event

Tokyo’s Tiptoe Around U.S. Political Turmoil: Past and Present

Thu. November 1st, 2018
Washington, DC

Opinion polls in both Japan and the United States show continued strong support for their security alliance and economic relationship, but Trump administration trade policies, its withdrawal from international agreements, and its undermining of multilateral institutions is stressing bilateral ties in ways not seen in decades. Japan is accustomed to some degree of U.S. political and policy fluctuation, but could we be entering an era of greater alliance tension as partisan battles in Washington intensify? 

Japanese historian Koji Murata will put into context Tokyo’s evaluation of (and possible adjustment to) political change in the United States. From Carter to Reagan, from Bush to Clinton, and from Obama to Trump, how can the past inform our present and future policy choices as an alliance? Veteran diplomat Rust Deming will join the conversation, moderated by Carnegie’s Jim Schoff.

This event is cosponsored by the U.S. Japan Research Institute.

Koji Murata

Koji Murata is currently professor of political science at Doshisha University, where he served previously as dean of the Faculty of Law and as president. His latest publication is a biography of Ronald Reagan.

Rust Deming

Rust Deming is an adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Following a four-decade career in the U.S. Department of State where he served in a variety of posts including deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and principal deputy assistant secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs.

James L. Schoff

James L. Schoff is a senior fellow in the Carnegie Asia Program. His research focuses on U.S.-Japan relations and regional engagement, Japanese politics and security, and the private sector’s role in Japanese policymaking.

EconomyTradeSecurityForeign PolicyNorth AmericaUnited StatesEast Asia
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
event speakers

Koji Murata

Koji Murata is currently professor of political science at Doshisha University, where he served previously as dean of the Faculty of Law and as president.

Rust Deming

Rust Deming is an adjunct professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Following a four-decade career in the State Department where he served in a variety of posts including deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and director of Japan Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

James L. Schoff

Senior Fellow, Asia Program

James L. Schoff was a senior fellow in the Carnegie Asia Program. His research focuses on U.S.-Japan relations and regional engagement, Japanese technology innovation, and regional trade and security dynamics.