Project
Japanese Foreign Policy
Creative approaches to Japan’s most significant international security and foreign policy challenges
About the Project
This project provides a platform for rising academics and policymakers to discuss and analyze Japan’s security challenges and its relationships with its neighbors, particularly North and South Korea, China, and the “Quad” countries. Through insightful analysis, policy briefs, international events, and publications, we develop solutions and provide recommendations for policymakers to address Japan’s most significant security challenges. Since this project’s inception, leading and emerging scholars have brought their expertise to bear on issues from peacekeeping to nuclear deterrence to disaster management.
Project Team
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Research & Writing
Commentary
Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi faces a test in Washington to return North Korea to the US and US-Japan alliance agendas
March 13, 2026
Commentary
Ishiba’s cautious response to the Trump-Zelensky summit collapse raises question’s about Japan’s long-standing foreign policy principles.
March 5, 2025
Commentary
The election on October 27 might have “moved the mountain” once again, paving the way toward a much greater change in Japanese politics.
November 1, 2024
Commentary
Despite announcing a snap October election as a destabilizing tactic, Japan’s new Prime Minister Ishiba may face the inconvenient reality that his governing task will not get any easier after October 27
October 2, 2024
Commentary
Despite the shock from Prime Minister Kishida’s choice to step down, it demonstrates the LPD’s capacity to change and regain the confidence of Japanese voters.
August 15, 2024
Commentary
Japanese PM Fumiko Kishida attended NATO’s 75th anniversary, advocating for stronger Indo-Pacific-European alliances amid Russia-North Korea ties and China’s rising threat.
July 12, 2024
Commentary
Exploring the evolution of Japan’s role in reconciling the East and West while catering to the Global South to promote liberal democracy internationally.
June 24, 2024
Policy Memo
Japan is forced to grapple with a “nuclear dilemma” rooted in its historical trauma and contemporary security challenges.
May 7, 2024
Policy Memo
The rise of “economic coercion” has presented complex challenges and opportunities to Japan for fostering a free and open economy.
April 9, 2024
Commentary
A look back—and ahead—at the arc of cooperation between Japan and Europe.
March 16, 2023
Commentary
Japan’s efforts to acquire defense-related space capabilities provide new opportunities for cooperation with the United States.
February 23, 2023
Commentary
In “the most severe and complex” Japanese security environment of the postwar period, new strategic documents outline a policy of deterrence by denial.
February 22, 2023
Commentary
Japan’s reason for announcing a remarkably new strategy is nothing less than a sense of crisis regarding the current situation in the region.
February 17, 2023
Commentary
Drafted in the early months of Russia’s invasion, Japan’s new national security documents draw upon a myriad of lessons from the conflict.
February 16, 2023
Commentary
Japan’s security cooperation with India can be expected to steadily deepen under the new Japanese National Security Strategy.
February 15, 2023
Commentary
Unpacking Japan’s perspective on economic security based on the new National Security Strategy.
February 10, 2023
Commentary
In its new National Security Strategy, Japan includes the development of a posture for information warfare and active cyber defense.
February 2, 2023
Commentary
Originally focused on non-military or non-traditional security cooperation, Japan’s strategic partnership with Australia has now moved closer to alliance-type cooperation.
February 1, 2023
Commentary
On the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN relations, Japan is preparing to deepen ties, but ASEAN is less visible in Japan’s new security policy documents.
January 25, 2023
Commentary
Japan’s strike capability debate must be accompanied by the political will of decision-makers.
December 7, 2022
Commentary
Expert views on its impact across four critical players: South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan.
May 25, 2022
Commentary
The current crisis in Ukraine will have a significant impact on the ongoing process to revise Japan’s National Security Strategy.
March 29, 2022
Book
Four policy briefs examine the scope and role of the U.S.-Japan alliance in the region, including alliance’s approach to regional threats, technology cooperation, economic security, and “minilateralism”
March 7, 2022
Commentary
Originally published by The Diplomat Magazine in October 2021.
October 1, 2021
Op-Ed
Originally published in The Diplomat.
September 28, 2021
Commentary
The Japan-Taiwan renaissance seen in 2021 may not last, but one element will certainly stay: the public acknowledgment that Taiwan and Japan’s security are linked.
September 10, 2021
Op-Ed
Japan’s ruling coalition failed to win a majority in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election. Is this the beginning of a leadership vacuum in Japan?
July 8, 2021
Op-Ed
This article was originally published in the June 2021 issue of The Diplomat Magazine
June 3, 2021
Op-Ed
This article was originally published by The Diplomat on May 21, 2021
May 24, 2021
Op-Ed
Originally published in the Diplomat on April 29, 2021.
May 3, 2021
Book
Four Japanese scholars explore the current state of Japan-Taiwan relations and make recommendations for further development.
March 17, 2021
Commentary
In May 2020, more than 40 world leaders urged the UN to act against cyberattacks on healthcare, and some experts say cyberattacks on COVID-19 related health facilities could qualify under the criteria for ‘use of force.’ The stability of healthcare systems is threatened by the overwhelming pandemic, but a more harmful risk is manmade collapse through malicious actions: cyberattacks.
March 11, 2021
Commentary
Japan’s relationship with Vietnam presents a model for how the U.S. can engage Vietnam and build a robust security-centric relationship
January 5, 2021
Op-Ed
This article was originally published in the Diplomat Magazine
September 2, 2020
Commentary
Japan has crafted its China policies to balance security threat and economic opportunity, but rising tension will force Japan to find a new normal
August 24, 2020
Chapter
The evolution of Japan’s foreign policy under the Abe administration and prospects for foreign policy in the post-Abe era.
July 15, 2020
Op-Ed
This article was originally published the The Japan Times
May 15, 2020
Commentary
How the Japanese governments handles the aftermath of the outbreak, could redeem the initial missteps that were cause for criticism
March 24, 2020
Book
Policy briefs by Japanese security experts on Japan’s core security issues, from emerging domains to enduring challenges
March 10, 2020
Commentary
June 3, 2019
Book
Views from the Next Generation is a series of policy briefs that offer recommendations for the most significant challenges facing Japan and its international partners today.
January 23, 2019
Recent Publications
Events
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