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.

Breaking Down Walls: How Will American Agricultural Producers Fare Under TPP?

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
Breaking Down Walls: How Will American Agricultural Producers Fare Under TPP?

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
Breaking Down Walls: How Will American Agricultural Producers Fare Under TPP?

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

EconoGraphics

Oct 13, 2015

Breaking Down Walls: How Will American Agricultural Producers Fare Under TPP?

By Global Business and Economics

On October 5th, Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade negotiations were concluded in Atlanta. The deal faced criticism from some on a lack of transparency, but details are now beginning to emerge on the settlement. Even with TPP's lack of transparency, there were clear tension points between negotiators on topics such as biologics, dairy products, and rules of origin for the automaking industry. This week's Econographic looks specifically at one of the potential winners of the trade deal, the American agricultural sector.

Economy & Business Indo-Pacific

In the News

Oct 12, 2015

Manning: Asian Stability Hangs in the Balance of Japan–China Relations

By Robert Manning

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow Robert Manning cowrites for East Asia Forum on why the future of the Asia-Pacific regional order will be defined by Japan and China’s relationship:

China Japan

In the News

Sep 30, 2015

Manning: Asian Stability Hangs in the Balance

By Robert A. Manning

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow Robert A. Manning cowrites for East Asia Forum Quarterly on current Sino-Japanese relations: 

China Japan

Defense Industrialist

Aug 20, 2015

Kasich wants carriers

By James Hasik

A fleet of fifteen Fords is infeasible, but smaller ships could be added fast. On Saturday, Newport News Shipbuilding will hold a keel-laying ceremony for USS John F. Kennedy, the second of the Gerald Ford-class carriers. Ohio Governor John Kasich is running for president, and he wants yet more aircraft carriers. About five more super-carriers, though […]

China Defense Industry

In the News

Aug 17, 2015

Metzl on Japanese History

By Jamie Metzl

The Asahi Shimbum quotes Brent Scowcroft Center Nonresident Senior Fellow for Technology and National Security Jamie Metzl on the need for Japan to accept its history in order to move forward, in light of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s war anniversary statement:

Japan

New Atlanticist

Aug 14, 2015

Abe Speech May Exorcize the Ghosts of History

By Robert A. Manning

In an Asia haunted by the ghosts of history, the world was watching with baited breath to see how Japan’s nationalistic Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, would address the seventieth anniversary of the end of World War II. To the surprise of many, Abe’s Cabinet-approved speech was an amply dignified and contrite effort that attempted to […]

Japan

New Atlanticist

Jul 24, 2015

Japan’s Energy Strategy for a Post-Fukushima World

By Anand Raghuraman

In June, Japanese energy officials released an eagerly anticipated draft report outlining plans for the country’s 2030 energy mix. Here’s the proposed breakdown:

Japan

In the News

Jul 13, 2015

Manning: How the ‘Japan Model’ Could Strengthen the Iran Nuclear Deal

By Robert Manning

Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow Robert Manning writes for The National Interest on the ways in which Japan’s nuclear experience may provide helpful insights on the way forward following the nuclear deal with Iran:

Iran Japan
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, May 6, 2014

NATOSource

Jul 10, 2015

Japan Interested in Joining NATO Missile Consortium

By Reuters and Wall Street Journal

From Tim Kelly and Nobuhiro Kubo, Reuters:  Japan is interested in joining a NATO missile building consortium that would give Tokyo its first taste of a multinational defense project, a move the U.S. Navy is encouraging

Japan Missile Defense

In the News

Jul 6, 2015

Grand Design of the US-Japan Alliance at a New Stage

By Robert Manning

The Study Group on Grand Design of the US-Japan Alliance at a New Stage released Grand Design of the US-Japan Alliance at a New Stage: As a Protector of a Liberal, Open, Rule-based International Order in the “Era of Smart Power,” a report joined by Brent Scowcroft Center Resident Senior Fellow Robert A. Manning on the […]

Japan
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Experts

Fellow

Jonathan Corrado

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Indo-Pacific Korea

Fellow

Shawn Creamer

Nonresident Senior Fellow

GeoStrategy Initiative Indo-Pacific Security Initiative

Security & Defense East Asia

Fellow

Nicholas Eftimiades

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Forward Defense Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

China Intelligence

Fellow

Akiko Fukushima

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Defense Policy East Asia

Staff

Lauren D. Gilbert

Deputy Director

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

East Asia Human Rights

Fellow

Jacob Heilbrunn

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Media Europe & Eurasia
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