home > the cfr think tank > experts > sheila a. smith
Senior Fellow for Japan Studies
Contact Info:
E-mail: ssmith@cfr.org
Location:
Washington, DC
Media downloads:
High-resolution photo (JPG, 149K)
One-page bio (PDF, 54K)
Expert on Japan and Asian international relations. Currently directing the New Regional Security Architecture for Asia program.
Expertise:Japanese domestic politics and foreign policy; Northeast Asia regional security; international relations of the Asia Pacific.
Experience:Research Fellow, Politics, Governance and Security, East-West Center (2001-2007); Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations, Boston University (1994-2000); Visiting Associate Professor, International Institute for Japanese Studies, Kyoto, Japan (1998-1999); Visiting Research Fellow, College of Law and Letters, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan (1998); Research Fellow (1993-1994) and Japan Fellow (1991-1992), East Asian Institute, Columbia University.
Languages:Japanese (fluent), French (reading).
Selected Publications:“Shifting Terrain: The Domestic Politics of the U.S. Military in Asia,” East-West Center Special Report No. 8 (East-WestCenter, 2006), “A Place Apart: Okinawa in Japan’s Postwar Peace” in Partnership: The United States and Japan, 1951-2001 (Kodansha International, 2001); Local Voices, National Issues: Local Initiative in Japanese Policymaking (University of Michigan Press, 2000).
Panels:
Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS): The Fourth Annual CSIS-JETRO Conference on East Asian Economic Integration and U.S.-Japan Relations, Regional Cooperation and the Role of the United States (March 4, 2009)
The Brookings Institution: East Asia in the Spotlight - Secretary of State Clinton's First Trip Abroad (February 12, 2009)
Interviews:
NHK: おはよう世界: 「鳩山新政権 発足」 (September 18, 2009)
Fuji TV: “鳩山政権誕生 米外交専門家、新閣僚の顔ぶれを「国内重視」などと評価” (September 17, 2009; in English and Japanese) http://www.fnn-news.com/news/headlines/articles/CONN00163130.html
Global International: "Resultado das eleições japonesas sinaliza mudanças" (September 3, 2009; in English and Portuguese)
Sankei Shimbun: 鳩山政権「反米的」(September 1, 2009; in Japanese)
Asahi Shimbun: 政治的活力示した (September 1, 2009; in Japanese)
TV Asahi ANN News: 「オバマ大統領は歓迎も」(August 31, 2009)
Café y Noticias de la Radio Nacional de Colombia: "Se avecinan cambios en la política de Japón" (August 31, 2009; in Spanish)
Global Journalist Radio: "New Prime Minister in Japan Could Bring Changes to the Region" (September 3, 2009)
Hokkaido Shimbun: 安保見直しは対話前提 (September 1, 2009; in Japanese)
KQED Forum: "Election in Japan" (September 1, 2009)
The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer: "Japan Braces for New Political Landscape" (August 31, 2009)
Bloomberg: "Outlook on Japan Post Election" (August 31, 2009)
La Stampa: "Il Kennedy del Sol Levante" (August 31, 2009; in Italian)
NPR: "Will Japanese Power Shift Change U.S. Relations?" (August 30, 2009)
Reuters: "Japan Democrats take power, tough challenges loom" (August 30, 2009)
Al Jazeera English: "Japanese Elections: LDP Likely to Struggle in Polls" (August 29, 2009)
Toronto Star: "Voters set to shake up Japanese politics" (August 29, 2009)
Asahi Shimbun: 米紙に寄稿の「鳩山論文」相次ぎ批判 米国内の専門家ら (August 29, 2009; in Japanese)
Fox Business Network: "Impact of Japan's Elections" (August 28, 2009)
Yomiuri Shimbun: 衆院選、米でも関心...３紙が「政権交代の見通し」(August 28, 2009; in Japanese)
The Wall Street Journal: "Likely Japan Leaders to Focus on Asian Ties" (August 27, 2009)
NHK World: "U.S. Expert on Japan," (July 2, 2009)
ShortList, "What Is He Really Capable Of?" (June 18, 2009)
The Asahi Shimbun Globe, “Can We Rely on the DPJ?” (June 8, 2009)
The Christian Science Monitor, "How big a threat is North Korea?" (May 28, 2009)
1150AM WDEL Delaware News at Noon: "North Korean nuclear crisis" (May 27, 2009)
The Globe and Mail: "Obama must respond, but options are limited" (May 26, 2009)
PBS World Focus: "North Korea pushes further toward global confrontation" (May 26, 2009)
NPR World: "A U.S., China Partnership on North Korea?" (May 26, 2009)
Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS): "Japan's Contribution" (February 24, 2009)
CBS Evening News: "Clinton and Asia's Economy" (February 17, 2009)
PBS World Focus: "Clinton makes Tokyo the first stop on her Asian tour" (February 16, 2009)
PRI The World: "Japan's Lost Decade" (January 26, 2009)
Related Links:
CFR's International Institutions and Global Governance Program
Current Research Projects
Past Research Project
November 3, 2009
Interview
Ahead of President Obama's Asia trip, CFR experts Sheila Smith, Joshua Kurlantzick, Elizabeth Economy, and Scott Snyder discuss what the president should focus on during his visit to Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea.
See more in Asia, U.S. Strategy and Politics
October 19, 2009
Video
Watch experts as they examine China's future global outlook.
This session was part of a CFR symposium, China 2025, which was cosponsored with the Project 2049 Institute.
See more in China, International Peace and Security, Grand Strategy
October 19, 2009
Audio
Listen to experts as they examine China's future global outlook.
This session was part of a CFR symposium, China 2025, which was cosponsored with the Project 2049 Institute.
See more in China, International Peace and Security, Grand Strategy
September 17, 2009
Podcast
CFR's Japan expert Sheila Smith says U.S.-Japan relations remain important for both governments, but the issue of realigning U.S. military forces in Japan will continue to be a difficult challenge.
See more in Japan
September 6, 2009
Op-Ed
Honolulu Advertiser
Sheila A. Smith argues that Japan's foreign policy stance under the new Democratic Party of Japan leadership now tops the list of concerns in the United States and elsewhere.
See more in Japan, U.S. Strategy and Politics
September 14, 2009
Op-Ed
Newsweek
Sheila A. Smith says that arguments portraying the new, leading Democratic Party of Japan as inexperienced are overstatements.
See more in Japan
August 30, 2009
Expert Brief
Electoral politics in Japan have been upended with the defeat of the long-governing Liberal Democratic Party. CFR's Sheila Smith says the rise of the Democratic Party of Japan could test the U.S.-Japan alliance and advises U.S. policymakers to focus on economic and energy-related cooperation.
August 27, 2009
Audio
Listen to Senior Fellow for Japan Studies Sheila Smith give a preview of the parliamentary election to take place in Japan on August 30, and discuss its potential outcomes for both Japan and the United States.
See more in United States, China, Japan, Elections
August 27, 2009, New York
Transcript
Sheila Smith previews Japan's August 30th parliamentary election and the prospect of an historical win by the opposition DPJ.
June 10, 2009
Expert Brief
Northeast Asian regional security talks appear increasingly doomed since North Korea's latest missile and nuclear tests. CFR's Sheila Smith argues the talks are worth reviving.
See more in North Korea, Proliferation
June 3, 2009
Audio
Listen to experts discuss the implications of North Korea’s recent nuclear tests and the available policy options for the Obama administration and the international community.
See more in North Korea, Arms Control and Disarmament
June 3, 2009, Washington D.C.
Transcript
Sheila Smith and Scott Snyder discuss the reasons behind North Korea's provocative actions, and the implications for its neighbors in the region as well as the United States.
See more in North Korea, Proliferation
May 25, 2009
Interview
CFR's Northeast Asia expert Sheila A. Smith says it is imperative for the United States to make it clear that it will not accept a nuclear North Korea. The UN's nonproliferation regime is also facing a moment of truth, she says.
See more in United States, North Korea, Proliferation
April 6, 2009
Interview
CFR's Sheila Smith says Pyongyang's latest attempt at a rocket launch shows the regime is clearly bent on acquiring a nuclear delivery capability. She says Washington must reassure North Korea that diplomacy is the only way forward.
See more in North Korea, Proliferation
February 12, 2009
Transcript
CFR Fellows Paul Stares, Sheila Smith, and Elizabeth Economy discuss Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's upcoming trip to Asia, her first trip in her new role.
See more in China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Public Diplomacy
February 12, 2009
Audio
Listen to CFR experts Elizabeth C. Economy, Sheila A. Smith and Paul B. Stares discuss U.S. foreign policy toward Asia, in advance of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's trip to the region.
December 1, 2008
Transcript
Session III of a Council on Foreign Relations Symposium on the U.S.-Japan Partnership: An Agenda for Change.
This session was part of the CFR Symposium on the U.S.-Japan Partnership: An Agenda for Change, cosponsored with the Asahi Shimbun.
See more in Japan, National Security and Defense
December 1, 2008
Transcript
Session I of a Council on Foreign Relations Symposium on the U.S.-Japan Partnership: An Agenda for Change.
This session was part of the CFR Symposium on the U.S.-Japan Partnership: An Agenda for Change, cosponsored with the Asahi Shimbun.
December 1, 2008
Video
Watch experts reflect on global challenges such as the rise of China, climate change, and energy security and how these affect the U.S.-Japan partnership.
This session was part of the CFR Symposium on the U.S.-Japan Partnership: An Agenda for Change, cosponsored with the Asahi Shimbun.
See more in Japan, U.S. Strategy and Politics
December 1, 2008
Audio
Listen to experts reflect on global challenges such as the rise of China, climate change, and energy security and how these affect the U.S.-Japan partnership.
This session was part of the CFR Symposium on the U.S.-Japan Partnership: An Agenda for Change, cosponsored with the Asahi Shimbun.
See more in Japan, U.S. Strategy and Politics
Explore the international finance regime with a new interactive from CFR's program on International Institutions and Global Governance.
The Canadian oil sands present an important challenge to policymakers: they promise energy security benefits but present climate change problems. Michael A. Levi assesses the energy security and climate change effects of the oil sands and makes recommendations for U.S. policymakers within the context of broader bilateral relations with Canada.
This report explores an important element of the maritime policy regime: the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Author Scott G. Borgerson examines the international negotiations that led to the convention, the history of debates in the United States over whether to join it, and the strategic importance of the oceans for U.S. foreign policy today.
Complete list of Council Special Reports
Start-Up Nation addresses the trillion-dollar question: How is it that Israel—a country of 7.1 million, only sixty years old, surrounded by enemies— produces more start-up companies than large, peaceful, and stable nations like Japan, China, India, Korea, Canada, and the UK? With the insights of geopolitical experts and investors, the authors examine this nation’s adversity-driven culture to answer this question and offer prescriptions for a global economy on the rebound.
In Forces of Fortune, Vali Nasr presents a paradigm-changing revelation that will transform the understanding of the Muslim world at large. He reveals that there is a vital but unseen rising force in the Islamic world—a new business-minded middle class—that is building a vibrant new Muslim world economy and that holds the key to winning the cold war against Iran and extremists.
In Cuba: What Everyone Needs to Know, Julia E. Sweig presents a remarkably accessible portrait of Cuba's unique place on the world stage over the past fifty years, including its internal politics, its often fraught relationship with the United States, and its shifting relationship with the global community.
Complete list of CFR Books
For more information on the David Rockefeller Studies Program, contact:
James M. Lindsay
Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair
+1.212.434.9626 (NY); +1.202.509.8405 (DC)
jlindsay@cfr.org
Janine Hill
Deputy Director of Studies Administration
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jhill@cfr.org
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