Key takeaways from the 23rd IISS Shangri...

Robert Ward speaks with Professor Jimbo Ken – Managing Director of the International House of Japan, President of the Asia Pacific Initiative and Professor at the Faculty of Policy Management at Keio University – for a wide-ranging analysis of the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue. This special edition of Japan Memo offers timely and in-depth analysis of the key themes and moments from this year’s Dialogue.

Together, they explore:

●       the overall strategic picture from this year’s Dialogue;

●       US Secretary of Defense Hegseth’s speech: Taiwan, China, and shifts in tone from 2025;

●       Minister Koizumi’s address in English and its strategic significance;

●       the state of Japan–China relations and counter-narratives on ‘new militarism’;

●       Japan–Southeast Asia relations and Japan’s role in upholding regional order.

We hope you enjoy the episode. Please follow, rate, and subscribe to Japan Memo on your preferred podcast platform. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at japanchair@iiss.org.

Date recorded: 31 May 2026

Japan Memo is recorded and produced at the IISS in London.

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