Mark E. Manyin

Mark E. Manyin is a specialist in Asian Affairs at the Congressional Research Service (CRS), a non-partisan agency that provides information and analysis to members of the U.S. Congress and their staff. At CRS, Dr. Manyin's general area of expertise is U.S. foreign economic policy toward East Asia, particularly Japan, the two Koreas, and Vietnam. From 2006 to 2008, he served as the head of the CRS' 11-person Asia Section, overseeing the Service's research on East, Southeast, and South Asia as well as Australasia and the Pacific Islands. Prior to joining CRS in 1999, Dr. Manyin completed his PhD in Japanese trade policy and negotiating behavior at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He is a former CFR term member.

During his fellowship tenure, Dr. Manyin will examine Japan-South Korea relations as a case study of the foreign policy of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ). The DPJ sees deepening economic integration and diplomatic engagement with South Korea as a key component of its goal of expanding Japan's engagement with Asia. However, the Hatoyama government faces several domestic and international challenges in upgrading Japan-South Korean relations. Its response to these difficulties will reveal much about the intentions, character, and capabilities of the DPJ.