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Japan
China
United States
Indo-Pacific
North Korea
Ukraine
Taiwan
Russia
Defence Industrial Cooperation
Japan's Defense Policy
Quad
Maritime Strategy
DICAS
Defence Spending
NATO
Economic Security
Maritime Security
Takahashi Administration
Trade Policy
Technology Integration

The Japan Memo is a monthly podcast series that analyses why Japan matters in today’s regional and global geopolitical landscape. In each episode, Robert Ward of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) Japan Chair Programme, will bring in strategists, experts and practitioners from around the world to examine how Japan is using its diplomatic, economic and military tools to achiev... more

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Artwork for Japan Memo

Latest Episodes

Robert Ward speaks with Professor Jimbo Ken – Managing Director of the International House of Japan, President of the Asia Pacific Initiative and Professor at the Faculty of Policy Management at Keio University – for a wide-ranging analysis of the 23... more

Robert Ward speaks with Japan’s Minister of Defense, Koizumi Shinjiro, on the sidelines of the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. In this special episode of Japan Memo, Minister Koizumi discusses his impressions of the Dialogue and reflects ... more

Robert Ward hosts Ambassador Miyagawa Makio, former senior Japanese diplomat, and Professor Michishita Narushige, Professor of International Security Studies at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) and a non-resident senior fell... more

Robert Ward hosts Katada Saori, Professor of International Relations and the Director of the Center of International Studies at the University of Southern California, and Yamada Satoshi Visiting Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Miyagawa Makio
Ambassador, career diplomat with MFA, Special Advisor on National Security
Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs / National Security Secretariat
Episode: Japan’s defence-export reform with Miyagawa Makio and Michishita Narushige
Michishita Narushige
Professor of International Security Studies
GRIPS; non-resident senior fellow at Atlantic Council
Episode: Japan’s defence-export reform with Miyagawa Makio and Michishita Narushige
Katada Saori
Professor of International Relations, Director of the Center of International Studies at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
Episode: Japan-US Economic Security with Katada Saori and Yamada Satoshi
Yamada Satoshi
Visiting senior research fellow, Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG), Tokyo; expert in economic security and Japan–US relations
Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG)
Episode: Japan-US Economic Security with Katada Saori and Yamada Satoshi
Kristin Vekasi
Mansfield Chair of Japan and Indo-Pacific Affairs at the University of Montana
University of Montana
Episode: Japan’s Critical Mineral Strategy with Kristin Vekasi and Hatakeyama Kyoko
Kyoko Hatakeyama
Professor of International Relations, University of Niigata Prefecture
University of Niigata Prefecture
Episode: Japan’s Critical Mineral Strategy with Kristin Vekasi and Hatakeyama Kyoko
Professor Taniguchi Tomohiko
Chairman of Nippon Kaigi and specially appointed professor at the University of Tsukuba in Japan, special advisor at the Fujitsu Future Studies Center
Nippon Kaigi
Episode: Japan’s Foreign and Security Policy in 2026 with Professor Taniguchi Tomohiko
Kristi Govella
Senior Advisor and Japan Chair at CSIS, expert in Japanese Politics and International Relations
Centre for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: Japan’s Security and Diplomacy in 2025 with Dr Kristi Govella and Dr Eva Pejsova
Eva Pejsova
Japan Chair at CSDS and expert on Indo-Pacific security dynamics
Brussels School of Governance
Episode: Japan’s Security and Diplomacy in 2025 with Dr Kristi Govella and Dr Eva Pejsova

Host

Robert Ward
Host and Japan Chair with multiple roles at the IISS, including Director of Geoeconomics and Strategy

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 25 ratings
  • Went Down Hill

    I was a long time listener, but have to leave. I only have so much time that I can dedicate to podcasts and unfortunately Japan Memo episodes have been too long, too dry, and overly challenging to follow.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    RJG179
    United States8 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners find episodes lengthy and dense.
Noted for bringing strong guests and timely topics.
Guests repeatedly praised for deep analysis of Japan's security posture.
High-caliber expertise but pacing can be challenging for casual listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#170
Indonesia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#186
Japan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#215
Netherlands/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Japan’s defence-export reform with Miyagawa Makio and Michishita Narushige
Q: What do people commonly get wrong about Japan, especially regarding its security posture and alliance with the United States?
They note that Japan is not a passive security free rider; rather, Tokyo and Washington collaborate actively to maintain regional peace and stability, with Japan contributing through security partnerships, capacity-building, and alliance modernization.
Japan’s defence-export reform with Miyagawa Makio and Michishita Narushige
Q: Do you have book recommendations for listeners who want to understand Japan better, and are you allowed to recommend your own books?
Ambassador Miyagawa and Michishita offer both Japanese classics and recent scholarship that illuminate Japan's strategic culture, alliance dynamics, and military history, emphasizing nuanced views of Japan's security role and the US–Japan partnership.
Japan-US Economic Security with Katada Saori and Yamada Satoshi
Q: What is the role of Global South engagement in Japan's hedging strategy?
Global South engagement provides additional institutional footholds and regional partnerships that can hedge against uncertainty in US-China dynamics, helping Japan maintain strategic autonomy while benefiting from diversified security and economic networks.
Japan-US Economic Security with Katada Saori and Yamada Satoshi
Q: How do ESPA amendments fit into Japan's broader economic-security toolkit?
ESPA amendments expand coverage to essential infrastructure services and related products, extend the range of critical technologies, and strengthen non-disclosure provisions and governmental review, aligning with a more proactive, comprehensive economic-security posture.
Japan-US Economic Security with Katada Saori and Yamada Satoshi
Q: What is your broad view of how Japan's economic statecraft has evolved?
Japan shifted from informal, private-sector–led regional interactions to a more formal, rules-based approach that upholds an open regional order, in response to China's rise and perceptions of US retrenchment.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Japan Memo

What is Japan Memo about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A monthly analysis of Japan's role in regional and global geopolitics, with deep dives into security strategy, energy security, and trade dynamics. Episodes spotlight policy shifts, alliance developments, and Japan's evolving defense and diplomatic posture, often featuring university professors, think-tank researchers, and industry specialists who illuminate how Japan leverages diplomacy, economics, and military tools to influence regional balance and global supply chains. Notable threads include US–Japan cooperation, energy transitions, and infrastructure and industrial policies that shape Japan's strategic posture across the Indo-Pacific.

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Which podcasts are similar to Japan Memo?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Japan Memo:

1. The Asia Chessboard
2. Asia Geopolitics
3. Pekingology
4. ChinaPower
5. The Foreign Affairs Interview

How many episodes of Japan Memo are there?

Japan Memo launched 5 years ago and published 58 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Japan Memo?

Recent guests on Japan Memo include:

1. Miyagawa Makio
2. Michishita Narushige
3. Katada Saori
4. Yamada Satoshi
5. Kristin Vekasi
6. Kyoko Hatakeyama
7. Professor Taniguchi Tomohiko
8. Kristi Govella

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