Japan Memo

Robert Ward hosts Katada Saori, Professor of International Relations and the Director of the Center of International Studies at the University of Southern California, and Yamada Satoshi Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG), for an in-depth discussion on the current state and future direction of Japan-US economic security. Together, they explore: Recommended readings from our guests: Survey results of 100 Japanese companies on economic security 2023introduction to geoeconomics The geoeconomics of generative AI development race: How emerging technologies can become national powerRegime shift: Comparative dynamics of the Japanese political economyDilemmas of a trading nation: Japan and the United States in the evolving Asia-Pacific order.Japan's grand strategy: Liminal power in an uncertain world We hope you enjoy the episode. Please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your preferred podcast platform. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 1 April 2026 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Dr Kristin Vekasi, the Mansfield Chair of Japan and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the University of Montana, and Professor Hatakeyama Kyoko, Professor of International Relations at the Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefecture for an in-depth discussion on the current state and future direction of Japan’s critical mineral strategy. Together, they explore: · Developments in Japan’s critical mineral strategy from 2010 when China briefly curbed exports of rare-earth elements to Japan. · The implications of Japan’s response to the 2010 crisis for Beijing’s recent controls on exports of dual-use products to Japan. · The strategic importance of deep-sea rare earths around Minami-Torishima Island. · The future trajectory of Japan’s critical mineral strategy in cooperation with the US and European countries. Recommended readings from our guests: · Catalinac, Amy, Dominance through division: Group-based clientelism in Japan (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2025), 365pp. · Harris, Tobias S. The iconoclast: Shinzō Abe and the new Japan (London: C Hurst & Co Publishers Ltd., 2020), 392pp. · Higuchi, Shinji, Bullet Train Explosion [Shinkansen Bakuhatsu] (Tokyo, Episcope, 2025) [Netflix film] · Ward, Robert, Evaluating Japan’s new grand strategy (London: Routledge, 2025). 156pp. We hope you enjoy the episode. Please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your preferred podcast platform. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 3 March 2026 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Professor Taniguchi Tomohiko, Chairman of Nippon Kaigi and Specially Appointed Professor at the University of Tsukuba. They discuss the outlook of Japan’s foreign and security policy in 2026. Together, they explore: · The upcoming Japanese snap election · The Takaichi government’s security and defence reforms · Japan’s foreign and security relations with the US · Japan’s security and economic relations with China Recommended materials from our guests: · Agawa Naoyuki, Friendship Across the Seas: The US Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, (Tokyo: Japan Publishing Industry Foundation for Culture, 2019), 308pp. We hope you enjoy the episode. Please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your preferred podcast platform. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 28 January 2026 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Kristi Govella, senior advisor and Japan chair at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and Eva Pejsova, Japan chair at the Centre for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy of the Brussels School of Governance. They review Japan’s security and diplomacy in 2025. Together, they explore: Recommended materials from our guests: Japan Decides 2024Line of Advantage: Japan’s Grand Strategy in the Era of Abe ShinzōJapan’s Security Renaissance: New Policies and Politics for the Twenty-First Century We hope you enjoy the episode. Please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your preferred podcast platform. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 28th November 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Ogi Hirohito, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics; Ito Ayano, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ITO Strategy Company; and Tom Corben, Research Fellow at the United States Studies Centre. They discuss the increasing cooperation between Japan and the US in the defence industry. Together, they explore: · How Takaichi and Trump might cooperate on US-Japan defence-industrial issues · The Takaichi government’s new policies in relation to the defence industry · How the defence industry in Japan and the US views recent defence-industrial policy changes · Defence-industrial cooperation with third countries, through initiatives such as GCAP · How the US views defence-industrial cooperation with Japan and the effect of the upcoming US National Security Strategy on this Recommended materials from our guests: · Alan Booth, The Roads to Sata,(London: Penguin, 2020), 336pp. · Tobias S Harris, The Iconoclast, (London: Hurst, 2023), 504pp. · Anno Hideki and Higuchi Shinji, Shin Gozilla, (Toho Co, 2016). We hope you enjoy the episode. Please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your preferred podcast platform. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 4 November 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Yamashita Yukari, Managing Director at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan (IEEJ), and Stephen Stapczynski, Asia Energy Team Leader at Bloomberg News, for an in-depth discussion on the current state and future direction of Japan’s energy security. Together, they explore: Recommended readings from our guests: Kaizoku to yobareta otoko Sushi and beyond: What the Japanese know about cooking We hope you enjoy the episode. Please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your preferred podcast platform. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 8 October 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Goto Shihoko, Senior Fellow for Indo-Pacific Affairs at the Mansfield Foundation, and Eto Naoko, Professor at Gakushuin University and Senior Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics, for a timely discussion on Japan–US–China economic relations.. Together, they explore: · US-China competition and its implications for Japan’s economic strategy · Japan-China dynamics in rare earths supply chains and technology competition · Japan’s balancing act between economic engagement with China and its alliance commitments with the US · The potential implications of upcoming major diplomatic events, including US diplomacy on China. Recommended readings from our guests: · Kokubun Ryosei, Japan-China Relations through the Lens of Chinese Politics (Tokyo: JPIC International, 2021), 326pp. · Richard Katz, The Contest for Japan's Economic Future: Entrepreneurs vs Corporate Giants (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2024), 356pp. · Jeffrey Ding, Technology and the Rise of Great Powers: How Diffusion Shapes Economic Competition, (Prinston: Princeton University Press, 2024), 320pp. We hope you enjoy the episode. Please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your preferred podcast platform. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 5 September 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Dr Chijiwa Yasuaki, Chief, International Conflict Division, National Institute for Defence Studies (NIDS), Ministry of Defence, Dr Jennifer Lind, Associate Professor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth, and Dr Sayuri Romei, Senior Fellow in the German Marshall Fund, GMF, Indo-Pacific Program. They discuss the evolution of Japan's post-war defence policy in light of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. Robert, Yasuaki, Jennifer and Sayuri discuss: We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 6 August 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Sakata Yasuyo, Professor of International Relations at Kanda University, Victor Cha, President of the Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Korea Chair at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Jung-Hoon Lee, Dean and Professor of International Relations at the Graduate School of International Studies at Yonsei University. They discuss Japan–South Korea relations in light of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic normalisation. Robert, Yasuyo, Victor and Jung-Hoon discuss: The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed: Alignment Despite Antagonism: The United States-Korea-Japan Security TrianglePowerplay: The Origins of the American Alliance System in AsiaKorea: A New History of South and North Japan and Korea: The Political DimensionThe Japan–South Korea Identity Clash: East Asian Security and the United States We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 30 June 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition of Japan Memo Season 5, Robert Ward reports from Singapore on the 22nd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. Joining him is Professor Jimbo Ken, Managing Director of the International House of Japan, President of the Asia Pacific Initiative, and Professor at Keio University’s Faculty of Policy Management. They deliver timely and in-depth analysis of this year’s key developments and strategic narratives. Robert and Professor Jimbo discuss: · Major themes and takeaways from the 2025 Dialogue and how it compares with previous years · Key messages from US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s speech · Regional perspectives on China’s activities and strategic posture · Analysis of Japanese Defense Minister Nakatani Gen’s address · ASEAN’s evolving role in an increasingly contested regional order We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 1 June 2025 This episode of Japan Memo was recorded in Singapore and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Professor Hosoya Yuichi, Professor of International Politics at Keio University, Professor Yee Kuang Heng, Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy and Director of the Security Studies Unit at the Institute for Future Initiatives at the University of Tokyo, and Fenella McGerty, the IISS Senior Fellow for defence economics in the Defence and Military Analysis Programme. They discuss Japan-UK relations. Robert, Yuichi, Yee Kuang and Fenella discuss: We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 6 May 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Dr Bart Gaens, Senior Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and Japan Chair at the International Centre for Defence and Security, Tatsumi Yuki, Senior Fellow at the Stimson Center, and Dr Alice Dell’Era, Assistant Professor at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. They discuss Japan’s role in Indo-Pacific minilateralism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Professor Takahara Akio, Emeritus Professor of The University of Tokyo, Dr Elizabeth Wishnick, Senior Research Scientist at the Centre for Naval Analyses (CNA) and Dr Catherine Jones, a Lecturer at the University of St Andrews, to explore Japan’s challenges amid growing cooperation between Russia and China. Robert, Akio, Elizabeth and Catherine discuss: The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed: Japan–China Relations in the Modern EraNicchū kankei 2001-2022 [Japan-China Relations 2001-2022]Russia in the Pacific: The Quest for Great Power RecognitionRussia in the Indo-Pacific: New Approaches to Russian Foreign PolicyChinmoku[Silence]The Samurai We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 17 February 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Professor Suzuki Kazuto, Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo, and Dr Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp, Director at Agora Strategy Group, to explore Japan’s economic security policy. Robert, Professor Suzuki and Dr Pohlkamp discuss: The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed: What You Are Looking for Is in the LibraryJapan and the United States: The Journey of a Defeated Nation - A Diplomat’s Memoir by Yukio Okamoto We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 30 January 2025 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Dr Sheila Smith, Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), and Dr Jeffrey Hornung, the Japan Lead for the RAND National Security Research Division. Robert, Sheila and Jeffrey discuss: The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed: Abe Shinzo Kaiko Roku [Abe Shinzo Memoir] Shukumei no Ko Volume 1: Abe Shinzou Seiken Kuronikuru [Destiny Child on Abe Shinzo Administration Chronicles Volume 1] Shukumei no Ko Volume 2: Abe Shinzou Seiken Kuronikuru [Destiny Child on Abe Shinzo Administration Chronicles Volume 2Embracing Defeat – Japan in the Wake of World War II A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 4 December 2024 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward is joined by Bill Emmott, Chairman of the IISS Trustees, Murano Masashi, a senior fellow with Hudson Institute’s Japan Chair, and Dr Baldauff Nanae, Non-Resident Senior Associate Fellow at the NATO Defense College to discuss Japan and deterrence. Robert, Bill, Masashi and Nanae discuss: · The strategic definition of deterrence, from what it entails to how it works · Nuclear deterrence, including Japan’s strategy amid the nuclear arms race in East Asia · Integrated deterrence, including Japan’s efforts to deepen and integrate operations with allies and partners We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 31 October 2024 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Axel Berkofsky, Associate Professor at the University of Pavia, Professor Hatakeyama Kyoko, Professor of International Relations at University of Niigata Prefecture, and Professor Takenaka Harukata, Professor of Political Science at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies. Robert, Axel, Kyoko and Harukata discuss: · Review of the Kishida administration’s security and foreign policy · The Ishiba administration’s foreign policy amid intensifying US-China competition · The Ishiba administration’s defence policy in Japan’s deteriorating security environment · The Ishiba administration’s economic security and domestic economic policies We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 08 October 2024 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Dr Matsuda Takuya, Adjunct Lecturer at Aoyama Gakuin University, Dr Vida Macikenaite, Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of International Relations of the International University of Japan, and Dr Wrenn Yennie Lindgren, Senior Research Fellow and Head of the Centre for Asian Research at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs. Robert, Takuya, Vida and Wrenn discuss: We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 6 September 2024 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Professor Koga Kei, Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University, Shiozawa Hideyuki, Senior Program Officer at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and Euan Graham, Senior Analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute. Robert, Kei, Hideyuki and Euan discuss: The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed: Australia's Security in China's Shadow 日日平安 [Hibi Heian]葉隠 [Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai]Japan as a Liminal Power: Evolving Grand Strategies from Meiji to ReiwaAsia's Growing Security Strategies of America's Ageing Allies, Adversaries and Partners We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 31 July 2024 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Ward hosts Richard J Samuels, Ford International Professor of Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kotani Ken, Professor at Nihon University in Japan, and Hosaka Sanshiro, Research Fellow at the International Centre for Defence and Security and PhD student at the University of Tartu. Robert, Richard, Ken and Sanshiro discuss: The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed: Tessa Morris-Suzuki, Exodus to North Korea: Shadows from Japan's Cold War, (Lanham, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2007), 302pp. John W. Dower, Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II, (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2000), 688pp. Kotani Ken, 日本インテリジェンス史：旧日本軍から公安、内調、ＮＳＣまで [Nihon Intelligence Shi: Kyu-nihongun Kara Kōan, Naichō, NSC Made], (Tokyo: Chuo Koron Shinsha, 2022), 296pp. Michael S. Molasky, 呑めば、都─居酒屋の東京 [Nomeba Miyako – Izakaya No Tokyo], (Tokyo: Chikuma Shobō, 2016), 400pp. Richard J. Samuels, Special Duty: A History of the Japanese Intelligence Community, (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2019), 384pp. We hope you enjoy the episode and please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your podcast platform of choice. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org. Date recorded: 21 June 2024 Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.