Japan

Japan

Japan, as a longtime ally of the United States, plays an essential role in maintaining regional stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. As the strategic landscape of the Indo-Pacific continues to shift, both the United States and Japan are working closely to maintain regional security, economic, and democratic development. As Japan works to further define its regional role, it faces both challenges and opportunities to work with the United States on issues such as energy, emerging technology, infrastructure, and more.

Garlauskas, Gilbert, and Imai Featured in Air & Space Forces Magazine

New Atlanticist Oct 31, 2025

How will Japan’s ‘Iron Lady’ approach foreign policy?

By Kyoko Imai

While new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is a protégé of the late former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, she will need to chart her own course for Tokyo in a changed world.
East Asia Indo-Pacific
Garlauskas, Gilbert, and Imai Featured in Air & Space Forces Magazine

New Atlanticist Sep 22, 2025

Why has Japan deployed fighter jets to NATO bases in the US, Canada, and Europe?

By Atlantic Council experts

As part of Operation Atlantic Eagles, Tokyo has sent four F-15 fighter jets and four additional military aircraft to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.
Germany Japan
Garlauskas, Gilbert, and Imai Featured in Air & Space Forces Magazine

Issue Brief Aug 15, 2025

The future of US and Japanese engagement with Central Asia

By Kyoko Imai

Situated between China and Russia, and with an abundance of vital natural resources, Central Asia is an area of strategic interest for Tokyo and Washington. Beijing and Moscow currently enjoy overwhelming political, economic, and cultural influence, which limits other countries’ ability to constructively shape the region. Some friction has emerged between the two authoritarian powers as post-Soviet dominance over Central Asia erodes and Chinese economic influence takes its place.
Central Asia China

Projects

Close up of tiger

The Tiger Project: War and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific

Explore the Atlantic Council’s work on current and enduring defense and deterrence issues in the Indo-Pacific, featuring expert commentary, multimedia content, and in-depth analysis.

Explore the programs

The Indo-Pacific Security Initiative (IPSI) informs and shapes the strategies, plans, and policies of the United States and its allies and partners to address the most important rising security challenges in the Indo-Pacific, including China’s growing threat to the international order and North Korea’s destabilizing nuclear weapons advancements. IPSI produces innovative analysis, conducts tabletop exercises, hosts public and private convenings, and engages with US, allied, and partner governments, militaries, media, other key private and public-sector stakeholders, and publics.

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Content

In the News

Dec 22, 2022

Garlauskas, Gilbert, and Imai Featured in Air & Space Forces Magazine

On December 21, IPSI Nonresident Senior Fellow Markus Garlauskas, Associate Director Lauren Gilbert, and Program Assistant Kyoko Imai were quoted in the Air & Space Forces Magazine for their work, “A next-generation agenda for US-ROK-Japan cooperation.”

Democratic Transitions Indo-Pacific

Issue Brief

Dec 20, 2022

A next-generation agenda for US-ROK-Japan cooperation

By Lauren D. Gilbert, Kyoko Imai

Trilateral cooperation among the United States, Japan, and South Korea has proved challenging over the years, owing largely to historical tensions. As a result, this project has sought perspectives from next-generation leaders of the three countries to define areas where targeted, flexible, and informal cooperative arrangements can provide clear mutual benefit to all.

Coronavirus East Asia

Report

Nov 28, 2022

Nuclear energy in a low-carbon future: Implications for the United States and Japan

By Stephen S. Greene

Nuclear energy is poised to play a significant role in the secure decarbonization of the entire energy sector, from electricity to industrial uses. Its versatility, reliability, and dispatchability enables it to underpin the emissions-free economy of the future, especially in the later stages of the energy transition. As advanced technologies enter the fray alongside existing ones, nuclear power's importance in countries like the United States and Japan, in addition to the challenges it faces and the solutions needed to tackle them, will become apparent.

Energy & Environment Japan

In the News

Sep 12, 2022

Center research featured in Politico’s Global Insider newsletter

Read the newsletter here.

China Economy & Business
Dollar Currency Exchange rate

Econographics

Sep 7, 2022

Don’t expect a Plaza Accord 2.0 to reverse the dollar’s surge

By Mrugank Bhusari

Neither China, nor the original participants of the Plaza Accord, are willing to engage in such market intervention to return a soaring dollar to normal levels.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Sep 6, 2022

Aoki quoted in Bloomberg

On August 25, Nonresident Senior Fellow Naoko Aoki was quoted in a Bloomberg article titled, “Japan Set to Become One of World’s Biggest Defense Spenders.” In an interview, Aoki explains that “Japan cannot make itself more secure just by increasing its defense spending.” She further states, “Enhancing Japan’s defense capabilities could appear threatening to others […]

Japan Security & Defense

AfricaSource

Sep 1, 2022

Japan’s opportunity to build a new legacy in Africa

By Rama Yade, Tyrell Junius

The outcomes of TICAD8 in Tunis, attended by some 20 African heads of state and government, reflect the clear aim of Japan to differentiate itself from China.

Africa Economy & Business

The 5×5

Aug 15, 2022

The 5×5—The US-Japan-South Korea trilateral cybersecurity relationship

By Simon Handler

Five experts share their insights on the future of US-Japan-South Korea trilateral cybersecurity cooperation.

Cybersecurity East Asia

SouthAsiaSource

Aug 8, 2022

Collaboration, not competition, is key to alleviating the global chip shortage

By Ridhika Batra

If the international community seeks to diversify chip manufacturing and create safety nets for future crises, then collaboration—as opposed to competition—seems a logical and prudent first step.

China Economy & Business

In the News

Aug 7, 2022

Kroenig discusses nuclear risk on NHK World-Japan

By Atlantic Council

Matthew Kroenig discusses the risks of nuclear escalation due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the implications of China's nuclear build up, and the evolution of US nuclear posture.

Arms Control China
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Experts

Fellow

Naoto Obayashi

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

East Asia English

Fellow

Kayla T. Orta

Nonresident Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arms Control East Asia

Fellow

Marvin J. Park

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Defense Policy
David Phillips, nonresident fellow, Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Fellow

David Phillips

Nonresident Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Australia East Asia

Staff

Audrey Roh

Program Assistant

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Cybersecurity Japan

Fellow

Darrell Smith

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy East Asia
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