Nicholas Szechenyi

Senior Fellow, Japan Chair and Deputy Director for Asia
Nicholas Szechenyi

Nicholas Szechenyi is a senior fellow with the Japan Chair and deputy director for Asia at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). His research focuses on U.S.-Japan relations and U.S. strategy in Asia. Prior to joining CSIS in 2005, he was a news producer for Fuji Television in Washington, D.C., where he covered U.S. policy in Asia and domestic politics. Recent publications include “Japan-China Relations: Stabilizing Intense Strategic Competition” (with Michael J. Green, International Institute for Strategic Studies, June 2022) and "An Agile Alliance: Managing Strategic Competition with China" (Sasakawa Peace Foundation, March 2022). He holds an MA in international economics and Japan studies from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and a BA in Asian studies from Connecticut College.

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Indo-Pacific Forecast 2023

What is the outlook for U.S.-China relations? Which of the U.S. alliance networks in the Indo-Pacific is most promising? Will IPEF thrive? Join CSIS experts to explore these and other questions during our annual preview of political, security, and economic developments.

Event by Victor Cha , Emily Benson , Jude Blanchette , Charles Edel , Matthew P. Goodman , Christopher B. Johnstone , Scott Kennedy , Ellen Kim , and Bonny Lin , Lily McElwee , Erin L. Murphy , Yuko Nakano , Gregory B. Poling , William Alan Reinsch , Nicholas Szechenyi , Raymond Vickery , Kurt Campbell , Ambassador Taeyong Cho , Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez — January 12, 2023

Photo: Elnur/AdobeStock

The Biden-Kishida Summit Meeting

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan will make his first visit to Washington for a summit meeting with President Biden on January 13. The CSIS Japan Chair and Economics Program outline the key issues shaping a dynamic agenda for U.S.-Japan relations.

Critical Questions by Nicholas Szechenyi , Yuko Nakano , and Matthew P. Goodman — January 10, 2023

Photo: Eugene Hoshiko/Pool/Getty Images
The Impossible State

Abe's Legacy on Japan-Korea relations

Dr. Victor Cha is joined by Mr. Nicholas Szechenyi to discuss Abe's death, the implications of the Liberal Democratic Party, Japanese defense security reform under Prime Minister Kishida, as well as trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan, and Korea.

Podcast Episode by Victor Cha and Nicholas Szechenyi — September 12, 2022

CSIS The Impossible State North Korea

Japan’s Upper House Election: Kishida Clears Another Hurdle

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) scored a major victory in the Upper House election on July 10. The CSIS Japan Chair examines the results and implications for Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s domestic and foreign policy agenda.

Critical Questions by Christopher B. Johnstone , Nicholas Szechenyi , and Yuko Nakano — July 11, 2022

Photo: TORU HANAI/POOL/AFP/Getty Images

The Assassination of Shinzo Abe

Former prime minister Shinzo Abe, one of Japan’s most prominent political leaders, was fatally shot on July 8. The CSIS Japan Chair analyzes his legacy as a transformational leader who restored Japan’s confidence and left a lasting blueprint for foreign policy strategy.

Critical Questions by Christopher B. Johnstone , Nicholas Szechenyi , and Yuko Nakano — July 8, 2022

Photo: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

Asia Forecast 2022

Please join us for the CSIS Asia Program's Asia Forecast 2022, our annual preview of political, security, and economic developments across Asia.

Event by Michael J. Green , Victor Cha , and Charles Edel , Yuko Nakano , Richard M. Rossow , Jude Blanchette , Bonny Lin , Gregory B. Poling , Nicholas Szechenyi , Matthew P. Goodman , Scott Kennedy , William Alan Reinsch , Stephanie Segal — January 27, 2022

Photo: liuzishan/AdobeStock

Enhancing Democratic Partnership in the Indo-Pacific Region

Democratic governance is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region. This report catalogues regional efforts to support democracy and recommends ways the United States can partner with like-minded countries in the region.

Report by Michael J. Green , Nicholas Szechenyi , and Hannah Fodale — November 18, 2021

The Case for U.S.-Japan-ROK Cooperation on Democracy Support in the Indo-Pacific Region

As the Biden administration prepares for the Summit for Democracy, it will need support from Asian allies like Japan and South Korea whose expertise and shared commitment to democratic norms can help develop a network of democratic partnership across the Indo-Pacific.

Commentary by Nicholas Szechenyi , Jada Fraser , and Hannah Fodale — November 3, 2021

Photo: efas/Adobe Stock

Japan’s Lower House Election: Kishida Gets a Mandate for Now

Japan's ruling coalition led by the Liberal Democratic Party retained a majority in the Lower House election. The CSIS Japan Chair analyzes the results and the challenges facing Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in the coming months.

Critical Questions by Michael J. Green , Nicholas Szechenyi , and Yuko Nakano — November 1, 2021

Photo: Behrouz Mehri - Pool/Getty Images