Japan Matters

Prime Minister Naoto Kan has just been reelected leader of the Democratic Party of Japan. The support numbers for his newly appointed Cabinet are sky high. Does this mean that Japan is out of the woods, politically, and that we can expect more consistent and dramatic action coming out of Japan? Or will Japan's numerous problems and complex political situation drag down the newly invigorated Kan and his government? 

CAN THE UNITED STATES REVITALIZE RELATIONS WITH JAPAN AND KOREA? 9/28, 2:30-4:00pm, Washington, DC. Sponsor: AEI. Speakers: John Park, United States Institute of Peace; L. Gordon Flake, Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, Michael Auslin, AEI; Moderator, Nicholas Eberstadt, AEI.

STRAIGHT TALK FROM TOKYO: OBSERVATIONS ON JAPANESE POLITI.CS 9/29, Noon-2:00pm, Brown Bag Lunch, Washington, DC. Sponsor: Reischauer Center, SAIS. Speaker: Michael T. Cucek is a Research Associate in Tokyo with the MIT Center for International Studies and an independent analyst of Japanese politics. Location: Rome Building, Room 640, 1619 Massachusetts Ave., NW. Contact: RSVP to Ms. Yoshikawa.

REPORT BY JAPAN’S COUNCIL ON SECURITY AND DEFENSE CAPABILITIES IN THE NEW ERA: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT. 10/7, 3:30–5:00pm, Washington, DC. Sponsors: Stimson Center, INSS. Speaker: Yoshihide Soeya, Director, Keio Institute of East Asian Studies, Keio University. Location: 1111 19th St., NW, 12th Floor. Contact: Kent Mullen, by 5pm 10/4.