Fumio Kishida today joined Oxford University’s Blavatnik School of Government as a member of the World Leaders Circle. Mr Kishida was the head of the Japanese government from 2021 to 2024. 

The World Leaders Circle is an international network of former heads of government, whose rich experience and insight shape the Blavatnik School’s work to improve governance across the globe. From training current and future public leaders to pioneering research, the network will provide an opportunity for global connection and collaboration. 

Professor Ngaire Woods, Dean of the Blavatnik School said: 

“We are delighted to welcome Fumio Kishida to the Blavatnik School as a Distinguished Fellow and member of our World Leaders Circle. His extensive experience of leadership at the highest levels of government and international affairs will bring invaluable insights to our global community; the aspiring public leaders we train will have a rare opportunity to learn directly from his experience of public service and leadership on the global stage.” 

Mr Kishida said: 

"I am honoured to be joining the Blavatnik School of Government's World Leaders Circle. Oxford has long been a place where ideas that shape the world are born and debated, and I can think of no better setting for the dialogue our times demand. As Prime Minister, I was deeply committed to building a free and open international order based on the rule of law, strengthening cooperation with allies and like-minded countries, and pursuing a world without nuclear weapons. With this in mind, I look forward to contributing to the School's research and dialogue and to engaging with the next generation of global leaders who will carry these efforts forward." 

World Leaders Circle members include the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, the Rt Hon Dame Jacinda Ardern; former Prime Minister of the UK, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak; and former President of Colombia, Ivan Duque.