Professor Satoshi Ikeuchi, Founding Chair at ROLES, and Koki Shigenoi, Visiting Researcher at ROLES, spoke at the seminar “Current State and Prospects of the Middle East: Strategy from Geopolitical, Business, and Legal Perspectives,” held on April 16, 2026.

The seminar was co-hosted by the Japan Institute for Overseas Investment (JOI) and Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, and supported by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). It was held at the JBIC auditorium.

The seminar addressed the growing importance of the Middle East not only for Japan’s energy security, but also as a region of expanding investment and business opportunities, driven by economic diversification, government-led mega-projects, foreign investment promotion, and legal and regulatory reforms. At the same time, the rise of geopolitical risk, particularly in connection with the Iran–Israel war, has made it increasingly important for companies to assess regional developments and prepare practical responses.

In the first session, Professor Ikeuchi delivered a keynote lecture titled “Current Analysis and Future Outlook of Middle East Affairs.” His lecture examined the ongoing geopolitical transformation of the Middle East, including the Iran–Israel war, regional security dynamics, and the strategic positions of the Gulf states.

In the second session, Visiting Researcher Shigenoi delivered a lecture titled “Responses Required of Companies: From the Perspective of Risk Consulting.” His lecture discussed how instability in the Middle East affects corporate activities, supply chains, energy security, investment decisions, and crisis management, and explained how companies should respond to geopolitical risks.

The seminar also included a lecture on the current situation in the United Arab Emirates from the perspective of strategic legal practice, followed by a Q&A and discussion session. The event provided an opportunity to examine the current state and future prospects of the Middle East from geopolitical, business, and legal perspectives.

For more details, please see the link below.

Current State and Prospects of the Middle East: Strategy from Geopolitical, Business, and Legal Perspectives
https://www.joi.or.jp/seminar/20260416/