Cooperation with Japan: DIS participation at the Japan International Arbitration Week
In the context of its intensified cooperation with the Japanese Ministry of Justice (MoJ), the Japan Association of Arbitrators (JAA) and the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA) the DIS was represented at the Japan International Arbitration Week through its Chairman Prof. Dr. Stefan Kröll. In addition, two members of its advisory board, Prof. Dr. Lars Markert and Cecilia Carrara, were member of several panels.
On 26 November 2025, the day organized by the Ministry of Justice, Prof. Kröll spoke first at the special session on the “Future of International Arbitration and Mediation – From Civil Law and Comon Law Perspectives” chaired by Mr. Naoki Idei (Executive Director JAA). Jointly with Anna-Joubin-Bret (UNCITRAL), Prof. Seung Wha Chang (KCAB) and Gloria Lim (SIAC) he discussed various combinations of mediation and arbitration as well as other ways to promote settlements in arbitration. Article 26 of the DIS Arbitration Rules and the recent DIS report on Settlement Facilitation attracted considerable interest from the audience.
In the afternoon, Prof. Kröll participated in a panel organized by the MoJ in collaboration with UNCITRAL on “Remoteness in Disputes Resolution”. The purpose of the panel was to evaluate whether “Remoteness" is a topic where UNCITRAL should undertake additional work on a protocol or other texts. The joint conclusion from the various experts involved was that in light of the already existing protocols on remote hearings, work on an UNCITRAL protocol was not a priority.
On 28 November 2025, upon invitation of the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association Prof. Kröll participated in a panel on “Strength in Unity – Cooperation Among Arbitral Institutions in a Fragmented World”. As the representative of the only European Institution he discussed with Nicky Balani (THAC, Thailand), Prof. Seung Wha Chang (KCAB) and Jacques Lynn (PICCR, Philippines) examples and benefits of cooperation between Arbitration Institutions .
On 29 November 2025, Prof. Kröll further spoke at the conference organized by the Japan International Mediation Center (JIMC-Kyoto). Jointly with Lok vi Ming (Deputy Chairman, SIMC), Judith Knieper (UNCITRAL), Yoshihiro Takatori (Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu), and Tony Dymond (Debevoise & Plimpton) he discussed “AI in International Mediation” reporting about the draft internal AI Rules of the DIS and the use of AI in two mock mediations done in context of the CDRC. In connection with the visit the JIMC expressed its interest in cooperating closer with the DIS to promote mediation of international business disputes.