The United States has become more inward-focused and nationalistic, but as Toshihiro Nakayama argues, Japan does not have a back-up plan to its alliance with the United States.

Episode 12b: A Changing United States and Japan

Toshihiro Nakayama evaluates today’s politics in the United States and argues that the fundamental shift that has taken place under President Donald Trump is not likely to end with his presidency.

Episode 12a: How to Read the United States

Jessica Chen Weiss discusses the nature of activism in China and how the Chinese government is responding to these new challenges.

Episode 11: Nationalism and the Chinese State

David Capie explains how New Zealand’s perception of China has changed and how it is adjusting to uncertainty over the United States’ vision for Asia.

Episode 10: New Zealand’s View of a Changing Asia

Scott Snyder describes the domestic and institutional politics on the Korean side, examining how increased political polarization affects Korean attitudes toward Japan. 

Episode 9: South Korean Politics and Japan

CFR Senior Fellow for Japan Studies Sheila A. Smith introduces this new podcast series focusing on Northeast Asian nationalisms, Japan, and the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Introduction to Nationalism, Japan, and a Changing Asia

Hitoshi Tanaka, chairman of the Institute for International Strategy at the Japan Research Institute, describes how Japan has been navigating these challenges, and the critical role of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Episode 1: Rearming Under the Shadow of History

Professor Akio Takahara explains how different strands of nationalism in the two countries have worsened tensions in recent years and how the U.S.-Japan alliance must adapt.

Episode 2: The Competing Nationalisms of Japan and China

Professor Yoshihide Soeya describes how Japanese society has grappled with this complex bilateral relationship and how the new Korean administration might change the equation for Japan. 

Episode 3: The Divide Between Japan and South Korea

Professor Yuichi Hosoya discusses changing Japanese public opinion towards these reforms and what additional defense capabilities Japan is considering next.

Episode 4: How Far is Japan Prepared to Go to Achieve Security?

Professor Jennifer Lind analyzes the often overlooked distinction between nationalism and militarism and explains the misperceptions surrounding Japan’s security policies.
 

Episode 5: The Myth of Japan’s Rightward Turn

Professor Nathaniel Smith explains who makes up the “new right” movement and how it differs ideologically from more established right-wing groups in Japan.

Episode 6: Japan's Diverse Nationalists

Professor Celeste Arrington looks at the recent rise of activist citizen movements in Japan and South Korea and how they have changed the conversation over war memory in both countries.

Episode 7: New Voices in the Struggle Over History

Professor Thomas Berger examines the causes and constituencies of Japan’s contrasting nationalisms and how they interact with the national identities of Japan’s neighbors.

Nationalism, Japan, and a Changing Asia

Nationalism, Japan, and a Changing Asia

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