Veteran politician Sanae Takaichi made history on October 21, 2025, becoming the first woman to assume the position of Japan’s prime minister. What are the implications of her election for Japan’s politics and foreign policy? What impact will the collapse of the 26-year-old Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)/Komeito partnership have, and how should we understand the LDP’s new partnership with Ishin (Japan Innovation Party)?
Event Recap: 9/30/2025 Webinar on “The Future of Philanthropy in Japan” (co-sponsored)
On the evening of September 30th, the Hamilton Lugar School’s 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI)* co-sponsored a binational webinar on “The Future of Philanthropy in Japan.”
On September 17th, the Hamilton Lugar School’s 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI)* was honored to host Ambassador Masafumi Ishii for a series of on-campus engagements, including a public lecture to 21JPSI’s multidisciplinary “Japan Politics and Society” speaker series. One of Japan’s most distinguished former career diplomats and current thought leaders on foreign policy, Ishii previously served as Japan’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Ambassador to Belgium, and as Head of the Mission of Japan to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), among many other posts in DC, Tokyo, and beyond. This trip marked his first visit to Indiana and second-ever to the Midwest, having visited Chicago once before.
As part of his April 24th visit to Indiana University, the Hamilton Lugar School’s 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI)* was honored to host Vice President Motohiro Tsuchiya (Keio University) in its multidisciplinary “Japan Politics and Society” speaker series. Dr. Tsuchiya serves as Vice President for Global Engagement and Information Technology at Keio, where is also a professor in the Graduate School of Media and Governance.
On Monday, April 14, the Hamilton Lugar School's 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI)* hosted Professor Philip Lipscy in its multidisciplinary “Japan Politics and Society” speaker series. Prof. Lipscy is a professor of political science at the University of Toronto, where he also serves as Chair in Japanese Politics and Global Affairs and Director of the Munk School’s Centre for the Study of Global Japan.
On Friday, April 11th, the Hamilton Lugar School’s (HLS) 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI)* co-sponsored a panel on “U.S. East Asia Strategy in the New Administration” as part of HLS’ flagship annual conference on America’s Role in the World—higher education’s premier nonpartisan foreign policy conference.
On Monday, March 24, the Hamilton Lugar School's 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI)* hosted Professor James Raymo (Princeton University) in its multidisciplinary “Japan Politics and Society” speaker series. Prof. Raymo, who also directs Princeton’s Global Japan Lab, is a social demographer whose research focuses on documenting and understanding the causes and potential consequences of demographic changes associated with population aging.
On Monday, January 27, the Hamilton Lugar School’s 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI) launched the Spring 2025 iteration of its multidisciplinary “Japan Politics and Society” speaker series with a public lecture by Indiana University’s own Hilary Holbrow. Dr. Holbrow is a sociologist and assistant professor in HLS’ East Asian Languages and Cultures Department, where her research focuses on economic inequality, work and organization, and immigration, among other topics.
On Monday, November 11th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted a public lecture/Q&A by the Hamilton Lugar School Dean John Ciorciari as part of its multidisciplinary “Japan Politics & Society” public speaker series. Dean Ciorciari is a scholar of international politics and international law, with a particular focus on the Indo-Pacific region.
In partnership with Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, on October 8th the Hamilton Lugar School’s 21st Century Japan Politics & Society Initiative* (21JPSI) hosted an in-person mini-conference on the “The US-Japan Alliance as a Global Partnership.” Held just days after the launch of Japan’s new Cabinet under newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, this event convened leading experts from Japan and the United States for a series of discussions on the alliance’s future and political and social challenges for Japan’s new leadership.
Event Recap: April 2023: Manuscript Workshop on "Japan and the World"
On April 10 and 13, 2023, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted a virtual manuscript workshop organized around the theme of “Japan and the World.” Two U.S.- and three Japan-based social scientists with expertise on Japan were invited to present academic works-in-progress on various aspects of Japanese foreign policy. Each working paper was the subject of a dedicated session designed to provide the paper’s author with critical feedback from an assigned discussant and other participants. The multidisciplinary workshop was organized by 21JPSI Director Adam P. Liff.
Event Recap: 2/16/2023 Public Talk by Prof. Wei-hsin Yu (UCLA): “Dating & Marriage in Japan”
On Thursday, February 16th, the Hamilton Lugar School’s 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Prof. Wei-hsin Yu (University of California, Los Angeles) in its in-person “Japan Politics & Society” multidisciplinary public speaker series. Dr. Yu is a sociologist and social demographer specializing in the areas of social stratification and gender inequality. Her research focuses on how macrolevel forces influence individuals, paying special attention to their labor market outcomes, family behaviors, and psychological health.
On February 1-2, 2023, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted a virtual manuscript workshop organized around the theme of “Building an Inclusive Society in Contemporary Japan.” Six Japan and U.S.-based social scientists with expertise on Japan convened virtually to present academic works-in-progress. Each working paper was the subject of a dedicated session designed to provide the paper’s author with critical feedback from an assigned discussant and other participants. The multidisciplinary workshop was organized by 21JPSI Director Adam P. Liff and 21JPSI Faculty Affiliates Hilary Holbrow and Marvin Sterling.
On Friday, January 27th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) co-sponsored a public lecture by Prof. Leif-Eric Easley of Ewha Womans University (South Korea) as part of its in-person “Japan Politics & Society” multidisciplinary public speaker series. Prof. Easley is an Associate Professor of International Studies whose research interests include contested national identities and changing levels of trust in the bilateral security relationships of Northeast Asia.
On Friday, January 20th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) kicked off its Spring 2023 in-person multidisciplinary speaker series with a lunchtime talk by Indiana University’s own Prof. Hilary Holbrow, Assistant Professor of Japanese Politics and Society in the Hamilton Lugar School’s EALC Department. A sociologist by training, Prof. Holbrow’s scholarship examines social and economic inequality, work and organizations, immigration, and the intersections of gender, race, and ethnicity—with a particular focus on contemporary Japan. Her talk was co-sponsored by the East Asia Studies Center’s Faculty Colloquium series.
In the wake of Japan’s historic revision in December 2022 of its national security strategy and on the eve of the upcoming January 13 Biden-Kishida summit in Washington, DC, 21JPSI hosted a panel of leading experts from both countries to analyze the U.S.-Japan alliance and regional security issues; to reflect on the significance of the U.S.’ and Japan’s new national security strategies; and to discuss major challenges in store for the alliance in 2023…and beyond.
On Wednesday, November 16th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Dr. Sheila Smith of the Council on Foreign Relations for a virtual seminar as part of its “Japan Politics & Society” multidisciplinary public speaker series. Dr. Smith spoke in her capacity as chair of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) and the U.S. advisors to the U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON), a binational advisory panel of government officials and private-sector members.
On Thursday, November 3rd, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Mr. Christopher B. Johnstone of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in its in-person “Japan Politics & Society” multidisciplinary public speaker series. Mr. Johnstone is senior adviser and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, he served in government for 25 years in a variety of senior positions with a focus on U.S. policy toward Japan and the Indo-Pacific—most recently as Director for East Asia at the U.S. National Security Council (2021-2022).
On Tuesday, September 27th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) and the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy hosted a joint virtual seminar reflecting on the 50th anniversary of Japan’s September 29, 1972 decision to switch diplomatic recognition from Taipei (ROC) to Beijing (PRC), as well as the historical and contemporary legacies of that decision. The virtual event featured an expert panel of six U.S.- and Japan-based experts and attracted roughly 100 live attendees from around the world.
On Monday, September 19th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Prof. Daniel Smith of Columbia University in its in-person “Japan Politics & Society” multidisciplinary public speaker series. Prof. Smith is the Gerald L. Curtis Visiting Associate Professor of Modern Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy in the Department of Political Science and School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. His interests cover a range of topics in Japanese politics, comparative politics, political economy, and political behavior.
On September 8, the IU Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies hosted the honorable Hiroshi Tajima, Japan’s Consul-General in Chicago, for a series of meetings with university and school administrators, faculty, students and staff. Organized by the School’s 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI), Consul-General Tajima’s visit to campus culminated in a public lecture and discussion on U.S.-Japan relations and Japan’s Midwest and Indiana connections. The visit underscored the historically strong relationship between Indiana—and Indiana University—and Japan. The fact that the public talk attracted an audience of over 100 was but the latest example of the deep interest among the IU community in Japan and Japanese studies.
On Friday, August 26th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Prof. Gracia Liu-Farrer of Waseda University (Japan) in its in-person “Japan Politics & Society” multidisciplinary public speaker series. Dr. Liu-Farrer is Professor of Sociology at the Graduate School of Asia-Pacific Studies, and Director of Institute of Asian Migration at Waseda University, Japan. Her research examines immigrants’ economic, social and political practices in Japan, and the global mobility of students and professional migrants.
On Monday, March 28th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Ms. Mihoko Matsubara (NTT) for a virtual seminar on the current cyber threat landscape, Japan’s cybersecurity efforts to tackle those threats, and the potential direction of Japan-U.S. collaboration in 2022.
On Monday, February 28th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Dr. Rohan Mukherjee (Yale-NUS) for a virtual seminar on Japan-India relations and the prospects for a Japan-India alliance in the future.
Event Recap: 2/24/2022: Manuscript Workshop on "Demographic Challenges in Contemporary Japan"
On February 24th, 2022, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted a virtual manuscript workshop organized around the theme of “Demographic Challenges in Contemporary Japan.” Five U.S.-based social scientists with expertise on Japan convened virtually to present academic works-in-progress. Each working paper was the subject of a dedicated session designed to provide the paper’s author with critical feedback from an assigned discussant and other participants. The multidisciplinary workshop was organized by 21JPSI Director Adam P. Liff and 21JPSI Faculty Affiliate Hilary Holbrow.
Event Recap: 2/18/2022 21JPSI National Conference on U.S.-Japan Relations
On Friday, February 18th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted its second national conference on U.S.-Japan relations. (the 2019 conference’s agenda is archived here). The virtual event attracted more than 300 live attendees from around the world across four sessions, including an introductory keynote by Japan’s consul general in Chicago and three expert panels discussing 21st century foreign and domestic policy challenges facing the United States and Japan today.
Event Recap: 1/26/2022 21JPSI Webinar with Prof. Mary Brinton on "Work-Family Balance in Japan"
On Wednesday, January 26th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Professor Mary C. Brinton (Harvard) for a virtual seminar about Japan’s challenges increasing married women’s labor force participation and raising the country’s very low birth rate. A global audience of at least 100 faculty, students, and community members from across the United States and the world participated in the live event.
Event Recap: 12/15-12/16/2021: Manuscript Workshop on "Japan and the World"
On December 15th and 16th, 2021, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted a virtual manuscript workshop organized around the theme of “Japan and the World.” Six U.S.- and Japan-based experts on Japanese foreign policy convened virtually to present academic works-in-progress. Each working paper was the subject of a dedicated session designed to provide the paper’s author with critical feedback from an assigned discussant and other participants. The multidisciplinary workshop was organized by 21JPSI Director Adam P. Liff.
On Monday, November 29th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Japanese Ambassador (Ret.) Masafumi Ishii for a virtual seminar on Japan-ASEAN relations and U.S.-Japan Cooperation in Southeast Asia. The event was co-sponsored by Indiana University’s Southeast Asian and ASEAN Studies Program, which helped with promotion.
On Wednesday, October 27th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Professor Marvin Sterling (Indiana University) for a virtual seminar based on his ongoing research on Black Japanese experiences and multiculturalism in contemporary Japan. The event was co-sponsored by Indiana University’s East Asian Studies Center, Anthropology Department, and Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies.
On Monday, September 20th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Professor Christine Yano (University of Hawai’i at Manoa) about her book “Pink Globalization: Hello Kitty’s Trek Across the Pacific” (Duke University Press).
Event Recap: 9/16-9/17/2021: Manuscript Workshop on "Gender, Ethnicity, and Immigration"
On September 16th and 17th, 2021, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted a virtual manuscript workshop organized around the theme of “Gender, Ethnicity, and Immigration.” Six U.S.- and Japan-based scholars from different social science disciplines convened virtually to present academic works-in-progress. Each working paper was the subject of a dedicated session designed to provide the paper’s author with critical feedback from an assigned discussant and other participants. The multidisciplinary workshop was organized by 21JPSI Faculty Affiliate Hilary Holbrow and 21JPSI Director Adam P. Liff.
On Wednesday, April 7th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) closed out its 2020-2021 “Japanese Politics & Society” speaker series with a public talk by Professor Michael Green (Georgetown University/CSIS) on Japan’s contemporary Asia strategy.
On Tuesday, February 23rd, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Professor Hiroshi Ono (Hitotsubashi University Business School) for a (virtual) public talk and discussion about Japan’s labor market response to Covid-19, work culture, and difficulties implementing telework policies.
On Thursday, January 28th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Professor Hilary Holbrow (Indiana University) for a (virtual) public talk and discussion about the history and social effects of Japan’s “trainee” visa program.
Event Recap: 1/21/2021: "Race and Multiculturalism in Contemporary Japan" Manuscript Workshop
On January 21st, 2021, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted an interdisciplinary academic manuscript workshop organized around the theme of “Race and Multiculturalism in Contemporary Japan.” Six U.S.- and Japan-based scholars convened virtually to present and receive critical feedback on academic works-in-progress. Each working paper was the subject of a dedicated session designed to provide the paper’s author with critical feedback from an assigned discussant and other participants. The workshop was organized by 21JPSI Faculty Affiliate Marvin Sterling and 21JPSI Director Adam P. Liff.
On the eve of the inauguration of the Biden-Harris Administration, 21JPSI and the Brookings Institution Center for East Asia Policy Studies joined forces to convened eight leading experts from North America and Japan to discuss pressing foreign policy challenges for the U.S. and Japan under the new administration. The first panel focused on issues related to national security and domestic politics and was moderated by 21JPSI Director Adam P. Liff. The second panel focused on trade and other transnational challenges and was moderated by CEAP Director Mireya Solis. Both events were open to the global public, and attracted a combined total of over 400 attendees.
Event Recap: 12/18/2020 2nd Annual "Japan and the World" Manuscript Workshop
On December 17th and 18th, 2020, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted its second annual “Japan and the World” academic manuscript workshop. Six experts on Japanese foreign policy from North America and Japan convened virtually to present and receive critical feedback on academic works-in-progress analyzing various aspects of contemporary Japanese foreign relations. Each working paper was the subject of a dedicated session designed to provide the paper’s author with critical feedback from an assigned discussant and other participants.
On Monday, November 9th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Professor Jennifer Lind (Dartmouth College) for a public webinar and discussion about historical reconciliation in East Asia’s changing security environment.
Special Event Recap: 10/27/2020 Abe Global 2020 on “Work-Life Balance in the COVID Age”
On Tuesday, October 27th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) co-sponsored the first-ever virtual Abe Global Fellows Forum, which focused on “Work-Life Balance in the COVID Age: Can the US and Japan Meet the Challenges?” The event was organized by the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), and in partnership with New America.
On Thursday, October 22, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Professor Saori Katada from the University of Southern California for a public webinar and discussion about her 2020 book:,“Japan’s New Regional Reality: Geoeconomic Strategy in the Asia Pacific”.
Event Recap: 10/8/2020 21JPSI Webinar with Tobias Harris on “Shinzo Abe and the New Japan”
On Thursday, October 8th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Mr. Tobias Harris for a webinar discussion about his 2020 book entitled “The Iconoclast: Shinzo Abe and the New Japan”. The event was organized in collaboration with the University of Toronto’s Centre for the Study of Global Japan (CSGJ) and moderated by 21JPSI and CSGJ Directors Adam Liff and Phillip Lipscy.
On Tuesday, September 15th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Dr. Ezra Vogel (Harvard University) for a webinar on postwar China-Japan relations as part of its “Japan Politics & Society” interdisciplinary public speaker series.
Student Ambassadors: 4/2/2020 Recent Activities Beyond Bloomington
The 10-day trip – fully funded by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs – was designed to expose high school and university students to various aspects of Japanese culture and modern society through cultural visits, school tours, and homestay experiences.
Event Recap: 2/28/2020 Inaugural "Japan and the World" Manuscript Workshop
EVENT RECAP: On Friday, February 28th, 2020 the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted its first-ever “Japan and the World” academic manuscript workshop. Four leading Japan experts from across the country convened at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies (HLS) to present and receive critical feedback on academic works-in-progress analyzing contemporary Japanese foreign policy.
Event Recap: 2/19/2020 Visit by Noriyuki Shikata (Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
EVENT RECAP: On Wednesday, February 19th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Mr. Noriyuki Shikata (Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in its “Japan Politics & Society” interdisciplinary public speaker series.
Event Recap: 1/23/2020 Public talk by Dr. John Yasuda (Indiana University)
EVENT RECAP: On Thursday, January 23rd, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Dr. John Yasuda (Indiana University) in its “Japan Politics & Society” interdisciplinary public speaker series.
Event Recap: 11/8/2019 National Conference on U.S.-Japan Relations
EVENT RECAP: On Friday, November 8th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted the Hamilton Lugar School's first-ever national conference on U.S.-Japan relations, which brought together leading experts from across the USA to Bloomington to discuss contemporary foreign and domestic policy challenges.
Event Recap: 10/23/2019 Visit by Dr. Takako Hikotani (Columbia University)
EVENT RECAP: On Wednesday, October 23rd, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Dr. Takako Hikotani (Columbia University) in its Fall 2019 “Japan Politics & Society” interdisciplinary public speaker series.
Event Recap: 9/4/2019 Visit by Dr. Kenneth McElwain(University of Tokyo)
EVENT RECAP: On September 4th, the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (21JPSI*) hosted Dr. Kenneth McElwain (University of Tokyo) as the first visitor in its Fall 2019 “Japan Politics & Society” interdisciplinary public speaker series.