Sasakawa USA Newsletter June 30, 2021
Included in this issue of the newsletter:
  • Message from Sasakawa USA's Chairman, Satohiro Akimoto

June Activities
  • Policy Briefing: Soft Power and Morals in U.S. Foreign Policy, Featuring Dr. Joseph S. Nye, Jr.
  • Washington Kenkyu Group: A Discussion with Mr. Brent Sadler

Publications 
  • Commentary and Analysis: Soft Power and Morals in U.S. Foreign Policy (Nye)
  • Commentary and Analysis: Administrative Law and the Biden Administration: Implications for the U.S.-Japan Economic and Trade Relationship (Gardner)
  • Japan Political Pulse: LDP Fights Back to Win Big in Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Election (Akimoto)

Recaps
  • Policy Briefing: The State of U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: What is Working and What is Needed, Featuring Mr. Kenichiro Mizoguchi, Mr. Shinsuke Takahashi, and Ms. Misato Kogure

Upcoming Activities 
  • Policy Briefing: Japan's Economic Security Strategy in the New Era with The Hon. Akira Amari

Announcements
  • Japan-U.S. Military Program (JUMP): Official Launch of JUMP for Fiscal Year 2021
  • Renewed Collaboration with USJETAA
  • Sasakawa USA and JUMP New Facebook Pages
Message from Sasakawa USA's Chairman, Satohiro Akimoto
Japan is going through a hot political summer. 

It begins with the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election on July 4, followed by the Tokyo Olympics from July 23 to August 8, and the Tokyo Paralympics from August 24 to September 5. Most likely, this will all lead to a snap election of the House of Representatives in the first half of September. Moreover, the COVID-19 virus will certainly pose great uncertainties and risks to the political calendar. 

How Japan navigates these difficult political events in the next two months has various implications for the U.S.-Japan relationship, as it will essentially determine whether Prime Minister Suga will be able to have a new three-year term as the LDP president after September. 

Predictions for the July 4 Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election are relatively easy to make. The LDP is widely expected to win big in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election while the main opposition, the Tokyoites First Party, founded by Governor Yuriko Koike, is in disarray and expected to lose many seats. The LDP, with coalition partner Komeito, may well regain a majority in the assembly erasing a nightmarish memory of losing three local elections in a row in April of this year. However, it is not a prelude to anything certain.  

Recent polls indicate Japanese people’s views on the Olympics and Paralympics seem to have improved somewhat as vaccination rollout has ramped up. Taro Kono, the government’s vaccine tsar, recently stated proudly that, “Japan is now administering about 1.2 million doses a day.” However, with the lifting of the state of emergency declaration and emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant, the prospect of a safe and healthy Olympics and Paralympics is totally uncertain. One senior LDP lawmaker told me that “even if we (the LDP) win big in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly election, if new infection cases increase uncontrollably during and after the Olympics, we will be in deep trouble for the Lower House election possibly in September.” 

Former Prime Minister Abe helped strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance to meet new challenges in the Indo-Pacific region by establishing a trusted relationship with both President Barak Obama and Donald Trump. He was a visionary leader and tireless worker, who conveyed geopolitical concerns in the region and shared a Free and Open Indo-Pacific vision with the U.S. presidents. He also had ample time to do so because of the stability of his leadership.  
 
From the viewpoint of the U.S.-Japan strategic relationship, it is important for both countries to have stable leadership, which share geopolitical interests and common values, to maintain sustained presence of and engagement by the two allies in the Indo-Pacific region. The bilateral security alliance must endure based on such leadership regardless of domestic political orientation of individual leaders. 

President Joseph Biden invited Prime Minister Suga to the White House to meet him in person as the first foreign leader three months into his presidency. The hot political summer in Japan will determine whether the budding personal relationship between the two leaders will continue possibly for the next three years. 

June Activities
Policy Briefing: Soft Power and Morals in U.S. Foreign Policy, Featuring Dr. Joseph S. Nye, Jr.
On June 10, Sasakawa USA was pleased to host a virtual event featuring Dr. Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus at Harvard University, and member of Sasakawa USA’s Advisory Committee on Projects, for a discussion of soft power and morals in U.S. foreign policy and international relations. In his presentation, Dr. Nye expanded on the idea “soft power,” a term he coined to refer to a country’s ability to exert influence outside of coercive means, and examined the relationship between values, morals, and the national interest. Drawing on the framework introduced in his recent book Do Morals Matter? Presidents and Foreign Policy from FDR to Trump, he reviewed how morals could play an important role in the Biden administration’s foreign policy decisions. Following Dr. Nye’s presentation, Dr. Satohiro Akimoto moderated a lively Q&A discussion with the audience. The video and recap of the event are available here.
Washington Kenkyu Group: A Discussion with Mr. Brent Sadler
On June 22, Sasakawa USA welcomed Mr. Brent Sadler, Senior Fellow, Naval Warfare and Advanced Technology at The Heritage Foundation, for a discussion on the Biden administration’s China policy. For this off-the-record, virtual event, Mr. Sadler examined how the Biden administration will approach key issues surrounding the U.S.-China relationship, including the South China Sea, particularly outlining the perspective from the Pentagon. Following Mr. Sadler’s presentation, the event continued with a lively discussion with the attendees, including representatives of the private sector, government, think tanks, and the media.


Photo: Mr. Sadler
Publications
Commentary and Analysis: Soft Power and Morals in U.S. Foreign Policy (Nye)
Sasakawa USA is pleased to announce the publication of a new article, “Soft Power and Morals in U.S. Foreign Policy,” by Dr. Joseph S. Nye Jr., Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus at Harvard University, and member of Sasakawa USA’s Advisory Committee on Projects. In his insightful paper, Dr. Nye argues that soft power and morals remain essential to a successful American foreign policy. Evaluating American administrations since 1945, Dr. Nye argues that successful presidents wielded non-coercive measures to project and protect American interests overseas, while simultaneously recognizing the moral consequences of military interventions.

Photo: Dr. Nye
Commentary and Analysis: Administrative Law and the Biden Administration: Implications for the U.S.-Japan Economic and Trade Relationship (Gardner)
Sasakawa USA is proud to announce the publication of a new paper, “Administrative Law and the Biden Administration: Implications for the U.S.-Japan Economic and Trade Relationship,” by Mr. John Gardner, Former Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush and Former Counsel at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). In his insightful paper, Mr. Gardner explains how regulations and new rules within U.S. government agencies that affect trade and business are approved and subjected to scrutiny through a thorough public comment process. Paying particular attention to U.S.-Japan trade, Mr. Gardner argues that Japanese companies can help contribute to regulatory harmonization of administrative law practices within the U.S. and Japan by actively submitting opinions in the public comment process for U.S. government agencies.
Photo: Mr. Gardner
Japan Political Pulse: LDP Fights Back to Win Big in Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Election (Akimoto)
In a potential bellwether election for Prime Minister Suga’s fortunes, Tokyo’s voters head to the polls for citywide elections. In his most recent Japan Political Pulse article, “LDP Fights Back to Win Big in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Election,” Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, examines the dynamic state of Tokyo Assembly politics using the latest polling information from Japan. Highlighting the beleaguered state of Governor Yuriko Koike’s Tokyoites First party, Dr. Akimoto argues that the Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, the Komeito party, are poised to reclaim majority control of the Tokyo Assembly. However, as the Olympics approach and COVID-19 infections increase, Dr. Akimoto cautions that it is too early to know how Tokyo’s elections will affect voters’ views of Prime Minister Suga.   

Photo: Prime Minister Suga and Tokyo Metropolitan Governor Yuriko Koike fist bump during their meeting at the prime minister's office on September 23, 2020. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)
Recaps
Policy Briefing: The State of U.S.-Japan Economic Relations: What is Working and What is Needed, Featuring Mr. Kenichiro Mizoguchi, Mr. Shinsuke Takahashi, and Ms. Misato Kogure
On May 20, Sasakawa USA was pleased to host a virtual event featuring Mr. Kenichiro Mizoguchi, General Manager of Hitachi Ltd.’s Washington DC Office; Mr. Shinsuke Takahashi, Chairman of the Board and Head of Government Relations at NEC Corporation of America; and Ms. Misato Kogure, Director of Business Development & Environmental Affairs at Daikin U.S. Corporation, for a discussion of U.S.-Japan economic ties in the context of the broader U.S.-Japan strategic partnership.

In their presentations, the speakers discussed their firm’s approach to investment and business operations in the United States before addressing what is working and what is needed in U.S.-Japan economic relations. First, Mr. Mizoguchi discussed policy options for improving U.S. infrastructure and creating more opportunities for Japanese companies to work with the United States. Next, Mr. Takahashi focused on how Washington and Tokyo can cooperate on technology development and innovation while also setting humane standards for emerging technologies such as AI and biometrics. Finally, Ms. Kogure discussed how the United States and Japan can work together on climate-friendly technology and infrastructure. A Q&A discussion, moderated by Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, Chairman and President Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, followed the speakers’ remarks. A video and recap of the event are available here.

Event video: clockwise from top left, Dr. Akimoto, Mr. Takahashi, Mr. Mizoguchi, and Ms. Kogure
Upcoming Activities
Policy Briefing: Japan’s Economic Security Strategy in the New Era with the Hon. Akira Amari 
Sasakawa USA is pleased to host The Hon. Akira Amari, Member of the National Diet of Japan and Chairperson of the LDP Research Commission on the Tax System, for a virtual, on-the-record discussion of Japan’s approach to economic security. The Hon. Amari, who stands as one of Japan’s leading figures on economic policy, will discuss how Japan can strengthen its economic activities from a security standpoint and establish strategic autonomy and indispensability in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment. This event will take place in July, and a video and recap of the event will be available soon after the event.


Photo: Hon. Amari
Announcements
Japan-U.S. Military Program (JUMP): Official Launch of JUMP for Fiscal Year 2021
Sasakawa USA, in partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC, has officially launched JUMP for fiscal year 2021. The continued support from the Embassy of Japan for JUMP makes it possible to provide engaging programs and services to Americans who have served or are serving in the U.S. military in Japan. American service members and their families who have lived in Japan constitute one of the largest groups of potential supporters of the Japan-U.S. relationship. Through JUMP activities, these American service members can deepen their knowledge of and become involved supporters of the Japan-U.S. alliance. Sasakawa USA looks forward to fruitful JUMP engagements in the year ahead, providing activities across the United States in partnership with the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) and the local Japan-America societies. 
Renewed Collaboration with USJETAA
Sasakawa USA is pleased to announce its renewed collaboration with the United States Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association (USJETAA). Since 2016, Sasakawa USA has distributed an annual grant to USJETAA which has been used to support a competitive mini-grant program for local JET Alumni Associations, professional networking events, and an author series spotlighting JET alumni perspectives on U.S.-Japan relations. Last year, USJETAA funded activities organized by JET Alumni Associations in Washington, DC, Southern California, and Chicago which were conducted virtually. Sasakawa USA looks forward to working with USJETAA again this year to support the JET Programme Alumni, whose personal and professional links to Japan make them ideally suited to expand and strengthen U.S.-Japan relations.
Sasakawa USA and JUMP New Facebook Pages
Sasakawa USA and JUMP are excited to announce the launch of our new Facebook pages, where we will continue to post regularly about our activities and events tied to our mission of strengthening the alliance between the United States and Japan. Please check out our updated pages. Like and follow Sasakawa USA and JUMP on Facebook!
Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
1819 L Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington DC 20026

202.296.6694