May 4, 2016 - In This Issue:
Sasakawa USA sends condolences, support to Kumamoto

Volunteer efforts are mounting in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan, after twin earthquakes on April 14 and 16 razed buildings, triggered landslides, and crippled infrastructure. The magnitude-6.5 and 7.3 quakes killed forty-nine people, injured thousands, and displaced many tens of thousands from their homes as aftershocks in the region continue.

As relief work carries on in the coming weeks, Sasakawa USA would like to extend its heartfelt condolences and support to all those in Japan who are affected by this disaster. We've put together a look at some of the recovery efforts already underway, our recommendations for those who would like to support recovery efforts, and links to some of the latest news from the disaster.

     
Report: Japan still an exceptional U.S. ally

This newly released article by Dr. Jeffrey Hornung, the Fellow for Security and Foreign Relations at Sasakawa USA, and Dr. Mike Mochizuki, the Japan-U.S. relations Chair George Washington University's at Elliott School of International Affairs, assesses Japan's defense policy in four important areas: (1) the use of force, (2) the role of the national legislature in military deployment decisions, (3) power projection capabilities, and (4) arms exports.

For each of these dimensions, the authors compare Japan with seven middle-power U.S. allies, finding that none of them has tighter restrictions on military power and its use than Japan. This report was published in The Washington Quarterly Volume 39, Issue 1, 2016.

     
Event recap: Barriers stunting progress in women's economic, political empowerment topic of Speaker Series events 

Policies under the umbrella of "Womenomics" enacted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have had an effect on gender equality in Japan, but many barriers still stunt progress in women's economic and political empowerment, leading expert Mitsuko Horiuchi said at a Sasakawa USA event last week.

Sasakawa USA welcomed Ms. Horiuchi, the President of the Kitakyushu Forum on Asian Women and Chairperson of the Stop Child Labor Network of Japan, as well as Dr. Linda Hasunuma, Assistant Professor of Government at Franklin & Marshall College, to the special Sasakawa Speaker Series luncheon at the Army & Navy Club.

     
In the News: Analysis on submarines and Hiroshima

Commentary: Lessons from a Sunken Submarine Deal: Japan just lost a $40 billion deal to build twelve of Australia's next-generation submarines to replace its six Collins-class vessels. In this op-ed published in the Wall Street Journal, Sasakawa USA's Dr. Jeffrey Hornung explains how Japan-Australia ties will likely suffer because of this decision, and why Tokyo needs to focus on what the deal says about its nascent efforts at arms exporting in order to win future bids. Read the full op-ed here.
 
Apologies not necessary when President Obama visits Hiroshima: President Barack Obama's planned visit to Hiroshima in late May will be a symbolic gesture of the strength of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, though it need not be accompanied by an apology or a speech denouncing nuclear weapons like the one Obama gave in Prague in 2009, Hornung said in an April 27 news article in the Sankei Shimbun. Click here to read the English-language summary.
Cyber beat: Focusing in on cybersecurity issues in a Q&A
and blog post


Supply Chains, Security, and Cyber Threats: A Q&A with Cisco's Edna Conway: In this Q&A, CREATe.org CEO Pamela Passman talks with Cisco's Edna Conway about the insights she shared at a recent conference focused on promoting U.S. - Japan cooperation on "Supply Chains, Security and Cyber Risks." The conference was co-sponsored by Sasakawa USA and the Center for Responsible Enterprise And Trade (CREATe.org). Click here to read the Q&A.

Patching human OS: End users matter in cybersecurity: When public figures talk about combatting cyberterrorism and protecting networked infrastructure, they may envision technical solutions with stronger firewalls, better encryption, and more stringent password requirements, writes Sasakawa USA's Graham Dietz. But changes in culture and practices on networked devices are also very important, if perhaps more difficult, in reducing risk from security incidents. Click here to read the blog 
 
     
From Nippon.com: Economic turmoil, earthquake preparedness, and media biases

Japan Forfeits Thirty Years to the Gyrations of the Yen: What was once called Japan's lost decade has now persisted for much longer. Despite hopes that Abenomics policies would generate a virtuous circle of recovery, turmoil overtook the world economy before they could do so, writes Nippon.com columnist Tsuchiya Hideo. Click here to read more.   

Preparing for the Big One: New Earthquake Measures Unveiled for Tokyo Metropolitan Area: On March 29 the Japanese government rolled out a new emergency response plan in the event of a major earthquake rattling Tokyo and the surrounding metropolitan region. The strategy outlines procedures for mobilizing disaster relief personnel, transporting emergency aid, and other vital measures following a major temblor. Click here to read more.

The "Inconvenient Truth" Behind Japan's Toothless Media: Internal Affairs and Communications Minister Takaichi Sanae caused a stir in February with a comment that broadcasters continuing to air politically biased programs may be shut down. Pressure from the Abe administration continues to mount, but the media has been hesitant to fight back, writes Okumura Nobuyuki. Click here to read more.
 

We're hiring: Sasakawa USA seeks a Program Assistant for our Education Program

Sasakawa USA is currently seeking a full-time Program Assistant. This is an entry-level position to provide programmatic and administrative support for Sasakawa USA's Education Program in all program functions, including preparation and evaluation of program proposals, event planning, execution and follow-up, and internal and external coordination and communications. The deadline to apply is Friday, May 27.
 
     

Upcoming events: May 2016
 
Sasakawa USA's biggest event of the year ----- the annual Security Forum ----- is this Friday. Also this month, we'll be taking a look at cybersecurity issues, the U.S. election, Japan-Russia relations, and baseball's role in bilateral cooperation. Not all events are open to the public ----- please view each listing for details.

Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA

1819 L Street NW
Suite 300
Washington DC 20036

202-296-6694
info@spfusa.org