US Politics and Foreign Policy After the 2022 Midterm Elections: Perspective from Japan

This article analyzes the results of the 2022 US midterm elections and looks ahead to the trends in US political diplomacy after the elections. Results from the midterm elections were more successful than expected for the Democratic Party, and there appears to be a tailwind for the Joe Biden administration. However, the international situation remains difficult to navigate due to the ongoing divisions in the US, the situation in Ukraine, and tensions in the Taiwan Strait. It then discusses how Japan should respond to the worsening security environment after the elections, including some long-term perspectives. Japan and the US need to transform the mindset from mere alliance maintenance of the past to develop ways to fully utilize the alliance (alliance projection), and to cooperate in preventing moves to change the status quo in the Indo-Pacific region. The Kishida Fumio administration issued three revised security documents, including the National Security Strategy, in December 2022, and Japan is now moving toward having not only a “shield” but also a “spear.” In order to deepen the Japan-US alliance and to work with the Indo-Pacific nations, it is essential to gain strong support from the public.