The US-Japan alliance has provided one of the foundations for decades of security and freedom in Asia. But, the neighborhood is changing: Japan is experiencing significant strategic and diplomatic challenges from China, faces increasingly aggressive North Korean weapons development and testing, and has an uncertain relationship with South Korea.
While the U.S. continues to be Japan’s main partner and ally, it has withdrawn from the major Pacific free trade pact, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), after completing negotiations with Japan.

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Center for Latin American Studies, Asian Studies Center, & University Center for International Studies at the University of Pittsburgh present...

TED PICCONE: China's Rising Influence in Latin America and the Caribbean

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28
3:00 PM
4130 POSVAR HALL, University of Pittsburgh

Japanese Silent Film Screening with Live Performance
Once known as “poets of the dark” benshi brought silent films to live through commentary and vocal performance, giving voice to the characters on screen. Perched on a podium beside the screen, benshi brought films to life. As many as 8000 benshi were performing across the country and the Japanese empire by the 1930s, and their popularity—and power—slowed the introduction of sound film in Japan.

The thaw in the US-North Korea relations last year, however uncertain, was certainly a welcome change from the previous year’s bellicose rhetoric, for both sides. Yet is change really around the corner? Doubts on Kim Jong Un’s sincerity persist. Many still believe he will never denuclearize and his gestures toward opening are just another ploy to buy time. Are we just seeing more of the same? Or do we have a historic opportunity to make real change on the peninsula? What are the issues at stake in 2019?

The thaw in the US-North Korea relations last year, however uncertain, was certainly a welcome change from the previous year’s bellicose rhetoric, for both sides. Yet is change really around the corner? Doubts on Kim Jong Un’s sincerity persist. Many still believe he will never denuclearize and his gestures toward opening are just another ploy to buy time. Are we just seeing more of the same? Or do we have a historic opportunity to make real change on the peninsula? What are the issues at stake in 2019?

The thaw in the US-North Korea relations last year, however uncertain, was certainly a welcome change from the previous year’s bellicose rhetoric, for both sides. Yet is change really around the corner? Doubts on Kim Jong Un’s sincerity persist. Many still believe he will never denuclearize and his gestures toward opening are just another ploy to buy time. Are we just seeing more of the same? Or do we have a historic opportunity to make real change on the peninsula? What are the issues at stake in 2019?

Mr. Abe will discuss Japan in 2019 and beyond: its current situations and challenges; East Asian & South Asian situations; US-Japan Alliances (including USJTA and TPP); and grassroots activities.

Please join us for an afternoon of activities celebrating the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi and his teachings. Enjoy chai with Pittsburgh organizations at 2:00 pm, followed by interfaith presentations, cultural performances, and student readings about "Truth, Peace, and Action: Mahatma Gandhi's Legacy at 150" with chief Guest India Consul General Sandeep Chakravorty. India's Consul General Chakravorty will present the bronze bust of Mahatma Gandhi to AHINSA, to be installed in the Hillman Library on University of Pittsburgh's campus.