“The Future of U.S.-Japan Cooperation After the U.S. Midterm Elections: Beyond Political and Social Division”

October 22, 2026
President, The Japan Forum on International Relations
WATANABE Mayu

Dear Colleagues,

The Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR) is pleased to invite you to an international symposium, “The Future of U.S.-Japan Cooperation After the U.S. Midterm Elections: Beyond Political and Social Division,” to be held on Friday, November 20, 2026, as detailed below.

The U.S. midterm elections on November 3 will mark an important political juncture, shaping the final two years of the second Trump administration. How will the results affect U.S. domestic and foreign policy? Regardless of the outcome, deep-rooted divisions in U.S. politics and society will shape the prospects for U.S.-Japan cooperation across a wide range of fields, including economic security, industrial and technology policy, and climate change and energy policy. As these divisions persist and government policies shift, how can the two countries maintain and strengthen the foundations of their cooperation?

Taking place at a key moment shortly after the U.S. midterm elections, the symposium will bring together experts from Japan, the United States, and Europe to explore prospects for future U.S.-Japan cooperation through three sessions.

Session 1, “The Midterm Elections and the Future of U.S. Politics and Foreign Policy,” will analyze the election results and consider their implications for U.S. domestic and foreign policy. Session 2, “Economic Security and the Future of U.S.-Japan Cooperation,” will discuss the challenges and prospects for bilateral cooperation on economic security, including industrial and technology policy. Session 3, “Prospects for U.S.-Japan Cooperation on Climate Change and Energy,” will examine opportunities for cooperation in the environmental and energy sectors, incorporating European perspectives.

The symposium is held as part of JFIR’s Study Group on Strengthening the Foundations of U.S.-Japan Cooperation, chaired by MAESHIMA Kazuhiro, Distinguished Research Fellow at JFIR and Professor at Sophia University. We hope you will join us to consider the future of bilateral cooperation from a range of perspectives in the immediate aftermath of the elections.

The study group’s activities, including this symposium, receive support from various sources, including a grant from the Japan Foundation.

1. Date and Time: Friday, November 20, 2026, 10:00-11:50 a.m. (JST)

2. Format: Hybrid (in-person and online via Zoom webinar)
　　Online access opens at 9:50 a.m. (JST).

3. Location: International House of Japan, Lecture Hall, 2nd floor
　　[Address] 5-11-16 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
　　[Access] https://www.i-house.or.jp/access.html

4. Participation Fee: Free

5. Languages: Japanese and English (simultaneous interpretation between the two languages)

6. Program >>

7. How to Apply:
　　Please fill out the necessary information, including your name, title, and email address, in the form below.
　　Registration deadline: Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (JST)
　　Online participants will receive the Zoom link no later than the day before the event.
　　Registration for in-person attendance will close once capacity is reached.