Japan's Balancing Act
Alliance Dynamics amid U.S.-China Competition

Sheila A. Smith is senior fellow for Japan studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. She also serves as vice chair of the U.S. advisors to the U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange and is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.

Time Stamps

[2:19] “How did you get interested in U.S.-Japan relations?”

[3:17] “How do Japan’s leaders perceive what is going on between China and the United States?”

[4:41] “What are the domestic factors that shape Japan’s policies?”

[6:52] “What is Japan’s three-part security and trade strategy in response to the U.S.-China rivalry?”

[16:32] “How is Japan promoting the concept of a ‘free and open’ Indo-Pacific region?”

[20:46] “Is the U.S.-Japan trade deal finished? What remains to be negotiated?”

[27:02] “Is there a point at which Japan might change its strategic calculus amid pressure from both China and the United States?”

[32:36] “How is Japan managing regional security issues, especially relations with Russia and North Korea?”

[38:37] “What are Japan’s options as the U.S.-China strategic competition continues?”

[42:32] “Amid the competition, how should Japan and the U.S. think about their shared values as assets in contrast to China’s authoritarian model?”

[45:49] “If you were talking to a graduate student interested in U.S.-Japan issues, what would you suggest as the next frontier to study?”

This episode was made possible through the generous support of the United States-Japan Foundation.