The sculpture “Monochrome for Austin” by Nancy Rubins on UT-Austin campus

Sasakawa USA returned to Texas for a third time to conduct another U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series event. Having already visited Dallas and Houston, this series took place at the heart of the Lone Start State in Austin, TX.

As the second largest U.S. state in both population and landmass, Texas is also the second largest importer and the largest exporter of any state in the union. Texas, therefore, has close international ties, especially to Japan. According to The Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office, Japan is Texas’s fifth largest trading partner ($26 billion), ninth largest export destination ($14.8 billion), and fifth largest import source country ($11.2 billion). Regarding foreign direct investment (FDI), the above source also notes that, over the past decade, Japan has become Texas’s fourth largest source country for FDI projects (125 projects and $8.7 billion in capital investments) and the number one source for new jobs created by FDI (20,550). Texas’s strong economic ties to Japan have thus made it a pivotal state for Sasakawa USA to engage with.

Prof. Matake Kamiya (left) and Mr. James Schoff (right)

For this U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series project, Sasakawa USA partnered with the Asia Policy Program (APP) at University of Texas at Austin. The co-sponsored symposium, “U.S.-Japan Alliance Modernization: Meeting the China Challenge,” took place at the LBJ School of Public Affairs on January 25, 2024, in Austin, TX. It featured two panelists, Matake Kamiya, Professor of International Relations, National Defense Academy of Japan; and Mr. James Schoff, Senior Director and leader of the US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA. Panelists discussed the U.S.-Japan strategic alliance and opportunities for regional cooperation amid intensifying geopolitical shifts in the region, most notably regarding Taiwan’s recent election, and Chinese military and economic coercion vis-a-vis Taiwan and its other neighbors.

Roundtable Discussions

Preceding the symposium were three roundtable discussions.

The first was held the night before the event on January 24, 2024, when Sasakawa USA hosted a welcome dinner with speakers, co-organizers, and local influencers in the U.S.-Japan/ U.S.-Indo-Pacific space. This meeting produced qualitative dialogue on key East-Asia issues among people from a variety of backgrounds. It also provided a comfortable environment for speakers to network with local experts, as well as to discuss details about the following day’s event with co-organizers.

Prof. Matake Kamiya (center, left), Mr. James Schoff (center, right), and UT-Austin international relations undergraduates

The second discussion kicked off the morning of the event on January 25, 2024, and was a roundtable breakfast meeting with International Relations undergraduates from UT-Austin. This event was hosted by the Clements Center and functioned as a great opportunity for students to meet with speakers and ask direct questions about topics related to the event. It was also a chance for Sasakawa USA to interact with the students and inform them about our programs and upcoming internship opportunities.

The final roundtable was held just before the event began, between the speakers, UT-Austin professors, post-doctoral fellows, and co-organizers. This luncheon meeting allowed speakers to discuss final logistical details, as well as have informal off-the record discussions to further expound on the event topics.

Event

January 25, 2024 | Austin, TX | U.S.-Japan Alliance Modernization: Meeting the China Challenge

(Left to Right) Dr. Chestnut Greitens, Prof. Matake Kamiya, and Mr. James Schoff

The event began around noon on January 25, 2024, with Welcome Remarks from the Moderator, Dr. Sheena Chestnut Greitens, Associate Professor, LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT-Austin. Prof. Kamiya then talked about the geo-political shifts in the region, and the difficulties Japan faces in balancing peace, economic interests, and military strength amid these shifts. Prof. Kamiya was followed by Mr. Schoff, who discussed how the U.S. strategy in addressing China’s advantage in East Asia leans heavily on economic, military, and technological cooperation among its allies in the region, most notably Japan. Dr. Greitens asked follow-up questions to the panel before opening the floor for a lively Q&A. The event concluded with closing remarks from Dr. Greitens.

The symposium welcomed around sixty in-person participants throughout the event, including UT-Austin professors, researchers, and students (undergraduate and graduate, the latter of which included student military officers).

This event took place following a similar event at Stanford University earlier that week on January 23, 2024. Please see our website for more information on this and other U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series events.

Agenda

All times indicated in Central Time.

11:45 PM | Registration & Lunch Open

12:15 AM | Welcome Remarks

12:20 PM | Panel Discussion

1:15 AM | Q&A

1:45 PM | Conclusion of Event

Photos