2023
The year 2023 is already shaping up to be a consequential one for Japan’s role in the region and wider global stage. A new National Security Strategy promises to significantly bump up defense spending as part of broader changes to Japan’s defense architecture and security policy. In spring, Hiroshima will be the site of the G7 leaders’ summit as Japan takes over the G7 presidency for the year. Opportunities for closer cooperation with allies and partners glimmer on the horizon, yet tensions with China, concerns over the stability of the Taiwan Strait, and the threat of a nuclear North Korea persist. At home, the economy struggles to gain momentum coming out of a prolonged pandemic and energy hikes have fueled inflation. The domestic political scene is still recalibrating after the loss of one of the country’s most impactful political figures, Shinzo Abe. What developments can we expect out of Japan in 2023? And how will they influence regional and global developments?
On January 24, the Center for East Asia Policy Studies at Brookings and the Japan-America Society of Washington DC will host the ninth annual Japan in the Year program, “Japan in 2023.” Senior and next-generation Japanese and American experts will look ahead at what’s in store for this year in Japan’s foreign policy and domestic affairs.
Questions will be taken from the audience at the end of each session. Online viewers can submit questions via e-mail to events@brookings.edu or via Twitter at #Japanin2023
In Partnership With
Agenda
-
January 24
-
Welcoming remarks
9:00 am
Ryan Shaffer President - Japan-America Society of Washington DC -
Pre-recorded keynote
9:10 am
Panelist
Rahm Emanuel United States Ambassador to JapanModerator
Ryan Shaffer President - Japan-America Society of Washington DC -
Live keynote
9:30 am
Moderator
Mireya Solís Director - Center for East Asia Policy Studies, Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center for East Asia Policy Studies, Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies @solis_msolisPanelist
Koji Tomita Ambassador of Japan to the United States of America - Government of Japan -
Panel 1: Foreign policy
10:00 am
Moderator
Shihoko Goto Director for Geoeconomics and Indo-Pacific Enterprise and Acting Director, Asia Program - Wilson CenterPanelist
Naoko Eto Professor, Department of Political Science - Gakushuin UniversityMatthew Goodman Senior Vice President for Economics - Center for Strategic and International Studies @mpgoodman33Christopher Johnstone Senior Adviser and Japan Chair - Center for Strategic and International Studies -
Panel 2: Domestic affairs
11:00 am
Moderator
Tobias Harris Deputy Director and Senior Fellow, Asia Program - German Marshall Fund of the United StatesPanelist
Jennifer Sklarew Assistant Professor, Environmental Science & Policy Department - George Mason UniversitySheila Smith John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies - Council on Foreign Relations @SheilaSmithCFRRandall Jones Non-Resident Distinguished Fellow - Korea Economic Institute of America, Professional Fellow, Center on Japanese Economy and Business - Columbia University -
Closing remarks
11:55 am
Mireya Solís Director - Center for East Asia Policy Studies, Senior Fellow - Foreign Policy, Center for East Asia Policy Studies, Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies @solis_msolisRyan Shaffer President - Japan-America Society of Washington DC
-