As part of the show’s tour in Japan, “Taiwan Talks” sat down with Professor Greg Dvorak of Waseda University to speak about the future of Taiwan’s relations with Pacific Island nations, and Japan’s critical role in the region. Dvorak is an expert of and grew up in the Marshall Islands, and he digs into the significance of President Lai Ching-te choosing the island nation for his first overseas trip as president of Taiwan. We also spoke to IHS Jane’s Defence Correspondent Takahashi Kosuke on Japan’s security policy, strategy toward Taiwan, and the importance of U.S. aircraft carriers for deterrence in the region. Finally, we met with Watanabe Tsuneo, Sasakawa Peace Foundation senior security fellow, to discuss Japan’s security alliances in the Indo-Pacific, why the Japanese public is ready to boost its defense spending in prevention of potential contingencies, and how policies may change as Trump retakes the U.S. presidency.
Our guests are:
Greg Dvorak
- Waseda University Graduate School of International Culture and Communication Studies Professor
Takahashi Kosuke
- IHS Jane’s Defence Japan correspondent
Watanabe Tsuneo
- Sasakawa Peace Foundation Senior Fellow
Chapters
00:00:00 – Introduction
00:00:49 – Taiwan-Pacific Islands Relations
00:03:47 – How Are Pacific Islands Balancing Great Power Pressures?
00:07:16 – Japan’s Security Connections in the Pacific Region
00:11:13 – Japan’s Strategy on Taiwan Security
00:13:09 – Importance of U.S. Aircrafts in the Region
00:14:52 – Japan’s Role in Deterring Contingencies
00:16:52 – Japanese Defense Spending
00:18:48 – Security Alliances With U.S., Taiwan, Philippines
#Taiwan #Pacific #Japan #LaiChingte #MarshallIslands #Diplomacy #Alliances #US #Defense #China #Security #Climate #Military #PacificIslands #TaiwanTalks
