ChinaTalk

Japan's Economic Security Renaissance

Apr 10, 2024

Kazuto Suzuki, a Professor at the University of Tokyo and advisor on Japan’s economic policy, dives into the nation's evolving economic security landscape. He discusses Japan's new national security laws and their impact on global semiconductor supply chains. Highlights include historical lessons on economic coercion, the interplay of Japan's export controls with U.S. demands, and ambitious plans for space commercialization. Co-host Arrian Ebrahimi adds insights on the geopolitics of East Asia, making this a compelling conversation on economic resilience.

01:22:23

Episode guests

Kazuto Suzuki

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Japan prioritizes economic security amidst geopolitical tensions with China, focusing on national resilience and supply chain protection.

Japan's efforts to balance economic growth and national security are demonstrated through initiatives like the Economic Security Promotion Act and establishment of the Institute of Geoeconomics.

Collaboration with the U.S and Netherlands on export controls showcases Japan's commitment to securing semiconductor supply chains and reducing risks from technological dependencies.

Deep dives

The Impact of Geopolitics on Japan's Economic Security

Geopolitical tensions between Japan and China due to past incidents like the collision near the Senkaku islands influenced Japan's focus on economic security. The episode discusses how China's economic coercion tactics, like limiting rare minerals crucial for Japanese automobiles, prompted Japan to prioritize supply chain resilience and the Economic Security Promotion Act.

Intro

4min

Japan's Economic Security Strategy

20min

Japan's Export Controls: Historical Context and Geopolitical Dynamics

23min

Japan's Economic Sanctions: Historical Lessons and Modern Implications

21min

Exciting Developments in Japan's Space Endeavors

3min

Elon Musk and Japanese Perspectives on Social Media

6min

Music and Surveillance: A Reflective Conclusion

3min

To learn about Japan’s new economic national security policy, export controls, chip policy, lessons from history, and even space policy, we interviewed Kazuto Suzuki.

Suzuki-san is a professor at the University of Tokyo. He serves as an advisor to Japan’s Ministry of the Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI) as well as advising Japan’s space program. He served on the UN Security Council's Iran Sanctions Panel, and he also recently established the Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan.

We get into…

What Japan’s new economic national security law does, and what it means for global semiconductor supply chains;
The state of multilateral export controls;
Nippon steel, the US election, and cooperation between East Asian democracies;
Historical examples of economic coercion, from the Qing Dynasty to FDR vs imperial Japan to the Senkaku islands;
Japan’s goals for space commercialization;

… and more!

Co-hosting today is Arrian Ebrahimi, student at Yenching academy and author of the Chip Capitols Substack.

Outtro Music: Every Breath You Take/Theme from Peter Gunn as featured on the Sopranos The Sopranos - Every Breath You Take (youtube.com)

Cover photo: Toyohara Kuniteru III | Illustration of the Imperial Diet House of Commons with a Listing of all Members | Japan | Meiji period (1868–1912) | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.

ChinaTalk

Japan's Economic Security Renaissance

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Impact of Geopolitics on Japan's Economic Security

Balancing Economic Growth and National Security

Export Controls and Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment

Innovations in Japan's Space Program

Reflections on Twitter Usage in Policy Debates

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts