January 11, 2017 - In This Issue:
 
In the News: At Pearl Harbor, Prime Minister Abe offers 'sincere and everlasting condolences'

On December 27, 2016, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made a historic visit to Pearl Harbor alongside President Barack Obama. Read the full transcript of their remarks, or watch the video, via the Sasakawa USA website here

This  historic visit symbolized not only the reconciliation of two countries who once were at war, but also what has become a close friendship and alliance that should be continued regardless of changes in administration, Sasakawa USA fellows said in media appearances in December.

"It sends a symbolic message to, not only the incoming president-elect, but also to the region, that the U.S.-Japan alliance is stronger than ever, that we are able to confront past problems between us and still be stronger as allies," said  Dr. Jeffrey Hornung, fellow for security and foreign affairs. "And of course a lot of the younger generation don't know the significance of Pearl Harbor, but given that these two countries were bitter rivals and enemies just two or three generations ago, it's amazing that they have been able to come this far and reconcile their past histories."

In a CBS News broadcast, CEO and Chairman Adm. Dennis Blair echoed those remarks, stating the visit is evidence that history will not be forgotten, but that both nations have been able to rise above their past conflict and build up, decade after decade, the strongest of alliances. 
  
 
Video: U.S.-Japan relations and ensuring the success of the
post-Paris climate agenda
 
Sasakawa USA Fellow for Energy and Technology Dr. Phyllis Yoshida joined a panel of four other experts on December 20, 2016 at a Brookings Institution event discussing the Paris climate deal and U.S.-Japan relations. The panel of climate policy experts from the United States and Japan addressed critical issues for the future of the climate agenda and U.S.-Japan relations . 
 
 
Event recap: Communication key to future of U.S.-Japan-Korea relations   
 
Collaboration, effective communication, and engagement between public and private sectors will be key to strengthening trilateral relations between the United States, Japan and Korea during a period of upheaval and change. That was the consensus reached last week between current international experts and college students who came together to discuss the future of trilateral relations from a multi-generational perspective.

The  Fourth Annual U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Symposium, hosted last week by International Student Conferences with support from Sasakawa USA and the Korea Foundation, included discussions on challenging issues including security and human rights in North Korea, women in leadership, and the overall future direction of trilateral cooperation.
  
Maritime Awareness Project: The implications of China's seizure of a U.S. Navy drone
 
On December 15, the latest incident between the United States and China in the South China Sea occurred. This episode involved China's seizure, and subsequent return, of an unmanned underwater vehicle operated by a U.S. naval auxiliary ship.

In this analysis for the Maritime Awareness Project, author M. Taylor Fravel explains why the seizure should be viewed as a purely political act, not an effort to enforce a particular interpretation of maritime law within a jurisdictional zone claimed by China.
 
 
Interview: Sasakawa USA's Dr. Phyllis Yoshida featured in newsletter

An interview with Sasakawa USA's Dr. Phyllis Yoshida, Fellow for Energy and Technologyrecently was featured in the December 2016 issue (Issue No. 13) of the Oil and Gas Security (OGS) Newsletter released by the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre (APERC). 
 
In the interview, Dr. Yoshida explains her former roles at the U.S. Department of Energy and as Lead Shepherd of the APEC Energy Working Group, what the working group was able to accomplish during her tenure, and what new projects she is now working on at Sasakawa USA.  
 
From the blog: Japan receives first U.S. shale gas shipment

On January 8, Jiji Press reported that "a tanker carrying 70,000 tons of shale-based LNG [from Louisiana] arrived at a thermal power plant in Joetsu, Niigata Prefecture." This shipment is a major event in U.S.-Japan relations, writes Sasakawa USA's Dr. Phyllis Yoshida, since it is the first U.S. shale gas to reach Japan.
 

Sasakawa USA Forum: Accepting submissions for papers on
U.S.-Japan relations

In order to gain a more comprehensive view of U.S.-Japan relations, the Sasakawa USA Forum offers experts outside Sasakawa USA a chance to bring their work to a wide audience.


The Sasakawa USA Forum is now accepting submissions for future publication. Submissions should be 750 to 2,000 words in length and written on issues that previously have been inadequately covered regarding Japan or U.S.-Japan relations from a bilateral, regional, and global context. Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis, and the submission deadline for winter 2017 is February 10. Authors of accepted submissions will receive a modest honorarium.  To submit an article for consideration, please contact Research Assistant Graham Dietz at  gdietz@spfusa.org .
 
 
  Upcoming events: Happy New Year 2017

Sasakawa USA wishes you a heartfelt Happy New Year and invites you to peruse our upcoming events offerings. Not all events are open to the public -----      check each event link for details and view our events page for new listings as they get posted. 
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