The International House of Japan (IHJ) convened the IHJ Policy Roundtable on February 17, 2026, welcoming Mr. Paul Blustein, award-winning economic journalist and acclaimed author of King Dollar: The Past and Future of the World’s Dominant Currency (2025).

On this occasion, Mr. Blustein highlighted key arguments from his latest book and examined the structural factors underpinning the resilience of the U.S. dollar as the world’s leading reserve and transaction currency. The discussion considered the potential impact of policies enacted under the second Trump Administration, while underscoring the enduring strength of the institutional, financial, and geopolitical foundations that sustain the dollar’s central role in international transactions — including those conducted between third countries.

During the Q&A session, Mr. Blustein engaged with IHJ experts and researchers on a range of related topics. These included China’s policy direction, the growing role of stablecoins and digital currencies — including central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) — and Japan’s position in supporting the stability of the dollar-centered financial system.

IHJ extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Paul Blustein for contributing to a timely and thought-provoking discussion on the durability of the U.S. dollar and the credibility of potential alternatives.