June 1, 2017 - In This Issue:
Chairman's Message: Revising the Japanese Constitution


In the latest Chairman's Message, Sasakawa USA Chairman Admiral Dennis Blair weighs in on a possible revision to the Japanese constitution. According to Admiral Blair, while a constitutional amendment is long overdue, Japan should clarify its civil-military relations and reassess the roles of the three components of the Self Defense Forces before revising the constitution

"Many of us who are friends of Japan believe that the Self-Defense Forces should play a more important role in providing for collective self-defense regionally and globally," writes Admiral Blair. "Doing so will require much more than simply changing one article of Japan's constitution."


Op-Ed: WannaCry's lesson for the U.S.-Japan alliance

Sasakawa USA Chairman  Admiral Dennis Blair and Fellow Bud Roth published an op-ed in The Diplomat on the recent WannaCry ransomware attacks. The attacks are a reminder that malicious malware crosses borders without pause and has the potential to cause serious harm to friend and foe alike. For this reason, t he U.S and Japan need to collaborate on reducing vulnerabilities and responding to cybersecurity incidents.

Op-Ed: The future of U.S.-Japan trade relations after TPP

Sasakawa USA Fellow Tobias Harris tackles prospects for a post-TPP trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan in a recent op-ed published in The Diplomat. 

In the piece, Harris argues that Japan and the U.S. have conflicting visions for their bilateral economic relationship, with the U.S. in favor of a bilateral free trade agreement that may conflict with Japan's goals.

In the News: Striking North Korean nuclear facilities is risky, says Admiral Blair

At a recent conference, Sasakawa USA Chairman Admiral Dennis Blair  told participants that a surgical strike to eliminate North Korea's nuclear facilities would be difficult for the United States. Instead of pursuing a risky attack, the U.S. can continue to use deterrence against North Korea.

Sasakawa USA Journalism Fellowship: Recipient publishes second article in series on energy in Japan 

Toyota and some other automakers like Hyundai and Honda are betting that hydrogen will fuel a big chunk of transportation in the coming decades as the pressure for cleaner vehicles mounts, writes Umair Irfan, recipient of the 2016 Sasakawa USA Journalism Fellowship.

Irfan's article on hydrogen fuel-cell automobiles is his second in a series on Japan's role in the global energy market, which he reported on as part of the Sasakawa USA Journalism Fellowship. 

Click here  to read more about the fellowship, and  click here  to read the full article.
Event Recap: Women in Politics: Case of Japan and South Korea

On May 18, 2017, Sasakawa USA hosted a private roundtable discussion on the topic of "Women in Politics: Case of Japan and South Korea." The talk featured presentations by Dr. Mari Miura of Sophia University in Japan, and Dr. Ki-young Shin of Ochanomizu University in Japan.

The off-the-record discussion, which included 20 participants, was moderated by Sasakawa USA CEO Ambassador James Zumwalt.

  Upcoming events: June 2017
 
This June, join the Japan-U.S. Military Program for events related to the U.S.-Japan alliance in Honolulu and San Diego. Please check our events page for event details and new listings as they get posted. 
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