(NEWS) Ambassador of Japan to Sweden Visits WMU

February

2016

Ambassador of Japan to Sweden Visits WMU

H.E. Mr. Jun Yamazaki, Ambassador of Japan to Sweden, was welcomed to WMU on 15 February by Vice-President International, Dr. Shuo Ma on behalf of Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, WMU President who is currently on mission. Ambassador Yamazaki has served in Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 1980 and his posts have included Ambassador to the United Nations in New York. Mr. Leif Almö, Honorary Consul General of Japan in Malmö, and Ms. Hanako Morita, Third Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Sweden, accompanied Ambassador Yamazaki on the visit.

The courtesy visit provided the opportunity for Ambassador Yamazaki, who was appointed to Sweden this past November, to visit the University’s new premises and learn more about the ongoing support WMU receives from The Nippon Foundation of Japan which through the Sasakawa Peace Foundation is the largest fellowship donor to the University. In addition, the Nippon Foundation sponsors multiple Professorial Chairs and in May of 2015 announced the intent to set up a special endowment fund worth US$100 million to support expansion of the WMU scope to include ocean-related matters and to establish an ocean and maritime research institution within WMU.

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Dissertation title

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My research explored the theoretical foundations of governance, placing a particular emphasis on maritime governance. Going beyond mere theoretical frameworks, the study conducted a comprehensive examination of a crucial aspect within maritime governance—specifically, the implementation of International Maritime Organization (IMO) instruments, exploring the contextual factors that affect the implementation process. Applying the grounded theory methodology, the research aimed to understand these theoretical underpinnings, as well as firmly anchor insights in the practical context of maritime governance; unveiling the intricacies and challenges associated with the effective implementation of IMO instruments in the maritime domain. The selection of this topic was motivated by a personal interest that was cultivated during my Master’s studies in maritime law and policy. Furthermore, it was driven by the recognition of a scarcity of scientific research on this specific topic. This gap in the existing body of knowledge served as a catalyst for my exploration, underscoring the significance of contributing valuable insights to an area of maritime governance that has been relatively underrepresented in scholarly research.

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Embarking on my professional path, my foremost aim is to establish myself as an authority in the field of maritime governance. I aspire to leave a significant and enduring mark on the global maritime landscape. Beyond the academic sphere, my drive is fuelled by a passionate interest in pursuing diverse opportunities within the maritime domain and the broader educational sector and contributing significantly to positive transformations in the global maritime sector.

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