Japan Joins Three Seas Initiative as Strategic Partner

On March 31, a roundtable discussion was held in Washington, D.C., focusing on Japan's new role as a strategic partner in the Three Seas Initiative (3SI). The event, moderated by Dr. Sayuri Romei, featured presentations from Prof. Beata Bochorodycz, Prof. Atsuko Higashino, and Anthony Kim. Japan officially joined the 3SI in April 2024, alongside the United States and the EU. The 3SI, established in 2015, aims to enhance connectivity and reduce disparities in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and the Baltic states by promoting infrastructure development in energy, transport, and digital sectors. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the initiative's importance and the region's economic dependence on Russia. Bochorodycz noted that Japan's participation would contribute to regional infrastructure development and counterbalance Russian and Chinese influence. Higashino suggested the 3SI could serve as a vital forum for Japan's involvement in Ukraine's reconstruction, allowing Japan to learn from infrastructure building experiences in the 3SI region. Kim emphasized the importance of cooperation among strategic partners and private sector engagement, stating that the 3SI should be a platform for attracting private sector investors.