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 […]

Masaaki Higashijima (Tohoku University), Naoki Shimizu, Hidekuni Washida, Yuki Yanai, “Mass Reactions to Endogenous Election Timing: Evidence from Conjoint Experiments in Japan”

U.S. EST: March 3 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: March 4 (Fri), 10 – 11 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Paper is available here. Abstract: This paper explores when election timing maneuvering undermines procedural fairness of democratic elections. In parliamentary democracies, incumbents opportunistically time elections. In theorizing about how election timing manipulation affects mass perceptions […]

Remembering Frances Rosenbluth: Scholar, Mentor, and Friend

U.S. EDT: April 14 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: April 15 (Fri), 9 – 10 AM NOTE: Registration required. Last November, we lost a brilliant scholar, inspirational mentor, and generous friend. She was one of the founding members of the Japanese Politics Online Seminar Series (JPOSS). In this session, we will gather together to […]

Yujin Woo (Hitotsubashi University), Jaehyun Song (Kansai University), “Nationally Prioritized Migrant Groups and Public Reaction: Evidence from Framing and Conjoint Experiments in East Asia”

U.S. EDT: June 9 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: June 10 (Fri), 9 – 10 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Paper is available here. Abstract: The government frequently iterate their positions and preferences before its people to win their support. This paper investigates whether the repetitive government messages that prioritize certain migrant groups yield any […]

Jochen Rehmert (University of Zurich), Naofumi Fujimura (Kobe University), “Ideological Positions and Committee Chair Appointments”

U.S. EDT: June 16 (Thu), 9 – 10 AM JST: June 16 (Thu), 10 – 11 PM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Paper is available here. Abstract: Committee chairs hold crucial positions in the legislative process and can push or quell legislative initiatives. While extant studies examine the formal powers and legislative consequences of committee chairs, we […]

Reo Matsuzaki (Trinity College) and Fabian Drixler (Yale University), “The Politics of Omote and Naishō: Performative Compliance and Spaces of Impunity in Meiji Japan”

U.S. ET: Oct 6 (Thu), 8 – 9 PM JST: Oct 7 (Fri), 9 – 10 AM NOTE: Registration required! Link. Paper is available here. Authors: Reo Matsuzaki (Trinity College) and Fabian Drixler (Yale University) Abstract: Around 1900, at least 97 percent of homicide victims in Japan were newborn children. Official statistics obscured this fact by reporting […]

Christina Davis (Harvard University), Jialu Li (Harvard University), and Sayumi Miyano (Princeton University), “Following Peers and Competitors: How Business Managers Evaluate Firm Withdrawals from Russia”

U.S. ET: Nov 9 (Wed), 8 – 9 PM JST: Nov 10 (Thu), 10 – 11 AM Registration: Link. Paper is available here. Authors: Christina Davis (Harvard University), Jialu Li (Harvard University), and Sayumi Miyano (Princeton University) Abstract: States have long used economic sanctions in response to violations of international law as a strategy to […]

Yusaku Horiuchi (Dartmouth College) and Atsushi Tago (Waseda University), “The Pretty Pragmatic Public: Japanese Public Opinion During the Afghanistan Evacuation”

U.S. ET: Dec 15 (Thursday), 8 – 9 PM JST: Dec 16 (Friday), 10 – 11 AM Registration: Link. Paper is available here. Authors: Yusaku Horiuchi (Dartmouth College) and Atsushi Tago (Waseda University) Abstract: Although the need for the U.S. to work with Japan during a future crisis is ever increasing, we do not yet […]

Phillip Lipscy (University of Toronto), “Japan: The Harbinger State”

U.S. ET: Feb 2 (Thursday), 8 – 9 PM JST: Feb 3 (Friday), 10 – 11 AM Registration: Link. Paper is available here. Author: Phillip Y. Lipscy (University of Toronto) About the session: In this state-of-the-field community conversation, Phillip Lipscy will begin by presenting his ideas and data from his recent essay, "Japan: The Harbinger […]

Austin Mitchell (Tohoku University), “Show Me the Money: Explaining Fiscal Capacity Building in Late 16th Century Japan”

  U.S. ET: March 2 (Thursday), 8 – 9 PM JST: March 3 (Friday), 10 – 11 AM Zoom Registration: Link Paper is available here Author: Austin Mitchell (Tohoku University), Minzhao Wang (Peking University), and Weiwen Yin (University of Macau) Abstract: How do rulers develop fiscal capacity in the process of state-building? In this paper, […]

Etienne Gagnon (University of Tokyo), “Good News or Bad News? Political Social Media Messaging During the Tokyo Olympics”

U.S. ET: April 20 (Thursday), 8 – 9 PM JST: April 21 (Friday), 9 – 10 AM Zoom Registration: Link Paper is available here Authors: Etienne Gagnon (University of Tokyo), Kenneth McElwain (University of Tokyo), and Yuya Shibuya (University of Tokyo) Abstract: Sporting events that are unrelated to political competence can nevertheless improve politicians’ standing […]

Hiroki Takeuchi (Southern Methodist University), Keely McNeme (Southern Methodist University), “Comparative One-Party Rule: Japan and Mexico Compared”

U.S. ET: May 18 (Thursday), 8 – 9 PM JST: May 19 (Friday), 9 – 10 AM Zoom Registration: Link Paper is available here. Authors: Hiroki Takeuchi (Southern Methodist University) and Keely McNeme (Southern Methodist University) Abstract: A critical aspect of democracies is the peaceful transition of power between multiple parties through fair and free […]