Included in this issue of the newsletter:

December Activities

• US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative: C2 Modernization Roundtable
• Sasakawa USA Women's Advancement Network (SWAN): Discussion on Woman-Led Innovation in the Workplace with Ms. Mika Takagi
• Washington Kenkyu Group: Discussion with Mr. Tsuneo Watanabe
• U.S.-Japan Research Exchange: Mr. Brian Harding

Recaps

• Policy Briefing Series: LTG Koichiro Bansho (JGSDF, Ret.)

External Engagements

• Wilson Center: Mr. Jim Schoff on U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Relations Panel
• Sasakawa Peace Foundation: Mr. Jim Schoff Participates in Asia Strategy Initiative Workshop

Publications

• US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative: Cyber Workshop Summary
• Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation (SEED): 2023 SEED Delegate Publication on WPS (Ms. Erin Cooper)

Upcoming Activities

• Photo Exhibit: Recapturing Happiness: The Enduring Spirit of Ishinomaki
• U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series (RAS): Stanford University and UT-Austin
• Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP): JUMP Seattle

Announcements

• LTG Koichiro Bansho (JGSDF, Ret.) Named a Distinguished Senior Fellow (Non-Resident)
• Congressional Program on U.S.-Japan Relations and the Indo-Pacific (CPUSJ): Begins January 2024
• US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative: NEXT Alliance Conference on C2 Modernization Webpage Launched

December Activities

US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative:

C2 Modernization Roundtable

The US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative hosted a virtual bilateral dialogue on “U.S.-Japan Command Relationships for New Challenges” on December 13. The event was attended by around 30 current and former members of the government, military, think tanks, and academia. The dialogue built upon group discussions at the NEXT Alliance Conferences (NAC) held in Tokyo in March and Annapolis in October. Sasakawa USA is preparing a set of observations and policy recommendations that it will publish in early 2024. In order to test the recommendations and refine them before publication, the Initiative convened this final virtual roundtable to solicit feedback and additional input. 

Sasakawa USA Women's Advancement Network (SWAN): Discussion on Woman-Led Innovation in the Workplace with Ms. Mika Takagi

On December 12, Sasakawa USA hosted the roundtable, “Woman-Led Innovation in the Workplace: How One Woman Instituted the Cool Japan Campaign for the Government of Japan,” featuring remarks by Ms. Mika Takagi, director general of the Washington, DC office of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). While working for Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Ms. Takagi spearheaded the creation and development of the renowned Cool Japan strategy to bolster Japan’s economic and diplomatic standing on the global stage by harnessing the power of Japan’s creative industries. Drawing from her experience instituting the Cool Japan campaign and other similar projects, Ms. Takagi shared insights on how emerging women leaders can spark innovation and effect change within large institutions. Her remarks were followed by a discussion moderated by Ms. Shanti Shoji, director of programs at Sasakawa USA. Attendees included emerging and mid-career woman leaders from government, the private sector, nonprofits, and the media, all of whom have experience working for organizations in the U.S. and Japan. 

Photo (back row, left to right): Ms. Bahia Simons-Lane, Ms. Monica Weller, Ms. Alex Melillo, Ms. Kelly Primrose, Ms. Eri Kimura, Ms. Nicole Uehara, Ms. Caroline Reid, Ms. Katy Bubolz, (front row, left to right): Ms. Jenny Kai, Ms. Okung Obang, Ms. Mika Takagi, Ms. Shanti Shoji

U.S.-Japan Research Exchange: Mr. Brian Harding

From December 4 to 8, as part of Sasakawa USA’s U.S.-Japan Research Exchange, Mr. Brian Harding, a senior expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace, traveled to Tokyo to meet with a number of academics, civil society leaders, government officials, and journalists for his research interest on the Philippines and the potential for U.S.-Japan-Philippines trilateral cooperation. He held fruitful discussions on topics such as current security issues in the Asia-Pacific, including cyber security trends, and received insightful information regarding Japan’s involvement in the peace building process in the Philippines. Mr. Harding also learned more about the impact of current East Asia security issues on the U.S.-Japan relationship, as well as the future of Indo-Pacific security.

In early 2024, Mr. Harding will present his findings at a Sasakawa USA Policy Briefing event, as well as publish a research paper, which will be available on our website. 



Photo (left to right): Mr. Yasuhiro Kawakami, Mr. Nobukatsu Kanehara, Mr. Brian Harding, Mr. Katsuya Yamamoto, Ms. Aya Murata, and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto

Washington Kenkyu Group:

Discussion with Mr. Tsuneo Watanabe

On December 18, Sasakawa USA welcomed Mr. Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior fellow in the Security Studies Program at Sasakawa Peace Foundation, to a roundtable discussion with the Washington Kenkyu Group.

The conversations focused on the Kishida Cabinet’s low approval rating and how that will impact the future of the U.S.–Japan alliance. Additionally, Mr. Watanabe provided potential outlooks for the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan and elections for the upcoming years. An engaging Q&A discussion followed Mr. Watanabe’s remarks which was moderated by Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, chairman and president of Sasakawa USA.

Photo: Mr. Tsuneo Watanabe

Recap

Policy Briefing Series:

LTG Koichiro Bansho (JGSDF, Ret.)

On November 30, Sasakawa USA hosted the in-person policy briefing, “Reflections on the First JSDF Deployment to Iraq,” featuring remarks by Lieutenant General Koichiro Bansho (JGSDF, Ret.), former commanding general of the Western Army of Japan. The recap of this event is now available on Sasakawa USA's website.

LTG Bansho reflected on the Japan Self-Defense Force's first non-peacekeeping deployment to Samawah, Iraq. His reflections as the commanding officer of the JSDF 1st Iraq Reconstruction and Support Group was followed by a dynamic Q&A discussion, moderated by Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, chairman and president of Sasakawa USA.

Photo: Lieutenant General Koichiro Bansho

External Engagements

Wilson Center: Mr. Jim Schoff on U.S.-ROK-Japan Trilateral Relations Panel

US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative Senior Director Mr. Jim Schoff spoke at a Wilson Center event on U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral relations on December 5. The event on rebuilding and expanding trilateral economic cooperation was attended by over 100 participants in-person and online. During the multi-panel discussion, Mr. Schoff spoke alongside Japanese and Korean government officials, university faculty, and think tank scholars. In his remarks on the panel focusing on new frontiers for trilateral partnership in energy, climate, and Southeast Asia, Mr. Schoff underscored the “need for speed” in trilateral initiatives across multiple domains citing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, the fast pace of technological change, and the potential for political change in each country. 

Sasakawa Peace Foundation: Mr. Jim Schoff Participates in Asia Strategy Initiative Workshop

US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative Senior Director Mr. Jim Schoff participated in a Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Tokyo) Asia Strategy Initiative (ASI) event in Honolulu from December 9-10. Launched in 2017, this project brings together U.S. and Japanese experts to facilitate dialogue on topics related to the U.S.-Japan alliance and to identify potential allied efforts to meet critical global issues. Mr. Schoff joined other American and Japanese participants from various think tanks and universities to discuss alliance interests and options vis-à-vis conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, tensions surrounding Taiwan, and bilateral efforts to engage Southeast Asian nations and other important regions.

Publications

US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative:

Cyber Workshop Summary

The US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative published a summary of its hybrid bilateral dialogue held on November 3, on the topic of enhancing Japan-U.S. cyber threat hunting collaboration. The not-for-attribution summary covers presentations by Ms. Mihoko Matsubara, chief cybersecurity strategist at NTT, and Mr. Taro Hashimoto, visiting fellow from NTT at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the subsequent group discussion portion of the event. Participants engaged the presenters and each other with insightful questions on bilateral information sharing, cyber threat hunting, active cyber defense, and public and private sector cooperation. The event was the fourth cybersecurity cooperation dialogue hosted by the NEXT Alliance Initiative.

Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation (SEED): SEED Delegate Publication on WPS (Ms. Erin Cooper)

As part of her participation in the 2023 Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation on Women, Peace and Security, Ms. Erin Cooper, acting director for International Humanitarian Policy at the Department of Defense, has published an article with Sasakawa USA summarizing her findings from a week-long research trip to Tokyo earlier this year. In her publication, "Women, Peace and Security: An Opportunity to Further the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance," Ms. Cooper lays out key opportunities for future defense cooperation between Japan and the United States in the realm of WPS. Her recommendations include establishing regular bilateral engagements between the Department of Defense and Ministry of Defense, promoting congressional exchanges, and supporting the development of an ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) Gender Advisor to supplement the work Japan and the U.S. are doing to promote WPS in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Photo: Ms. Erin Cooper

Upcoming Activities

Photo Exhibit:

Recapturing Happiness: The Enduring Spirit of Ishinomaki

From January 31 to March 13, 2024, Sasakawa USA and the Japan Information & Culture Center (JICC) of the Embassy of Japan will hold a photo exhibition at the JICC titled Recapturing Happiness: The Enduring Spirit of Ishinomaki, featuring photographs by Mr. Keisuke Hirai. This photo exhibition conveys the resilience of the human spirit, the joy of community, and the moments of happiness that persisted in Ishinomaki following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. Following the earthquake and tsunami in the months after the disaster, Mr. Hirai travelled to Ishinomaki to begin documenting the disaster-struck area. What began as a trip to capture recovery efforts taking place in Ishinomaki turned into a photo project capturing moments of joy within the city’s community despite the incomprehensible adversities that confronted them.

What has also emerged following the disaster is a strengthening of the U.S.-Japan alliance by initiatives such as Operation TOMODACHI, a joint humanitarian assistance effort by Japan and the U.S. to respond to the catastrophic effects of the earthquake, tsunami, and resulting nuclear accident. Not only are bilateral relations with respect to defense, trade, and diplomacy closer than ever before, but the countless personal relationships formed between the two countries also demonstrate the tightly intertwined nature of the relationship. This exhibition reminds us of the longing for happiness that shines through even in unimaginably dark times when we come together, be it as family, friends, or neighbors.

Photo: One of Mr. Keisuke Hirai's photos featured in the Recapturing Happiness: The Enduring Spirit of Ishinomaki photo exhibition.

U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series (RAS):

Stanford University and UT-Austin

The next installment of the Sasakawa USA U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series will be held on January 23, 2024, at Stanford University and January 25, 2024, at the University of Texas at Austin.

Both events will cover the present and future of the U.S.-Japan alliance and how the two countries should manage intensifying strategic competition with China. The panel discussions will feature Dr. Matake Kamiya, professor at the National Defense Academy (Japan), Mr. James Schoff, senior director of the US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative at Sasakawa USA, and a local expert from the university community.

Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP): JUMP Seattle

On February 24, Sasakawa USA will hold a Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP) event in Seattle in partnership with the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, National Association of Japan-America Societies, and the Embassy of Japan. The event, "Beyond Reconciliation: Celebrating the Japan-U.S. Alliance and Honoring Nisei Veterans," will help inform American military servicemembers and community members of important developments in the U.S.-Japan security alliance. JUMP Seattle also will draw attention to and honor the contributions of the Nisei veterans, those Japanese-Americans who served patriotically in the U.S. military in the Second World War despite facing persecution at home.

Announcements

LTG Koichiro Bansho Named a

Distinguished Senior Fellow (Non-Resident)

Sasakawa USA has named Lieutenant General Koichiro Bansho (JGSDF, Ret.) as a distinguished senior fellow (non-resident). LTG Bansho served for 35 years in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and was integral to U.S.-Japan military coordination via Operation TOMODACHI in the aftermath of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. 

LTG Bansho recently participated in a week of engagements with Sasakawa USA, where he presented to National War College students, Washington Kenkyu Group, United States Marine Corps University students, Rising Indo-Pacific Security Experts (RISE), and Policy Briefing attendees where he reflected on his experience with the Japan Self-Defense Force's first non-peacekeeping deployment to Samawah, Iraq.

As part of his fellowship, LTG Bansho will speak at Sasakawa USA events and contribute articles on topics related to U.S.-Japan security and diplomacy. With his expertise and experience, Sasakawa USA will continue to play a small but critical role in strengthening the U.S.-Japan diplomatic and security alliance.



Photo: Lieutenant General Koichiro Bansho

Congressional Program on U.S.-Japan Relations and the Indo-Pacific (CPUSJ): Program Begins January 2024

The Winter 2024 Congressional Program on U.S.-Japan Relations and the Indo-Pacific (CPUSJ) will take place this January to February. The program is a partnership between Sasakawa USA and the East-West Center in Washington. CPUSJ consists of eight sessions in which Congressional staff will participate in interactive discussions with prominent experts from government agencies, think tanks, universities, and other policy institutions, about the importance of the U.S.-Japan relationship and its impact on the Indo-Pacific region.

Session topics will include Japanese Domestic Politics, The U.S.-Japan Alliance as the Cornerstone of Indo-Pacific Peace, Security, and Stability, U.S.-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation, U.S.-Japan Engagement with Other Indo-Pacific Countries, Economic Statecraft in the Indo-Pacific, Multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific, and Great Power Competition.

Applications close January 5, 2024.

US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative: NEXT Alliance Conference on C2 Modernization Webpage Launched

The US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative launched its NEXT Alliance Conference (NAC) Fall 2023 webpage on December 18. The webpage provides insights into the three-day conference’s presentations, discussions and keynote addresses (including a photo gallery). This NAC was the final one in the series on “U.S.-Japan Command Relationships for New Challenges,” from which a final report with Sasakawa USA's recommendations on C2 modernization will be released in early 2024.

In December, Congress instructed the Department of Defense and State Department to complete a feasibility study by July on potential changes to U.S. C2 arrangements in Japan. The NEXT Alliance Initiative midterm report from our task force on U.S.-Japan C2 modernization provides some practical options for consideration.

Photo: NEXT Alliance Conference (NAC) participants

Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA

1819 L Street, NW, Suite 300

Washington, DC 20036

+1.202.296.6694