Japan Chair

The mission of the CSIS Japan Chair is to be the leading source of analytic insight and policy-relevant research on Japan, the U.S.-Japan alliance, and Japan’s leadership on the global stage

About Us
 

The Japan Chair was established to provide a venue in Washington, DC for the study of U.S.-Japan relations and to increase mutual understanding. As Japan's role in Asian and global affairs continues to grow, the Japan Chair is charting a strategic agenda for the U.S.-Japan relationship. The Japan Chair is a unique platform to raise awareness of U.S.-Japan policy issues in a bilateral, regional and global context.

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Photo: Bryant Wong via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Photo: Bryant Wong via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

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Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

Photo: Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images

Japan Poised for Early General Election

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s plan to dissolve the lower house of the Japanese parliament could give her party a mandate for strong leadership—or it could exacerbate current governance challenges.

Critical Questions by Kristi Govella and Yuko Nakano — January 14, 2026

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Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Likely New Leader

On October 4, Japan’s ruling party elected Sanae Takaichi as its new leader, and she will likely become Japan’s first female prime minister. Nicholas Szechenyi breaks down her likely policy priorities and the implications for Japan’s strategic trajectory.

Commentary by Nicholas Szechenyi — October 6, 2025

Audio Briefs

New Documents Reveal Next Steps for U.S.-Japan Trade Deal

An audio version of ⁠“New Documents Reveal Next Steps for U.S.-Japan Trade Deal,” ⁠a new commentary by CSIS’s Kristi Govella. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Kristi Govella — September 9, 2025

Audio Briefs

New Documents Reveal Next Steps for U.S.-Japan Trade Deal

Recent developments resolve some of the ambiguities that have caused tensions in U.S.-Japan relations in recent weeks, but they also reveal potential pitfalls ahead, as well as areas for other countries to watch.

Commentary by Kristi Govella — September 9, 2025

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Steps Down

On September 7, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba stepped down amid mounting pressure within his party. The upcoming race to select his successor will signal whether the Liberal Democratic Party can provide strong leadership at home and abroad in an increasingly unpredictable domestic and international environment.

Critical Questions by Kristi Govella, Nicholas Szechenyi, and Yuko Nakano — September 8, 2025

Audio Briefs

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Steps Down

An audio version of “⁠Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Steps Down⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Kristi Govella, Nicholas Szechenyi, and Yuko Nakano. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs.

Podcast Episode by Kristi Govella, Nicholas Szechenyi, and Yuko Nakano — September 8, 2025

Audio Briefs
Audio Briefs

Advancing U.S.-Japan Cooperation in Scientific Research on the Ground

An audio version of “⁠Advancing U.S.-Japan Cooperation in Scientific Research on the Ground⁠," a new commentary by CSIS’s Makoto Tsujiguchi. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Makoto Tsujiguchi — August 28, 2025

Audio Briefs

Advancing U.S.-Japan Cooperation in Scientific Research on the Ground

U.S.-Japan collaboration in research and development has made important progress in recent years. CSIS Japan Chair Visiting Fellow Makoto Tsujiguchi describes the current U.S.-Japan R&D landscape as well as opportunities to deepen cooperation.

Commentary by Makoto Tsujiguchi — August 28, 2025

Japan-Philippines Defense Industrial Cooperation

By leveraging its technological and industrial strengths, Japan is positioned to complement the Philippines’ modernization push and help Manila build a more sustainable defense industrial base over time.

Blog Post by Christopher Kirch and Hpone Thit Htoo — August 27, 2025

State of Play

Are U.S.-Japan relations at a turning point?

Kristi Govella and Nick Szechenyi join to discuss whether U.S.-Japan ties are shifting amid tariffs and political change.

Podcast Episode by Will Todman, Kristi Govella, and Nicholas Szechenyi — August 7, 2025

Photo: iLab/CSIS
Audio Briefs

Assessing the U.S.-Japan Trade Deal Announcement

An audio version of “⁠Assessing the U.S.-Japan Trade Deal Announcement⁠,” a new Critical Questions by CSIS’s Kristi Govella. This audio was generated with text-to-speech by Eleven Labs. 

Podcast Episode by Kristi Govella — July 23, 2025

Audio Briefs