Description

This keynote lecture was a part of the 2017 Japan Studies Association of Canada conference (https://archive.munkschool.utoronto.ca/csgj/jsac2017/). The JSAC conference was a paid event, and this keynote was offered free of charge.  

Biography:  Honorary Professor, Institute of Asian Research, UBC. Joseph Caron joined the Trade Commissioner Service in 1972, and served abroad in Saigon and Ankara. In 1975, he began Japanese language studies, and subsequently served three times at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, including as Minister and Head of Chancery. During the 1980s, he undertook private sector assignments involving China, Hong Kong, Korea and Taiwan. In Ottawa, he has held several positions related to Asian and international economic affairs, including G8 summitry. In 1998, he became Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific and Africa, and served as Canada’s Senior Official for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. Until 2005, Mr. Caron served as Canada’s Ambassador to China, with concurrent accreditation to North Korea and Mongolia. From 2005 to 2008, he was Canada’s Ambassador to Japan. In 2008, Mr. Caron was awarded an honorary doctorate from the Meiji Gakuin University. From August 2008 to June 2010, Mr. Caron was High Commissioner to the Republic of India, with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal and the Kingdom of Bhutan.