Spotlight on Japan

Spring 2026

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae in the Oval Office at the White House. (Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters)

On March 19, Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae visited the White House for a summit meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, fresh off her massive electoral victory in February. But what was planned as a straightforward summit became a high-stakes test for Takaichi. John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies Sheila A. Smith wrote about the implications of Takaichi’s visit amid the Iran war and U.S. pressure on allies to contribute to the effort. Read her article

Japan Program in Action

2026 Japan Conference

Framing Remarks by Sheila A. Smith (Christina Prinssen/Georgetown University)

Smith convened a Japan-focused conference—Japan: Contending With Change at Home and Abroad—at Georgetown University. The event drew numerous experts for panels whose subjects ranged from Japan’s domestic politics to its foreign policy. The keynote discussion speaker was Jake Sullivan, former U.S. national security advisor. Read about the event

Panel 3: Navigating Major Power Competition. (Christina Prinssen/Georgetown University)

Smith was the moderator for a panel titled, “Navigating Major Power Competition,” with Ken Jimbo and Yuichi Hosoya from Keio University and Christopher Johnstone from the Asia Group. The discussion looked at Japan’s foreign policy priorities to ascertain how its relationships with major powers are shaping its choices. Read about the panel

Japan’s 2026 Strategic Review

At a CFR roundtable, Smith presided over a conversation with Sugio Takahashi, director of the Japanese Ministry of Defense’s Strategic Planning Division. The conversation centered on the goals of the upcoming review, the results of which will be announced by the end of this year.

Japan Program in the News

Deutsche Welle News, Pacifist Japan Is Rearming—This is Why

Channel News Asia, Trump’s Call for Asian Allies to Help Unblock Strait of Hormuz Is “a Test”

War on the Rocks, Takaichi Charms Trump: Does It Matter?

New York Times, Using Charm and Restraint, Japan’s Leader Mostly Avoids Trump’s Wrath

Christian Science Monitor, Japan Emerges From High-Stakes US Meeting “Unscathed”—but Its China Woes Remain

Deutsche Welle News, The Oval Office Meeting Japan’s Prime Minister Can’t Afford to Get Wrong

Kyodo News, Frankness Needed on China Policy; Expectations for Concrete U.S. Investment (in Japanese)

About the Japan Studies Program

The Japan studies program at CFR aims to meet the demand for greater policy analysis and dialogue between the United States and Japan at a time of considerable global transformations. At both the regional and global levels, the United States and Japan have a common stake in successfully managing new economic and security challenges. Moreover, at a time of significant domestic transitions, the ability for the two countries to work together to find opportunities for effective and timely policy coordination is more important than ever. Under the direction of Sheila A. Smith, the Japan studies program regularly organizes small and large high-level meetings with leading experts on Japan’s foreign policy and domestic issues.

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