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"I want to work in a position where I can influence the people around me to improve international relations."

Anna Moromizato, 4th year student, School of Law

At Building 8 on Waseda Campus

​The Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat (TCS) is an international organization established to promote peace, stability, and prosperity among Japan, China, and Korea. Moromizato is working to improve relations between Japan, China, and Korea by participating in the organization's youth exchange programs: the 2024 China-Japan-Korea Youth Summit (hereinafter referred to as the Youth Summit), the 2025 China-Japan-Korea Youth Ambassadors Program  (hereinafter referred to as the Youth Ambassadors Program), and  the 2025 China-Japan-Korea Trilateral Youth Speech Contest (hereinafter referred to as the Speech Contest). She delivered speeches in three languages, winning first place in the Challenger Division out of 12 entrants who passed the preliminary competition. We spoke to Moromizato about what motivated her to participate in the TCS programs, her activities, and her future aspirations.

-What made you decide to participate in the TCS program?

I was introduced to the program by a senior student when I studied abroad at Peking University through Waseda University's Double Degree Program in 2023. Growing up in a household where my father is Japanese and my mother is Chinese, I was familiar with both cultures and was very interested in the relationship between Japan and China and East Asia. There were also many Korean students in my high school class, and as I became friends with them, I was able to speak a little Korean, so I was keen to give it a try and applied.

-What kind of activities did you do in the TCS program?

At the Youth Summit, participants were divided into four representative teams from Japan, China, South Korea, and TCS, and held summit-style discussions on common issues facing the three countries, such as the environment, culture, and education, before finally presenting the results of their discussions. The 2024 Summit that I attended was held in Seoul, South Korea, for about a week in August, and included experiences with Korean culture and city tours, so I felt that I had a fulfilling time with a good balance of learning and experience. While the summit focused on politics and international relations between Japan, China, and South Korea, the communal living outside of the program also allowed us to experience each other's cultures, which helped us to understand each other's cultures better.

Left: A meeting at the Youth Summit. Moromizato is second from the right.
Right: After the Youth Summit, with the program completion certificate

The Young Ambassadors Program is a nine-day discussion program on trilateral cooperation. I participated in it in February 2025 and gave presentations on marine environmental issues in the three countries. While the Youth Summit was attended by many undergraduate students, this program was attended by many graduate students and doctoral students. I hit it off with the Chinese and Korean members who gave presentations with me, and we still keep in touch and have built wonderful friendships that transcend borders, even traveling abroad together since then.

After completing these two programs, I decided to test my language skills by competing in a speech contest in May 2025. The theme I was given was "Walking Together Today, Growing the Future: A Story of Japan-China-Korea Exchange," and I was asked to come up with my own original ideas. In response, I chose the theme "Similar Yet Different: The Importance of a Platform for Youth Exchange Between Japan, China, and Korea," and delivered a speech that emphasized that, in today's world where information is overflowing, the existence of a platform for discerning and understanding the veracity of that information is crucial for promoting dialogue and cooperation among our countries. My speech was judged by TCS President Lee Hee-seop and other distinguished guests representing the three countries. After the contest, I had the opportunity to speak directly to them about my life experiences and the significance of working on the international stage. Winning first place gave me confidence in my language skills, and it was a truly honorable opportunity.

Left: Giving a presentation at the Youth Ambassadors Program
Right: First place in the Challenger division of the speech contest, holding the trophy and certificate.

Through these three programs, I became keenly aware of the difficulties of East Asian relations, where history and current events collide. However, I also realized that when young people from East Asia talk to each other, misunderstandings are reduced and mutual trust is born. Furthermore, through the programs, I learned that international relations are greatly influenced by culture, identity, and historical memory, and that we need to look not only at laws and systems, but also at specific examples occurring in history and society. I also strongly believe that the differences between Japan, China, and South Korea are not barriers, but rather a force for promoting cooperation.

--What difficulties did you face during your activities?

The environment was different depending on the program, so managing my health was the biggest challenge. During the Youth Ambassador Program, I developed a fever, but the Chinese and Korean members accompanied me, saying, "Let's go to the hospital together." It made me realize that such warm friendships can be formed regardless of international background.

--Why did you decide to study at Waseda University's School of Law, and what are you studying there?

I chose Waseda University because it has an excellent study abroad program. Also, because I was interested in international relations, I decided to go to the School of Law where I could study international law. While I mainly studied law at university, I also focused on international relations when I studied abroad at Peking University. As I studied, I realized that international relations, like human relationships, cannot be achieved solely through ideals and the desire to get along, and that conflicts inevitably arise due to differences in positions and circumstances. I would like to learn more about these complex international relations in the future.

A photo taken by a friend at Peking University

-Finally, please tell us about your future prospects.

Moromizato during the interview

I am currently applying to graduate schools in the UK and China to learn more about international relations and am preparing to continue my studies. I hope to gain a wide range of knowledge at graduate school and to encourage those around me to be aware of what we can do to improve our environment and the relationships between countries.

Furthermore, after completing my master's program, I would like to work for an international organization like TCS, and I am actually planning to participate in a two-month internship at the TCS headquarters in Seoul from February to March 2026. I would like to use what I learn there to work to improve international relations, not only at TCS, but also at organizations such as the United Nations.

917th

Interview, text and photography: Waseda Weekly Reporter (SJC student staff)
Rinka Nishimura, 3rd year student, School of Human Sciences

【Profile】

A photo taken during a walk around Busan, Korea after the speech contest.

Originally from Shanghai, her hobbies include composing and singing her favorite jazz songs and playing the sanshin and koto. She also loves walking and sometimes walks five hours round trip from Waseda to Otemachi. Her favorite Waseda food is the sweet potato sticks with honey butter dip from GOOD MORNING CAFE Waseda.