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Politics in Japan: Think Tanks

GOVT 296/ CEAS 296: This introductory course begins with an overview of the Japanese political system: its historical origins, institutional structures, and main actors. The course then moves on to explore specific policy areas.

Foreign Policy & Research Institutes

Japan 

Japan Policy Research Institute (JPRI) - A private, nonpartisan policy think-tank based in Japan. Conduct Japan's foreign policies and makes proposals to the Japanese government.

Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) - Japan's foremost center for producing and disseminating ideas on international relations.

The National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) - Policy research institute under Ministry of Defense, Japan, Conduct research on security and military history.

Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) - Seeks to inform world opinion of Japanese ideas on Japan and international affairs. 

US

Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) - American think tank based in Washington, D.C. Conducts policy studies and strategic analysis of political, economic and security issues

The Brookings Institution - Leading institution that conducts research on Japan and holds numerous lectures and events.

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace (CEIP) - Dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States.

Woodrow Wilson International Center for ScholarsAsia Program - Provides a forum for bringing historical depth and contemporary understanding of Asia.

RAND InternationalCenter for Asia Pacific Policy - Improves policy by providing decision-makers and the public with rigorous, objective, cutting-edge research on critical policy challenges facing Asia and U.S.-Asia relations.

Pew Research Center for the People and the Press - Studies attitudes toward politics, the press and public policy issues. It serves as a valuable information resource for political leaders, journalists, scholars and citizens.

Labor & Demographics

National Institute of Population and Social Security Research / 国立社会保障・人口問題研究所

Asian Population and Development Association (APDA) / アジア人口・開発協会

works toward fulfilling its mission to address population and development issues and build a sustainable society where every person can live with dignity.

Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training (JILPT) / 労働政策研究・研修機構

Contributes to the planning of labor policies and work toward their effective and efficient implementation.

International Affairs

Atlantic Council  Promotes constructive U.S. leadership and engagement in international affairs based on the central role of the Atlantic community in meeting the international challenges of the 21st century. 
Cato Institute  Aims to increase the understanding of public policies based on the principles of limited government, free markets, individual liberty, and peace. 
Chatham House  
Foreign Policy Research Institute Devoted to bringing the insights of scholarship to bear on the development of policies that advance U.S. national interests.  
Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI)  Stanford University's primary center for innovative research on major international issues and challenges.  
French Institute of International Relations
Heritage Foundation  Mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense.  

Economy & Market

Economic and Social Research Institute / 経済社会総合研究所 
Institute of Developing Economies, Japan External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO) / 日本貿易振興機構 アジア経済研究所 
Aims to make intellectual contributions to the world as a leading center of social-science research on developing regions.  
Economic Research Institute for Northeast Asia (ERINA) / 環日本海経済研究所  
Pursues research into the trends in economic development and activities to promote economic exchange within the region, aiming at the development of the Northeast Asian economy and economic exchange.  
Institute for International Socio-Economic Studies (IISE) / 国際社会経済研究所  
Detects and analyzes major changes in business environment and socio-economic activities, which will emerge from the development of the information society.  
Japan Center for Economic Research (JCER) / 日本経済研究センター  
Offers a variety of seminars,economic forecasts and research for corporate members.  
Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI) / 経済産業研究所  
Established on April 1, 2001 as a new platform to bring about creative and innovative policy debates based on world-class research, analysis and policy studies from mid- and long-term strategic perspectives.  
NLI Research Institute / ニッセイ基礎研究所  
Performs basic and solution-oriented research, spanning areas such as domestic and international economics and finance, social security including pension and long-term care issues, and housing and urban development.  
Mizuho Research Institute / みずほ総合研究所  
Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting / 三菱UFJリサーチ&コンサルティング  
Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Research Institute / 三井住友トラスト基礎研究所