Geopolitical change in Asia presents serious security and economic challenges to Japan and its most important ally the United States. North Korea will soon have the capacity to make a nuclear strike on the US, China is expanding its influence in the South China Sea through island building and more broadly throughout Asia and beyond through its One Belt, One Road initiative, and America’s withdrawal from TPP has undermined efforts to update trade and investment rules to promote more open markets for Japanese and American business. President Trump and PM Abe broached a new Indo-Pacific Initiative when they met in November 2017, but provided few details. What is the new Indo-Pacific initiative? How will Japan respond to these challenges and what role will the US-Japan alliance play?

Jonathan Berkshire Miller, Senior Visiting Fellow with the Japan Institute of International Affairs, will join us to discuss the dynamics in the East Asia region and Japan's approach to the Indo-Pacific region, a subject that has great significance for the US and for Bay Area companies doing business throughout Asia.

SPEAKER:

Jonathan Berkshire Miller
Senior Visiting Fellow, Japan Institute of International Affairs

MODERATOR:

C. Lawrence Greenwood Jr.
President, Japan Society of Northern California