Japan's Political Uncertainty & International Relations - Bill Emmott | 2024 Episode 36
12/28/24 • 57 min
In this engaging interview with Bill Emmott, former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, we explore Japan's political uncertainty and its ripple effects on international relations. From the dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party to Japan's energy security challenges, Article 9 debates, and its role in the Indo-Pacific region, this conversation dives into the critical issues shaping Japan's global position in 2024. Watch as we discuss the US-Japan alliance, relations with South Korea, and Japan’s response to China's Belt and Road Initiative. Don't miss this insightful discussion on Japan's evolving role in a rapidly changing world!
Bill Emmott is a renowned independent writer, consultant, and expert in international affairs with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. A former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, he spent 26 years at the publication, which he joined in 1980. Over this time, he worked as a correspondent and editor in Brussels, Tokyo, and London, covering a wide range of topics, including politics, finance, economics, and global business. In 1993, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief, a role he held for 13 years, during which he shaped The Economist’s voice on some of the world’s most critical issues.
Bill is a prolific author, particularly noted for his expertise on Japan. His first major book, The Sun Also Sets: Why Japan Will Not Be Number One (1989), sparked global discussions about Japan’s economic future. His latest work, Japan’s Far More Female Future, highlights the potential for a gender-balanced transformation in Japanese society. Published in Japanese by Nikkei in 2019 and in English by Oxford University Press in 2020, it underscores his continued relevance in analysing Japan’s evolving role in the world.
Bill’s leadership and contributions extend far beyond writing. He serves as the Ushioda Fellow at Tokyo College, University of Tokyo; chairman of the board of Trinity College Dublin’s Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute; chairman of the Japan Society in the UK (until December 2024); and chairman of the trustees of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). His involvement in these institutions reflects his dedication to fostering academic, cultural, and strategic understanding on a global scale.
In recognition of his contributions to UK-Japan relations, the Japanese government awarded Bill the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun: Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2016.
Content: (1) International Impact of the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) Dominance; (2) LDP: A Conservative Party in Liberal Clothing?; (3) Energy Security Amid Domestic Political Uncertainty; (4) Public Opinion on Reopening Nuclear Plants; (5) Can Japan Lead the Energy Transition Despite Lagging in Renewables?; (6) Article 9 and Its Role in Japan’s Contemporary Security Strategy; (7) Prospects for Modifying Article 9; (8) The State of the US-Japan Alliance in 2024; (9) Opportunities for Japan-South Korea Relations Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions; (10) Prime Minister’s Vision of an Asian ‘NATO’; (11) Japan’s Role in Taiwan Strait Tensions; (12) China’s Economic Leverage Over Japan; (13) Japan’s Response to the Belt and Road Initiative; (14) Achievements and Challenges in Japanese Economic Diplomacy; and (15) The Role of Japan Society in the UK in International Relations
Note: At 5:09 min, the following sentence was said by Bill Emmott during the interview: ‘That a full consensus has not really successfully built up and become shared across the whole of society.’
Official website:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this engaging interview with Bill Emmott, former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, we explore Japan's political uncertainty and its ripple effects on international relations. From the dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party to Japan's energy security challenges, Article 9 debates, and its role in the Indo-Pacific region, this conversation dives into the critical issues shaping Japan's global position in 2024. Watch as we discuss the US-Japan alliance, relations with South Korea, and Japan’s response to China's Belt and Road Initiative. Don't miss this insightful discussion on Japan's evolving role in a rapidly changing world!
Bill Emmott is a renowned independent writer, consultant, and expert in international affairs with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. A former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, he spent 26 years at the publication, which he joined in 1980. Over this time, he worked as a correspondent and editor in Brussels, Tokyo, and London, covering a wide range of topics, including politics, finance, economics, and global business. In 1993, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief, a role he held for 13 years, during which he shaped The Economist’s voice on some of the world’s most critical issues.
Bill is a prolific author, particularly noted for his expertise on Japan. His first major book, The Sun Also Sets: Why Japan Will Not Be Number One (1989), sparked global discussions about Japan’s economic future. His latest work, Japan’s Far More Female Future, highlights the potential for a gender-balanced transformation in Japanese society. Published in Japanese by Nikkei in 2019 and in English by Oxford University Press in 2020, it underscores his continued relevance in analysing Japan’s evolving role in the world.
Bill’s leadership and contributions extend far beyond writing. He serves as the Ushioda Fellow at Tokyo College, University of Tokyo; chairman of the board of Trinity College Dublin’s Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute; chairman of the Japan Society in the UK (until December 2024); and chairman of the trustees of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). His involvement in these institutions reflects his dedication to fostering academic, cultural, and strategic understanding on a global scale.
In recognition of his contributions to UK-Japan relations, the Japanese government awarded Bill the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun: Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2016.
Content: (1) International Impact of the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) Dominance; (2) LDP: A Conservative Party in Liberal Clothing?; (3) Energy Security Amid Domestic Political Uncertainty; (4) Public Opinion on Reopening Nuclear Plants; (5) Can Japan Lead the Energy Transition Despite Lagging in Renewables?; (6) Article 9 and Its Role in Japan’s Contemporary Security Strategy; (7) Prospects for Modifying Article 9; (8) The State of the US-Japan Alliance in 2024; (9) Opportunities for Japan-South Korea Relations Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions; (10) Prime Minister’s Vision of an Asian ‘NATO’; (11) Japan’s Role in Taiwan Strait Tensions; (12) China’s Economic Leverage Over Japan; (13) Japan’s Response to the Belt and Road Initiative; (14) Achievements and Challenges in Japanese Economic Diplomacy; and (15) The Role of Japan Society in the UK in International Relations
Note: At 5:09 min, the following sentence was said by Bill Emmott during the interview: ‘That a full consensus has not really successfully built up and become shared across the whole of society.’
Official website:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
Business Negotiations in International Relations - William W. Baber | 2024 Episode 35
This interview with Professor Will Baber explores how corporations wield economic power in foreign policy and trade negotiations. Discover the role of state-owned enterprises and corporate diplomacy in shaping global governance. Gain insights into interdisciplinary research and practical methodologies for understanding negotiation dynamics.
William W. Baber is Professor at the Graduate School of Management, Kyoto University, Japan. He has combined education with business throughout his career. His professional experience has included economic development in the State of Maryland, language services in the Washington DC area, supporting business starters in Japan, and teaching business students in Japan, Europe, and Canada.
Content: (1) Corporate Economic Leverage in Foreign Policy; (2) Identifying and Originating Corporate Negotiation Power; (3) Corporate Influence on Trade Policies and State Sovereignty; (4) Trends and Quality in Free Trade Agreements (FTAs); (5) Power Asymmetries in Strategic Negotiations, (6) Corporate Actors as De Facto Diplomats, (7) State-Owned Enterprises in Negotiations, (8) Overseas Impact of State-Owned Enterprises, (9) Corporations and International Regulatory Frameworks, (10) Economic Imperialism in Negotiations, (11) Company-Government Conflicts in Negotiations, (12) Unveiling Corporate Influence in Forums like the WTO, (13) Tips for Research Methodologies, (14) Learning from Negative Case Studies in Negotiations, (15) Future Directions for Interdisciplinary Research in Negotiations.
Official website:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Virtue Eudaimonism: Ancient Wisdom for International Relations - Mark LeBar | 2024 Episode 37
In this insightful interview with Professor Mark LeBar, we explore how eudaimonism—a cornerstone of ancient ethics—continues to shape modern philosophical and practical discourse. Covering topics from virtue ethics and moral autonomy to AI ethics and global challenges, this conversation bridges ancient wisdom with contemporary issues, offering fresh perspectives on leadership, responsibility, and societal flourishing. Dive in to discover how eudaimonism remains relevant in navigating today’s ethical complexities.
Mark LeBar is an American philosopher and professor of philosophy at Florida State University. He is known for his works on moral philosophy and is the editor of Social Theory and Practice since 2015.
LeBar’s research interests encompass ethical theory, social and political philosophy, and ancient philosophy.
His notable publications include The Value of Living Well (2013), which integrates ancient Greek eudaimonism with contemporary ethical theory; Equality and Public Policy (2015), co-edited with Antony Davies, David Schmidtz and Fred D. Miller Jr.; and Justice (2018), an edited volume examining the virtue of justice from multidisciplinary perspectives.
Selected Publications:
LeBar, M. (Ed.). (2018). Justice. Oxford University Press.
LeBar, M. (2017). Eudaimonism (N. E. Snow, Ed.; Vol. 1). Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199385195.013.27
LeBar, M., Davies, A., & Schmidtz, D. (Eds.). (2015). Equality and Public Policy. Cambridge University Press.
LeBar, M. (2013). The Value of Living Well. Oxford University Press.
LeBar, M. (2008). Aristotelian constructivism. Social Philosophy and Policy, 25(1), 182–213. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0265052508080072
LeBar, M. (1999). Kant on welfare. Canadian Journal of Philosophy, 29(2), 225–249. https://doi.org/10.1080/00455091.1999.10717512
Throughout his career, LeBar has been recognised for his contributions to philosophy, including receiving an Earhart Foundation Fellowship and serving as a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Fellowship Panelist.
Content: (1) How Eudaimonism Redefines What Is Good for Us in Modern Ethics; (2) Eudaimonism Today: Has It Evolved into a Modern Equivalent?; (3) Practical Rationality vs Rule-Based Ethics: Insights from Eudaimonism; (4) Rules vs Norms: Understanding Their Ethical Distinction; (5) Virtue Ethics vs Moral Relativism: Using Ancient Ideas to Argue Universality; (6) Eudaimonism and Modern Moral Theories: A Cohesive View of Facts and Reasons; (7) Balancing Individual Flourishing with Social Responsibility Through Eudaimonism; (8) Moral Autonomy and Social Obligations: Finding Harmony Through Virtue; (9) Eudaimonism and Emerging Technologies: Addressing AI’s Ethical Challenges; (10) Bridging Polarisation: Virtue Eudaimonism in Political and Ethical Conflicts; (11) Global Environmental Issues: Eudaimonism and Collective Responsibility; (12) Cultural Diversity and Globalisation: Evolving Eudaimonism for Modern Challenges; and (13) Philosophy Meets International Relations: Interdisciplinary Opportunities.
Official Website:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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