A Conversation with Ambassador Kevin Rudd
March 16, 2026 • 2:00 – 3:00 pm EDT
Hosted by Australia Chair
Emergency Episode: PM Takaichi's Landslide Victory in Japan
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Nick Szechenyi joins Will to analyze the geopolitical consequences of Sanae Takaichi's resounding victory in the February 8 Japanese general elections. They discuss what the prime minister's historic supermajority in the lower house of parliament means for Japan's defense spending, tensions with China, ties with the United States, and Takaichi's broader strategy.
- Yuko Nakano and Nicholas Szechenyi, "Takaichi Dominates Japan’s Lower House Election," CSIS, February 9, 2026.
- Kristi Govella, Charles McClean, and Nicholas Szechenyi, "Inside Japan’s High-Stakes Snap Election," CSIS, February 9, 2026.
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Chief of Staff, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department; and Senior Fellow, Middle East Program
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Vice President, Geopolitics and Foreign Policy Department and Senior Fellow, Japan Chair