Yu Jin Woo (Waseda University), Ikuo Kume (Waseda University), “Taking Gains from Trade (More) Seriously: The Effects of Consumer Perspective on Free Trade in Contemporary Japan”

U.S. EDT: June 10 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: June 11 (Fri), 9 – 10 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Abstract: How did the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) persistently pursue the TPP negotiations without harming its overall public support? In understanding individuals’ preferences toward trade liberalization, the traditional literature on international political economy has […]

Hiroki Takeuchi (Southern Methodist University), “Global Value Chains and Domestic Politics Response to Trade: China, Japan, and the United States Compared”

U.S. EDT: June 24 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: June 25 (Fri), 9 – 10 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Abstract: During the 1990s, the nature of globalization began to change. Fragmentation of manufacturing led to the development of global value chains (GVCs) by multinational corporations, and it has become common practice for different stages […]

Charmaine Willis (University at Albany, SUNY), “Framing the Conversation: the US Military and Anti-US-Military Activism in Japan”

U.S. EDT: August 5 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: August 6 (Fri), 9 – 10 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Abstract: Since the end of WWII, the US has maintained a military presence in Japan with bases spread throughout the archipelago. Tensions emerge periodically between the base presence and the local population, particularly on the […]

Panel: “Career Paths and Job Market Strategies for Japan Scholars”

U.S. EDT: September 23 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: September 24 (Fri), 9 – 10 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Panelists: Sherry L. Martin (U.S. Department of State), Kenneth Mori McElwain (University of Tokyo), Kristin Vekasi (Harvard Program on U.S.-Japan Relations; University of Maine). Chair: Christina L. Davis (Harvard University). .

John W. Cheng (Tsuda University), Masaru Nishikawa (Tsuda University), Ikuma Ogura (Georgetown University), Nicholas A. R. Fraser (University of California, Berkeley), “Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Willingness to Pay for Online Conspiracy Theory Content – Evidence from Japan”

U.S. EDT: October 14 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: October 15 (Fri), 9 – 10 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Abstract: This study examines whether conspiracy believers in Japan are willing to act on their beliefs using a concept from economics known as willingness to pay. Specifically, we conducted a conjoint experiment (n=1,098) to test […]

Daniel Koss (Harvard University), “Evolving Linkage Strategies: The Resilience of the LDP-Postmasters Alliance”

U.S. EDT: November 4 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: November 5 (Fri), 9 – 10 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Paper is available here. Abstract: To build linkages with citizens, parties piggyback on the networks of partner associations. This research note explores the enduring alliance between the LDP and the postmasters, assessing to which the […]

Pinar Temocin (Hiroshima University), “Rethinking Environmental Mobilization: Civic Engagement in Post Fukushima Japan”

U.S. EST: December 2 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: December 3 (Fri), 10 – 11 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Paper can be found here. Abstract: This study focuses on the interaction between environmental civil society organizations (ECSOs) and the Japanese state to find out how these actors have framed, articulated, and interpreted their goals […]

“Field Research When There’s Limited Access to the Field: Lessons From Japan”

U.S. EST: January 27 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: January 28 (Fri), 10 – 11 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Paper can be found here. Co-authors: Kenya Amano (University of Washington) Melanie Sayuri Dominguez (University of New Mexico) Timothy Fraser (Northeastern University) Etienne Gagnon (University of Tokyo) Trevor Incerti (Yale University) Jinhyuk Jang (Pennsylvania State […]

Shusei Eshima (Harvard University), Yusaku Horiuchi (Dartmouth College), Shiro Kuriwaki (Stanford University/Yale University), Daniel M. Smith (Columbia University), “Winning Elections with Unpopular Policies: Understanding Single-Party Dominance in Japan”

U.S. EST: February 10 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: February 11 (Fri), 10 – 11 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Abstract: Spatial theories of electoral competition assume that parties win votes by proposing popular policies. Other theories suggest the relevance of voters’ non-policy—or valence—considerations. To what extent do voters make their choices based on policies […]