Christopher B. Johnstone

Senior Associate (Non-resident), Japan Chair
Christopher B. Johnstone

Christopher B. Johnstone is senior associate of Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, Mr. Johnstone served in government for 25 years in a variety of senior positions with a focus on U.S. policy toward Japan and the Indo-Pacific. He served twice on the National Security Council, as director for East Asia under President Biden and director for Japan and Oceanian affairs under President Obama (2014–2016). In the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Mr. Johnstone led offices with responsibility for South and Southeast Asia (2017–2021) and East Asia (2016–2017); he was director for Northeast Asia from 2010 to 2014, where he had principal responsibility for developing strategy for the U.S.-Japan alliance. Mr. Johnstone began his career as an intelligence officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, where he worked on national security issues in Northeast Asia and served in an overseas field station. Mr. Johnstone has a master's in public affairs from Princeton University's School of Public and International Affairs and a bachelor of arts from Swarthmore College. He speaks fluent Japanese.

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Biden 2028?

Christopher B. Johnstone in Politico — September 5, 2024

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Japan: An Indispensable Partner in the Indo-Pacific

Japan is watching the U.S. election with a keen interest in furthering the U.S.-Japan alliance. The CSIS Japan Chair addresses Japan’s policy priorities and the potential implications of the election outcome for cooperation on a range of regional and global challenges.

Commentary by Christopher B. Johnstone and Nicholas Szechenyi — September 26, 2024

Japan Searches for Leadership

Join CSIS Senior Adviser and Japan Chair Christopher Johnstone and Inagaki Kana, former Tokyo Bureau Chief at the Financial Times, for a virtual discussion on the upcoming LDP leadership election and the potential implications for Japan and the world.

Event — September 10, 2024

Southeast Asia Radio

U.S. Regional Engagement with Chris Johnstone and Andreyka Natalegawa

Greg is joined by Chris Johnstone and Andreyka Natalegawa to discuss the implications of Sec. Austin and Sec. Blinken’s recent trips throughout East and Southeast Asia.

Podcast Episode by Gregory B. Poling, Christopher B. Johnstone, Andreyka Natalegawa, Japhet Quitzon, and Lauren Mai — August 22, 2024

CSIS Southeast Asia Radio

Kishida Steps Aside

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan announced on August 14 that he will not seek reelection as leader of the ruling party, effectively ending his tenure as prime minister. The CSIS Japan Chair addresses his legacy and next steps in a period of political transition.

Critical Questions by Christopher B. Johnstone, Nicholas Szechenyi, and Yuko Nakano — August 16, 2024

Audio Briefs

Kishida Steps Aside

An audio version of “Kishida Steps Aside,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Christopher B. Johnstone, Nicholas Szechenyi, and Yuko Nakano. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Christopher B. Johnstone, Nicholas Szechenyi, and Yuko Nakano — August 16, 2024

Audio Briefs

Building a Mutually Complementary Supply Chain between Japan and the United States

Japan’s recent increases in defense spending and relaxation of defense export rules have prompted a new era of opportunity in defense industrial cooperation with the United States, specifically in the realm of uncrewed aerial systems and electro-optical sensors.

Report by Christopher B. Johnstone, Cynthia Cook, Audrey Aldisert, Leah Klaas, Christine Michienzi, Gregg Rubinstein, Gregory Sanders, and Nicholas Szechenyi — August 15, 2024