The Program on U.S.-Japan Relations was founded in 1980 in response to Japan’s rise as a leading global power. It seeks to advance knowledge of U.S.-Japan relations; contemporary Japanese politics, economy, society, and culture in comparative perspective; common problems of advanced industrial democracies; Japan’s role as a provider of international public goods; the globalization of Japan’s popular culture; the rise of civil society in Asia; and the international relations and political economy of the Asia-Pacific region. The program enables outstanding scholars and professionals from Japan, the United States, and other nations to conduct research on its areas of inquiry.

The program sponsors a weekly seminar series, an annual Distinguished Visitor lecture series, roundtable discussions, and various special events. Every academic year, the program selects approximately sixteen postdoctoral fellows, visiting scholars, and professional associates through a competitive application process. Enjoying the status of University Officers while at Harvard, they take part in the program’s research activities, prepare a major research paper, and publicly present the results of their research. Their research is published as part of the program’s Occasional Paper Series.

In addition, the program periodically undertakes collaborative research projects. Most recently, the project on “Globalization and the Emergence of Civil Society in the Asia Pacific Region” resulted in two edited volumes on civil society in Japan and Asia.

The director of the Program on U.S.-Japan Relations is Susan J. Pharr, Edwin O. Reischauer Professor of Japanese Politics, and Shinju Fujihira is the associate director. The Program on U.S.-Japan Relations is located at 61 Kirkland Street.