March 7th, 2012

Stanford research poised to play role as Japan restructures power industry

Northeastern Japan is rebuilding itself after last year's earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear accident. The devastation to the region is unquestionable, but so are the opportunities for energy industry reform and innovation. Masahiko Aoki and Kenji Kushida spoke with the Stanford News Service about developments in the region, and about possible links to Silicon Valley technologies.

• » Stanford News: Silicon Valley poised to play role as Japan restructures power industry

Reforming Japan's Energy Sector, Governance, and Economy

Significant scholarly work has begun on understanding the challenges and opportunities facing post-Fukushima Japan. A group of expert panelists from the United States, Japan, and Europe met for a conference at Stanford on Feb. 27 to delve into the key issues related to Japan’s energy industry, politics, society, and economy today.

• » One Year After Japan’s 3/11 Disaster: Reforming Japan’s Energy Sector, Governance, and Economy
  

February 13th, 2012

Rising Japan scholars examine the future of U.S.-Japan relations

The decades-old U.S.-Japan alliance remains a stabilizing force in the Asia-Pacific region, but it continues to evolve with changes in both countries and in the region. In January, Kenji Kushida and Phillip Lipscy joined other rising Japan studies scholars for discussions about issues confronting the relationship. Read more »

January 30th, 2012

Signs of growth in post-Fukushima Japan, say Stanford experts

Nearly a year has passed since an earthquake triggered a tsunami that swept away entire communities on Japan's northeastern coast, leading to a series of accidents at the Fukushima nuclear complex. Masahiko Aoki and Kenji Kushida discuss post-March 11 developments, and a related conference at Stanford scheduled for February 27. Read more »

January 24th, 2012

Aoki suggests a new approach to Japan's power industry

As the one-year anniversary of Japan's Great Tohoku Earthquake and Fukushima nuclear disaster approaches, Stanford economist Masahiko Aoki says now is an opportune time to restructure the country's electric power industry.

• » Asia Pathways: Urgent need to restructure Japan's electric power industry after Fukushima

December 15th, 2011

Stanford expert: Asia's year in review

The past year unfolded with Japan’s unprecedented triple disaster and closed with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s historic trip to Myanmar. Political scientist Phillip Lipscy discusses the events in Asia that defined the year and looks ahead to 2012. Read more »

December 11th, 2011

Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan discusses the Okinawa base issue

The presence of U.S. Marines in Okinawa is a longstanding friction point between allies the United States and Japan. Michael Armacost, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 1989 to 1993, spoke with the Asahi Shimbun about this issue, and about the alliance in recent years.

• » Asahi Shimbun: Ex-U.S. ambassador questions having Marines in Okinawa

December 5th, 2011

Economic, social, and security implications of East Asia's demographic transition

Asia's demographic landscape is changing in a big way, presenting policymakers with new challenges and questions. Shorenstein APARC focused its third annual Stanford Kyoto Trans-Asian Dialogue on addressing the possible economic, social, and security implications of Asia’s unprecedented demographic transition. The final report from this event is now available for free download. Read more »

Japan Studies Program launches inaugural year

The Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center's Japan Studies Program kicked off its inaugural academic year with a lineup of major events and meetings at Stanford and in Japan. Read more »

November 30th, 2011

Student wins Mitchell Scholarship for Japan research

Philippe de Koning, a recent Stanford graduate who has been selected to study in Ireland as a Mitchell fellow, wrote a manuscript about Japan's defense and financial crisis with Shorenstein APARC faculty member Phillip Lipscy. Lipscy, a political scientist, was de Koning's advisor through his undergraduate career and also advised him on his senior thesis.

• » FSI: Three graduates with FSI ties earn Rhodes, Mitchell scholarships

October 6th, 2011

Informing EU policymakers on Japan's experiences

The European Commission in Brussels, Belgium, recently invited professor of political science Phillip Lipscy to exchange views with European policymakers and present his research. The Directorate General of Enterprise and Industry sponsored Lipscy’s visit. Lipscy presented on lessons learned from Japan's experience in three areas: energy policy, financial crisis response, and fiscal retrenchment. He highlighted several practical policy solutions from Japan that the European Union should consider, such as the top runner program for energy efficiency. In addition, Lipscy warned that European policymakers should avoid repeating the mistakes of Japan's lost decade by responding to the Euro crisis quickly and decisively.

Japanese policymakers struggle over nuclear power question

Following March's triple disaster, Japanese policymakers are locked in a debate over nuclear power. Daniel Sneider, associate director for research at the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center, discusses the issues creating this political gridlock in the first op-ed of a two-part YaleGlobal series.

• » YaleGlobal: Japan in a Post 3/11 World, Part I

August 9th, 2011

Kushida named Takahashi Research Associate

In July, the Walter H. Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center Shorenstein APARC named Stanford alumnus Kenji Kushida as its Takahashi Research Associate in Japanese Studies. Read more »

August 5th, 2011

Energy efficiency, financial crisis response, and Fukushima

Phillip Lipscy, an assistant professor of political science and a center fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute of International Studies, is currently conducting research on energy efficiency and financial crisis response. Here he discusses his recent research within the context of contemporary Japan, and comments on current social and political conditions in Japan after the March 2011 disaster. Read more »