The Diplomat  |  Author

Mina Pollmann
Credit: Alexander Brown/ The Hoya

Mina Pollmann

Mina Pollmann is an associate political scientist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation.

Mina Pollmann is an associate political scientist at the nonprofit, nonpartisan RAND Corporation. She received her Ph.D. in Political Science from MIT, and her BS in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. Her research interests focus on Japan’s security and diplomacy, the U.S.-Japan alliance, U.S. foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific, alliance politics, the domestic and local politics of alliance management, and security cooperation.

Posts by Mina Pollmann
Page 4 of 15
August 14, 2019

US Tries Its Hand at Shuttle Diplomacy Amid Japan-South Korea Disputes

By Mina Pollmann
Defense Secretary Mark Esper visited Tokyo and Seoul in an attempt to insulate security cooperation from rising tensions.
August 07, 2019

US, Japan Look to Clinch Trade Deal in September

By Mina Pollmann
With China talks stalling, Trump may be more inclined to give Japan concessions to seal in a trade 'win.'

July 29, 2019

What's Driving Japan's Trade Restrictions on South Korea?

By Mina Pollmann
The export controls are a policy of last resort from a frustrated Tokyo.

July 26, 2019

What Japan's Elections Tell Us About a Post-Abe LDP

By Mina Pollmann
The results were an indication of ballot box strength, but Abe's pending Cabinet reshuffle will be equally telling.

July 18, 2019

Japan Prepares for Upper House Elections

By Mina Pollmann
In addition to issues like constitutional reform, social questions like disabled and LGBT rights are also in the spotlight.
July 09, 2019

Japan's Aegis Ashore System Hits a Roadblock: Domestic Politics

By Mina Pollmann
Local opposition, and a poorly handled government explanation, have delayed deployment of the new systems.

August 22, 2018

What to Watch in the Okinawa Governor's Election

By Mina Pollmann
The governor's race will have major ramifications for the long-stalled Futenma relocation project.
August 16, 2018

Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Forces Take to the Waves

By Mina Pollmann
The Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade (ARBD) is set up to conduct landing operations to retake Japanese territory.

August 08, 2018

Can the 2020 Olympics Push a Rethink of Japan's Counterterrorism Strategy?

By Mina Pollmann
A new terrorism center suggests that Japan may finally be getting serious about the potential for attacks at home.

August 01, 2018

Can Anyone Unseat Shinzo Abe?

By Mina Pollmann
Despite his scandals, Abe is well-positioned win the LDP's presidential election this fall.

July 17, 2018

How Japan's Security Reformers Undermine Their Own Cause

By Mina Pollmann
The Japanese public is not against security reform, per se -- but is against the illiberal agenda of many would-be reformers.
July 11, 2018

With North Korea Thaw, Japan Downgrades Missile Alert Level

By Mina Pollmann
The announcement contrasts with long-term moves to increase Japan's missile defense capabilities.

Page 4 of 15