Japan and the US under a second Trump presidency with Dr Sheila Smith and Dr Jeffrey Hornung

Robert Ward hosts Dr Sheila Smith, Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and Dr Jeffrey Hornung, the Japan Lead for the RAND National Security Research Division.  

Robert, Sheila and Jeffrey discuss:   

• Japan’s strategic landscape under Trump 2.0, including insights for PM Ishiba from Abe’s successful approach 
• Japan’s defence policy challenges under Trump 2.0, including potential US demands for increased financial contributions to the security alliance. 
• The future of minilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific under Trump 2.0, notably QUAD and AUKUS 

The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed:   

• Abe Shinzo, Abe Shinzo Kaiko Roku [Abe Shinzo Memoir] (Tokyo: Chuokoron-Shinsha, Inc., 2023), 480pp. 
• Funabashi Yoichi, Shukumei no Ko Volume 1: Abe Shinzou Seiken Kuronikuru [Destiny Child on Abe Shinzo Administration Chronicles Volume 1] (Tokyo: Bungeishunju Ltd., 2024), 560pp. 
• Funabashi Yoichi, Shukumei no Ko Volume 2: Abe Shinzou Seiken Kuronikuru [Destiny Child on Abe Shinzo Administration Chronicles Volume 2] (Tokyo: Bungeishunju Ltd., 2024), 640pp. 
• John W Dower, Embracing Defeat – Japan in the Wake of World War II, (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2000), 688pp.  
• Nakae Chomin, A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government, (Tokyo: Weatherhill Inc., 1992), 144pp.  

We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org.  

Date recorded: 4 December 2024   

Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.   

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