Episode 12b: A Changing United States and Japan

The United States has become more inward-focused and nationalistic, but as Toshihiro Nakayama argues, Japan does not have a back-up plan to its alliance with the United States.

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Episode Guests
  • Sheila A. Smith
    John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies
  • Toshihiro Nakayama
    Professor of American Politics and Foreign Policy, Keio University

Show Notes

The United States has become more inward-focused and nationalistic, but as Toshihiro Nakayama argues, Japan does not have a back-up plan to its alliance with the United States. Nor is the shift in U.S. attitudes confined to President Donald Trump. Skepticism about global commitments has taken root in the United States, and Japan is going to have to have to reckon with it for years to come.

 

This podcast series is part of a project on Northeast Asian Nationalisms and the U.S.-Japan Alliance, which is made possible through support from the U.S.-Japan Foundation.

United States

Toshihiro Nakayama evaluates today’s politics in the United States and argues that the fundamental shift that has taken place under President Donald Trump is not likely to end with his presidency.

China

Jessica Chen Weiss discusses the nature of activism in China and how the Chinese government is responding to these new challenges.

New Zealand

David Capie explains how New Zealand’s perception of China has changed and how it is adjusting to uncertainty over the United States’ vision for Asia.

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