Christopher B. Johnstone

Senior Adviser and Japan Chair
Christopher B. Johnstone

Christopher B. Johnstone is senior adviser and 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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ROK-U.S. Strategic Forum 2023

Please join us for the 8th annual ROK-U.S. Strategic Forum, our premier international forum that brings together officials, policymakers, and experts to discuss issues important to the U.S.-ROK alliance.

Event — September 25, 2023

Coalition Building: Current Dynamics in Japanese Politics

Join the Japan Chair for a webinar exploring the current dynamics in Japanese domestic politics, featuring insights from Iizuka Keiko from the Yomiuri Shimbun and Prof. Leonard Schoppa from the University of Virginia. 

Event — September 13, 2023

Reviewing the Camp David Trilateral Summit

On August 29th the CSIS Asia Program hosted a reflection on the Trilateral Summit at Camp David, featuring NSC Coordinator for the Indo Pacific Dr. Kurt Campbell, Ambassador Tomita Koji of Japan, and Ambassador Cho Hyundong of South Korea.

Event — August 29, 2023

Press Briefing: Previewing the Camp David Trilateral Summit

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) will host a call-in press briefing on Monday, August 14, at 2:30 p.m. EDT, to preview the first stand alone trilateral summit between President Biden, Prime Minister Kishida, and President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Event — August 14, 2023

Thirteenth Annual South China Sea Conference

The CSIS Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative are pleased to present the Thirteenth Annual South China Sea Conference, it will provide opportunities for in-depth discussion and analysis of developments in the South China Sea over the past year and potential paths forward.

Event — June 28, 2023