Japan's Political Uncertainty & International Relations - Bill Emmott | 2024 Episode 36

In this engaging interview with Bill Emmott, former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, we explore Japan's political uncertainty and its ripple effects on international relations. From the dominance of the Liberal Democratic Party to Japan's energy security challenges, Article 9 debates, and its role in the Indo-Pacific region, this conversation dives into the critical issues shaping Japan's global position in 2024. Watch as we discuss the US-Japan alliance, relations with South Korea, and Japan’s response to China's Belt and Road Initiative. Don't miss this insightful discussion on Japan's evolving role in a rapidly changing world!

Bill Emmott is a renowned independent writer, consultant, and expert in international affairs with a distinguished career spanning over four decades. A former Editor-in-Chief of The Economist, he spent 26 years at the publication, which he joined in 1980. Over this time, he worked as a correspondent and editor in Brussels, Tokyo, and London, covering a wide range of topics, including politics, finance, economics, and global business. In 1993, he was appointed Editor-in-Chief, a role he held for 13 years, during which he shaped The Economist’s voice on some of the world’s most critical issues.

Bill is a prolific author, particularly noted for his expertise on Japan. His first major book, The Sun Also Sets: Why Japan Will Not Be Number One (1989), sparked global discussions about Japan’s economic future. His latest work, Japan’s Far More Female Future, highlights the potential for a gender-balanced transformation in Japanese society. Published in Japanese by Nikkei in 2019 and in English by Oxford University Press in 2020, it underscores his continued relevance in analysing Japan’s evolving role in the world.

Bill’s leadership and contributions extend far beyond writing. He serves as the Ushioda Fellow at Tokyo College, University of Tokyo; chairman of the board of Trinity College Dublin’s Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute; chairman of the Japan Society in the UK (until December 2024); and chairman of the trustees of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). His involvement in these institutions reflects his dedication to fostering academic, cultural, and strategic understanding on a global scale.

In recognition of his contributions to UK-Japan relations, the Japanese government awarded Bill the prestigious Order of the Rising Sun: Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2016.

Content: (1) International Impact of the Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) Dominance; (2) LDP: A Conservative Party in Liberal Clothing?; (3) Energy Security Amid Domestic Political Uncertainty; (4) Public Opinion on Reopening Nuclear Plants; (5) Can Japan Lead the Energy Transition Despite Lagging in Renewables?; (6) Article 9 and Its Role in Japan’s Contemporary Security Strategy; (7) Prospects for Modifying Article 9; (8) The State of the US-Japan Alliance in 2024; (9) Opportunities for Japan-South Korea Relations Amid Indo-Pacific Tensions; (10) Prime Minister’s Vision of an Asian ‘NATO’; (11) Japan’s Role in Taiwan Strait Tensions; (12) China’s Economic Leverage Over Japan; (13) Japan’s Response to the Belt and Road Initiative; (14) Achievements and Challenges in Japanese Economic Diplomacy; and (15) The Role of Japan Society in the UK in International Relations

Note: At 5:09 min, the following sentence was said by Bill Emmott during the interview: ‘That a full consensus has not really successfully built up and become shared across the whole of society.’

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