Asia Undercurrent

The Quad Amidst Geopolitical Challenges: Can the four nations ensure a Free and Open Indo-Pacific?

In the Indo-Pacific, the Japan-US-Indo-Australian quadrilateral cooperation—known as “the Quad”—has risen to prominence amid growing geopolitical strains. But even as the Quad has come to the forefront in the region, questions remain about how effective the group can be in the face of multiplying issues. To better understand the challenges faced, we have brought together experts from each country. MODERATOR: ZACK COOPER[SENIOR FELLOW, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE] PANELIST: MICHAEL R. AUSLIN[PAYSON J. TREAT DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH FELLOW IN CONTEMPORARY ASIA AT THE HOOVER INSTITUTION, STANFORD UNIVERSITY] PANELIST: HAYLEY CHANNER[SENIOR POLICY FELLOW AT PERTH USASIA CENTRE] PANELIST: BRAHMA CHELLANEY[PROFESSOR EMERITUS AT THE CENTER FOR POLICY RESEARCH] PANELIST: KEN JIMBO[PROFESSOR AT THE FACULTY OF POLICY MANAGEMENT, KEIO UNIVERSITY]

Future of the Japan-US Alliance “Future of the Japan-US Alliance: A united front to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific?”

Following the constructive Japan-US Summit between PM Suga and President Biden on April 16, the first webinar in the Asia Undercurrent series will be the “Future of the Japan-US Alliance: A united front to realize a Free and Open Indo-Pacific?” This installment will focus on one of the region’s most important and enduring bilateral relations as well as how the leaders of both countries can continue working together to take on mutual challenges. MODERATOR: STEVE CLEMONS[EDITOR AT LARGE OF THE HILL] PANELIST: RICHARD FONTAINE[CEO OF CENTER FOR A NEW AMERICAN SECURITY AND FORMER FOREIGN POLICY ADVISOR FOR SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN] PANELIST: VALÉRIE NIQUET[HEAD OF THE ASIA DEPARTMENT AT FRS (LA FONDATION POUR LA RECHERCHE STRATÉGIQUE, FRANCE)] PANELIST: NOBUKATSU KANEHARA[PROFESSOR OF DOSHISHA UNIVERSITY IN KYOTO AND THE FORMER DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE NATIONAL SECURITY SECRETARIAT UNDER THE ABE ADMINISTRATION.]

Olympics, Omicron and Civil Obedience?: Lessons from Japan's COVID countermeasures

Japan has avoided severe lockdowns in favor of voluntary self-restraint measures. The result has been the lowest level of COVID-related deaths (230 per million) among all the nations in the OECD. Even large-scale events such as the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics took place with no upsurge in cases. There have been some downsides, however. With a near total ban on immigration and tourism, foreign companies in Japan have seen their plans disrupted and the previously fast-growing tourism sector has suffered from a severe downturn. To explore the story behind Japan’s COVID countermeasures, we brought together a panel of experts to better understand what the world could learn from Japan’s experience. MODERATOR: KAZUTO SUZUKI[PROFESSOR OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY AT THE GRADUATE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC POLICY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO SENIOR FELLOW OF ASIA PACIFIC INITIATIVE (API)] PANELIST: HITOSHI OSHITANI[PROFESSOR AT TOHOKU UNIVERSITY GRADUATE SCHOOL OF MEDICINE] PANELIST: GEAROID REIDY[SENIOR EDITOR, BLOOMBERG NEWS] PANELIST: ZEYNEP TUFEKCI[VISITING ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND A COLUMNIST AT THE NEW YORK TIMES]

KISHIDA’S “NEW FORM OF CAPITALISM”: How can Japan’s PM meet the economic challenges home and abroad?

Upon taking office, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida unveiled to Japan and the world a “New Form of Capitalism” under which wage increases and renewed growth will benefit all. However, the road to realizing this “New Form of Capitalism” is fraught with issues ranging from policy issues to trade and the pandemic that has struck all nations. In order to understand what this new policy mean for Japan and the wider world, we are joined by a team of distinguished experts and insiders including Aiko Lane, Ken Shibusawa, and Noah Sneider with Robert A. Feldman as moderator for a dynamic and in-depth discussion. MODERATOR: ROBERT FELDMAN[SENIOR ADVISOR, MORGAN STANLEY MUFG SECURITIES CO., LTD.] PANELIST: AIKO LANE[EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, U.S.-JAPAN BUSINESS COUNCIL, U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE] PANELIST: KEN SHIBUSAWA[CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, SHIBUSAWA AND COMPANY, INC. / FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN, COMMONS ASSET MANAGEMENT / SENIOR ADVISOR, BRUNSWICK GROUP] PANELIST: NOAH SNEIDER[TOKYO BUREAU CHIEF, THE ECONOMIST]

KISHIDA’S JAPAN: How will the new administration navigate an evolving Indo-Pacific?

Japan’s transition out of the global pandemic and into a stage of recovery is being ushered in by Kishida Fumio, a new Japanese leader. However, the playing field is fraught with simmering tensions and evolving global agendas. Joined by a team of distinguished experts and insiders, we delved into the new administration’s foreign policy, including its prospects for bolstering international cooperation in trade, defense and supply chain issues amid regional tensions. MODERATOR: JOSHUA W. WALKER[PRESIDENT & CEO JAPAN SOCIETY] PANELIST: MICHAEL J. GREEN[SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR ASIA AND JAPAN CHAIR, CSIS / DIRECTOR OF ASIAN STUDIES, SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE, GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY] PANELIST: NORIYUKI SHIKATA[CABINET SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS, PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE OF JAPAN SINCE OCTOBER 2021] PANELIST: MIREYA SOLÍS[DIRECTOR - CENTER FOR EAST ASIA POLICY STUDIES, THE BROOKINGS INSTITUTION]