Japan Forum


NBR’s Japan Forum (the “Japan Forum”) is a moderated, online email discussion forum open to all those interested in issues concerning U.S.-Japan relations, Japanese politics, economics, social issues, and security. Since its inception in 2000, the Forum has become an essential vehicle for discussion among academics, businesspeople, policymakers, students, and others on issues relating to Japan and Japan-U.S. relations. Over 800 individuals representing 25 countries are signed up to receive and contribute messages to the Forum, and many others read messages via the Forum’s public web archive. To increase accessibility and foster member exchange, the Forum supports postings in both English and Japanese.

Dr. John Campbell, Professor Emeritus in political science at the University of Michigan, began serving as moderator in 2013. With help from back-up moderators, Dr. Campbell’s role is to keep discussions relevant and to maintain the Forum’s integrity. As a nonpartisan, nonprofit research institute committed to the fundamental principles of integrity, objectivity, and independence, NBR does not condone or endorse any content posted to the Forum, nor does it support the selective rejection or approval of messages as a means to advocate any particular policy or position.

The Forum is a free public moderated email forum. In order to join, all members are asked to read and agree to the Forum’s Terms of Service.

Join the Forum | Visit the Japan Forum’s online message archive

The Forum is supported by funding from Forum members.

Donate online or by mail or fax.

The Japan Forum is moderated by Dr. John Campbell and managed by NBR. A group of leading Japan specialists and scholars also serve on the Forum’s Advisory board.

Japan Forum Advisory Board

John Campbell
Professor (Emeritus), Department of Political Science, University of Michigan

June Teufel Dreyer
Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Miami

Peter Duus
William H. Bonsall Professor of Japanese History (Emeritus), Department of History, Stanford University
Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution

Richard Katz
Editor-in-Chief, The Oriental Economist Report

T.J. Pempel
Professor of Political Science, Department of Political Science, University of California-Berkeley

David Pike
Artist and Internet entrepreneur

Kenneth B. Pyle
Founding President, The National Bureau of Asian Research
Henry M. Jackson Professor of History and Asian Studies, The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington

Michael Smitka
Professor, Williams School of Commerce, Washington and Lee University

Kazuhiko Togo
Professor and Director, Institute for World Affairs, Kyoto Sangyo University

Michael Wills
Senior Vice President, The National Bureau of Asian Research

Learn More

Read more about NBR’s Japan Forum by visiting the Forum’s online message archive