Foreign Affairs Discussion Group
The Witherle Library Foreign Affairs discussion group will meet by zoom on Wednesday, September 3 from 5-6pm. The topic will be US-Japan relations, including the impact of US policies on recent Japanese elections, the debate on remilitarization and nuclear arms development, and the recent US-Japan trade/tariff agreement. All are welcome. Moderated by Barbara Griffiths.
Below is a suggested reading list:
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), 7/21/25, “Japan’s Upper House Election: Prolonged Instability” (clickable)
BBC, 7/27/25, “The rise of Japan’s far right was supercharged by Trump – and tourists” (clickable)
New York Times (NYT), 7/23/25, “Behind Japan’s Trade Deal: 8 Rounds of Talks and ‘Hurrying Slowly’” (clickable with subscription or available at Witherle Library)
NYT, 8/6/25, “Why Japan is Rethinking It’s Peace Vow” (clickable with subscription or available at Witherle Library)
The Atlantic “The New Arms Race” August 2025 p. 26 (print edition) or same article on line “The Nuclear Club may Soon Double” 7/8/25 (clickable with subscription or available at Witherle Library). A long article about South Korea and Japan, with Japan featured in the second half of the article.