This autumn, PRIO has been honoured to host Natsumi Inoue, a young scholar from the International Christian University in Japan. The visit is part of the Next Generation Program for gender equality organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Japan. Ms. Inoue’s visit was followed up at PRIO on December 9, 2025, in a meeting with Deputy Head of Mission Hajime Matsumura and First Secretary Hideyuki Shiraishi from the Embassy of Japan in Oslo and Research Director Louise Olsson and Linn Åmot, who have coordinated the exchange at PRIO.
The new Next Generation Program was originally created by the then Prime Minister Kishida at the UN Summit of the Future in September 2024 and aims to nurture a younger generation in the field of gender equality. The first yearly program includes the Forum, “Path to Gender Equality: Perspectives and Actions of Young People”, held on December 10 in Tokyo; a conference which was introduced by the State Minister for Foreign Affairs and with a keynote by the Head of UN Women. State Minister Horii expressed that he hoped that “the forum would serve as an opportunity for young people, who will be the future promoters of gender equality, to deepen their understanding of international discussions and issues in the gender field, foster research and debate, and build networks.”
The visit of Ms. Inoue to PRIO and it’s Gender, Peace and Security Centre included interviews, meetings, and conferences attendance, involving the institute’s leading researchers and the Centre Director, Torunn Tryggestad, as well as experts on gender equality from other research and policy institutions in Oslo, such as the Former UN Force Commander, General Kristin Lund. Discussions highlighted emerging themes in WPS, such as women’s roles and gender equality dimensions in disaster and defence preparedness in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, and the role of extremism and global normative shifts on gender equality—issues of strategic importance for both Japan and Norway.
The visit takes place during an important year for Norwegian-Japanese relations. This year, Japan and Norway celebrate 120 years of diplomatic relations and the countries co-lead The Women, Peace and Security Focal Points Network. Norway’s Embassy to Japan also co-organized a Nordic panel on WPS and NATO, Women, Peace and Security (WPS) – Strengthening Peace, Resilience and Security Efforts through Inclusion at the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan in August. The panel had a focus on disaster reduction and engaged students from leading Japanese universities on the role of youth for WPS. The panel speakers included representatives from the Ministry of Defence of Japan and Research Director Olsson from PRIO.
The exchange contributes to PRIO’s strategic support to raise a new generation of scholars and supporters in peace and conflict research. PRIO is very grateful for its cooperation with the Gender Mainstreaming Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.
AloJapan.com