WebinarTuesday 4 November 2025
12:00pm – 1:15pm (UK) / 9:00pm – 10:15pm (Japan)
Japan’s Security Policy in a New Era of Geopolitical Tensions
Online webinar, accessible remotely via Zoom
Organised by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation
Booking closedIn the context of increasing global tension, the world has been experiencing a surge of conflict. Wars continue to rage in Ukraine and Gaza, while tensions in East Asia remain high. Where should Japan’s foreign and security policy be headed, at a time when the international order is being profoundly shaken by the United States, the now avowedly illiberal leader of the ‘free world’?
In this webinar, moderated by Linus Hagström, Professor Nakano discussed recent security-related legislation, the expanding role of the Self-Defense Forces, the implications for Japan’s peace constitution as well as the principle of constitutionalism, and the effects of emerging right-wing populist political parties on political decision-making. He also shared recommendations for maintaining peace in East Asia at a time of flux and uncertainty.
The recording video of this webinar can be viewed here:
About the contributors
Professor Koichi Nakano
Koichi Nakano is a Professor of Political Science at the Faculty of Liberal Arts, Sophia University, and was a Visiting Scholar at the Weatherhead Program on US-Japan Relations at Harvard University (2024-2025). He has a BA in Philosophy from the University of Tokyo, a second BA in Philosophy and Politics from the University of Oxford and an MA and PhD from Princeton University. He specializes in the comparative politics of advanced industrial democracies, with a focus on Japan, and in political theory. His recent research has centred on topics including constitutional politics and civic activism, neoliberal globalisation and nationalism, and national security and democracy in East Asia. He has published widely in English and in Japanese, and has been a frequent contributor to Japanese and international media. At Harvard, he conducted research on the transformation of one-party dominance in Japan in the context of rising tensions between the US and China.
Professor Linus Hagström (moderator)
Linus Hagström is a Professor of Political Science at the Swedish Defence University. During 2024–2025, he has been a visiting professor at Waseda University, Stockholm University and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Hagström’s research focuses on identity, power and international security, encompassing the roles of narrative, emotions and discipline. Empirically, he focuses on East Asian international politics – especially Japanese security policy – but also researches great power politics and security policy involving Sweden. Hagström has recently published peer-reviewed articles in the Journal of International Relations and Development, the Review of International Studies, International Relations of the Asia-Pacific, European Journal of International Relations and International Studies Quarterly.