Mike Mochizuki holds Elliott School's endowed chair in Japan-U.S. Relations in memory of Gaston Sigur. He came to the George Washington University from the Brookings Institution where he was a senior fellow. He was formerly with Research and Development (RAND) Corporation where he served as co-director of the Center for Asia-Pacific Policy.

The third Smart Talk was held on July 9, 2009 with Professor Mike Mochizuki (Elliot School, George Washington University) presenting on the topic of “Reconciling Rivals, War, Memory, and Security in East Asia.” A panel of leading experts actively discussed the issues raised by Professor Mochizuki in his presentation.

Professor Mochizuki explained about the difficulties faced by East Asia in overcoming the conflicts in memory politics. He was keen to show not just the differences and conflicts between countries but also within countries, with specific focus on Japan. Touching upon Professor Mochizuki’s knowledge of the topic, the panel discussed ways of overcoming the conflicts in memory politics and assessed the difficulties faced by the countries in the region including the United States. A number of suggestions and ideas were also put forward as Professor Mochizuki and the panel sought ways to resolve the conflicts.

Smart Talk Panel Members

Chaesung Chun (Professor, Seoul National University)

Jun-Hyeok Kwak (Professor, Korea University)

Nae Young Lee (Professor, Korea University)

Sook-Jong Lee (President, East Asia Institute)

Yong Wook Lee (Professor, Korea University)

The question of reconciliation amongst East Asian countries, particularly between Japan and its neighbors, has long been a source of tension and debate. Many assert that the region’s past, as well as disputes over that history, have affected regional security and hindered the development of a regional identity in East Asia.

Why has the process of reconciliation in East Asia been more difficult than in Western Europe? How can the region develop a shared history and a shared strategic interest to engage in reconciliation? Will building a common regional identity in East Asia ease security tensions and aid the process of reconciliation?

Such questions were addressed by leading experts at the East Asia Institute’s third Smart Talk on July 9, 2009. The EAI invited Mike Mochizuki, associate professor of political science and international affairs at the Elliot School at George Washington University, to examine this complex issue of historical reconciliation in East Asia. Mochizuki discussed how contested memory and divided domestic politics within Japan have hindered reconciliation in East Asia, and how the United States should be involved in the reconciliation process. The following panel discussion, moderated by President Sook-Jong Lee, exchanged views on a number of topics related to the strategic context of historical reconciliation, Japan’s attitude toward the process, the prospects of developing a common regional identity or a set of common values to ease tensions, and the challenges of developing a shared history...(Continued)