Japan Memo

Robert Ward hosts Goto Shihoko, Senior Fellow for Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Mansfield Foundation, and Eto Naoko, Professor at Gakushuin University and Senior Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics, for a timely discussion on Japan–US–China economic relations.. Together, they explore: ·        US-China competition and its implications for Japan’s economic strategy·        Japan-China dynamics in rare earths supply chains and technology competition·        Japan’s balancing act between economic engagement with China and its alliance commitments with the US·        The potential implications of upcoming major diplomatic events, including US diplomacy on China. Recommended readings from our guests: ·        Kokubun Ryosei, Japan-China Relations through the Lens of Chinese Politics (Tokyo: JPIC International, 2021), 326pp.·        Richard Katz, The Contest for Japan's Economic Future: Entrepreneurs vs Corporate Giants (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024), 356pp.·        Jeffrey Ding, Technology and the Rise of Great Powers: How Diffusion Shapes Economic Competition, (Prinston: Princeton University Press, 2024), 320pp.We hope you enjoy the episode. Please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your preferred podcast platform. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 5 September 2025Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Dr Chijiwa Yasuaki, Chief, International Conflict Division, National Institute for Defence Studies (NIDS), Ministry of Defence, Dr Jennifer Lind, Associate Professor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth, and Dr Sayuri Romei, Senior Fellow in the German Marshall Fund, GMF, Indo-Pacific Program. They discuss the evolution of Japan's post-war defence policy in light of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II.  Robert, Yasuaki, Jennifer and Sayuri discuss:  Evolution of Japan’s defence policy — shift from post-war defensive defence doctrine to recent adoption of counter-strike capability, expanded defence budget and multi-domain defence forceRole of external environment and alliances — China’s rise, North Korea’s threat, Russia’s actions and shifting US commitments shaping Japan’s security trajectoryDomestic politics and public opinion — gradual change in attitudes, reduced resistance to defence reforms and evolving consensus on stronger defence postureUS-Japan alliance deepening — institutional developments, interoperability improvements, establishment of joint command structures, people-to-people ties strengthening alliance foundationsWe 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: 6 August 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Sakata Yasuyo, Professor of International Relations at Kanda University, Victor Cha, President of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Jung-Hoon Lee, Dean and Professor of International Relations at the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University. They discuss Japan–South Korea relations in light of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalisation.  Robert, Yasuyo, Victor and Jung-Hoon discuss:  Evolution of Relations: From diplomatic normalisation in 1965 to people-to-people and civil society engagement, especially post-1998Japan–South Korea–US trilateral alignment, institutional frameworks, and strategic consultation, notably the 2023 Camp David SummitFuture Prospects and Domestic Pressures: Economic strain, shifting public sentiment towards China, and cautious optimism in bilateral cooperationThe following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed: Victor Cha, Alignment Despite Antagonism: The United States-Korea-Japan Security Triangle, (California: Stanford University Press, 1990), 376pp. Victor Cha, Powerplay: The Origins of the American Alliance System in Asia, (New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 2016), 352pp. Victor Cha and Ramon Pacheco Pardo, Korea: A New History of South and North, (Connecticut: Yale University Press, 2024), 320pp.Chong-Sik Lee, Japan and Korea: The Political Dimension, (California: Hoover Institution Press, 1985), 234pp. Brad Glosserman and Scott A. Snyder, The Japan–South Korea Identity Clash: East Asian Security and the United States, (New York: Columbia University Press, 2015), 240pp. 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: 30 June 2025  Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition of Japan Memo Season 5, Robert Ward reports from Singapore on the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. Joining him is Professor Jimbo Ken, Managing Director of the International House of Japan, President of the Asia Pacific Initiative, and Professor at Keio University’s Faculty of Policy Management. They deliver timely and in-depth analysis of this year’s key developments and strategic narratives. Robert and Professor Jimbo discuss: ·        Major themes and takeaways from the 2025 Dialogue and how it compares with previous years·        Key messages from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s speech·        Regional perspectives on China’s activities and strategic posture·        Analysis of Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen’s address·        ASEAN’s evolving role in an increasingly contested regional orderWe 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: 1 June 2025 This episode of Japan Memo was recorded in Singapore and produced at the IISS in London.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Professor Hosoya Yuichi, Professor of International Politics at Keio University, Professor Yee Kuang Heng, Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy and Director of the Security Studies Unit at the Institute for Future Initiatives at the University of Tokyo, and Fenella McGerty, the IISS Senior Fellow for defence economics in the Defence and Military Analysis Programme. They discuss Japan-UK relations.   Robert, Yuichi, Yee Kuang and Fenella discuss:  Japan-UK diplomatic alignment, amid the UK’s tilt towards the Indo-PacificJapan-UK defence partnership, including the GCAP, the UK CSG deployment to the Indo-PacificJapan-UK economic cooperation, including the bilateral economic 2+2, the UK accession to the CPTTPWe 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: 6 May 2025  Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Dr Bart Gaens, Senior Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and Japan Chair at the International Centre for Defence and Security, Tatsumi Yuki, Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center, and Dr Alice Dell’Era, Assistant Professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. They discuss Japan’s role in Indo-Pacific minilateralism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Robert Ward and guests Professor Takahara Akio, a University of Tokyo expert on Chinese diplomacy, Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick, a senior research scientist focused on Sino-Russian relations, and Dr. Catherine Jones, a security lecturer at St Andrews. The trio discusses the implications of the deepening Russia-China partnership, especially in light of the Ukraine conflict. They delve into Japan's security challenges, the need for stronger U.S. ties, and the delicate geopolitical balancing act Japan faces with China and Russia. A vibrant exploration of a complex landscape!

Robert Ward hosts Professor Suzuki Kazuto, Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo, and Dr Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp, Director at Agora Strategy Group, to explore Japan’s economic security policy.  Robert, Professor Suzuki and Dr Pohlkamp discuss: Recent developments in Japan’s economic security strategyThe European perspective on Japan’s economic security policyKey differences between Japan and Europe’s economic security approachesThe future of Japan-China economic relations The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed:  Aoyama Michiko, What You Are Looking for Is in the Library, (New York: Doubleday, 2023), 256pp. Okamoto Yukio, Japan and the United States: The Journey of a Defeated Nation - A Diplomat’s Memoir by Yukio Okamoto, (Vermont: Tuttle Publishing), 388pp.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: 30 January 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward is joined by Bill Emmott, Chairman of the IISS Trustees, Murano Masashi, a senior fellow with Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair, and Dr Baldauff Nanae, Non-Resident Senior Associate Fellow at the NATO Defense College to discuss Japan and deterrence.  Robert, Bill, Masashi and Nanae discuss:  ·        The strategic definition of deterrence, from what it entails to how it works·        Nuclear deterrence, including Japan’s strategy amid the nuclear arms race in East Asia·        Integrated deterrence, including Japan’s efforts to deepen and integrate operations with allies and partnersWe 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: 31 October 2024  Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.