On 7 November, the Institute for the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (I-FOIP) hosted the first-ever ‘Abe Shinzo Memorial Lecture’ to commemorate its establishment and honour the achievements of the late Mr Shinzo Abe. It was held at Seikei University in Tokyo, the alma mater of the former Prime Minister of Japan.
The Memorial Lecture brought together Mr Abe’s close aides, government officials, former schoolmates and young students, as well as scholars and journalists. It provided an opportunity to reflect on the late PM’s historic achievements, notably the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
Following the opening remark by Professor Kei Hakata, the Institute’s President, Mrs Akie Abe, the wife of the former PM and the event’s special guest, delivered a touching address.
The Memorial Lecture featured Professor Tomohiko Taniguchi, Executive Advisor of I-FOIP and the former speechwriter of Prime Minister Abe, and Professor Naoko Munakata from the University of Tokyo, who was formerly an Executive Secretary to the late Prime Minister.
As Mr Seiji Muto, Secretary-General of I-FOIP and a board member of Seikei Gakuen, acted as a moderator, Professors Taniguchi and Munakata gave keynote and special lectures, respectively.
In his opening remark, Professor Hakata stated, ‘There has never been a moment when Prime Minister Abe’s achievements hold greater significance than now. As Japan’s diplomacy embarks on a new chapter, FOIP – serving as its compass – will undoubtedly attract even greater attention’.
I-FOIP was established on 27 August 2025, corresponding to the FOIP’s official launch date of 2016, to contribute to maintaining and strengthening the international order as well as passing on the intellectual legacy of the late PM Shinzo Abe. Its Secretariat is located at Professor Hakata’s Research Office (Room 416), Building No. 10, Seikei University.
