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Japan

International Economic Relations
commentary
Cryptocurrency Should Be Added to the U.S.-Japan Trade Deal
Sale Lilly @SaleLilly, Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Jul 28, 2021
Nikkei Asia
As the Biden administration begins to define its approach to international trade, and the Suga administration looks to further tighten cooperation with the United States, it may be worth reconsidering the exclusion of cryptocurrency from the U.S.-Japan trade deal. Substantial economic equities are at stake for both sides.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
A Taiwan Contingency and Japan's Counterstrike Debate
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold, Satoru Mori
Jul 23, 2021
The Diplomat
The United States and Japan could be drawn into a conflict in the event of Chinese aggression against Taiwan whether they like it or not. Allied defense planning could consider how Japan might further reinforce deterrence and if necessary improve its ability to contribute to the common defense.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
What the United States Wants from Japan in Taiwan
Jeffrey W. Hornung
May 10, 2021
Foreign Policy
If a Taiwan conflict breaks out, what might the United States request of Japan? For the U.S.-Japan alliance, the answer is critical if the countries want to translate expressions of support into actual planning and preparation.
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Arms Proliferation and Control
commentary
Nuclear Ban Treaty Offers Rare Chance for Japan
Sayuri Romei
Apr 30, 2021
Asahi Shimbun
As the only country to suffer the horrors of wartime atomic bombings, one would assume Japan would eagerly sign any treaty to ban such weapons. Why hasn't Japan signed the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which took effect in January 2021?
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Japan
commentary
Suga-Biden Summit: Rekindling Confidence in the U.S.-Japan Alliance
Sayuri Romei, Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Apr 26, 2021
Kyodo News
The April summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga signaled a deepening in the U.S.-Japan alliance. It highlighted important new areas of cooperation and a concrete agenda for U.S.-Japan relations.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
'Joe-Yoshi' Spirit Buoys Japan-U.S. Alliance in Turbulent Seas
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Apr 20, 2021
The Diplomat
President Biden and Prime Minister Suga appear to have established a warm, personal rapport while communicating a clear vision of the importance of working together to end the pandemic, combat climate change, preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific, and defend democracy.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Upcoming Summit an Opportunity for Japan to Reconsider Whether to Join Rest of G-7 in Sanctioning China Over Genocide
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Apr 15, 2021
The Hill
Japan has been lukewarm in its response to global condemnation of China's crimes against humanity against the Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups in Xinjiang. What options might President Biden have to encourage Japan to reconsider its position as he hosts his first in-person summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga?
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Japan
commentary
The United States Considers Reinforcing Its 'Pacific Sanctuary'
Wallace Gregson, Jeffrey W. Hornung
Apr 12, 2021
War on the Rocks
Soon after he took office, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin ordered a posture review to ensure that the U.S. global footprint is the right size to support U.S. strategy. Japan's continued importance to U.S. strategy and Tokyo's increased willingness to be more proactive in the security domain mean that Japan could see an uptick in U.S. military presence after this review is complete.
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Japan
commentary
Biden Puts Japan at the Center of U.S. Policy in Asia
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Apr 12, 2021
Nikkei Asia
Addressing the Chinese threat in the Indo-Pacific requires working with allies and partners. So far, Japan appears to be one of the priority relationships for the Biden administration.
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Public Health Preparedness
blog
Trust in the CDC, Teaching Students with Disabilities, Russian Mercenaries: RAND Weekly Recap
Apr 9, 2021
This weekly recap focuses declining trust in the CDC, insights from educators about teaching students with disabilities, Russian mercenaries, and more.
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Japan
commentary
The Japan-U.S. Summit and Cooperation with South Korea
Scott W. Harold @ScottWHarold
Apr 6, 2021
The Diplomat
The Biden administration's goal of renewed Japan–South Korea–U.S. trilateralism is laudable and promising, but substantial obstacles remain. The passage of time alone is not going to strengthen ties between South Korea and Japan. Washington may have to play a leading role if it wants to see relations between Seoul and Tokyo improve.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
What to Expect When You're Expecting So Much from the Quad
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Mar 31, 2021
CNN
In March, the leaders of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia met virtually for their first Quadrilateral Security Dialogue group meeting. What are the goals of the Quad? What tangibly can or will the Quad do and what does it look like in practice?
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Security Cooperation
commentary
A Strong Japan-U.K. Alliance Needed to Counter China
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Feb 24, 2021
Japan Times
With Brexit behind it, Britain faces a question about what role it should play in the world. Assuming it wants to remain a power that can shape—but not dominate—international relations, it makes sense to partner with like-minded states, such as Japan.
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Civil-Military Relations
commentary
Japanese Public Needs to Know SDF to Appreciate It
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Feb 19, 2021
Stars and Stripes
Although Japan does not call the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) a military, externally it is widely respected as a modern armed force fielding advanced defense capabilities. Given the threats facing Japan, it may benefit the Japanese public to better understand the value of the SDF as an armed force and the military cooperation that takes place with the United States.
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Security Cooperation
commentary
The United States and Japan Should Prepare for War with China
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Feb 5, 2021
War on the Rocks
The U.S.-Japan alliance is the cornerstone of peace, security, and stability in the East China Sea region. Those benefits come through a shared commitment to provide robust responses from peacetime to contingencies. But is the alliance equipped, postured, and authorized to do what will need to be done in a conflict?
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Japan
commentary
Why Biden's Japan Agenda Matters
Jeffrey W. Hornung
Jan 26, 2021
The Hill
Efforts to mend America's political wounds, combating COVID-19, and the continuing deterioration of U.S.-China relations may dominate the Biden agenda. But quick wins with Japan are possible and could be necessary to ensure that the alliance begins on a positive footing so it can tackle difficult challenges in the years ahead.
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