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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Japan’s Prime Minister Steps Aside

Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan is stepping aside, setting the stage for a leadership race ahead of parliamentary elections this fall. The Japan Chair explains next steps and the broader implications for Japanese politics and U.S.-Japan relations.

Critical Questions by Michael J. Green and Nicholas Szechenyi — September 3, 2021

Press Briefing: Prime Minister Suga’s Visit to Washington

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) will host a press call Thursday, April 15 at 10:00 a.m. to discuss Japanese prime minister Yoshihide Suga’s April 16 talks with U.S. president Joe Biden.

Event by Michael J. Green , Matthew P. Goodman , Jane Nakano , and Nicholas Szechenyi — April 15, 2021

The Return of the Quad: Will Russia and China Form Their Own Bloc?

A flexible Quad with an affirmative agenda can preserve space for Russia to remain an independent actor in the Indo Pacific, tempering Moscow’s gravitational pull toward Beijing.

Commentary by Michael J. Green , Nicholas Szechenyi , Heather A. Conley , and Cyrus Newlin — April 6, 2021

Reflections on the 10th Anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake

March 11 marks the 10th anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake. The Japan Chair reflects on Japan’s resilience in the aftermath of that tragedy and some of the lessons learned from a 2011 CSIS task force on ways the U.S. could support the process of recovery.

Commentary by Michael J. Green , Nicholas Szechenyi , and Kiyoaki Aburaki — March 9, 2021

Asia Forecast 2021

Join CSIS experts for our annual preview of political, security, and economic developments across Asia.

Event by Michael J. Green , and Jude Blanchette , Victor Cha , Matthew P. Goodman , Scott Kennedy , Gregory B. Poling , William Alan Reinsch , Richard M. Rossow , Stephanie Segal , Nicholas Szechenyi , Bonnie S. Glaser , Sue Mi Terry — January 26, 2021

Yoshihide Suga—Japan’s New Leader

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party elected Yoshihide Suga to succeed Shinzo Abe as prime minister. The CSIS Japan Chair previews Suga’s likely priorities and assesses the potential for continuity during a period of transition in Japanese politics.

Critical Questions by Michael J. Green and Nicholas Szechenyi — September 14, 2020

Online Event: Japan After Abe: Legacy and Next Moves

Please join us for an online panel discussion where CSIS experts will assess Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's legacy across a range of policy areas including security, diplomacy, and economics, as well as Japan’s political and strategic trajectory.

Event by John J. Hamre , Michael J. Green , Victor Cha , Matthew P. Goodman , Yuko Nakano , and Nicholas Szechenyi — September 1, 2020

Shinzo Abe’s Decision to Step Down

On August 28, 2020, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan announced he would resign due to a recurring illness. The CSIS Japan Chair assessed next steps for Japanese politics and the prospects for carrying forward Abe’s main legacy: demonstrating that Japan can lead.

Critical Questions by Michael J. Green and Nicholas Szechenyi — August 28, 2020

Japan’s Response to Covid-19: A Work in Progress

While it may be too early to reach any definitive conclusions on the effectiveness of Japan’s Covid-19 response, satellite imagery reveals a reduction in activity consistent with the timeline for Covid-19 mitigation actions.

Commentary by Nicholas Szechenyi and Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. — April 23, 2020