On Thursday, 24 October 2024, Jean-Eric Paquet, the Ambassador of the European Union to Japan, visited Yamaguchi University, where he paid a courtesy call on President Tanizawa, and attended faculty research presentations. He listened with interest to Associate Professor Okada’s work on improving LED efficiency and Associate Professor Shiraishi’s research on carbon neutrality through turquoise hydrogen production.

On 25 October, Ambassador Paquet delivered a keynote lecture on EU-Japan Relations in a Changing World, discussing EU transformations, challenges, and the importance of EU-Japan cooperation. The event concluded with a talk session where he engaged thoughtfully with questions from students, leaving a lasting impression.

The Ambassador’s visit not only strengthened ties between the university and Europe but also inspired students to take a greater interest in international politics and enhanced the awareness of internationalisation across the university.