Sasakawa USA Newsletter May 30, 2020
Included in this issue of the newsletter:

  • Message from Sasakawa USA's Chairman, Satohiro Akimoto

Activities
  • Policy Briefing: Pacific Trident III Tabletop Exercise Report featuring ADM Dennis Blair (Ret.)
  • Policy Briefing: Chinese Competition with Japan and the U.S.
  • Congressional Study Group on Japan: U.S.-Japan Relations on the Hill

Publications
  • A Vision for Post COVID-19 U.S.-Japan Relations: Activating the U.S.-Japan Alliance in 2020 (Tong)
  • Japan Looking Ahead: Japan’s Response to Climate Change (Matsushita)
  • Japan Political Pulse: Japan Fights Honorable Battle Against COVID-19 (Akimoto)

Announcements
  • Sasakawa USA Office: Renovation Completed
Message from Sasakawa USA's Chairman, Satohiro Akimoto
Let me offer my heartfelt sympathy to all those who have been directly afflicted by COVID-19.   

The COVID-19 crisis has profoundly affected all aspect of politics, economy, and society around the world. One of the aspects of our lives, which has been deeply affected by the crisis, is how we interact with one another. Because of the orders to stay-at-home and attention to maintain social distance, we do not see each other as we used to.  

It goes without saying, human beings have always adapted to the changing environments and this time is no different. Our interactions have largely shifted to the virtual space. Many of us, who never heard of Teams and Zoom before the crisis, are now using them with ease. Many of us feel we can produce almost at the same level without commuting to the office. Many of us feel that perhaps a large portion of us will never go back to the office in the post COVID-19 world the way we used to.

I am an in-person type of guy. There is something special about seeing people in person. There is something magical about conversing with people in person, face to face and not through a screen. There is something human about shaking hands and hugging. But times have changed, and we must alter our behaviors accordingly.

Having said that, this COVID-19 crisis has given us an opportunity to fundamentally regauge the ways in which we interact with people. One of the advantages of moving communication to the virtual space for Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA is increased interaction with our friends in Japan, our programming has become more inclusive. We have already held three webinars in which they participants from Japan joined to contribute and collaborate. It was very encouraging to realize that despite the time difference and distance, we could welcome our friends from Japan to our programming in Washington, DC.

We will eventually regain some of our old ways of interacting with one another. After all, we cannot stay at home permanently. It is not mentally healthy nor professionally productive. We are not meant to live like this. We will begin to have in-person conferences and meeting but some of the things, which we have learned during the crisis, will be part of our future to shape the new normal in our activities.

Let’s stay safe and well together.
Activities
Policy Briefing: Pacific Trident III Tabletop Exercise Report
On May 19th, Sasakawa USA held a private, virtual briefing for senior officials from the U.S. and Japan on the findings and recommendations from our recent tabletop exercise (TTX), Pacific Trident III . The off-the-record discussion was moderated by ADM Dennis Blair (Ret.). ADM Blair is a former Chairman of Sasakawa USA and designed and led the TTX as Distinguished Senior Fellow (Non-Resident). Featured speakers included Mr. Nobukatsu Kanehara and Ms. Kelly Magsamen, representing TTX Team Japan and Team USA, respectively. The findings and recommendations of the TTX can be found in our report, Testing U.S. Alliance Capacity to Handle Simultaneous Provocations in East Asia . The report author, RADM Michael McDevitt (Ret.), also participated in the discussion.

Photo: Cover of TTX report
Policy Briefing Series: Chinese Competition with Japan and the U.S.
Sasakawa USA welcomed Kyushu University Associate Professor Dr. Nobuhiro Aizawa to deliver a talk on May 20th on Chinese Competition with Japan and the U.S.: Implications for Southeast Asian Nations. Dr. Aizawa is a Japan scholar at Wilson Center, supported by Sasakawa Peace Foundation. Dr. Aizawa framed his discussion in terms of two major questions: What is Japan’s relationship with Southeast Asia; and despite the U.S. relationship with Southeast Asia not being in an ideal position prior to COVID-19, how should the U.S. shift its focus on the region as issues involving China maintain prevalence? Vice President and Director of the East-West Center in Washington, Dr. Satu Limaye was also present to provide commentary on the issues Dr. Aizawa presented. You can read an in-depth recap on the discussion here
Congressional Study Group on Japan: U.S.-Japan Relations on the Hill
On May 26th, Sasakawa USA and the Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) co-hosted a discussion featuring Representative Larry Bucshon M.D. (R-IN), the new co-chair of the Congressional Study Group on Japan (CSGJ). Sasakawa USA Chairman Satohiro Akimoto moderated the discussion. Rep. Bucshon gave his candid views on Congress’ perspectives of the U.S.-Japan relationship, Indiana’s specific relationship with Japan, and Hill perspectives on China. Webinar participants were able to ask questions about congressional cooperation and the potential for partnership with Japanese businesses to improve U.S. infrastructure and transportation capabilities. Sasakawa USA appreciates our partnership with FMC and looks forward to working with them for future events. You can read an in-depth recap on the discussion here

Photo: Rep. Bucshon (center) met with Prime Minister Abe at the Prime Minister’s office together with Democratic Co-Chair Diana DeGette (CO) and other Congressional Japan Study Group members in February. (source: Prime Minister’s office homepage)
Publications
A Vision for Post COVID-19 U.S.-Japan Relations: Activating the U.S.-Japan Alliance in 2020 (Tong)
In Ambassador Kurt Tong’s article Activating the U.S.-Japan Alliance in 2020 - Starting with Medicines and Trade , he argues that the U.S.-Japan partnership has a significant role to play in response to the COVID-19 crisis and asks “can this powerful partnership once again be put to work to the benefit of broader humankind?” This is the inaugural article for Sasakawa USA’s newest project, A Vision for Post COVID-19 U.S.-Japan Relations.
Japan Looking Ahead: Japan's Response to the Issue of Climate Change (Matsushita)
In the second installment in Sasakawa USA’s Japan Looking Ahead initiative, Dr. Kazuo Matsushita, Professor Emeritus at Kyoto University, argues in his paper, Japan’s Response to the Issue of Climate Change: An Innovative Transition Towards a Zero Carbon and Resilient Society , that as an advanced international economy, Japan must take a lead in the global fight against climate change. Dr. Matsushita does this by identifying current challenges that Japan must tackle and innovative pathways for Japan to become a zero-carbon society.  

The Japan Looking Ahead initiative examines Japan’s ability to both overcome its internal challenges as well as offer innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing global challenges.
Japan Political Pulse: Japan Fights Honorable Battle Against COVID-19 (Akimoto)
Sasakawa USA Chairman Satohiro Akimoto has written a commentary on COVID-19, Japan Fights Honorable Battle Against COVID-19 . The administration of Prime Minister Abe has faced criticism of its response to the virus from the media, overseas Japanese citizens, and internationally recognized pandemic experts. However, a recent decline in infections could indicate that Japan’s cluster-based approach and cultural factors may be helping Japan contain its outbreak.

Photo source: Prime Minister's official homepage
Announcements
Sasakawa USA Office: Renovation Completed
Sasakawa USA has completed a total renovation of our office at 1819 L Street NW. The new office features a larger working space for the staff, a larger conference room for public events, an additional conference room for smaller meetings, an expanded area for interns, and several individual suites. Sasakawa USA has smaller space in terms of total square footage but more functional and modern facilities. Our move-in date has not been set, as we take safety and health of our staff, friends and community members first. We are looking forward to welcoming you at the new office in the future, while we will continue to monitor the the COVID-19 situations.  

Photo: Sasakawa USA renovated conference room
Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
1819 L Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington DC 20026

202.296.6694