KAMLOOPS – A talk entitled “The new Japanese government : New directions and implications for Canada” by Joseph Caron, Canada’s Ambassador to Japan, will be a feature of the Japan Studies Association of Canada 2006 Annual Conference, to be held at Thompson Rivers University Oct. 12 to 15.

One of Canada’s most senior diplomats, Ambassador Caron will be giving a talk titled “The new Japanese government:New directions and implications for Canada” at the evening banquet on Saturday, October 14th.

Well-placed to discuss both Japan and the region, Ambassador Caron joined the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service in 1972, and was assigned to Saigon and Ankara. In 1975, he began Japanese language studies, and subsequently was posted three times to 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 G7 Summitry. He became Assistant Deputy Minister for Asia Pacific and Africa in 1998. Concurrently, Mr. Caron served as Canada’s Senior Official for APEC. From 2001 to 2005, he was Canada’s Ambassador to China, Mongolia and to North Korea.He was appointed Canadian Ambassador to Japan in 2005.

Ambassador Caron will speak at the conference banquet, to be held at 7 pm on Saturday, Oct. 14. The public is welcome to attend. Tickets are $50 in advance only. Please contact 828-5035

For more information, please contact Tom Waldichuk at 250-371-5718 or by e-mail.