AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi gave a lecture on the theme of “Geopolitics, Populism, and the Media” at an event hosted by the Japan Press Research Institute on March 30, 2018. In his lecture, Dr. Funabashi began by discussing the foundations of the post-World War II international system, professing his deep fear that the world …
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Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA held a tabletop exercise (TTX) On February 14-16, 2018, in Tokyo, with experienced Japanese, South Korean, and American military, security, intelligence, and diplomatic officials to explore trilateral responses to credible North Korean provocations. AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato joined it, and wrote final report with Admiral Michael McDevitt. * …
Chairman Yoichi Funabashi’s essay “The North Korea Problem: Let’s Aim for Peace even if it is ‘Dirty Peace’” was the lead article for the June special edition of the monthly magazine Ushio. In this essay, Chairman Yoichi Funabashi claimed that ① North Korean leader Kim Jong-un made the decision on the North Korea-United States summit …
On Saturday, April 7, AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato appeared as a panelist at “A Talk with Sheila Smith – The Past, Present and Future of US-China-Japan Trilateral Relations.” Dr. Sheila A. Smith is Senior Fellow for Japan Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. The symposium, which took place at the International …
Senior Research Fellow Kato appeared as a panelist at a symposium with Sheila A. Smith Read More »
The Chinese version of “Managing the Dollar” written by Yoichi Funabashi was published by CITIC Press in China. “Managing the Dollar” was published by Asahi Shimbun in 1988, when Chairman Funabashi was a journalist at the Asahi Shimbun. The book revealed the behind-the-scenes international currency diplomacy from the Plaza Accord, agreed upon by the G5 …
“Reinventing Japan: New Directions in Global Leadership,”published by Praeger on March 31, 2018. This is the English companion volume to “Galapagos Cool,” which was published in Japanese by Toyo Keizai, Inc. in 2017. Both books were the product of an almost two-year project, entitled “Why Japan Matters,” which looked at how Japan could contribute more to …
AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato appeared as a panelist at “U.S.-Japan-Russia Trilateral Conference,” held by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy (NCAFP), an American think tank, in New York on March 14-15, 2018. He participated in the public event “Cooperation or Competition in Northeast Asia? : Perspective from the U.S., Japan, and …
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi wrote an op-ed, “In America’s absence, Japan takes the lead on Asian free trade” for The Washington Post, published on February 22, 2018. In this article, Dr. Funabashi analyzes the significance of Japanese leadership on TPP 11. He depicts how a new regional order in the form of pan-Asianism is …
AP Initiative Chairman’s op-ed published in The Washington Post Read More »
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi appeared as a moderator at a commemorative symposium for publishing the Japanese version of Dr. Graham T. Allison’s book, “Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydides’s Trap?” on February 9, 2018. Dr. Graham T. Allison is professor and was the dean at the John F. Kennedy School of …
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi spoke at a panel of the 2018 World Economic Forum in Davos, “Nuclear Threats to International Security,” as a panelist. He discussed with the other speakers the increasing number of nuclear states and the threat of “first use” of nuclear weapons, which are dual global risks on the rise, and …
AP Initiative Chairman spoke at a session of the World Economic Forum 2018 Read More »
AP Initiative Research Associate Harry Dempsey wrote an op-ed, “Will Trump snap Japan’s tenuous tightrope?” for East Asia Forum, published on January 20, 2017. In this article, Mr. Dempsey explains Japan’s recent attempts to diversify its foreign policy and sets out two big challenges for Japan’s international relations on the horizon in 2018. He suggests …
AP Initiative Research Associate Harry Dempsey’s op-ed published in East Asia Forum Read More »
January 23, 2018 The Asia Pacific Initiative (AP Initiative), World Economic Forum and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plan to establish “World Economic Forum Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Japan: C4IR (Japan)” in summer 2018. 1． World Economic Forum’s Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution The World Economic Forum headquarters (Geneva) established …
coming soon
The English translation of “Japan’s Population Implosion -The 50 Million Shock,” which was originally published in Japanese by Shinchosha in 2015 as the report from the project ‘The Special Investigation Commission on Population Issues,’ has been published by Palgrave Macmillan. This book examines Japan’s population issue, exploring how declining demographic trends are affecting Japan’s social …
AP Initiative Senior Fellow Masayuki Hironaka was interviewed by Kyodo News, and the interview was published on their website on December 12, 2017. In the interview, Mr. Hironaka spoke about his book, “軍人が政治家になってはいけない本当の理由 政軍関係を考える(The real reason why soldiers shouldn’t be politicians –considering civil-military relations),” published on October 20, 2017. * Please click here for the …
AP Initiative Senior Fellow Masayuki Hironaka’s interview on Kyodo News website Read More »
Coming soon
A record of the Asahi Shimbun GLOBE symposium, at which AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi spoke, was published in the Asahi Shimbun on December 25, 2017. The symposium was held to commemorate the 200th edition of the GLOBE, Sunday edition of Asahi Shimbun, on December 2, 2017. Dr. Funabashi delivered a keynote speech, “A Global …
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi participated in a symposium to commemorate the 200th edition of the GLOBE, Sunday edition of Asahi Shimbun, on December 2, 2017. He delivered a keynote speech, “A Global World and Japan,” and also participated in a panel discussion. The other panels are Mr. Hiroshi Aoi (President and Representative Director, Marui …
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi was invited as a guest lecturer of Toyo University’s lecture series “Top Seminar” in November 29, 2017. He spoke to students with a theme of “Getting Actively Involving in The World.” The seminar series invites guest lecturers who are at the forefront of every field. This year, the other lecturers …
AP Initiative Chairman spoke at Toyo University’s lecture series “Top Seminar” Read More »
AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato participated in the international symposium, “Economic Integration in Asia Pacific and Cooperation Between Japan and China Under Trump Administration,” held by the Center for Japanese Studies, Fudan University in Shanghai on November 11 to 12, 2017. He acted as moderator of the symposium, in addition to sharing his …
AP Initiative Senior Fellow Masayuki Hironaka spoke at Japan National Press Club’s press conference on November 10, 2017, on his book, “軍人が政治家になってはいけない本当の理由 政軍関係を考える(The real reason why soldiers shouldn’t be politicians –considering civil-military relations),” published on October 20, 2017. Talk with the Author : “軍人が政治家になってはいけない本当の理由 政軍関係を考える“ Date ：November 10, 2017 (14:00-15:30) Venue：Japan National Press Club 10F …
AP Initiative Intern Tamaki Takao’s paper, ‘Consideration of International Public Policy to Disseminate Hydrogen Energy: Exporting “Hydrogen City”,’ was awarded the first prize of General and University student division of the 9th Yasuhiro Nakasone Prize by Seiunjuku, a public interest incorporated foundation. He received a commendation at the award ceremony, held in Takasaki on November …
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi spoke at a press conference of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan (FCCJ), on October 25, 2017. At the conference, Dr. Funabashi addressed his analysis on the result of the general election held on October 22, 2017. “Election Analysis” Date: October 25, 2017 (15:00-16:00) Venue: Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan …
AP Initiative Chairman spoke at Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan Read More »
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi participated in the Eurasia Group Geopolitical Summit Japan 2017 as a guest speaker, on October 26, 2017. The other speakers include Dr. Ian Bremmer (President and Founder of Eurasia Group), Dr. Enrico Letta (Former Prime Minister of Italy), Mr. Ichiro Fujisaki (Former Ambassador of Japan to the United States, Distinguished …
AP Initiative Chairman participated in Eurasia Group Geopolitical Summit Japan 2017 Read More »
AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato was interviewed by “日本の安全保障を考える,” a website run by internet TV ‘Channel J’. The interview was the fourth round of a series which interviews key figures and opinion leaders of security. In the interview, he analyzed the current situation and future prospects of US-China relations, which have a big …
AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato’s interview on “日本の安全保障を考える” Read More »
AP Initiative Senior Fellow Masayuki Hironaka’s book, “軍人が政治家になってはいけない本当の理由 政軍関係を考える(The real reason why soldiers shouldn’t be politicians –considering civil-military relations),” will be published on October 20, 2017 from Bungeishunju. 『軍人が政治家になってはいけない本当の理由 政軍関係を考える』 Author: Masayuki Hironaka Publisher: Bungeishunju Ltd. Published: October 20, 2017 Price: 860yen +tax ISBN-10: 4121024508 ISBN-13: 978-4-12-102450-3 * For details and order Bungeishunju Ltd. Amazon
From October 12 to 14, 2017, Asia Pacific Initiative (AP Initiative) was honored to host a visit by Dr. Michael Froman, who served in President Obama’s cabinet as U.S. Trade Representative (2013–2017), where he played a critical role in negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and achieved its broad agreement in October 2017, after five years …
AP Initiative welcomes Former U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to Tokyo Read More »
RJIF’s latest book, “Geopolitical/Geo-economic Challenges to Japan-U.S. Alliance (現代日本の地政学 – 13のリスクと地経学の時代),” was introduced in the Vol.45 Sep./ Oct. 2017 issue of the Diplomacy, a journal issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the September 30th, 2017 issue of the Shukan Gendai (written by Dr. Yasushi Watanabe, Professor at Keio University). * Please …
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi wrote “North Korea crisis and Japan’s geopolitical challenge” for the November issue of the Ushio magazine. It is introduced as an opening article of a special feature entitled ‘In the world being divided.’ In the article, Dr. Funabashi addresses ‘geopolitics’ and ‘geo-economics’ as the keywords with which to understand the …
AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato appeared as a panelist on a China Global Television Network’s discussion program, “World Insight,” on September 29. On the 45th anniversary of normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, panelists discussed the present situation of and future prospects for bilateral relations. Topics also included North Korea’s nuclear missile …
AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato was interviewed by the ABC Radio Canberra program, “Breakfast,” and the interview was broadcasted on September 27, 2017. He delivered his views regarding the circumstances, background, and outlook of Japan’s dissolution of the lower house of parliament, especially its influence over diplomacy and constitutional revision. *Please click here …
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RJIF’s latest book, “Geopolitical/Geo-economic Challenges to Japan-U.S. Alliance (現代日本の地政学 – 13のリスクと地経学の時代),” was introduced in the September 23th, 2017 issue of the Weekly Toyo Keizai. * Please click here for details of the RJIF book “Geopolitical/Geo-economic Challenges to Japan-U.S. Alliance (現代日本の地政学 – 13のリスクと地経学の時代) “
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi wrote an op-ed, “North Korea’s Nuclear Weapons, Japan’s Bind,” for The New York Times, published on September 14, 2017. In this article, Dr. Funabashi explains the vulnerable predicament that Japan is in with regard to North Korea, lacking the ability to improve its defensive or offensive military capabilities any time …
AP Initiative Chairman’s op-ed published in The New York Times Read More »
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi wrote an op-ed, “Abe’s troubles with Trump could lead to his downfall,” published on August 31, 2017. (It was published on the FT website on August 30, 2017.) The article shows that the Abe administration and Japan’s Asia foreign policy agenda faces risks stemming from Trump’s unpredictability. It explores the …
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AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi and Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato spoke at Japan National Press Club’s press conference on August 29, 2017 (14:30-16:00), together with Dr. Takashi Terada, a professor at Doshisha University, and Dr. Ken Jimbo, an assistant professor at Keio University, both on the team of authors of an RJIF book, “Geopolitical/Geo-economic …
The RJIF’s book, “Geopolitical/Geo-economic Challenges to Japan-U.S. Alliance (現代日本の地政学 – 13のリスクと地経学の時代),” will be published on August 25, 2017, from Chuokoron-Shinsha, Inc. “Geopolitical/Geo-economic Challenges to Japan-U.S. Alliance” 『現代日本の地政学 – 13のリスクと地経学の時代』 Edited by RJIF Publisher: Chuokoron-Shinsha, Inc. First Published: August 25, 2017 Price: 900yen +tax ISBN-13: 978-4-12-102450-3 * For details and order Amazon Chuokoron-Shinsha, Inc.
AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato participated in the symposium, “The Japan-ASEAN Dialogue: Changing Regional Order in the Asia-Pacific and Japan-ASEAN Cooperation,” held at the International House of Japan in Tokyo on June 30, 2017. The event was co-sponsored by The S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University and The University of …
A policy proposal submitted by The Evacuation of Hospitals in the Fukushima Sheltering Zone Project has been taken up in the Cabinet Office’s “Expert recommendations: Disaster prevention 4.0 -Concept for the future-.” The policy proposal offers an idea of “personal-network help,” a new concept of disaster prevention and disaster response for surviving a crisis, in …
AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato commented in The Sydney Morning Herald article, “Living in the shadow of North Korea’s nuclear arsenal,” published on August 11, 2017. In the article, which addresses how Japan responds to the growing threat posed by North Korea under the escalation of tensions between North Korea and the U.S., …
AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato’s comments in The Sydney Morning Herald Read More »
A booklet, “Today’s Journalism and Ishibashi Tanzan –What should we learn from Tanzan in the era of populism and nationalism-,” featuring a panel discussion in the 4th conference of the Ishibashi Tanzan Society, in which AP Initiative Chairman participated as a panelist, has been published by the Ishibashi Tanzan Memorial Foundation. The symposium was held …
The NHK BS Premium show, “Showa no sentaku: Nuclear-free world and the challenge to authority – Reconsidering Ishibashi Tanzan,” in which AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi appeared as a guest speaker, will be rebroadcasted as below. Program (Japanese): Showa no sentaku: Nuclear-free world and the challenge to authority – Reconsidering Ishibashi Tanzan Rebroadcast August 17, …
An event co-organized by the Asia Pacific Initiative (AP Initiative) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), ”The U.S.-Japan Alliance in an Era of Geo-Economic Competition – Insights from the Bilateral Military Statesmen’s Forum,” was held at CSIS Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on July 28, 2017. At the event, retired military leaders from Japan …
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi had a conversation with Mr. Makoto Sakurai, member of the Policy Board of the Bank of Japan, which was published as ‘’Learning again from the history between the First World War and the Second World War” in Nichigin (No.50), the Bank of Japan PR magazine. Through comparison of today with …
AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi was interviewed by the Japan Spotlight, an online English magazine by the Japan Economic Foundation. The interview was published in July/August 2017 issue (#214) under the title “Restoration of Liberalism & Promotion of Cooperation to Encourage Globalization — Commitment by Think Tank Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation.” In the interview, Dr. …
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AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi and Harry Dempsey, his Research Assistant, co-authored the op-ed, “Trump threat drives Japan and China closer,” published on July 9, 2017. It was designated as the lead piece of the week. The article points out the influence of the Presidency of Donald Trump on Tokyo’s push to stabilize relations with …
AP Initiative Chairman and Research Assistant’s op-ed published in East Asia Forum Read More »
AP Initiative Fellow Hiroyuki Nakashima’s report on a panel discussion held by the Brookings Institution, “Opportunities and Challenges for Development Lending in the Asia-Pacific,” is now available on AP Initiative website. *Please click here to read the report (only available in Japanese) *Please click here for details of the event
ブルッキングス研究所主催 「アジア太平洋地域における開発融資の機会と挑戦」報告 中島 裕行 (AP Initiative主任研究員) 6月12日、ワシントンD.C.のBrookings Institutionにて「Opportunities and Challenges for Development Lending in the Asia-Pacific」と題されたセミナーが開催され、先方の依頼を受けパネリストとして参加した1。本セミナーは、中国の一帯一路政策やAsia Infrastructure Investment Bank(AIIB)設立に象徴されるアジアにおける地経学的なダイナミズムに対して、日本やアメリカ、世界銀行等の既存の開発金融機関がどう対応するかというテーマを、ワシントンでよく見られる「政治」や「経済」といった切り口でなく、「開発金融」を切り口として議論するというところに特徴があった。その切り口の目新しさも手伝ってか、会場にはほぼ満員の聴衆が集まり、活発な意見交換が行われた。 このテーマには、大きく分けて二つのポイントがある。一つはAIIBという開発金融の「新たな資金の出し手」の出現に対する日本・アメリカ・世銀等の受け止め方であり、もう一つは「新たな資金の出し手」の設立に止まらないより広範な中国の地経学的な戦略に対してアメリカや日本がどう対応していくか（とりわけトランプ政権が開発金融機関や経済援助に対する予算を大幅削減する中で）という点だ。 本セミナーは、Brookings InstitutionのMireya Solis日本部長がモデレーターを務め、アメリカからMr. Miles Kahler （Distinguished Professor, School of International Service, American University）、Mr. Scott Morris (Senior Fellow and Director of the U.S. Development Policy Initiative, Center for Global Development)、日本から中島、中国からMs. Hongying Wang （Associate Professor of …
(Japanese) ブルッキングス研究所主催「アジア太平洋地域における開発融資の機会と挑戦」報告 / 中島裕行(主任研究員) Read More »
Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation, had a conversation with Mr. Daniel Franklin, Executive Editor of The Economist, which was published as ‘2050: Amazing technology will change the world’ in the July issue of Bungeishunju. They discussed issues related to expected future technologies introduced in the book, ‘MEGATECH: Technology in 2050’ …
Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation, wrote an op-ed, “Why Trump’s North Korea strategy can’t succeed,” published on June 11, 2017. The piece pointed out President Trump’s mistake on the thinking and strategy behind his approach, pushing China to shoulder the burden to solve the North Korean nuclear crisis, and gives …
RJIF Chairman’s op-ed published in The Washington Post Read More »
RJIF Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato participated in the symposium “North Korea Policy Under Trump: Is There a Deal?” held at the Japan Society in New York City on June 6, 2017, and co-organized by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and the Japan Society. Many were in attendance to hear Mr. Kato speak along with Dr. …
Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation, wrote “Is there a way to denuclearization of North Korea?” for the July issue of the Ushio magazine. It is introduced as an opening article of a special feature entitled ‘The World’s Signposts.’ In the article, Dr. Funabashi addresses options for getting out of the …
RJIF Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato’s new column “G20 Meeting of Think tanks” is now available on RJIF website. *Please click here to read the column (currently only available in Japanese)
Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation, will appear on the NHK BS Premium show, “Eiyuutachi no sentaku: Don’t let the U.S. get away! Emergency command: Kentaro Kaneko – Diplomatic battle under the Russo-Japanese War,” as a guest speaker on June 1, 2017 at 20:00. Program (Japanese): Eiyuutachi no sentaku: Don’t let …
RJIF Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato commented in The Washington Times article, “Protesters say THAAD missile system is more about U.S. militarism than South Korean protection,” published on May 22, 2017. In the article, which addresses U.S. intentions for THAAD deployment in South Korea, Mr. Kato noted the assumption that the deployment not only enhances …
RJIF Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato’s comments in The Washington Times Read More »
RJIF’s project, “The Evacuation of Hospitals in the Fukushima Sheltering Zone,” which investigated the critical situation of medical institutions in the sheltering zone – a 20-30km area from TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station- at the time of accident, published its report on February 28, 2017, and this book now has been generally available since …
Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation, had a conversation with Mr. Kazutoshi Hando, which was published under the title ‘Learn from the failure of the Pacific War’ in the June issue of Bungeishunju. The article was introduced under a special feature entitled ‘The Korean Peninsula Crisis.’ In the dialogue, Dr. Funabashi …
Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of RJIF, participated in Sasakawa USA’s Fourth Annual Security Forum, “The U.S.-Japan Alliance: Foundation of Asian Security,” held on May 2, 2017 in Washington, D.C. He spoke at the panel “Asia Policy under the Trump and Abe Administrations.” Dr. Funabashi talked about the impact of ‘Trump Shock’ on the future of …
Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of RJIF, spoke at the Japan National Press Club interview series, “Trump Administration: the future of the U.S. and the rest of the world.” He was the guest speaker for the sixth round entitled “World order in the Trump era,” held on April 26, 2017. In the interview, Dr. Funabashi analyzed …
Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of RJIF, participated in the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Trilateral Commission in Washington, D.C., held on March 24 to 26, 2017. Dr. Funabashi has been a member of the commission since 1991. The Trilateral Commission was formed in 1973 by private citizens of Japan, Europe, and North America to foster …
Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation, commented for an article, “Reflections on journalism across Asia,” which highlights the 15th anniversary of the Shorenstein Journalism Award, on the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Center (APARC) website. The article was published on April 18, 2017. The Shorenstein Journalism Award is an annual prize given …
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