Shihoko Goto Named New Asia Program Director at Wilson Center

Contact: Ryan McKenna 
Phone: (202) 691-4217 
ryan.mckenna@wilsoncenter.org  

WASHINGTON—The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars is pleased to announce the appointment of Shihoko Goto as the new Director of the Center’s Asia Program; Goto has been serving as Acting Director since May. 

“What’s going on in Asia these days is extraordinarily important for American foreign policy and leadership. I’m thrilled that Shihoko will be at the helm during these exciting times,” said Wilson Center President and CEO Ambassador Mark Green. “Her expertise will help ensure the Asia Program at the Wilson Center remains the foremost platform for fostering deeper understanding of regional policy matters, both challenges and opportunities.”

In her new role, Ms. Goto will oversee the Asia Program's research and policy initiatives, focusing on enhancing the understanding of the political, economic, and security dynamics of the region. She will work closely with experts and policymakers from around the world to develop innovative solutions to the challenges facing the Indo-Pacific, and its role on the global stage. 

“I am excited for the opportunity to lead the Wilson Center’s research and programming on Asia. US interests in the world’s most populous and dynamic region continues to rise, and I look forward to ensuring that the Asia Program maintains and elevates its work to define and deepen public debate and understanding on critical issues facing the region.”

Ms. Goto joined the Wilson Center in 2012 with an impressive background in journalism and research, having covered Asian geopolitics and economics for various media outlets including Dow Jones News Service, United Press International, and the National Journal, based in Tokyo and Washington. Goto also served as a donor country relations officer at the World Bank, where she was responsible for ensuring continued political support for the international financial institution from major advanced economies.  

Her depth of knowledge and insight into the complexities of the region will be invaluable as the Wilson Center fosters dialogue and understanding on crucial issues facing Asia and its global partners. 

Goto is a columnist for The Diplomat magazine, has authored numerous articles and op eds, and is a regular commentator and contributor to major news outlets including the BBC, CNN, MSNBC, and the New York Times. Her latest book chapter “Divergent Interests for Taiwan’s CPTPP Bid” is published in China, Taiwan, the UK, and the CPTPP: Global Partnership or Regional Standoff?  (Palgrave Macmillan, 2023).  

She received an MA in international political theory from the Graduate School of Political Science, Waseda University, Japan, and a BA in Modern History, from Trinity College, University of Oxford, UK. 

Notes to editors: 

1. The Wilson Center provides a strictly nonpartisan space for the worlds of policymaking and scholarship to interact. By conducting relevant and timely research and promoting dialogue from all perspectives, it works to address the critical current and emerging challenges confronting the United States and the world.
2. The Asia Program provides a forum in the nation's capital for enhancing deeper understanding of, and policy debate about, Asia. It seeks to furnish an intellectual link between the world of ideas and the world of policy on issues relating to Asia and U.S. interests in Asia. The Program organizes dozens of conferences and other meetings and produces several major publications every year, each featuring the work of Asia specialists ranging from distinguished scholars and prominent policymakers to journalists, entrepreneurs, and grassroots activists. 

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