Keizai Koho Center (KKC) invited researchers from U.S. think tanks to Japan to participate in KKC’s invitation program for U.S. think tank researchers, which was first launched in 1999. This year, three researchers, Ms. Erin L. Murphy, Deputy Director for the Chair on India and Emerging Asia Economics and Senior Fellow of Emerging Asia Economics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Dr. William Chou, Deputy Director of the Japan Chair at the Hudson Institute, and Dr. Joel Griffith, Policy Advisor and Senior Fellow at Advancing American Freedom, participated in the program.

This year’s program focused on the prospects for Japan-U.S. relations under the new administration, economic security, and the challenges for Japanese companies. Through meetings with the Japanese government, companies, and experts in Japan, the researchers were able to obtain the latest information on politics, the economy, industries, defense, diplomacy, tariffs, and economic security. They actively exchanged views and perspectives on the issues under the new administrations of both countries.

■Discussions with Japanese companies and experts
The researchers explored key Japanese industries, including automobile, heavy electrical machinery, electrical machinery, and shipping. They gained insights into the operations of Japanese companies in the U.S., supply chains, tariffs, telecommunications infrastructure, and energy security. Engaging with academic and research experts, they discussed international relations and the increasingly uncertain and unpredictable situation in East Asia. Additionally, a meeting with journalists enriched their understanding of the recent political and economic landscape in Japan and facilitated an exchange of perspectives on the second Trump administration.

■Exchanging opinions with a Diet member and central and local government officials
The researchers had the privilege of meeting with the Honorable Mr. Taro Kono, who engaged in a frank discussion about the Japanese and U.S. economies and diplomatic policies. They also visited the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to learn about the national semiconductor strategy. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, they deepened their knowledge on economic security in the Indo-Pacific region, while the Ministry of Defense provided updates on the current situation in East Asia. They also visited the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, where they met with the Tokyo Governor, the Honorable Ms. Yuriko Koike, to exchange views on infrastructure development as a measure against natural disasters and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s efficient policy management. The visit concluded with an overview of initiatives promoting digital transformation (DX) and smart city strategies, presented by a staff member.

■Hosting a Symposium
A symposium marked the last day of the program, drawing about 50 participants. Professor Yasuyuki Todo of the Faculty of Political Science and Economics at Waseda University delivered the keynote address, followed by presentations by the three researchers. The think tank researchers also engaged in a lively discussion in a panel discussion moderated by Professor Todo. They discussed U.S. developments, the policy challenges of the second Trump administration, and strategic approaches for companies in today’s complex environment.

The invitation program aims for the researchers to integrate their insights and experiences into their work upon returning to the U.S., while fostering mutual understanding and strengthening Japan-U.S. relations.

*Major cooperating companies and ministries TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION, NEC Corporation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd., JERA, Dai-ichi Life Research Institute Inc., Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Defense, Keio University, Waseda University

Keizai Koho Center invited U.S. think tank researchers to Tokyo, providing them with opportunities to exchange views with Japanese business executives, lawmakers, government officers, scholars, and other policy experts. The week-long program aims to contribute to mutual understanding between the U.S. and Japan. Three researchers, Mr. Martin Chorzempa, Senior Fellow of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Dr. Adam P. Liff, Nonresident Senior Fellow of The Brookings Institution, and Dr. Inu Manak, Fellow of The Council on Foreign Relations participated in the program from March 4-8, 2024.

The researchers had discussions with companies such as Toyota Motor Corporation, JFE Steel, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Shiseido and Sony. They also met with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Bank of Japan, as well as parliamentarians of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. They also discussed issues such as Japan’s aging population and Japan’s international relations with prominent scholars of Hitotsubashi University and the University of Tokyo..

This year’s program focused on Japan-U.S. cooperation in the changing international environment and economic security. The researchers shared their views on this issue in a symposium on the last day of the program, co-hosted by Keizai Koho Center and the 21st Century Public Policy Institute. A panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Kazuhiro Maeshima, Professor and Dean of the Faculty of Global Studies at Sophia University and Deputy Research Director of the 21st Century Public Policy Institute. Dr. Adam Posen, President of the Peterson Institute for International Economics made a keynote remark (video recording) on the “U.S. Economic and Political Outlook for 2024 and the Impact on the Japanese and Global Economies”.

KKC has invited U.S. think tank researchers to Japan since 1999.

Keizai Koho Center invited U.S. think tank researchers to Tokyo, providing them with opportunities to exchange views with Japanese business executives, lawmakers, government officers, scholars, and other policy experts. The week-long program aims to contribute to mutual understanding between the U.S. and Japan. Three researchers, Mr. Riley Walters, Deputy Director and Japan Chair of the Hudson Institute, Mr. Jon Bateman, Senior Fellow of Technology and International Affairs Program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Mr. Clark Packard, Research Fellow of Herbert A. Stiefel Center for Trade Policy Studies at Cato Institute participated in the program, which was held in-person.

This year’s program focused on the topic of economic security and concluded with a symposium titled “Economic Security: US and Japanese Responses and the Business Implications”. The researchers shared their views on this issue and discussed the realities of strategic decoupling. A panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Kaori Iida, Director of the Digital News Department at NHK.

KKC has invited U.S. think tank researchers to Japan since 1999.