Speaker: Glen S. Fukushima, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress

Overview:
On November 14, 2009, President Barack Obama concluded his speech at Suntory Hall in Tokyo with the following words: “As America’s first Pacific President, I promise you that this Pacific nation [USA] will strengthen and sustain our leadership in this vitally important part of the world.”  What followed was the “Asia Pivot” or “Asia Rebalance”—focusing America’s time, attention, and resources to Asia in recognition of the region’s importance as a center of economic dynamism, population growth, political tensions, and potential military conflicts. The subsequent Administrations of Donald Trump (2017-2021), Joe Biden (2021-2025), and Donald Trump (2025- ) have continued to recognize the importance of Asia for the future of the United States and for the world.

What is the reality behind the rhetoric?  In what ways has America’s relationship with Asia truly changed over the past 16 years?  What has been the role of various actors in the region—including China, India, Japan, South Korea, North Korea, Taiwan, Australia, ASEAN, etc.? What about the role of Americans of Asian ancestry?

Please join us for a discussion of these pertinent and timely issues with Glen S. Fukushima, whose engagement with U.S.-Asia relations has spanned over five decades as a student, journalist, lawyer, government official, and business executive. 
 

Moderator: Kyle Cleveland, ICAS Co-director and Associate Professor of Sociology, Temple University Japan

  Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies, Temple University, Japan Campus  https://www.tuj.ac.jp/icas | icas@tuj.temple.edu