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Author

Shihoko Goto

Deputy Director for Geoeconomics with the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Asia Program and Senior Editor at The Globalist

[Washington D.C., United States]

Shihoko Goto is responsible for research, programming and publications on Japan, South Korea and Taiwan at the Woodrow Wilson Center.

Prior to joining the Wilson Center, she spent over ten years as a journalist. Her focus was on writing about the international political economy, with an emphasis on Asian markets.

As a correspondent for Dow Jones News Service and United Press International, she reported extensively on U.S. government policies impacting the global financial system and international trade.

Ms. Goto was also an external affairs officer at the World Bank, promoting the agency’s activities in Japan and Western Europe. Her work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times and by the BBC, among others.

She has been a recipient of the Freeman Foundation’s Jefferson Fellowship and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s journalism fellowship for the Salzburg Global Seminar.

Hi-res headshot.

Follow her at @gotoeastasia

Articles by Shihoko Goto

Parents in the Time of a Pandemic: A Silent Lament

This is a good time to assess what works best to relieve family stress.

October 4, 2020

Shinzo Abe’s Legacy for Japan

Japan’s longest-serving prime minister achieved not only a stable Japan — but one with a clear view of its own identity and role in the world.

August 31, 2020

How Angela Merkel Inspires the Japanese

Germany has always been an inspiration to Japan since the country opened itself up. These days, it may be Angela Merkel and her brand of leadership that inspires Japan the most.

July 3, 2020

COVID 19 and the Lessons of Xenophobia

If history is to serve as a guide, xenophobia must be treated as a grave risk that is as contagious and as deadly as any virus.

May 15, 2020

After COVID 19: Asian Countries and Investing in the US

COVID 19 will change trade relations among Asian countries themselves, as well as between the U.S. and Asia.

April 27, 2020

A New Dawn for Japan’s Imperial Diplomacy?

How will Japan’s new emperor fare when it comes to promoting Japan’s image and interests overseas?

May 1, 2019

Can Japan Be Great Again?

Shinzo Abe will have a hard time to make his vision of a Japan as the biggest Asian power a reality.

April 28, 2019

When a Trade Agreement Represents a Global Vision

By moving forward with the bilateral trade deal, Japan and the EU are making clear that the global appetite for trade deals outside of the U.S. remains strong.

July 18, 2018

US: No Positive-Sum Trade and Economic Strategy

The Trump administration places too much emphasis on reducing the trade deficit -- and not enough on investing in future U.S. competitiveness.

May 9, 2018

Arms Sales Push May Further Trump-Abe Bromance

For both Japan and the U.S. to benefit from a shift in trade dynamics between the two countries, weapons may be the best choice for Tokyo and Washington.

November 6, 2017

East Asia’s Challenge: Resisting Hyper-Nationalism, Not Globalization

Overcoming nationalistic barriers is more urgent than ever for pro-Western Asian countries.

July 31, 2017

Asia’s Heightened Jitters Over NAFTA Risks Spilling Over

Asian countries like South Korea are nervous about the United States changing its trade deals next.

May 6, 2017

The Taiwanese Dream Vs. China’s Reality

Trump or no Trump: Taiwan’s path for growth is curtailed by a political roadblock, the PRC’s “One China” policy.

April 3, 2017

Asia on the Brink of (Trade) War?

Following the U.S. withdrawal from the TPP, the Asia-Pacific region faces a lot of internal divisions over trade strategies.

January 25, 2017

How the United States and UK Risk Their Global Goodwill

Britain is not alone in paying a price for its strategic isolationism. International disillusionment with the US has also begun.

October 7, 2016

Japan’s Emperor, the Revolutionary

How the constitutional monarch may be able to set the tone for social change in Japan.

August 9, 2016

Japan’s Abe Closer to His Dream

Can Japan financially afford to be the muscular regional leader that Abe and the ruling LDP want it to be?

July 12, 2016

The Continental Unease of Britain and Japan

Why some Japanese are particularly sympathetic toward the pro-Brexit camp.

June 21, 2016

What Asia Should Learn From Trump’s Rise

Trump’s ability to tap into the fears of those who feel marginalized is hardly unique to the United States.

March 17, 2016

Taiwan’s New President: An Unwitting Social Revolutionary

Tsai may well come to redefine female leadership in Asia.

January 20, 2016

Japan-U.S: The WikiLeaks Blow Beyond TPP

U.S. spying endangers expanded security engagements and trade with Japan.

August 6, 2015

Keeping China In or Out? Beijing Vs. Washington on TPP

Global economic diplomacy gets more complicated as China plays its cards.

March 23, 2015

China-South Korea: Misguided Romance in East Asia?

Just how serious is this fledgling romance between Seoul and Beijing?

September 11, 2014

Finger-Wagging Over Asian Health Risks

Premiums for health risks could move Asia toward a better habitat, but a tenser trade environment.

May 25, 2014

Will a Mouse Find Malaysia Airlines Flight 370?

The search for MH370 is proof that crowdsourcing will become a vital part of aid and rescue efforts in the future.

April 10, 2014

Japan: Where Leaning In Isn’t Enough

Japan has to bring about a change in the national psyche about women and work.

February 16, 2014

Asia’s Scramble for Africa: Who Woos Best?

China and Japan wage a charm offensive to win access to Africa’s resources.

January 26, 2014

East China Sea Dispute = End of East Asian Miracle?

Could a financial shock lead the way to a peaceful solution?

December 6, 2013

Japan and Germany: Two Sides of Nuclear Reality

Japan is simply squandering an opportunity to break new ground after Fukushima.

October 24, 2013

Olympic Dreams, Tokyo Style

An inward-looking culture must embrace the Olympic spirit of performance and openness to reinvent itself.

September 10, 2013

East Asia: Leaving Postwar Angst Behind

Can East Asia move past 19th century-style territorial disputes over small islands?

August 15, 2013

Cockpit Lesson for Korea and Japan

Should the Asiana Airlines crash in San Francisco be seen as an opportunity to rethink Asia's overemphasis on hierarchy?

July 25, 2013

Japan: Beacon of Democratic Light?

Japan has a problem of overrepresentation of rural voters in their political system, as does the United States. Is Japan making progress?

May 29, 2013

Japan Votes to Go Back to the Future

Who is more fundamentally opposed to real reforms, Japanese politicians, Japanese voters — or both?

December 18, 2012

What Japan Can Learn from Kate Middleton’s England

What does Japan's monarchy's need of a male heir say about gender equality?

December 8, 2012