Japan and the US under a second Trump presidency with Dr Sheila Smith and Dr Jeffrey Hornung

12/13/24 • 52 min

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:

Japan’s strategic landscape under Trump 2.0, including insights for PM Ishiba from Abe’s successful approach
Japan’s defence policy challenges under Trump 2.0, including potential US demands for increased financial contributions to the security alliance.
The future of minilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific under Trump 2.0, notably QUAD and AUKUS

The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed:

Abe Shinzo, Abe Shinzo Kaiko Roku [Abe Shinzo Memoir] (Tokyo: Chuokoron-Shinsha, Inc., 2023), 480pp.
Funabashi Yoichi, Shukumei no Ko Volume 1: Abe Shinzou Seiken Kuronikuru [Destiny Child on Abe Shinzo Administration Chronicles Volume 1] (Tokyo: Bungeishunju Ltd., 2024), 560pp.
Funabashi Yoichi, Shukumei no Ko Volume 2: Abe Shinzou Seiken Kuronikuru [Destiny Child on Abe Shinzo Administration Chronicles Volume 2] (Tokyo: Bungeishunju Ltd., 2024), 640pp.
John W Dower, Embracing Defeat – Japan in the Wake of World War II, (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2000), 688pp.
Nakae Chomin, A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government, (Tokyo: Weatherhill Inc., 1992), 144pp.

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 [email protected].

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, Sheila and Jeffrey discuss:

Japan’s strategic landscape under Trump 2.0, including insights for PM Ishiba from Abe’s successful approach
Japan’s defence policy challenges under Trump 2.0, including potential US demands for increased financial contributions to the security alliance.
The future of minilateral security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific under Trump 2.0, notably QUAD and AUKUS

The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed:

Abe Shinzo, Abe Shinzo Kaiko Roku [Abe Shinzo Memoir] (Tokyo: Chuokoron-Shinsha, Inc., 2023), 480pp.
Funabashi Yoichi, Shukumei no Ko Volume 1: Abe Shinzou Seiken Kuronikuru [Destiny Child on Abe Shinzo Administration Chronicles Volume 1] (Tokyo: Bungeishunju Ltd., 2024), 560pp.
Funabashi Yoichi, Shukumei no Ko Volume 2: Abe Shinzou Seiken Kuronikuru [Destiny Child on Abe Shinzo Administration Chronicles Volume 2] (Tokyo: Bungeishunju Ltd., 2024), 640pp.
John W Dower, Embracing Defeat – Japan in the Wake of World War II, (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2000), 688pp.
Nakae Chomin, A Discourse by Three Drunkards on Government, (Tokyo: Weatherhill Inc., 1992), 144pp.

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 [email protected].

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.

Previous Episode

Japan and deterrence with Bill Emmott, Murano Masashi, and Dr Baldauff Nanae

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 [email protected].

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.

Next Episode

Japan’s economic-security policy with Professor Suzuki Kazuto and Dr Elli-Katharina Pohlkamp

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:

Recent developments in Japan’s economic security strategy
The European perspective on Japan’s economic security policy
Key differences between Japan and Europe’s economic security approaches
The future of Japan-China economic relations

The following books are recommended by our guests to gain a clearer picture of the topics discussed:

Aoyama Michiko, What You Are Looking for Is in the Library, (New York: Doubleday, 2023), 256pp.
Okamoto Yukio, Japan and the United States: The Journey of a Defeated Nation - A Diplomat’s Memoir by Yukio Okamoto, (Vermont: Tuttle Publishing), 388pp.

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 [email protected].

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.