This project has continued to move forward in a variety of ways. I've recently been collecting updated information from various scholars related to extremist groups in the United States. I will also travel to the U.S. in both February and April to collect further data and meet with colleagues working in this area. In the meantime I've been monitoring a variety of websites where militia member regularly communicate with one another, as well as sites that monitor these groups, including Southern Poverty Law Center and the Chicago Project on Security and Threats at the University of Chicago.The topic has also been expanded to include a more in-depth look at the implications of populism for the international relations of Japan. There is a risk that populism threatens alliances with central western states aimed at guaranteeing Japan's security at home and abroad. It is thus important to gain a sense of how Japanese view populist surges in relation to security alliances and the implications of this for its defense posture.  

In terms of preparation status and research development, the project bridges the PI and the Co-I’s fields of expertise. Both applicants have already collaborated intensively to produce the research design, which bridges political science and international relations. To offer a concrete description of PI and Co-I role-sharing, we purchased texts relevant to the project and jointly conducted an extensive literature review. We have collaborated intensively to create our joint, shared research questionnaires. The PI visited the US, and the Co-I visited the UK and EU. The PI and Co-I continue to work on ambitious but realistic publication plans, and all subsequent publications will be co-authored as a result of close writing collaboration between the PI and the Co-I. In short, the PI and Co-I will continue to collaborate intensively as the project moves forward.

In terms of preparation status and research development, the project bridges the PI and the Co-I’s fields of expertise. Both applicants have already collaborated intensively to produce the research design, which bridges political science and international relations. To offer a concrete description of PI and Co-I role-sharing, we purchased texts relevant to the project and jointly conducted an extensive literature review. We have collaborated intensively to create our joint, shared research questionnaires. The PI visited the US, and the Co-I visited the UK and EU. The PI and Co-I continue to work on ambitious but realistic publication plans, and all subsequent publications will be co-authored as a result of close writing collaboration between the PI and the Co-I. In short, the PI and Co-I will continue to collaborate intensively as the project moves forward.