Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction: The Role of the U.S.-Japan Alliance

The world is facing resurgent and evolving threats from weapons of mass destruction. Recent events show the far-ranging spectrum we must contend with—from persistent state-based dangers such as North Korea, to continued chemical weapons used in Syria, to terrorist organizations such as ISIS growing increasingly capable of obtaining or improvising weapons of mass destruction.

Please join the Center for American Progress for a timely discussion of how the U.S.-Japan alliance plays a critical role in addressing these daunting security challenges. Top experts from both countries will highlight how Japan and the United States have successfully collaborated to stem proliferation, create options for reducing nuclear weapons threats, advance biosecurity, destroy chemical weapons stockpiles, and otherwise reduce risks of weapons of mass destruction. This event will explore the special role of the alliance in 2016—a year of unique opportunities for Japan to advance global norms and the final year for President Barack Obama to advance the agenda set by his 2009 Prague speech. Special guest speakers and discussants will shed light on how deterrence, arms control, and disarmament combine to form both our countries' world-leading ability to counter the threats of weapons of mass destruction in the modern era.

Introductory remarks:
Neera Tanden, President, Center for American Progress

Keynote remarks:
Rose Gottemoeller, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security

Panelists:
Ambassador Nobuyasu Abe, former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations for Disarmament Affairs
Andrew Weber, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs
Narushige Michishita, Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies

Moderator:
Vikram Singh, Vice President for National Security and International Policy, Center for American Progress