Chris Johnstone is a senior advisor at The Asia Group and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Prior to joining CSIS, he served in government for 25 years in a variety of senior positions with a focus on U.S. policy toward Japan and the Indo-Pacific region. He served twice on the National Security Council, as director for East Asia under President Joe Biden and director for Japan and Oceanian affairs under President Barack Obama. In the Office of the Secretary of Defense, he led offices with responsibility for South and Southeast Asia and East Asia. He began his career as an intelligence officer in the Central Intelligence Agency.
Podcasts
Chris Johnstone on Japan’s Growing Security Leadership
- Japan
Recent Posts
Han Lin in CNBC Live on Xi’s Visit to North Korea
June 9, 2026
Media Mentions
“China and North Korea remain formal treaty allies under a 1961 mutual defense agreement,” said Han Lin, China Country Director, The ...
Han Lin in the BBC Live on Xi’s Visit to North Korea
June 8, 2026
Media Mentions
“The message of Xi’s visit is that China remains North Korea’s most important partner, but partnership comes with expectations,” said ...
Han Lin in Reuters on China’s New Outbound Investment Regulations
June 1, 2026
Media Mentions
“The new rules are “largely designed to prevent Chinese firms from divesting strategic assets to foreign parties, not to stop ...
The Asia Group Welcomes Belma Ambrose as Managing Principal
May 29, 2026
Press Releases
Washington, DC | May 27, 2026 — The Asia Group (TAG) is pleased to welcome Belma Ambrose as Managing Principal. ...