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Mina Pollmann

Mina Erika Pollmann is a Ph.D. candidate in international relations and security studies at MIT’s Department of Political Science.

Mina Erika Pollmann is currently a Ph.D. candidate at MIT’s Department of Political Science. She is a recipient of the Walter A. Rosenblith Presidential Graduate Fellowship and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Her research interests focus on rising powers, power transitions, the role of beliefs in international relations, and Japan’s security and diplomacy.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, majoring in International Politics with a concentration in Foreign Policy.

Her research has been published in Australian Journal of International Affairs, Georgetown Journal of Asian Affairs, Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, and by various think tanks.

Posts by Mina Pollmann

July 07, 2022

Japan’s NATO Outreach Bears Fruit

By Mina Pollmann

Prime Minister Kishida's emphasis on unity with NATO over Russia paid off with recognition of China as a challenge to NATO's interests and security.

June 09, 2022

Japan Looks to Alaska to Shore up Energy Supplies

By Mina Pollmann

The energy-rich U.S. state has attracted increased interest from Japan as Tokyo seeks to reduce imports of Russian oil and gas.

March 25, 2020

With Olympics Pushed Back, Tokyo Braces for Coronavirus Spread

By Mina Pollmann

Japan's capital is preparing hospital beds and mulling the possibility of a lockdown.

March 13, 2020

Japan Takes Additional Measures to Fight Coronavirus Outbreak

By Mina Pollmann

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared the spread of the coronavirus as a “state of historic emergency.”

February 26, 2020

At G20 Finance Meeting, Japan Sticks to Optimism Despite Viral Outbreak

By Mina Pollmann

Japan's finance minister and central bank head both downplayed the economic impact from coronavirus.

February 18, 2020

Coronavirus, Middle East Top Japan’s Agenda in Munich

By Mina Pollmann

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi held a flurry of meetings on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.

February 12, 2020

Coronavirus: Japan Sends Final Evacuation Flight

By Mina Pollmann

Japan is sending its final evacuation flight to Hubei as it continues to try to stem the spread of the virus.

February 05, 2020

Japan Eyes Free Trade Deal With Post-Brexit Britain

By Mina Pollmann

With the UK officially withdrawn from the EU, both London and Tokyo are eager to sign a bilateral trade deal.

January 30, 2020

Japan Begins Evacuating Citizens From Outbreak-Hit Wuhan

By Mina Pollmann

Japan's government used a charter flight to bring home some of the Japanese citizens caught up in the quarantine zone in China.

January 22, 2020

Is Japan Ready to Welcome Immigrants?

By Mina Pollmann

A recent survey by Japan's Cabinet Office has interesting implications for the push to welcome more foreign workers.

January 17, 2020

With Iran, North Korea Tensions in Headlines, Japan’s Defense Minister Visits US

By Mina Pollmann

Taro Kono’s trip included the usual rhetoric on the alliance, but a few surprises as well.

January 10, 2020

Foreign Bribery Scandal Muddies Japan’s Casino Legalization Gamble

By Mina Pollmann

Six Japanese politicians are under fire for taking bribes from a Chinese company interested in opening a casino in Japan.