November 13, 2017, Columbus - As part of the 2017-18 Institute for Japanese Studies (IJS) Lecture Series, Kaoru Iokibe, Professor, Graduate Schools for Law and Politics, University of Tokyo, visited OSU to deliver a special lecture on the history of Japan-U.S. relations to students, faculty, and the broader community of central Ohio. In addition to demonstrating the myriad ways in which the two countries influenced and were influenced by one another, Professor Iokibe’s talk revealed how the relationship developed, changed, and was constantly renegotiated on account of various events, acts and actors that intersected the mutable course of both nations’ histories. The Q&A session that followed the event included deeper discussion on an array of topics, from economic and military-related pressures to more recent political interactions and perspectives.

Over 60 people attended the talk, which was made possible by the joint efforts of IJS, EASC, and the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit. A representative from the consulate, Deputy Consul-General Yuki Sakai, also attended the event and delivered welcome remarks that touched upon the importance of Japan-U.S. relations in general as well as the local connections that Japan and the consulate share with the state of Ohio.