Deep Dive Series 2023: "Asia at a crossroads: How can Japan ensure regional peace and prosperity?"
8:30-10:00 am, July 25, 2023
(The speech and Q & A will be in English.)
Yoshihide Soeya
Professor Emeritus, the Faculty of Law, Keio University
Mike Mochizuki
Associate Professor of Political Science and International Affairs
Elliott School of International Affairs of George Washington University
Kuniko Ashizawa
Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, School of International Service, American University
Is Japan's National Security Strategy adopted last December adequate to navigate the challenges facing Asia as US-China strategic competition intensifies and as the shape of the international order becomes increasingly uncertain? Or does Japan need to refashion its diplomatic and security strategy in order to help create stability and prosperity in the region?
A newly-published report by a group of prominent academics (Asia's Future at a Crossroads: A Japanese Strategy for Peace and Sustainable Prosperity)offers a more realistic alternative strategy. The report, to be released on July 24, marks the culmination of more than four years of study and debate among eleven prominent scholars and former practitioners of Japanese foreign policy and international relations.
The report argues that Japan should pursue more proactive middle power diplomacy to mitigate U.S.-China rivalry, avoid a sharp division in Asia, and prevent great power conflict. It advocates a Shin-Bei Jiritsu approach, that is, a more autonomous foreign policy close to but not solely dependent upon the United States.
Three project members will present the report's key findings and policy recommendations regarding economics, security, and transnational challenges; and hard copies of the report will be available at the event.
YOSHIHIDE SOEYA is Professor Emeritus of Keio University, from which he retired in March 2020 after serving as professor of political science and international relations at the Faculty of Law for 32 years since 1988. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1987, specializing in world politics. His areas of interest are international relations in East Asia, and Japanese diplomacy and its external relations.
MIKE MOCHIZUKI holds the Japan-U.S. Relations Chair in Memory of Gaston Sigur at the Elliott School of International Affairs of George Washington University, and he is also a Non-Resident Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. He received his Ph.D. in political Science from Harvard University.He specializes in East Asian international relations and Japanese politics and foreign relations.
KUNIKO ASHIZAWA teaches international relations at the School of International Service, American University, and at the Elliott School of International Affairs,George Washington University. Her research interests include Japan's foreign policy, regional institution-building in Asia, and global governance. She received her PhD in international relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University.
In-person attendance
Please indicate when signing up whether you will attend on-line or in-person.
Members: 450 yen (including tax), coffee or tea included
Non-members: 1,650 yen (including tax), coffee or tea included
On-line attendance (via Zoom)
Members: free of charge
Non-members: 550 yen (including tax)
Details on how to join online will be sent to individual emails by Friday, July 21.
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Thank you
Professional Events Task Force