One Year After the Tsunami: A Report from Tohoku
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Dr. Andrew Oros and a group of his students from his political science
class traveled to the Tohuku region last month. During their trip, they
met Governor Murai of Miyagi Prefecture and local leaders in
Higashi-Matsushima City. They also met with local citizens from Miyagi
and engaged in volunteer work to help clean up the city. In this
presentation, Dr. Oros, Kim Pittman, John Preston Hildebrand, Kathleen
Pattie, and Gabrielle Tarbert discussed some of their experiences, their
impressions, and their observations of the region…More>>
Discussion on the Future of Japan’s Defense Posture
Friday, March 16, 2012
Japan’s evolving security needs require increasing
flexibility and technological superiority in the JSDF in order to deter
aggression and to carry out humanitarian missions. At the same time,
maintaining interoperability and promoting bilateral coordination with US
forces remain as foundational features of Japan’s defense strategy. In this presentation, Colonel Koji Imaki
discussed the ways in which jointly developing defense systems with the US
could help the JSDF maintain a qualitative edge in defense capabilities, while
reducing the risks and costs typically associated with R&D. Colonel Naoyuki Taura’s presentation examined
the logistical challenges encountered during Operation Tomodachi, and
suggested ways in which the JSDF could increase bilateral coordination and
organizational efficacy. Both presenters highlighted the strategic
importance of the Japanese domestic defense industry and shared their
perspective on the future of Japan’s defense posture…More>>
New Nuclear Agenda: Prospects for US-Japan Cooperation
Friday, February 24, 2012
The accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station
demonstrated quite dramatically the national security risk that civil nuclear
power stations can present, and has led to reflections in many countries around
the world about the long-term prospects for investments in nuclear energy, and
weighing the environmental, economic and safety factors alongside the energy
benefits…More>>