Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago

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#japanpodcast #geopolitics ⁠
Nishikawa Kazumi⁠, Principal Director for Economic Security Policy at the legendary Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (⁠METI⁠), joins ChinaTalk. Cohosting is ⁠Charles Lichfield ⁠of the Atlantic Council. 
Today, our conversation covers: 
- METI’s reputation as a juggernaut of industrial policy, and how the organization has evolved since the 1970s,
- How Japan conceives of and pursues economic security,
- METI’s criteria for market intervention, and how it balances economic security considerations with business incentives,
- Japan’s experience dealing with China’s weaponization of rare earths,
- How Japan maintains strong relationships with the U.S and other allies.

Thanks to the ⁠U.S.-Japan Foundation⁠ for sponsoring this episode.

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