The Center for Global Partnership

When John Hill, Regional Director for Northeast Asia, U.S. Department of Defense and one of the first U.S. government officials selected as a Mansfield Fellow, spoke before an audience of more than 100 American and Japanese policymakers in Tokyo this summer, I was struck by the familiarity of his words and their urgency. John outlined the traditional framework of the U.S.-Japan alliance and advocated for Japan's consideration of further policy changes to keep up with twenty-first century challenges. He said that transformation of the alliance is important "to make sure that it remains capable of achieving the common strategic objectives that the US and Japan have established and that it remains capable in the 21^st century of securing its role in the Asia Pacific region." I sensed that others in the room, including John's former colleagues in the Japan Defense Agency, elected officials, policymakers, and U.S. government officials, all had the same feeling.

Standing: Naoyuki Agawa (Abe Fellow 1994-96), Yoshimasa Hayashi (LDP), Paige Cottingham-Streater (Mansfield Foundation), Colonel Koichiro Bansho (JSDF), Hideya Taida (CGP). Seated: John Hill (Mansfield Fellow 1995-97), Etel Solingen (Abe Fellow 2001-03), Mark Staples (Mansfield Fellow 1999-01), Motohiro Tsuchiya (Abe Fellow 2000-02).

In planning the July 19, 2005, symposium entitled, "Non-traditional Security: Transforming the Japan-U.S. Alliance," with the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP), my goal was to provide a program that would offer value added to the ongoing U.S.-Japan dialogue. What format and speakers would contribute to increasing understanding of the status of the alliance and strengthening the bilateral relationship?

When presented with the opportunity to collaborate with CGP to organize a public symposium featuring Abe Fellows and Mansfield Fellows, I eagerly accepted. Personally and professionally, I thought that collaboration made sense. Beyond the obvious -- two relatively young programs named in honor of prominent leaders who respected each other -- the Abe Fellowships and Mansfield Fellowships share the same values and strive to achieve similar goals. Moreover, as a longtime student of Japan, I was anxious to promote new voices and an examination of contemporary issues important to both Japan and the United States.

We brought together American and Japanese scholars, whose research focused on a theoretical examination of the U.S.-Japan security relationship, and practitioners with day-to-day experience shaping and implementing security policy. I believe that the combined expertise of the academicians and policymakers added a new dimension to the discussion on the future direction of the U.S.-Japan alliance; underscored the importance of exchanges in developing a new generation of Japan specialists who have first-hand knowledge about Japan; and demonstrated the transformation of the U.S.-Japan relationship.

After hearing from John Hill and the other participants -- Colonel Koichiro Bansho, JSDF; Naoyuki Agawa, professor at Keio University; Lt. Colonel Mark Staples, U.S. Navy (Ret.); Dr. Etel Solingen, University of California, Irvine; and Dr. Motohiro Tsuchiya, professor at Keio University -- I came away reassured that a new generation of specialists is emerging whose unique perspectives can nurture and contribute to the bilateral relationship. This so-called "next generation" has inherited twentieth-century issues including Japan's use of military forces, economic reform, and Japanese imports of U.S. agricultural products, among others - yet they offer twenty-first century ideas and solutions.

For example, Commander Mark Staples suggested that information technology can help U.S. and Japanese naval ships defend themselves against threats in international waters. In addition, technology can support information sharing between U.S. and Japanese law enforcement agencies to combat terrorism. Demonstrating the applications of information technology, Professor Tsuchiya recommended an expansion of the definition of policymakers to recognize the contributions of technocrats in promoting change. These new ideas respond to the new environment in which we live. Unprecedented natural disasters and acts of terrorism have implications for not only the United States and Japan, but also for the entire Asia-Pacific region and international community.

As director of the Mike Mansfield Fellowships since 1995, when the first group of Fellows was selected, I listened to the speakers with interest and a sense of pride in their accomplishments. During their fellowships, the former fellows had been placed in various offices of Japan's Defense Agency as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, METI and Keidanren. Japan and the United States enjoy a long history of grassroots, educational, and cultural exchanges. These opportunities to build friendships, trust and mutual understanding are an invaluable investment in the future of strong bilateral relations. The professional and intellectual exchanges such as the Abe Fellowships and Mansfield Fellowships build on past successes and ensure continuation of a close U.S.-Japan relationship.

These days, programs with a focus on Japan are challenged to demonstrate their relevance in the current international landscape characterized by an emerging China, the unpredictable Korean peninsula, and conflicts in the Middle East. In fact, this very same geopolitical environment is the best reason not to ignore Japan. Although differences remain on some policy issues between Japan and the United States, maturation of the relationship makes it possible to challenge friends, examine domestic policies, and support a new role in the international community. The strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship is grounded in professional relationships that have evolved among decisionmakers in Japan and the United States. Whether participating in joint humanitarian missions or sitting side-by-side in an office, lab or classroom, international exchanges are priceless.

The Mansfield Fellowship Program's namesake, Mike Mansfield, was known for his understated leadership and deep respect for and knowledge of Japan and Asia. Recognized early on as a member of Congress with rare, in-depth Asia expertise, Mike Mansfield shaped U.S. foreign policy based on his firsthand, practical understanding of the needs of the region. Over time, Abe Fellows and Mansfield Fellows are increasingly important contributors to this U.S.-Japan dialogue -- offering practical solutions to shared interests and concerns. I welcome future opportunities to promote dialogue on timely issues.

The views expressed above are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views of this organization.