ICAS : America’s Evolving Asia Policy Under New Japanese and American Administrations (Hybrid)
Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 18:30 to 20:00
On November 14, 2009, President Barack Obama concluded his speech at Suntory Hall in Tokyo with the following words: “As America’s first Pacific President, I promise you that this Pacific nation [USA] will strengthen and sustain our leadership in this vitally important part of the world.” What followed was the “Asia Pivot” or “Asia Rebalance”—focusing America’s time, attention, and resources to Asia in recognition of the region’s importance as a center of economic dynamism, population growth, political tensions, and potential military conflicts...
ICAS : [Book Talk] Child Welfare and Problems of Well-Being in Japan (Hybrid)
Monday, June 16, 2025 - 18:30 to 20:00
Child welfare systems do not always generate well-being. This is true across the world, as it is in Japan. Policymakers, caregivers, and people with experience in state care endeavor to imagine—and implement—child welfare systems that are genuinely supportive. Yet despite these efforts, social welfare systems too often produce people who are alone..
ICAS : Guerrilla Filmmaking: Seeking Forgiveness Not Permission (Hybrid)
Thursday, June 19, 2025 - 18:30 to 20:00
This presentation explores the principles and practices of guerrilla filmmaking—a low-budget, independent approach to cinematic storytelling that operates outside the traditional studio system.
Guerrilla filmmaking emphasizes improvisation, resourcefulness, and the mantra “seek forgiveness, not permission.” It relies on available resources, handheld cameras, and the ability to adapt in unpredictable environments.
ICAS : Atoms for the Machines and Machines for the Atoms: Artificial Intelligence, Data, and the Future of Nuclear Power (Hybrid)
Thursday, July 3, 2025 - 18:30 to 20:00
Over the past year, several large tech companies have expressed interest in using nuclear reactors to provide the power for their data centers. These data centers are critical for the development and use of artificial intelligence and require large, consistent supplies of electricity. At the same time, artificial intelligence-powered systems are increasingly being developed for use in industrial control systems, including for operating nuclear reactors. This seminar will explore the social, political, and economic implications of using nuclear reactors to power large data centers and using artificial intelligence to operate nuclear reactors.
ICAS : Disinformation & Misinformation: Current happenings in Japan, the U.S. and beyond (Hybrid)
Monday, July 14, 2025 - 18:30 to 20:00
This presentation draws on a series of recent studies conducted by Assistant Professor Matthew Blomberg and Associate Professor John W. Cheng, including a new investigation into the illusory truth effect and the influence of need for cognition on vaccine disinformation susceptibility in Japan. The session will examine cross-national trends, particularly in Japan and the United States, and discuss potential tools, procedures, and policy responses for mitigating the spread and impact of false and deceptive information.