Nov. 18 - Recently Hosei University invited me to speak at their Ichigaya campus to undergraduate students who are studying International Politics. My remarks focused on three topics: our close security alliance, our deepening economic relationship, and people-to-people ties.

On security issues, I stated that the United States and Japan have overcome challenges and strengthened our security ties over 60 years because we share fundamental common values such as a belief in democracy that help us overcome any differences. On economic issues, I said that the United States and Japan, as the world's first and third largest economies, have an opportunity to shape our economic environment by promoting liberalization of trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region. On the last issue, I expressed my concerns about the rapid decline in the number of Japanese students who choose to study in the United States. I encouraged Hosei University students to help reverse this trend.

I forgot to mention that my host, Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa, had asked me to speak to the students in English only. Although it is much easier for me to speak in English than in Japanese, I was a bit worried that perhaps these students might not understand my presentation. But I need not have worried about the language at all. After I was done speaking, we entered a question-and-answer period, and I was extremely impressed by the high level of English-language communication skills of these students.

They also asked very challenging questions. We discussed the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade negotiations, China's role in the region, and U.S. macroeconomic policy. The students shared a variety of insights with me on the reasons for the declining number of Japanese college students who study abroad.

This session with such articulate and intelligent Hosei University students left me feeling very optimistic about Japan's future.

Until next time,

Jim