Mansfield Foundation Podcast

Why does Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) keep winning elections, even when voters disagree with its policies?

Political scientist Dr. Jordan Hamzawi joins Mansfield Foundation Associate Director of Programs Leah Klaas to explore the LDP's long-standing political dominance, Japan's electoral system, and the factors that influence how voters choose political parties.

Hamzawi explains how party reputation, trust, and perceptions of competence can influence elections beyond policy positions. He also discusses the challenges facing Japan's opposition parties, the rise of populism, and what Japanese elections can teach us about political competition in other democracies.

The conversation also explores his experience with the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future and the importance of strengthening understanding and cooperation between the United States and Japan.

Mentioned in this episode

• Dominance Through Division: Group-Based Clientelism in Japan, by Amy Catalinac a book recommended by Dr. Hamzawi. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/dominance-through-division/0137AA666DFDE81E9B1A5188F7875C72 

• Dr. Hamzawi's 2025 research on policy preferences, political party branding, and voter perceptions: Hamzawi, J., Kato, G., & Endo, M. (First published online May 5, 2025). What brings you to the party? Voter preferences on parties through policy and valence dynamics. Party Politics, 32(4), 486-499. https://doi.org/10.1177/13540688251339631  

• Publications page featuring major works of Network scholars: https://mansfieldfdn.org/program/strengthening-government-and-expert-networks/u-s-japan-network-for-the-future/network-publications/ 

Watch this podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/oBSAxF-3_Ro

Learn moreMansfield Foundation: ⁠https://mansfieldfdn.org/⁠U.S.-Japan Network for the Future: ⁠https://mansfieldfdn.org/program/strengthening-government-and-expert-networks/u-s-japan-network-for-the-future/⁠

Follow the Mansfield FoundationLinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-maureen-and-mike-mansfield-foundation/⁠Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldFoundation⁠

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation promotes understanding and cooperation among the nations and peoples of Asia and the United States through exchanges, dialogues and publications that connect leaders, explore issues influencing public policy and increase awareness of Asia and U.S.-Asia relations.

What can Japanese agriculture teach us about politics and the U.S.-Japan relationship? Professor Hirofumi Kawaguchi joins Mansfield Foundation Tokyo Office Director Sumiko Mori to discuss rural politics, agricultural protection, public opinion, and the regional differences that shape how people experience Japan.

Kawaguchi explores the history and influence of Japan Agricultural Cooperatives, why rural and urban communities can view agricultural policy differently, and how those differences affect trade and policymaking between Japan and the United States. He also reflects on his experience with the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future, the importance of people-to-people relationships, and why understanding Japan sometimes requires looking beyond Tokyo.

Learn more
Mansfield Foundation: https://mansfieldfdn.org/
U.S.-Japan Network for the Future: https://mansfieldfdn.org/program/strengthening-government-and-expert-networks/u-s-japan-network-for-the-future/

Follow the Mansfield Foundation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-maureen-and-mike-mansfield-foundation/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldFoundation

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation promotesunderstanding and cooperation among the nations and peoples of Asia and the United States through exchanges, dialogues and publications that connect leaders, explore issues influencing public policy and increase awareness of Asia and U.S.-Asia relations.

What responsibilities do scientists have beyond scientific discovery? Dr. Yuko Kakazu joins Mansfield Foundation Vice President Sara Harriger to discuss her journey from Okinawa to astronomy and how her work expanded to encompass community engagement, Indigenous knowledge, and public policy.

Kakazu reflects on how conversations surrounding astronomy on Mauna Kea changed her approach to science, why scientists should engage with communities and policymakers, and the opportunities for greater U.S.-Japan cooperation in fundamental research and scientific talent exchange.

Learn more:Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation:https://mansfieldfdn.org/

U.S.-Japan Network for the Future:https://mansfieldfdn.org/program/strengthening-government-and-expert-networks/u-s-japan-network-for-the-future/

Mentioned in this episode:One Sky Project: https://www.oneskyproject.org/

Yuko’s op-ed “Scientists can’t stay in their ivory tower”: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/07/21/japan/japans-scientists-ivory-tower/ 

Learn more

Mansfield Foundation: https://mansfieldfdn.org/U.S.-Japan Network for the Future: https://mansfieldfdn.org/program/strengthening-government-and-expert-networks/u-s-japan-network-for-the-future/

Follow the Mansfield FoundationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-maureen-and-mike-mansfield-foundation/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldFoundation

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation promotes understanding and cooperation among the nations and peoples of Asia and the United States through exchanges, dialogues and publications that connect leaders, explore issues influencing public policy and increase awareness of Asia and U.S.-Asia relations.

What makes Tokyo work so differently from other major cities? Joe McReynolds joins guest host John Bradford to explore Tokyo's private railway networks, flexible zoning, neighborhood businesses, mass tourism, housing, immigration and Japan's changing economy.

McReynolds also discusses his dual career in Tokyo urban studies and China-focused national security research, and how the Mansfield Foundation's U.S.-Japan Network for the Future has helped connect those two sides of his work.

Watch this podcast on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Xgv22Nh-0UI

Learn more
Mansfield Foundation: https://mansfieldfdn.org/
U.S.-Japan Network for the Future: https://mansfieldfdn.org/program/strengthening-government-and-expert-networks/u-s-japan-network-for-the-future/

Follow the Mansfield Foundation
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-maureen-and-mike-mansfield-foundation/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MansfieldFoundation

The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation promotes understanding and cooperation among the nations and peoples of Asia and the United States through exchanges, dialogues and publications that connect leaders, explore issues influencing public policy and increase awareness of Asia and U.S.-Asia relations.

We’re speaking with Doctor Charles Crabtree, Associate Professor of Government at Dartmouth College.

Charles shares his story of being a first-generation graduate in academia, his gradual introduction to Japan Studies, and his work on gender and other discrimination issues.

Today’s episode features Noriko Akiyama, Senior Political Writer at the Asahi Shimbun. We talk about her career in journalism and research into politics, diversity, and civil society. Akiyama-san then interviews us about the Mansfield Foundation, the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future program, and a shared passion for expanding mutual understanding between our countries.

We're joined by Nick Kapur of Rutgers University to discuss modern Japanese history, and how the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty continues to impact policy debates in 2024.

John Dower's book, Embracing Defeat, is available here.

Nick's book, Japan at the Crossroads, is available here.

Chelsea Schieder's book, Coed Revolution, is available here.

Our guest is Dr. Ryo Morimoto, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Princeton University. His work looks at environmental anthropology, including a recent project on what he terms “Atomic Livelihoods in Fukushima’s Gray Zone."

Dr. Morimoto's book, Nuclear Ghosts, is available from University of California Press.

Our guest is Dr. Tom Le, Associate Professor of Politics at Pomona College. Our conversation touches on his book, titled Japan’s Aging Peace, and the ongoing debate over Japan’s role in regional security.

Dr. Benjamin Bartlett joins us to talk about cybersecurity policy in Japan. Dr. Bartlett is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Miami University in Ohio, where he focuses on international cooperation on cybersecurity.

Read more about The Cuckoo's Egg here.