James Hardy – Second Secretary at the British Embassy in Tokyo – presents a guest lecture on the United Kingdom’s evolving Defence relationship with Japan. From 2015 to 2021, James was the FCDO’s Senior Research Analyst on Japan and East Asia Security, tasked with providing expert insight, all-source analysis and challenge to senior UK policymakers and ministers. Prior to joining HMG, he was the Asia-Pacific Editor for Jane’s Defence Weekly and a staff writer at Japan’s largest newspaper. He is joined by Maj Kenji Ara, former Deputy Defence Attaché to Japan.