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 »

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 appeared as a moderator at a commemorative symposium for publishing Dr. Graham T. Allison’s book 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 …

【Press Release】Establishment of “World Economic Forum Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Japan: C4IR (Japan)” Read More »

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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 »

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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 …

A record of the GLOBE’s 200th edition commemorative symposium, at which Dr. Funabashi spoke, published in the Asahi Shimbun Read More »

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 spoke at Asahi Shimbun GLOBE’s 200th edition commemorative symposium Read More »

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 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 Intern Tamaki Takao’s paper was awarded the first prize of the 9th Yasuhiro Nakasone Prize by Seiunjuku 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 »

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 …

RJIF’s latest book, “Geopolitical/Geo-economic Challenges to Japan-U.S. Alliance,” was introduced in the Diplomacy and the Shukan Gendai magazine Read More »

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 Chairman’s text, “North Korea crisis and Japan’s geopolitical challenge,” in the November issue of the Ushio magazine Read More »

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 appeared on a China Global Television Network’s discussion program, “World Insight” Read More »

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 …

AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato’s interview on ABC Radio Canberra 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 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 …

AP Initiative Chairman’s op-ed published in The Financial Times Read More »

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 …

AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi and Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato spoke at Japan National Press Club’s press conference Read More »

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 …

AP Initiative Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato participated in a symposium sponsored by The Global Forum of Japan Read More »

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 …

Policy proposal by The Evacuation of Hospitals in the Fukushima Sheltering Zone Project is taken up in the Cabinet Office’s “Expert recommendations: Disaster prevention 4.0 -Concept for the future-” Read More »

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 …

“Today’s Journalism and Ishibashi Tanzan,” featuring the 4th conference of the Ishibashi Tanzan Society, in which AP Initiative Chairman participated as a panelist, has been published Read More »

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, …

NHK BS Premium show “Showa no sentaku: Tanzan Ishibashi,” in which AP Initiative Chairman Yoichi Funabashi appeared as a guest speaker, will be rebroadcasted Read More »

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’s conversation with Makoto Sakurai in the Bank of Japan PR magazine Nichigin (No.50) Read More »

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. …

AP Initiative Chairman’s interview on Japan Spotlight Read More »

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

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’ …

RJIF Chairman’s conversation with Daniel Franklin in the July issue of Bungeishunju magazine Read More »

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. …

RJIF Senior Research Fellow Yoichi Kato participated in a symposium held in New York City, co-organized by the National Committee on American Foreign Policy and the Japan Society Read More »

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 Chairman’s text, “Is there a way to denuclearization of North Korea?” in the July issue of the Ushio magazine Read More »

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 Chairman will appear on a NHK BS Premium show, “Eiyuutachi no sentaku: Kentaro Kaneko,” on June 1, 2017 Read More »

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 …

RJIF’s book, “Personal networks and social resilience – The evacuation of hospitals in the Fukushima sheltering zone,” had its general release on May 15, 2017 Read More »

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 …

RJIF Chairman’s conversation with Kazutoshi Hando in the June issue of Bungeishunju magazine Read More »

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 …

RJIF Chairman spoke at Sasakawa USA’s Fourth Annual Security Forum held in Washington, D.C. Read More »

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 …

RJIF Chairman spoke at the Japan National Press Club as a guest speaker for their interview series Read More »

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 …

RJIF Chairman participated in the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Trilateral Commission in Washington, D.C. Read More »