USSC Briefing Room | What Japan can teach the world about economic security

15 July 2025

Kazuto Suzuki spoke with Jared Mondschein about how Japan has been a first-mover on economic security on everything from critical minerals to supply chains.

Podcast by

Dr Kazuto Suzuki

Professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo and Director of the Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan

Jared Mondschein

Director of ResearchUnited States Studies Centre

Economic security is becoming increasingly important amidst growing geopolitical tensions. In light of China's 2010 rare earth mineral export restrictions and the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on supply chains, Japan has prioritised not only strengthening supply chain resilience and market competitiveness but also building up Japan's geo-economic influence to counteract foreign economic pressure through the 2022 Economic Security Promotion Act.

How does Japan's idea of economic security differ from the United States and Europe? What role does government-industry coordination play? And what lessons can Australia draw from Japan’s experience?

Kazuto Suzuki sat down with USSC Director of Research Jared Mondschein to discuss these questions. Kazuto is a professor at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo and Director of the Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan.

This activity was supported by the Australian Government via a grant from the Australia-Japan Foundation.