Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research: Report on Discussions in Diplomacy Program with Japanese Professors

Free and Open Indo-Pacific a Top U.S. Foreign Policy Challenge

Although the Biden administration is, of course, focused on the domestic challenges of the pandemic and economy, a critical issue that will demand its attention for the foreseeable future is ensuring a “free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The Crossley Center for Public Opinion Research, with the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver, has been sponsoring a two-year program of open dialogue between Japanese and American professors on the Japanese-American alliance and the Indo-Pacific region.

The program began just before the pandemic took hold in March 2020 and continued through the fall and winter on Zoom. The four programs held thus far include:

• “Japan-China-U.S. and Japan’s vision for the Indo-Pacific.” Feb. 4, 2020. Participants: Minister Noriyuki Shikata, Prof. Suisheng Zhao, Dean Fritz Mayer (intro and discussant) and Prof. Floyd Ciruli (moderator)
•  “Japan-U.S. Alliance and the 2020 Election.” March 2-3, 2020. Participants: Prof. Koji Murata, Researcher Dina Smeltz, Prof. Suisheng Zhao, Amb. Christopher Hill, Dean Fritz Mayer (welcome) and Prof. Floyd Ciruli (moderator)
• “Foreign Policy Impact of Election: U.S. and Japan.” Nov. 11, 2020. Participants: Prof. Toshihiro Nakayama, Amb. Chris Hill and Prof. Floyd Ciruli (moderator)
•  “The United Nations: Japan and U.S. in the Suga, Biden Era.” Dec. 9, 2020. Participants: Prof. Tim Sisk, Prof. Akiko Fukushima and Prof. Floyd Ciruli (moderator)