Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies

Applications for The Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies Policy Research Fellows Program are open. Reischauer Policy Research Fellows will personally assist Dr. Kent Calder, Director of the Reischauer Center, with projects related to the Center’s mission of supporting the study of transpacific and intra-Asian relations. Recent topics include but are not limited to policy best practices in U.S.-Japan relations such as infrastructure, public diplomacy, and public health; the role of cities in global governance; the functioning of Washington’s “idea industry” and government-business relations; global energy security policy; and comparative Eurasian political economy.

For more information about the fellowship and on how to apply, please click here: https://www.reischauercenter.org/programs/fellows-program/

On November 28th, Brookings Director of the Center for East Asia Policy Studies (CEAP) and Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies Dr. Mireya Solís visited the Reischauer Center to discuss key findings from her latest book, Japan’s Quiet Leadership. In her remarks, Dr. Solís summarized her book, which provides a sweeping look at Japan’s domestic economic and political evolution, its economic statecraft, and the array of geopolitical challenges that have triggered a gradual but substantial shift in the country’s security profile. It also explains how Japan’s trajectory over the last three decades underscores Japan’s hidden strengths in its democratic resilience, social stability, and proactive diplomacy while reckoning with the profound challenges of depopulation, rising inequality, voter disengagement, and threats to Asia’s long peace.

On November 9th, Hiroshima Prefecture Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki visited the Reischauer Center to discuss the history of and future prospects for Hiroshima. In his remarks, Governor Yuzaki explained that despite Hiroshima once being reduced to ashes by an atomic bomb, the city has risen to become a regional economic leader. Underscoring this, Governor Yuzaki pointed to the May G7 Summit hosted by Hiroshima. He continued to explain that Hiroshima is now trying to channel this experience to create a truly sustainable future for future generations, especially by raising awareness about nuclear weapons.

On November 2nd, Korea National Defense University Professor Hanbyeol Sohn visited the Reischauer Center to discuss the evolving challenges in the international security landscape, and the additional efforts needed to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the ROK-US alliance beyond "Integrated Deterrence.” In his remarks, Professor Sohn explained that this approach creates future capabilities, securing long-term national interests and readiness for the future.

On November 10th, Ambassador John Roos, Geodesic Capital CEO and former United States Ambassador to Japan, visited the Reischauer Center to deliver the keynote address at the Reischauer Memorial Lecture. In his remarks, Ambassador Roos discussed the importance of a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem for Japan and the role of trans-Pacific cooperation in supporting and stimulating its development. The lecture was then followed by a Q&A session and reception.

On Tuesday, September 26, Professor Marcin Grabowski visited the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies to discuss the effects of the Ukraine war on the East Asia Regional system. Director of the Centre of International Studies and Development of the distinguished Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Professor Grabowski has extensively researched institutional arrangements of the Asia-Pacific region. Utilizing this knowledge, Professor Grabowski analyzed how the power vacuum left by a weakening Russia has altered the power dynamics in East Asia. Ultimately, he posited that this power vacuum has made countries in the region shift closer to either China or the United States based on their alignment with Russia. In the Q&A section of the discussion, Professor Grabowski said that such shifts have enabled China to enhance its role in East Asia without the need to intervene in Ukraine.

On Friday, September 29, visiting the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies, Professor Eunjung Lim discussed whether or not the U.S.-Japan-South Korea Trilateral Summit would be a “gamechanger.” Speaking from her wealth of knowledge on all three nations, Professor Lim examined several aspects of the summit and their implications on the trilateral relationship. She began by pointing to North Korea and China, both mutual security concerns among all three nations, as a major cause of enabling the summit to take place. She then explored the challenges that may undermine sustainable trilateral cooperation, such as the upcoming U.S. presidential election and low approval ratings for Japanese and South Korean leadership. Ultimately, Professor Lim suggested that the three countries utilize the early momentum generated by the summit to begin meaningful dialogue with China. Moreover, in the Q&A session, she highlighted energy and cyber security as the most promising areas for trilateral collaboration and formulation of concrete policy.

On Thursday, September 21, Reischauer Center members and SAIS students gathered to listen to Professor Seong-ik Oh discuss the political economy of energy security in Korea and Japan. In his analysis, Professor Oh emphasized the fact that despite their similarities, the distinct political structures of Japan and South Korea have resulted in divergent approaches to addressing their respective energy security challenges. Exploring this causal relationship, Professor Oh outlined the findings from his book, "Overseas Energy Investment of Korea and Japan: How Did Two East Asian Resources-Rare Industrial Giants Respond to Energy Security Challenges?" Notably, Professor Oh highlighted the manner in which distinct political structures give rise to varying dynamics between policymakers and veto actors. In the Q&A session, Professor Oh also clarified the reason that Japan has more veto actors than South Korea is attributed to Japan's bicameral parliament, compared to South Korea's unicameral system.

On May 12th, Reischauer Center members and alumni gathered for a final farewell to SAIS's historic Rome Building, in anticipation of SAIS's move to its new building at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue. Reischauer Center Director Kent Calder, Professor William Brooks, Research Coordinator Neave Denny, and other important members of the Reischauer Center community gave speeches reflecting on the Reischauer Center's time in the Rome Building, and on the many exciting opportunities to come after the move to 555 Penn.

REISCHAUER POLICY RESEARCH FELLOWS PROGRAM

The 2023-2024 Policy Research Fellows Application is OPEN!

PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Inaugurated in May 2013, the Reischauer Policy Research Fellows Program is a critical element of the Reischauer Center at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, DC. It is designed to support the Center’s various research initiatives, while also providing recent undergraduate or graduate students with broad practical experience regarding the public and private sector analysis process. Fellowships are paid and tenable for one academic year beginning in August 2023 with the potential for renewal for an additional year.

More information about our activities can be found on the Reischauer Center’s website and page. Please direct any questions about the position or application process to the Research and Program Coordinator at [email protected].

JOB DESCRIPTION
Research Fellows personally assist Dr. Kent Calder, Director of the Reischauer Center, with projects related to the Center’s mission of supporting the study of transpacific and intra-Asian relations. Recent topics include, but are not limited to: policy best practices in U.S.-Japan relations such as infrastructure, public diplomacy, and public health; the role of cities in global governance; the functioning of Washington’s “idea industry” and government-business relations; global energy security policy; and comparative Eurasian political economy. The 2023-2024 academic year will focus on US-Japan Health, Infrastructure and Space Cooperation in the Post-COVID World; Northeast Asia Economics; and the Geopolitical and Geo-economic Transformation of Eurasia.

Fellows also provide logistical support for seminars, luncheons, and conferences offered by the Reischauer Center. They are able to interact with senior researchers affiliated with the Center as part of our Visiting Scholars Program, who typically join us for one academic year from various government agencies in Japan. Furthermore, Fellows are welcome to participate in events in the larger Johns Hopkins SAIS community and are frequently able to attend courses relating to Japan Studies and Asian political economy.

IDEAL QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Political Science, International Relations, Economics, History, East Asian Studies, or a related field
• Interest in East Asian regional issues, especially Japan
• Exceptional research, writing, and editing skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and familiarity with online academic databases
• Ability to work both independently and in a team setting
• Work experience in East Asia, such as the JET Program, preferred
• Fluency in relevant languages such as Japanese, Korean, or Chinese

HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants should send a resume, cover letter, and a 1,000 word writing sample to the Reischauer Center at [email protected]. Previously submitted papers or memos are acceptable, as well as excerpts of longer works.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis starting June 1st, with final decisions made no later than July 2023. First round interviews will start in June.

On Wednesday, March 15th, Kenneth Juster, former U.S. Ambassador to India (2017-2021) and student of both Ambassador Edwin Reischauer and Reischauer Center director Dr. Kent Calder, delivered the annual Reischauer Center Memorial Lecture to an audience of students and honored guests. Ambassador Juster spoke on the subject of Japan-India relations, noting not only the importance of the bilateral relationship between two, but also their evolving roles as pillars of the greater Indo-Pacific, a region of ever-growing geostrategic significance. Following his address, Ambassador Juster joined students and guests for a reception to socialize and address further questions.

On the weekend of April 15th-16th, the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies hosted a booth at the 2023 National Cherry Blossom Festival. The booth, located in front of the upcoming SAIS campus at 555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, was hosted by 20 student and staff volunteers with activities including trivia, Japanese calligraphy, a Japanese traditional game known as Fukuwarai, and Kendama, a traditional Japanese toy.

In addition to the myriad of guests who participated in these activities, we also had two VIP visits. On the 15th, the booth was visited by Japanese Ambassador to the United States, Koji Tomita.

On the second day of the festival, the First Lady of Japan, Ms. Yuko Kishida, visited with members of the center and learned about our research initiatives. We were thrilled to meet with her and share our international experiences.

Thank you to our Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies | SAIS and Reischauer Center alumni for volunteering and coming to visit!