Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
@sfujihira.bsky.social
Executive Director, Program on US-Japan Relations @harvardusjapan.bsky.social. Living on the borders of IR and CP, political economy and security studies, Asia and Europe, theory and practice.
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Congratulations to Faculty Associate Jennifer Lind @proflind.bsky.social on the publication of her latest book, Autocracy 2.0: How China's Rise Reinvented Tyranny. www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Autocracy 2.0 by Jennifer Lind | Hardcover | Cornell University Press
In Autocracy 2.0, Jennifer Lind reveals how China's leaders defied expectations and propelled the country to innovation-superpower status—and what that means for the balance of power and global strugg...
www.cornellpress.cornell.edu
November 19, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Congratulations to Faculty Associate Jennifer Lind @proflind.bsky.social on the publication of her latest book, Autocracy 2.0: How China's Rise Reinvented Tyranny. www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Check out Japan Decides 2024, edited by @kmcelwain.bsky.social (2005-06), Robert Pekkanen, and Faculty Associate @profdansmith.bsky.social, with contributions by Kenya Amano (2023-24), Faculty Associate Saori Katada, @profvekasi.bsky.social (2021-22), and others. link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Japan Decides 2024
This book provides a coherent overall explanation for understanding in the election in both historical and comparative perspective
link.springer.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Check out Japan Decides 2024, edited by @kmcelwain.bsky.social (2005-06), Robert Pekkanen, and Faculty Associate @profdansmith.bsky.social, with contributions by Kenya Amano (2023-24), Faculty Associate Saori Katada, @profvekasi.bsky.social (2021-22), and others. link.springer.com/book/10.1007...
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
this line must have felt irresistible
"...a nationwide surge of aggression by bears that is testing Japan’s traditional belief in harmonious coexistence with nature."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/w...
"...a nationwide surge of aggression by bears that is testing Japan’s traditional belief in harmonious coexistence with nature."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/w...
The Hunt Is On for Bears in Japan After Deadly Attacks
www.nytimes.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:01 AM
this line must have felt irresistible
"...a nationwide surge of aggression by bears that is testing Japan’s traditional belief in harmonious coexistence with nature."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/w...
"...a nationwide surge of aggression by bears that is testing Japan’s traditional belief in harmonious coexistence with nature."
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/w...
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Just a reminder that I'm happy to speak to any journalist, or to recommend other scholars to do so, about why prejudice and "potentially divisive symbols" like swastikas (!) are so harmful to morale and cohesion in militaries
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Just a reminder that I'm happy to speak to any journalist, or to recommend other scholars to do so, about why prejudice and "potentially divisive symbols" like swastikas (!) are so harmful to morale and cohesion in militaries
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Watch the recent online discussion, "Japan's New Prime Minister: What Can We Expect?" co-sponsored w/ the Asian Institute & the Centre for the Study of Global Japan, University of Toronto; and the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (JPSI), Indiana University. youtu.be/7gaIGL_kVfI?...
21JPSI Virtual Seminar - Japan's new Prime Minister, what can we expect?
YouTube video by Hamilton Lugar School at Indiana University
youtu.be
November 12, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Watch the recent online discussion, "Japan's New Prime Minister: What Can We Expect?" co-sponsored w/ the Asian Institute & the Centre for the Study of Global Japan, University of Toronto; and the 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative (JPSI), Indiana University. youtu.be/7gaIGL_kVfI?...
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Tomorrow, 8-9 pm ET: Join us for #JPOSS #57 to discuss Erik Wang's @erik-h-wang.bsky.social paper, “Too Much But Never Enough: Administrative Capacity and Backlashes to State-building in Medieval Japan,” w/ Emily Sellars, Jun Yamasaki, & Christina Davis. Paper & registration: shorturl.at/HQsg1
Erik Wang (New York University), “Too Much But Never Enough: Administrative Capacity and Backlashes to State-building in Medieval Japan” – JPOSS
jposs.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Tomorrow, 8-9 pm ET: Join us for #JPOSS #57 to discuss Erik Wang's @erik-h-wang.bsky.social paper, “Too Much But Never Enough: Administrative Capacity and Backlashes to State-building in Medieval Japan,” w/ Emily Sellars, Jun Yamasaki, & Christina Davis. Paper & registration: shorturl.at/HQsg1
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
i want to repeat this: mamdani and spanberger have run similar campaigns tailored to their respective electorates and it is maddening to watch political journalists attempt to create some broad contrast where none exist
the other thing about this is that there is no reason to pit these candidates against each other? each are good fits for their respective electorates and each shows the value of vigorous campaigns focused on the stated material problems of voters.
November 4, 2025 at 1:37 PM
i want to repeat this: mamdani and spanberger have run similar campaigns tailored to their respective electorates and it is maddening to watch political journalists attempt to create some broad contrast where none exist
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
If anyone needed another reminder of how deeply unpopular the Trump-MAGA Republican agenda is, tonight was the night.
But we cannot relent and we cannot become complacent.
The midterms are right around the corner.
But we cannot relent and we cannot become complacent.
The midterms are right around the corner.
November 5, 2025 at 3:24 AM
If anyone needed another reminder of how deeply unpopular the Trump-MAGA Republican agenda is, tonight was the night.
But we cannot relent and we cannot become complacent.
The midterms are right around the corner.
But we cannot relent and we cannot become complacent.
The midterms are right around the corner.
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the nation’s top diplomat, making deals
just catching up on Bill Belichick’s disastrous year as UNC coach and discovering the exact mechanics of how he secured the job. www.theringer.com/2025/10/31/c...
November 2, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the nation’s top diplomat, making deals
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Want to read what I really think about the Trump administration and the Asia Pacific? Here you go. It’s a goddamn catastrophe for U.S. national interests and for the regional economic and diplomatic order.
A United States that is disintegrating and no longer a leader in Asia
As Trump 2.0 hollows out US state capacity, the Asia Pacific must prepare for a world without US leadership
eastasiaforum.org
November 2, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Want to read what I really think about the Trump administration and the Asia Pacific? Here you go. It’s a goddamn catastrophe for U.S. national interests and for the regional economic and diplomatic order.
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Wut. This is actually way more puzzling than Trump's tweet. 🤔 How on earth are we going to build ROK nuclear-powered subs in... *checks notes*... Philadelphia? If it were that easy we wouldn't be having so much difficulty building our own and the ones we owe Australia.
www.ft.com/content/a6ee...
www.ft.com/content/a6ee...
Donald Trump says South Korea can build nuclear-powered submarines in US
Announcement could rattle China and follows pressure from Seoul to build up its nuclear capacity
www.ft.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Wut. This is actually way more puzzling than Trump's tweet. 🤔 How on earth are we going to build ROK nuclear-powered subs in... *checks notes*... Philadelphia? If it were that easy we wouldn't be having so much difficulty building our own and the ones we owe Australia.
www.ft.com/content/a6ee...
www.ft.com/content/a6ee...
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
On his nearly week-long swing through Asia, President Donald Trump accepted glittering gifts. But there was one thing the president wanted that he didn’t get: a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Free link to our analysis on the one gift that got away:
wapo.st/4hx23ba
Free link to our analysis on the one gift that got away:
wapo.st/4hx23ba
Analysis | Trump wanted one gift in Asia he didn’t get: A visit with Kim Jong Un
The North Korean leader has grown closer to Moscow since he and Trump met in 2019 and did not respond to the U.S. president’s public push for a meeting.
wapo.st
October 30, 2025 at 4:13 PM
On his nearly week-long swing through Asia, President Donald Trump accepted glittering gifts. But there was one thing the president wanted that he didn’t get: a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Free link to our analysis on the one gift that got away:
wapo.st/4hx23ba
Free link to our analysis on the one gift that got away:
wapo.st/4hx23ba
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Private equity gave $10M to Trump's inauguration. He gave them greater access to Americans' 401(k)s.
DuPont and Dow Chemical gave $750K. Trump exempted them from an air pollution rule.
Intuit gave $1M. Trump killed the IRS Direct File Program.
Everything is for sale.
DuPont and Dow Chemical gave $750K. Trump exempted them from an air pollution rule.
Intuit gave $1M. Trump killed the IRS Direct File Program.
Everything is for sale.
October 30, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Private equity gave $10M to Trump's inauguration. He gave them greater access to Americans' 401(k)s.
DuPont and Dow Chemical gave $750K. Trump exempted them from an air pollution rule.
Intuit gave $1M. Trump killed the IRS Direct File Program.
Everything is for sale.
DuPont and Dow Chemical gave $750K. Trump exempted them from an air pollution rule.
Intuit gave $1M. Trump killed the IRS Direct File Program.
Everything is for sale.
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Tuesday, 11/4, 8-9PM ET: Join Director Christina Davis and our Faculty Associates Amy Catalinac, Saori Katada, @adampliff.bsky.social, @lipscy.bsky.social, @profdansmith.bsky.social online to discuss "Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi: What Can We Expect?"
munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/japans...
munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/japans...
Japan's New Prime Minister Takaichi: What Can We Expect?
munkschool.utoronto.ca
October 30, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Tuesday, 11/4, 8-9PM ET: Join Director Christina Davis and our Faculty Associates Amy Catalinac, Saori Katada, @adampliff.bsky.social, @lipscy.bsky.social, @profdansmith.bsky.social online to discuss "Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi: What Can We Expect?"
munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/japans...
munkschool.utoronto.ca/event/japans...
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
I’m not sure “divided” means what Politico thinks it means. www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
October 30, 2025 at 5:23 PM
I’m not sure “divided” means what Politico thinks it means. www.politico.com/news/2025/10...
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
So glad that Harvard is continuing its US-Japan Fellowships. Please consider applying!
Apply to become a Postdoctoral Fellow | Weatherhead
us-japan.wcfia.harvard.edu
October 30, 2025 at 5:03 PM
So glad that Harvard is continuing its US-Japan Fellowships. Please consider applying!
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
To recap: Trump is spending money Congress never appropriated to pay federal employees with guns, and cutting programs and grants even when Congress has appropriated funds.
They literally have a contingency fund for SNAP that they are refusing to use.
No Speaker has done more to weaken Congress.
They literally have a contingency fund for SNAP that they are refusing to use.
No Speaker has done more to weaken Congress.
October 30, 2025 at 4:51 PM
To recap: Trump is spending money Congress never appropriated to pay federal employees with guns, and cutting programs and grants even when Congress has appropriated funds.
They literally have a contingency fund for SNAP that they are refusing to use.
No Speaker has done more to weaken Congress.
They literally have a contingency fund for SNAP that they are refusing to use.
No Speaker has done more to weaken Congress.
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Paging @darinself.com
BREAKING: Inspired by Trump, Utah moves forward with plan to force homeless people into detention camps.
“It’s what they did in World War II in Japanese detention camps--similar to rounding up Jews or other people Nazis didn’t like.” @jesserbnwtz.bsky.social
buff.ly/0B3ndrk
“It’s what they did in World War II in Japanese detention camps--similar to rounding up Jews or other people Nazis didn’t like.” @jesserbnwtz.bsky.social
buff.ly/0B3ndrk
In Utah, Trump’s Vision for Homelessness Begins to Take Shape
State officials promise large-scale involuntary addiction and mental health treatment at Salt Lake City’s edge. Critics see “a prison, or a warehouse.”
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Paging @darinself.com
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
There’s now four times as much solar power as the IEA expected 10 years ago. Last year alone, the world installed 553 gigawatts of solar power—roughly as much as 100 million U.S. homes use—which is 1,500% more than the IEA had projected www.fastcompany.com/91430305/ren...
Renewable energy and EVs have grown so much faster than experts predicted 10 years ago
A decade after the Paris agreement, climate action is moving quicker than you might think.
www.fastcompany.com
October 30, 2025 at 7:29 PM
There’s now four times as much solar power as the IEA expected 10 years ago. Last year alone, the world installed 553 gigawatts of solar power—roughly as much as 100 million U.S. homes use—which is 1,500% more than the IEA had projected www.fastcompany.com/91430305/ren...
Please apply to join our super-fun and engaged social science community @harvardusjapan.bsky.social at @weatherheadcenter.bsky.social for the next 2026-27 academic year!!
For the 2026-27 academic year, we will offer two types of postdoctoral fellowships, with support from the Edwin O. Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies and the Japan Foundation. Please see details and ARIeS application portals here: us-japan.wcfia.harvard.edu/apply-become...
Apply to become a Postdoctoral Fellow | Weatherhead
us-japan.wcfia.harvard.edu
October 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Please apply to join our super-fun and engaged social science community @harvardusjapan.bsky.social at @weatherheadcenter.bsky.social for the next 2026-27 academic year!!
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
I spoke with @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social for this story on Takaichi, which also features great insights from Christina Davis @harvardusjapan.bsky.social, @mireyasolis.bsky.social, @kristigovella.bsky.social, and @sheilasmithcfr.bsky.social thedispatch.com/newsletter/m...
Japan’s Iron Lady
Sanae Takaichi is set to inherit a Japan reshaped by inflation, weak growth, and political turnover.
thedispatch.com
October 11, 2025 at 5:35 PM
I spoke with @thedispatchmedia.bsky.social for this story on Takaichi, which also features great insights from Christina Davis @harvardusjapan.bsky.social, @mireyasolis.bsky.social, @kristigovella.bsky.social, and @sheilasmithcfr.bsky.social thedispatch.com/newsletter/m...
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Japanese politics was rocked on Friday as the Kōmeitō announced it would leave its coalition with the LDP after twenty-six years. To understand why this happened and what it means, I wrote a guide for the perplexed.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Kōmeitō quits the coalition
A guide for the perplexed
open.substack.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Japanese politics was rocked on Friday as the Kōmeitō announced it would leave its coalition with the LDP after twenty-six years. To understand why this happened and what it means, I wrote a guide for the perplexed.
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
open.substack.com/pub/observin...
Reposted by Shinju Fujihira, PhD. 藤平新樹
Ishiba's address on the eightieth anniversary of the end of the war is really worth reading:
japan.kantei.go.jp/content/0001...
japan.kantei.go.jp/content/0001...
japan.kantei.go.jp
October 10, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Ishiba's address on the eightieth anniversary of the end of the war is really worth reading:
japan.kantei.go.jp/content/0001...
japan.kantei.go.jp/content/0001...