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Event 1: Seeking for an Effective Framework of International Legal Order in the Asia-Pacific Region

Date and Time

Sep. 10 (Thu.) 10:30am-12:00pm

Venue

Washington Office, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
2001 L St., NW, Suite 1050, Washington DC 20036

Abstract

In last several decades, the alliance and cooperation between Japan and the United States has substantially contributed to realizing stable international relations in Asia-Pacific region. While the area does not have any particular regional organizations or legal frameworks to prevent conflicts, resolve disputes, stabilize economic situations and improve the human rights situations like EU, OAS and AU, the presence of the United States with having a strong political, military and economic tie with Japan has assumed an alternative role for those purposes. However, the situation is rapidly changing with the rise of China. Chine is emerging not only as the world’s second largest economic giant in terms of GDP, but also a super military power having the strategy of increasing its presence in the South and East China Seas. While most of the countries in the region have strengthened economic relations with China, they also increase a sense of caution in the face of emerging (or potential) territorial disputes with China. This is also the case with Japan. On the other hand, the existing approaches of the United State and Japan to the countries in the region to improve their human rights situations are getting less effective with their relatively decreasing role as trading and economic partners for those countries. In order to keep the Asia-Pacific region stable, facilitate economic development and improve the human rights situations of the countries there, it is more necessary than ever to encourage those countries to rely on the relevant rules of international law, of which main purpose is to accommodate conflicting interests and indicate a common goal to be achieved. The aim of the present session is to overview the general attitude of Asia-Pacific countries toward international law and to identify the needs to establish more effective international legal order and to propose possible legal frameworks for responding to a current situation of Asia-Pacific region.

Moderator

Ellen L. Frost
Senior Advisor, East West Center / Visiting Distinguished Research Fellow,Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University

Speakers

Shuichi Furuya
Professor, Waseda Law School / Dean of Academic Affairs, Waseda University

Peter D. Trooboff
Senior Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP

Event 2: A New Era for the Asia-Pacific: Challenges for U.S.-Japan Relations

Date and Time

Sep. 10 (Thu.) 3:30pm-5:00pm

Venue

Carlton Ball Room, The St Regis Washington, D.C.
923 16th and K Streets NW, Washington DC 20006

Abstract

2015 marks the 70th anniversary since the end of World War II. It is also set to be an important year for U.S.-Japan relations. PM Abe said, “A strong Japan is in the interest of the United States, and a strong U.S.-Japan alliance is in the interest of the region and the world.” As negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) enter their final stages, a regional economic relationship based on a foundation of common rules and infrastructures and bilateral interdependency is being anticipated within the fields of commerce and trade in the surrounding Asia-Pacific region. At the same time, the regional power balance in the Asia-Pacific region is dramatically changing with the appearance of new powers. The U.S.-Japan relationship, therefore, has had to change. The U.S. has strengthened its influence in the region through continuous efforts known as the Pivot to Asia. The growing importance of China, for instance, has also had an impact on regional relations, particularly its economic expansion and the relationship with neighboring countries. Considering these historical developments in the bilateral relationship in recent months and the changing environment of the region, USJI is grateful to host the distinguished speakers to speak on the U.S.-Japan relations, especially in regards to the Asia-Pacific region. These various experts of different backgrounds will be coming together to provide invaluable insight into the issues and aspects of the U.S.-Japan relationship in Asia-Pacific region.

Moderator

Sheila A.Smith
Senior Fellow for Japan Studies, Council on Foreign Relations

Speakers

Shunji Yanai
Advisory Board , USJI / former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Japan Embassy, U.S. / Judge, International Tribunal for the law of the Sea / University Professor, Waseda University

Rust M. Deming
Adjunct Professor of Japan Studies, SAIS, Johns Hopkins University/ former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, U.S. Embassy, Tunisia

Dennis Blair
Chairman of the Board, Sasagawa Peace Foundation USA /Former Director of National Intelligence/

Kurt Campbell
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Asia Group /Former Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs /

Networking Reception(Invitation Only)

Date and Time

Sep. 10 (Thu.) 6:00pm-7:30pm

Host

Ken Furuya
Chair, USJI / Executive Vice President, The University of Tokyo

Event 4: Help or Hinder? The AIIB and Outlook for Asian Development

Date and Time

Sep. 11 (Fri.) 10:30am-12:15pm

Venue

Auditorium, Wilson Center
One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20004

Webcast available here

Moderator

Shihoko Goto
Senior Associate for Northeast Asia, Asia Program, Wilson Center

Speakers

Takashi Terada
Operating Advisor , USJI / Professor, Doshisha University

Zhiqun Zhu
Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations, and Director of China Institute at Bucknell University

Meg Lundsager
Public Policy Fellow, Wilson Center

Sourabh Gupta
Senior Research Associate, Samuels International Associates

Co-hosted by

Wilson Center

Event 5: Japan-US Partnership towards the formation of Asian Higher Education Area focusing on ASEAN

[Summary]

Date and Time

Sep. 11 (Fri.) 10:30am-12:00pm

Venue

Conference Room A
2000 M Street, NW Lower Level, Conference Center Washington, D.C. 20036

Abstract

So-called “knowledge diplomacy” in higher education, which is diplomatic international competition or cooperation concerning a platform on quality assurance and credit transfer systems, is ongoing among key stakeholders who are government agencies, international organizations, universities, higher education networks in ASEAN, and the Secretariat of the Southeast Asia Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) and its Regional Center for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO – RIHED). This panel presentation aims to examine the current status and future prospects of “knowledge diplomacy” in higher education in ASEAN. More concretely, the panel will: (i) review the status of internationalization, regionalization, or harmonization in higher education in ASEAN; (ii) outline activities on external and internal quality assurance; (iii) discuss elements for developing a common credit transfer framework/system; and (iv) emphasize complementary role between “ASEAN University Network” and a newly launched “GMS University Consortium” to help improve the quality and relevance of universities in ASEAN/GMS. The panel will highlight Japan-U.S. university partnership in harmonizing quality assurance and credit transfer systems, and strengthening the university networks that will facilitate such harmonization. The panel will also suggest how Japan-U.S. universities could contribute to the formulation of “Asia Higher Education Area” as key stakeholders in “knowledge diplomacy” in higher education.

Remarks

Kazuhiro Maeshima
Operating Advisor, USJI/Professor, Sophia University

Moderator

Yuto Kitamura
Associate Professor, The University of Tokyo

Speakers

Miki Sugimura
Vice President for Academic Exchange, Sophia University

Yasushi Hirosato
Professor, Sophia University

John N. Hawkins
Professor Emeritus, University of California, Los Angeles(Cancelled)

Commentators

Kazuo Kuroda
Professor, Waseda University

James Williams
Associate Professor, George Washington University

Event 6: Japan’s Asia policy and the US Rebalancing: Challenges and Opportunities(Registration Closed)

[Summary]

Date and Time

Sep. 14 (Mon.) 10:30am-12:00pm

Venue

Conference Room A
2000 M Street, NW Lower Level, Conference Center Washington, D.C. 20036

Abstract

Following the 70 year anniversary of WWII, Japan continues to face numerous problems, namely, historical recognition, security bills, and international relations with its neighbors like China and Korea. The US and Japan are two of the most influential states in the Asia-Pacific and East Asian regions. The impact of US-Japan relations in East Asian political, economic, and security realms is significant. It is now time to review the 70-year postwar period and the role of US-Japan relations in the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, as the Obama administration has shifted and rebalanced strategic importance toward the Asia-pacific region, Japan’s Asia policies and the role have also changed as a response to US rebalancing policies.
The panel will examine how Japan should and can respond to the current US rebalancing policies, and assess the future relations of the US-Japan partnership. For the purpose of examining this theme, the panel will focus on two issues: Japan’s foreign policy toward US-China relations; and Japan’s policies toward central Asia. The first issue touches on the changing nature of Japanese foreign policy and international architecture toward China, and how Japan should cooperate with the United States to stabilize the Asia-Pacific region. The second issue centers on Central Asia and aims to uncover a new horizon of Japanese foreign policy toward Central Asia, in light of the role of the US-Japan partnership.

Moderator

Paula Harrell
Professor, Georgetown University

Speakers

Toru Oga
Associate Professor, Kyushu University

Kuniko Ashizawa
Adjunct Professor, American University

Commentators

Jeffrey Hornung
Sasakawa Peace Foundation-USA

Munehiro Miwa
Professor, Kyushu University

Event 7: [Seminar for Students] Japanese Political Economy under PM Abe: How Abenomics and TPP are Advanced (Students only)

Date and Time

Sep. 14 (Mon.) , 6:00pm-7:00pm

Venue

USJI DC Office, 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20006

Abstract

In this lecture, I show how Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has promoted two major national and international economic policies—Abenomics and Japan’s involvement in the Trans-Pacific Partnership — by focusing on his administration’s domestic political struggles. Bothagendas become significant in the face of China’s regional engagement, demonstrating the inextricable ties between international affairs and domestic politics, a combination essential for grasping the foreign policy of Japan under Shinzo Abe.

Speaker

Takashi Terada
Operating Advisor , USJI / Professor, Doshisha University

Supported by

NISSAN GLOBAL FOUNDATION

Event 8: Translational research based on molecular craniofacial developmental biology and development of related clinical activities in dentistry

Date and Time

Sep. 15 (Tue.) 2:30pm-4:00pm

Venue

Bldg.30 Room.117, National Institutes of Health
9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892

Abstract

Cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) is the most common congenital craniofacial anormally in the world. The prevalence of CLP ranges 1 out of 500 to 700 all over the world with some regional variation. Huge amount of medical resources are needed to treat these patients to habiritate the deficient function, such as speech, eating and breathing because of the tooth, bone, muscle and skin deficiency. So far, those patients are mainly treated with symptomatic treatment which would not provide sufficient outcome. Not only the CLPs, but also other craniofacial anormallies and tooth loss reduces the QOL.
Development of regenerative medicine based on the research outcome of molecular biomedical science has been revealed to overcome those problems. Specifically, US-Japan exchange of researchers has largely contributed to the development of regenerative medicine, which will be enhanced more and more in the near future. In the present seminar, we would like to disucuss about the outcomes of the researches for regenerative therapy.

Moderator

Ichiro Takahashi
Professor, Kyushu University

Coordinator

Yoshihiko Yamada
Senior Investigator / Section Chief , National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research / NIH

Speakers

Takayoshi Yamaza
Assistant Professor, Kyushu University

Matthew P. Hoffman
Section chief, National Institute of Denatal and Craniofacial Research / NIH

Commentators

Yoshihide Mori
Professor, Kyushu University

Naoto Haruyama
Lecturer, Kyushu University Hospital

Co-hosted by

NIH Japanese fellow meeting (Kinyo-kai)

Supported by

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)

Event 9: World War ll and the Experience of Japanese Americans (Registration Closed)

Date and Time

Sep. 15 (Tue.),6:00pm-7:30pm

Venue

Conference Room A
2000 M Street, NW Lower Level, Conference Center Washington, D.C. 20036

Abstract

Japanese began immigrating to the United States and its territories starting in the mid-19th century. Until about 1970, Japanese-Americans were the largest Asian-American group. Today, they are the sixth largest Asian-American group and comprise only 0.4% of the total U.S. population. Like many other immigrant communities, the Japanese faced prejudice and bigotry. However, after Japan’s December 7, 1941 declaration of war on the United States, Japanese immigrants and US citizens of Japanese ancestry were subjected to an even more difficulties and intolerance. Despite this, many Japanese-Americans served and fought with distinction on both fronts of WWII even though their families were incarcerated. Building on those sacrifices and lessons, today, numerous Japanese-Americans hold senior government and corporate positions and hold seats in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The history and story of the Japanese has only now begun to be told and shared. This seminar features three distinguished members of the Japanese-American community speaking about their backgrounds, challenges, and successes. This seminar is intended to inspire students but we welcome all generations to participate in this important program.

Moderator

Yoshiaki Abe
Operating Advisor , USJI / Emeritus Professor, Waseda University

Speakers

Terry Shima

Mary Tamaki Murakami

Priscilla Ouchida
Executive Director for JACL

Co-Hosted by

Japanese American Citizens League
Japanese American Veterans Association

Sponsored by

NISSAN GLOBAL FOUNDATION