Japan’s challenges amid growing cooperation between Russia and China with Professor Takahara Akio, Dr Elizabeth Wishnick and Dr Catherine Jones

Robert Ward hosts Professor Takahara Akio, Emeritus Professor of The University of Tokyo, Dr Elizabeth Wishnick, Senior Research Scientist at the Centre for Naval Analyses (CNA) and Dr Catherine Jones, a Lecturer at the University of St Andrews, to explore Japan’s challenges amid growing cooperation between Russia and China. 

 Robert, Akio, Elizabeth and Catherine discuss:   

• The recent development of the Russia-China strategic partnership in the Ukraine war 
• The limitations of the Sino-Russian relationship and the potential overlap of their interests  
• Japan’s security, economy and energy challenges amid growing Sino-Russian aligment 

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

• Takahara Akio and et al., Japan–China Relations in the Modern Era, (Abingdon: Routledge, 2017), 250pp. 
• Takahara Akio and et al., Nicchū kankei 2001-2022 [Japan-China Relations 2001-2022], (Tokyo: The University of Tokyo Press, 2023), 432pp.  
• Charles E. Ziegler, Russia in the Pacific: The Quest for Great Power Recognition, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024), 296pp.  
• Gaye Christoffersen, Russia in the Indo-Pacific: New Approaches to Russian Foreign Policy, (Abingdon: Routledge, 2022), 298pp. 
• Endo Shusaku, Chinmoku [Silence], (Tokyo: Shinchosha, 1981), 320pp. 
• Endo Shusaku, The Samurai, (Tokyo: Shinchosha, 1986), 520pp. 

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: 17 February 2025   

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

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