Former Canadian Ambassador to Japan on the Crisis (Video Interview)

By Asia Pacific Memo on March 22, 2011

Memo #66

Joseph Caron – jci [at] josephcaroninc.com

In an exclusive interview, Joseph Caron discusses the crisis in Japan. As former Ambassador to Japan and Honorary Professor at the Institute of Asian Research, Caron is in a position to evaluate bilateral relations between Canada and Japan following the recent earthquake, tsunami, and problems at the Fukushima Dai’ichi nuclear power plant. Caron notes that the government of Canada has already offered a great deal of support to Japan and may be asked for their expertise on such things as urbanization and construction codes once rebuilding begins. Moreover, he hopes that Canada and Japan can sustain strong political relations during what may be a period of political uncertainty in Japan.

According to Caron, the Japan Emperor’s role is to lend sympathetic and heartfelt support for the affected Japanese people and it is unlikely this role will change as a result of this crisis. The Emperor has already addressed Japanese citizens in a recent speech and Caron expects that the Emperor may find occasion to speak again in the coming months.

Mr. Caron mentions that for Japan, this crisis is of historical proportions. However, Japan has always been subjected to vagaries of nature, including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

When asked what to call the Japan earthquake, Caron says these types of events take time to develop a national definition. To reach consensus on a name, Japan must first reflect on the losses it has suffered and the struggles it has been forced to undertake.

About the Interviewee:

Joseph Caron – Honorary Professor, Institute of Asian Research, The University of British Columbia. Former senior public servant and diplomat with ambassadorial postings in Japan, China, and India.

Part 1 – Canada’s response to the Japan crisis (2:03 min)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1qjSJ_fn8o[/youtube]

Part 2 – Will this crisis change the role of Japan’s Emperor? (1:53 min)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Os3eH-92U[/youtube]

Part 3 – Putting the Japan crisis into perspective (1:48 min)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWOKTVsI5Hw[/youtube]

Part 4 – What will we call the Japan earthquake? (1:07 min)

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Xl_L_EfvbI[/youtube]

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