Indiana, known as the Hoosier state and the crossroads of America, has powerful economic ties to Japan which made this interstate hub a noteworthy stop for the U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series. These strong ties are reflected in the Fourth Edition 2023 Japan Matters for America book, a project produced by the East West Center and Sasakawa Peace Foundation, which collects data on U.S.-Japan connections on federal, state, and local levels. According to their research, Indiana receives the 4th largest amount of Japanese Greenfield Investment ($9.8 billion) of any state in the U.S., and exports $2.8 billion in goods and services to Japan. In addition, 12K Indiana jobs are supported by exports to Japan, 25.5K have been created by Greenfield Investment from Japanese firms, and 55.2K U.S. based jobs are supported by Japanese multinational enterprises. In order to convey the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance in Indiana, as well as connect with those in the U.S.-Japan community there, Sasakawa USA coordinated a U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series event with Indiana University Bloomington.

Sasakawa USA partnered with the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies for the “The U.S.-Japan Alliance as a Global Partnership” event, which took place on October 8, 2024, at Indiana University Bloomington. The symposium featured two panel discussions and emphasized the importance of the U.S.-Japan security and economic alliances.

Event

October 8, 2024 | Bloomington, IN | The U.S.-Japan Alliance as a Global Partnership

The purpose of this symposium was to provide an opportunity for Indiana University students and community members to deepen their understanding of the U.S.-Japan relationship in terms of national security and economic/business relations for the future.

Dr. John Ciorciari, dean of the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University Bloomington

The event began the afternoon of October 8, 2024, with welcome remarks from Dr. John Ciorciari, dean of the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, chairman and president of Sasakawa USA. The emcee for the event was Dr. Adam Liff, associate professor of East Asian international relations and director of the 21st Century Japan Politics & Society Initiative at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University Bloomington.

ADM Tomohisa Takei, former 32nd Chief of Staff (JMSDF, Ret.)

Panel 1 on “The Future of the U.S.-Japan Alliance and the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific,’” heard remarks from ADM Tomohisa Takei, former 32nd chief of staff (JMSDF, Ret.); LtGen Larry Nicholson, former commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Japan (USMC, Ret.), as well as a distinguished senior fellow (non-resident) at Sasakawa USA; and Dr. Sarah Bauerle-Danzman, director of the Tobias Center and associate professor of the Hamilton Lugar School at Indiana University Bloomington.

Photo (left to right): Dr. Adam Liff, Dr. Sarah Bauerle-Danzman, LtGen Larry Nicholson (USMC, Ret.), and ADM Tomohisa Takei (JMSDF, Ret.)

Panel 2, “Political and Social Challenges for Japan’s New Prime Minister,” featured both Dr. Satohiro Akimoto and Dr. Hilary Holbrow, assistant professor at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, as speakers.

The symposium was held in-person and welcomed about 90 participants, which included a mix of students, researchers, and professors of Indiana University.

A Sasakawa USA hosted dinner was held prior to the event, in which speakers, organizers, and local U.S.-Japan experts were able to network, as well as discuss the following day’s event.

This event was the second of a three-part Regional Alliance Series tour with ADM Tomohisa Takei and LtGen Larry Nicholson. The other events were held at The Ohio State University and The Citadel. For more information on these and other U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series events, please visit the program page here.

Agenda

All times indicated in Eastern Time

4:30 PM | Registration

4:45 PM | Welcome Remarks

4:55 PM | Panel 1: The Future of the U.S.-Japan Alliance and the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’

6:00 PM | Panel 2: Political and Social Challenges for Japan’s New Prime Minister

6:50 PM | Closing Remarks

7:00 PM | Reception

7:45 PM | End of Reception