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US-Japan Relationship from Security Perspective (November 18, 2024)

Session(s) date

Session(s) date: 
Monday, November 18, 2024 - 4:00pm

Professor Hikotani from Gakushuin University will join an upcoming K-12 educator event to explore key issues surrounding the U.S.-Japan relationship, with a focus on security. With her extensive expertise in security studies, Professor Hikotani will provide valuable insights into the historical and contemporary dimensions of the alliance between the two nations, including evolving regional threats and collaborative defense initiatives. This event aims to equip educators with knowledge and perspectives that can enhance students' understanding of international relations and the unique dynamics within the U.S.-Japan partnership.

During the session, Professor Hikotani will discuss recent shifts in security policy, including Japan's increased role in regional defense and its implications for both countries. She will cover how these changes affect East Asia and the broader Pacific, providing context for educators to address complex topics in their classrooms. Her analysis will include factors such as technological advancements in defense, strategic challenges, and the influence of global superpowers on Japan's security posture, offering educators a deeper understanding of security issues in a globalized world. Following the presentation, educators will have the chance to engage in a Q&A with Professor Hikotani, allowing them to ask questions and discuss ways to integrate these concepts into their curricula. This interactive component aims to empower teachers to address real-world topics, from alliance-building to conflict resolution, within K-12 education.
 
Guest Speaker

Professor Takako Hikotani
Professor Takako Hikotani is a distinguished scholar in international relations, specializing in civil-military relations, Japanese foreign policy, and modern Japanese politics. She currently serves as a Professor at Gakushuin University’s International Centre. Previously, she was the Gerald L. Curtis Associate Professor of Modern Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy at Columbia University from 2016 to 2021, and she remains affiliated with Columbia as an Adjunct Senior Research Scholar at the Weatherhead East Asian Institute.

Professor Hikotani has also taught at the National Defense Academy of Japan, where she served as an Associate Professor, and has lectured at the Ground Self Defense Force and Air Self Defense Force Staff Colleges, as well as the National Institute for Defense Studies. Her expertise is further demonstrated by her extensive publications, which include influential works such as “The Japanese Diet and defense policy-making” in International Affairs (2018), and “Trump’s Gift to Japan: Time for Tokyo to Invest in the Liberal Order” in Foreign Affairs (2017). Her academic background includes a BA from Keio University, MAs from both Keio University and Stanford University, and a PhD in Political Science from Columbia University. She has held fellowships with prestigious institutions, including Princeton University, the US-Japan Foundation, and the Suntory Foundation.

Topics Covered:

  • Overview of the U.S.-Japan Alliance
  • Japan’s Evolving Defense Policy and Security Challenges
  • Implications of Regional Security Threats in East Asia
  • Technological Advancements and Collaborative Defense Efforts
  • The Influence of Global Superpowers on Japan’s Strategic Position

 

Overview: 

Japan Society and the USC U.S.-China Institute are excited to offer a professional development workshop for K-12 educators. It is offered in partnership with the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia and with support from the Freeman Foundation. This is a unique opportunity to gain insights from leading experts and explore educational resources that bring history to life and explore global issues.

 
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