Yuriko Backes was born on 22 December 1970 in Kobe, Japan.
After graduating with an International Baccalaureate from the Canadian Academy International School in Kobe in 1989, Yuriko Backes obtained a bachelor's degree in international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1992. She then attended the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, where she successfully completed a master's degree in Japanese studies in 1993. Yuriko Backes obtained a second master's degree in European political and administrative studies from the College of Europe in Bruges in 1994.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Xavier Bettel, and the Minister of Defence, Yuriko Backes, took part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the Council of the EU, which was held on 22 April 2024 in Luxembourg.
On 19 April 2024, Minister of Defence Yuriko Backes took part in a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, held via videoconference at the level of defence ministers, to discuss the operational and strategic situation on the ground and the support provided by the Allies to Ukraine in exercising its right to self-defence.
At the invitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians, TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are undertaking a State visit to the Kingdom of Belgium from 16 to 18 April 2024.
At the invitation of Their Majesties the King and Queen of the Belgians, TRH the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess are undertaking a State visit to the Kingdom of Belgium from 16 to 18 April 2024.
