believe that the only way to respond to all these developments is with even closer cooperation.

Closer cooperation to protect our shared values of freedom, justice and democracy.

Closer cooperation in the areas that are so vital to our future: high tech, food security, life sciences, the energy transition and water management.

And yes: closer cooperation to bolster our defence capabilities.

Not because we want to, but because we have no choice.

Europe is hard at work on this, because it’s quickly becoming clear that we can no longer take the post-war US security umbrella for granted.

This is the time to step up and take action – and not only for us in Europe.

Let me put it this way: in the Netherlands, when we talk about Ukraine we say ‘peace through strength, not war through weakness.’

But in today’s changing world, that should be a mantra for us all.

Students,

For over 4 centuries, the Netherlands and Japan have understood that countries stand stronger together than they do alone.

In this anniversary year, let us honour the legacy of Fukuzawa Yukichi, and in his spirit continue to expand and strengthen the cooperation between Japan and the Netherlands.

That’s why I’ve come to this amazing country.

And now, I look forward to talking with all of you.

Thank you.