Save-the-date! Book presentation Professor Dimitri Vanoverbeke

In view of the 160th anniversary of Belgium-Japan relations, the BLCCJ is delighted to invite you to a presentation by Belgian Professor Dimitri Vanoverbeke of the University of Tokyo, who will present his latest book “Japan and the World” (original Dutch title: Japan en de wereld), released in January 2026.

Venue will be the prestigious University of Tokyo, Hongo Campus, Faculty of Law.

“Japan and the World” reveals how Japan has balanced stability and innovation since 1945. While the country grapples with an aging population and economic pressure, it continues to perform exceptionally well in terms of safety, health, and social stability.

This book explores how Japan—despite having free elections and a critical press—has been governed almost uninterruptedly by a single political party for decades, and what this implies for the state of its democracy. Simultaneously, it sheds light on the increasingly close strategic bond between Japan and Europe.

About the speaker

Dimitri Vanoverbeke is a leading expert on the intersection of law and society in East Asia. He serves as a Professor at the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo and holds a part-time Professorship in Japanese Studies at KU Leuven, where he was a full-time faculty member until 2021.

With an extensive background teaching the politics, legal systems, and social structures of Japan at both institutions, Professor Vanoverbeke is a prolific author of numerous books and academic articles. Beyond his scholarly work, he is dedicated to public engagement, frequently sharing his deep insights into Japanese society with broad and diverse audiences.

We invite you to join us for this engaging presentation and dialogue, which will be followed by a casual networking session to continue the conversation.

Event Details

• Date: Tuesday 26 May 2026
• Time: 16:00 – 18:00
• Venue: The University of Tokyo
  Hongo Campus, Faculty of Law, building 3, room 801 (MAP)
  7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8654
• Fee: JPY 2,000 for members / JPY 4,000 for non-members
• Language: English

To register, please send your full name, company name and position to info@blccj.or.jp. We will send you a confirmation email.

Deadline for registration is Wednesday 20 May 12:00 JST.

Payment has to be confirmed by the deadline (we will send the details in the confirmation email).

We look forward to welcoming many people at this event!