On January 30, Asia Society Policy Salon Tokyo welcomed H.E. Hamish Cooper, Ambassador of New Zealand, to share his reflections on his five and a half years as ambassador, as well as his insights about the future of New Zealand – Japan partnership.

The ambassador began by highlighting the high priority New Zealand places on its partnership with Japan, emphasizing the government’s strategic investments and increased resources to strengthen bilateral relations.

Increased positive perceptions and growing appreciation between the two countries through cultural exchanges have acted as a catalyst in strengthening their bilateral relationship, fostering deeper understanding and respect for Japanese culture and society among New Zealanders and vice versa.

Maintaining and improving geostrategic and economic partnerships was a major theme of the talk, as the ambassador emphasized the critical importance of both nations working together to provide direction in an increasingly unstable global political climate. He highlighted the vital role of Japanese companies in supporting the Māori economy and stressed that sustaining strong trade flows and expanding collaboration in high-tech sectors like renewable energy and space technologies will further strengthen the relationship.

The ambassador concluded with optimism for the future of New Zealand-Japan relations, emphasizing the continuous development of trust and cooperation, and the shared commitment to fostering a stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

Asia Society Japan Policy Committee Chair Jesper Koll joined the ambassador for a fireside chat, where they discussed the ambassador’s personal history and reflections on his diplomatic tenure. The Q&A session featured a lively discussion about various topics including of cultural exchange, immigration policies, and the global political climate.