Japan Memo

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.

Robert Ward hosts Axel Berkofsky, Associate Professor at the University of Pavia, Professor Hatakeyama Kyoko, Professor of International Relations at University of Niigata Prefecture, and Professor Takenaka Harukata, Professor of Political Science at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies.  Robert, Axel, Kyoko and Harukata discuss: ·        Review of the Kishida administration’s security and foreign policy·        The Ishiba administration’s foreign policy amid intensifying US-China competition·        The Ishiba administration’s defence policy in Japan’s deteriorating security environment·        The Ishiba administration’s economic security and domestic economic policies 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: 08 October 2024 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 Matsuda Takuya, Adjunct Lecturer at Aoyama Gakuin University, Dr Vida Macikenaite, Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of International Relations of the International University of Japan, and Dr Wrenn Yennie Lindgren, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Centre for Asian Research at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.  Robert, Takuya, Vida and Wrenn discuss:  The recent development of Japan’s relationship with the Nordic and Baltic statesJapan’s security cooperation with the Nordic and Baltic states from defense equipment to cyber securityThe Nordic and Baltic approach to authoritarian powers, including their eyes on the potential cooperation between Russia and China in the High NorthThe similarities and differences in the security architecture of the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions  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: 6 September 2024  Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Professor Koga Kei, Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Shiozawa Hideyuki, Senior Program Officer at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and Euan Graham, Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.  Robert, Kei, Hideyuki and Euan discuss: Japan’s strategic approach to the Pacific Island countriesChina’s growing influence in the regionAustralia and its allies’ strategic objectives in the regionOutlook of Japan and its allies’ approach to the region amid US-China rivalry The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed: Euan Graham, Australia's Security in China's Shadow, (Abingdon: Routledge for the IISS, 2023), 232pp.Yamamoto Syūgoro, 日日平安 [Hibi Heian], (Tokyo: Shinchōsha, 1965), 480pp.Yamamoto Tsunetomo, translated by William Scott Wilson, 葉隠 [Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai], (Boulder: Shambhala Publications Inc, 2012), 200pp. The original book was written around 1716.Koga Kei and Katada Saori, Japan as a Liminal Power: Evolving Grand Strategies from Meiji to Reiwa (coming soon). Andrew Oros, Asia's Growing Security Strategies of America's Ageing Allies, Adversaries and Partners (coming soon).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: 31 July 2024 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.