Sasakawa USA Newsletter October Highlights | |
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Included in this issue of the newsletter:
October Activities
- U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series: The Ohio State, Indiana University, and The Citadel
- Japan US Military Program (JUMP): Honolulu
- Women, Peace and Security Forum with the International Peace Institute
- Washington Kenkyu Group: Discussion with Retired ADM Tomohisa Takei (JMSDF)
- Washington Kenkyu Group: Discussion with Mr. Paul Goldstein
- Congressional Study Group on Japan: 2024 Asia Retreat for Senior Congressional Staff
Recaps
External Engagements
- Ms. Shanti Shoji Participates in International Conference on Women, Peace and Security in Manila
Publications
- Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation (SEED): 2024 SEED Publication on DRR and WPS (Ms. Maryruth Belsey Priebe)
- US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative: Forwards and Goalkeepers: Winning the (Advanced Technology) Game, or Simply Not Losing? (Dr. Crystal Pryor)
Upcoming Activities
- U.S.-Japan Research Exchange: Drs. Kimberly and Frederick W. Kagan
- U.S.-Japan Research Exchange: Ms. Tomoko Matsuzawa
Announcements
- New Senior Program Officer: Mr. John Seymour
Featured Staff
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U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series:
The Ohio State University, Indiana University,
and The Citadel
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Sasakawa USA conducted three U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series events in October with The Ohio State University, Indiana University Bloomington, and The Citadel. The U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series helps students, researchers, and community members deepen their understanding of the U.S.-Japan relationship’s importance in terms of national security and economic/business relations. On this Midwest to Southern tour, both Sasakawa USA and its partners were proud to welcome retired Admiral Tomohisa Takei, former 32nd chief of staff for the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF), and retired Lieutenant General Lawrence “Larry” Nicholson, former commanding general of the III Marine Expeditionary Force in Japan for the United States Marine Corps (USMC), as well as distinguished senior fellow (non-resident) for Sasakawa USA.
The first U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series event on “Strengthening the U.S.-Japan Economic and Security Alliance in Ohio” was held at The Ohio State University on October 7, in partnership with the East Asian Studies Center. Dr. Mitchell Lerner, director of the East Asian Studies Center at The Ohio State University, served as master of ceremonies and provided introductory remarks for VADM Walter “Ted” Carter, president of The Ohio State University; Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, chairman and president of Sasakawa USA; and Dr. Hiroyuki Fujita, founder and CEO of Quality Electrodynamics and former chairman of the board of trustees for The Ohio State University. The symposium’s first panel on “U.S. and Japan as Global Security Partners for the Future” featured comments from ADM Takei; LtGen Nicholson; and Col. Peter Mansoor, professor of military history at The Ohio State University. Dr. Akimoto served as moderator for the panel. The second panel on “U.S. and Japan as Economic Collaborators for the Future” included Ms. Teruko Wada, director of the international affairs bureau at Keidanren (Japan Business Federation); Ms. Yuka Hayashi, senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute and former journalist at The Wall Street Journal; and Dr. Hiroaki Kawamura, associate professor and director for modern languages at the University of Findlay and special assistant to the director at the Findlay/Handcock County Economic Development, as well as the grassroots outreach advisor for Ohio at the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO). Dr. William Chou, deputy director and Japan chair at the Hudson Institute, moderated the discussions and interactions with the audience.
The second U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series event on “The U.S.-Japan Alliance as a Global Partnership” was held on October 8, at Indiana University Bloomington, in partnership with the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. Dr. Adam Liff, associate professor of East Asian international relations and director of the 21st Century Japan Politics & Society Initiative at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University Bloomington, served as master of ceremonies and introduced Dr. Akimoto and Dr. John Ciorciari, dean of the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University Bloomington. The first panel on “The Future of the U.S.-Japan Alliance and the ‘Free and Open Indo-Pacific’” highlighted remarks from ADM Takei; LtGen Nicholson; and Dr. Sarah Bauerle-Danzman, director of the Tobias Center and associate professor at the Hamilton Lugar School at Indiana University Bloomington. The second panel on “Political and Social Challenges for Japan’s New Prime Minister” featured Dr. Akimoto and Dr. Hilary Holbrow, assistant professor at the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University Bloomington.
The third U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series on “Strengthening the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance in South Carolina” was held on October 11, at The Citadel in partnership with the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The event began with remarks from Dr. Akimoto and Dr. Brian Jones, dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at The Citadel. Dr. Keith Knapp, professor of history at The Citadel, moderated the event and LtGen Nicholson provided keynote remarks. Dr. Knapp and Dr. Roger Bailey, assistant professor of history at The Citadel, gave historical overviews. Dr. Michael Shao-cheng Sun, associate professor of political science at The Citadel; Dr. Jan Goldman, professor for intelligence and security studies at The Citadel; LtGen Nicholson; and ADM Takei were panelists. Col. Thomas Clark, executive director of the Krause Center for Leadership and Ethics at The Citadel closed the event which included a mix of Citadel cadets, professors, and staff.
More details on these U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series events will be available on Sasakawa USA’s website in the coming weeks.
Top left photo (left to right): Retired LtGen Lawrence “Larry” Nicholson (USMC) and retired ADM Tomohisa Takei (JMSDF) at The Ohio State University
Top right photo: Retired LtGen Lawrence “Larry” Nicholson (USMC) at The Citadel
Bottom photo (left to right): Dr. Adam Liff, Dr. Sarah Bauerle-Danzman, retired LtGen Lawrence “Larry” Nicholson (USMC), and retired ADM Tomohisa Takei (JMSDF) at Indiana University Bloomington
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Japan US Military Program (JUMP): Honolulu | |
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On October 25, Sasakawa USA held a Japan US Military Program (JUMP) event in Honolulu, Hawaii, in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH), marking the port visit of the Japan Training Squadron at Pearl Harbor. The JUMP Honolulu event brought together service members from the United States and Japan for a high-level dialogue on the U.S.-Japan alliance. JUMP Honolulu featured keynote remarks by retired Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano (JMSDF), former chief of staff of the Joint Staff in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, and by Admiral Samuel Paparo (USN), commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. Both admirals emphasized the importance of further developing the U.S.-Japan alliance as a global partnership to ensure peace and security in the region and beyond. Governor of Hawaii Josh Green also gave remarks about Hawaii's work supporting closer commercial, cultural, and military ties with Japan. The JUMP Honolulu event drew 200 attendees from the U.S. military, Japan Training Squadron, and civil society, including senior military and political leaders. Additional remarks were given by Mr. Yoshinori Kodama, consul general of Japan in Honolulu; Rear Admiral Takaaki Hayamizu (JMSDF), defense and naval attaché at the Embassy of Japan; RADM Takahiro Nishiyama, commanding officer of the Japan Training Squadron; and Ms. Karen Knudsen, chair of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii. Adding a cultural dimension to the event, the Japan Training Squadron's band and taiko drum group provided musical performances, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Japan and fostering a spirit of friendship between the two nations.
Photo (left to right): Ms. Kodama, Mr. Yoshinori Kodama, ADM Samuel Paparo (USN), retired ADM Katsutoshi Kawano (JMSDF), and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto
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Women, Peace and Security Forum
with the International Peace Institute
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On October 24, Sasakawa USA convened a joint policy forum with the International Peace Institute (IPI) in New York, on “National Action Plans for National Challenges: Addressing Environmental Crises through the WPS Agenda.” Held on the margins of the United Nations Security Council open debate on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), this event gathered high-level stakeholders in the WPS field to map out and explore how the WPS agenda has expanded to include climate and disaster-related concerns, and how different member states are contextualizing these issues within their National Action Plans (NAPs).
The WPS forum commenced with welcome remarks from IPI Vice President Adam Lupel, followed by opening remarks from Sasakawa USA Director of Programs Shanti Shoji and NATO’s Special Representative for WPS Irene Fellin. The event featured a panel discussion moderated by IPI Senior Fellow and Head of WPS Phoebe Donnelly with remarks from Mr. Sho Ohno, minister of human rights and humanitarian affairs at the Permanent Mission of Japan to the UN; Ms. Katrina Fotovat, principal deputy director of the Office of Global Women’s Issues at the U.S. Department of State; Mr. Japhet Eichel, associate expert on climate, peace and security at the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs; Ms. Maryruth Belsey Priebe, co-founder of aXXelerate; and Ms. Harriette Williams Bright, WPS humanitarian action compact lead at UN Women.
The WPS agenda has evolved over the past 24 years, incorporating linkages between issues related to climate, disaster risk reduction (DRR), and WPS. The WPS event in New York concluded with interventions from the floor made by Dr. Miwako Kitamura, researcher (specially appointed) at Tohoku University’s International Research Institute of Disaster Science, and Ms. Dalal El Taher, board member at the Syria Civil Defence, the White Helmets. Both speakers highlighted the experiences of women on the ground who have been impacted by disasters in both Japan and Syria, as well as the critical role women play in the response, relief, and recovery phases.
Photo: Panelists and partners of the WPS forum event in New York
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Washington Kenkyu Group:
Discussion with Retired ADM Tomohisa Takei (JMSDF)
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On October 10, Sasakawa USA hosted a Washington Kenkyu Group event featuring retired ADM Tomohisa Takei, the former 32nd chief of staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The discussion focused on key areas related to strengthening the U.S.-Japan security alliance amid global geopolitical developments. ADM Takei provided his analysis of the changing global dynamics, with particular emphasis on two major ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. In addition, ADM Takei touched upon the role of the JMSDF in regional security and the challenges in the maritime domain.
Photo (left to right): Retired ADM Tomohisa Takei (JMSDF) and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto
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Washington Kenkyu Group:
Discussion with Mr. Paul Goldstein
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On October 15, Sasakawa USA’s Washington Kenkyu Group held a roundtable discussion featuring insights from Mr. Paul Goldstein, CEO and president of PTB Global Advisors, and Mr. Karl Wagner, a former senior executive of the CIA, on the complex issues surrounding Nippon Steel’s proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel. The discussion focused on analyzing the deal’s challenges and prospects, as well as examining the role and significance of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) in the process.
Photo: Mr. Paul Goldstein
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Congressional Study Group on Japan:
2024 Asia Retreat for Senior Congressional Staff
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From October 2-4, the Congressional Study Group on Japan, a non-partisan and non-advocacy legislative exchange program of FMC supported by Sasakawa USA, held its annual Asia retreat in Charlottesville, Virginia, for senior congressional staff. This marked the first time the retreat has taken place since the COVID-19 pandemic. The retreat served as a valuable “mini-study tour” that deepened participants’ understanding of Asia and the U.S.-Japan alliance. It featured a range of panel discussions with policy experts specializing in U.S.-Asia and Japan relations. The panels touched on topics including Indo-Pacific security, the U.S.-Japan-ROK trilateral relationship, Chinese foreign policy, and geopolitics in Southeast Asia and ASEAN. The retreat was well-attended with 12 chiefs of staff from both political parties participating, as well as speakers from diplomatic missions, think tanks, academia, and government agencies.
Photo: Participants and panelists at the 2024 Asia retreat for senior congressional staff
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Sasakawa USA’s US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative published a summary of its September 19th book launch and policy roundtable for the recent English publication of On the Frontlines of Operation TOMODACHI: Japan-US Coordination During Crisis by retired LTG Koichi Isobe, former commander of the Eastern Army in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The recap synthesizes insights from LTG Isobe and retired U.S. Forces Japan Commander Lt Gen Burt Field (USAF), as well as key points made in the discussion segment with attendees from think tanks, military branches, government, and media. The speakers shared their experiences of the joint U.S.-Japan response to the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis triple disaster in Japan.
Participants discussed how the experiences from Operation TOMODACHI could inform and improve future bilateral missions between the U.S. and Japan. As the sixth roundtable in the NEXT Alliance Initiative’s series on command and control (C2) modernization, the event contributed to ongoing discussions about improving the alliance’s operational effectiveness. The focus on the 2011 crisis response provided practical examples of C2 challenges and success. One final publication is planned for this project which involves examining the post-election prospects for C2 modernization, adding historical context to the structure of USFJ, and proposing near-term policy recommendations based on the NEXT Alliance Initiative’s earlier task force deliberations.
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Ms. Shanti Shoji Participates in International Conference on Women, Peace and Security in Manila |  | |
From October 28 to 30, Sasakawa USA Director of Programs Shanti Shoji attended the International Conference on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) hosted by the Government of the Philippines with the theme “Forging Collaboration and Convergence for Advancing Women, Peace, and Security.” Ahead of the 25th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the conference convened over 400 participants in national and local governments and civil society, representing over 60 countries. Topics covered included strategies to promote and increase women’s meaningful participation in peace processes, best practices and barriers to effective implementation of National Action Plans (NAPs) on WPS, and multi-stakeholder initiatives to enhance regional cooperation.
On the sidelines of the conference, Ms. Shoji met with Ms. Maho Nakayama, director of the Peacebuilding Program at Sasakawa Peace Foundation and officials of the Philippine Army to discuss women in the armed forces in the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines. She also attended several engagements related to the launch of the WPS Center of Excellence in the Philippines, a partnered effort between the U.S. State Department’s Office of Global Women’s Issues and the Philippine Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU). The Center will serve as a regional hub where experts and stakeholders can exchange best practices and lessons learned on peace and security issues. As the U.S., Japan, and the Philippines made official statements in April 2024 to work collaboratively on WPS, the conference and inauguration of the WPS Center of Excellence served as launching pads for various forms of this collaboration to begin.
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Top photo: Ms. Shanti Shoji with fellow participants of the 2024 International Conference on WPS
Bottom photo: Ms. Shoji with representatives from the Philippines Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU), the U.S. Department of State's Office of Global Women's Issues, Georgetown Institute of Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS), and Gender Action for Peace and Security (GAPS UK) at the first meeting of the WPS Center of Excellence
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Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation (SEED):
2024 SEED Publication on DRR and WPS
(Ms. Maryruth Belsey Priebe)
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 |  | Ms. Maryruth Belsey Priebe, director of WPS programs at Pacific Forum and co-founder of aXXelerate, has recently published a paper titled “Gender-Blind DRR Blunts Response and Recovery” as part of her participation in the 2024 Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation (SEED). This delegation focused on strengthening disaster risk reduction (DRR) through the lens of Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Ms. Belsey Priebe’s paper draws from her experience during the SEED one-week research trip to Tokyo in July and offers a comprehensive analysis of efforts to integrate WPS principles in DRR and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HA/DR) strategies in both the U.S. and Japan. Ms. Belsey Priebe outlines recommendations for both countries to enhance their individual initiatives, foster more effective gender-responsive disaster management practices, and improve collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Japan. Ms. Belsey Priebe’s paper is available on Sasakawa USA’s website here. Additional pieces from the other SEED delegates will be published on a rolling basis over the coming weeks.
Photo: Ms. Maryruth Belsey Priebe
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US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative: Forwards and Goalkeepers: Winning the (Advanced Technology)
Game or Simply Not Losing? (Dr. Crystal Pryor)
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On October 8, the US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative published an article “Forwards and Goalkeepers: Winning the (Advanced Technology) Game, or Simply Not Losing?” by Dr. Crystal Pryor, senior fellow at the Center for Policy Research at SUNY Albany. Derived from the NEXT Alliance Conference in spring 2024 on "U.S.-Japan Economic Security Policy Coordination: Semiconductors," Dr. Pryor writes about global tech competition and the efficacy of the U.S. and like-minded countries utilizing export controls versus the promotion of innovation. Dr. Pryor is a NEXT Alliance Initiative non-resident scholar. To read Dr. Pryor’s article in its entirety, click here. For more NEXT papers on economic security, click here.
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U.S.-Japan Research Exchange:
Drs. Kimberly and Frederick W. Kagan
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On December 2, Dr. Kimberly Kagan, founder and president of the Institute for the Study of War, and Dr. Fredrick W. Kagan, director of the critical threats project and senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, will immerse themselves in a weeklong U.S.-Japan Research Exchange study trip to Tokyo.
The Kagans research is focused on two critical areas of international security. The first area of their research focuses on applying lessons learned from the war in Ukraine to Asia-Pacific defense planning. The second area will explore the threats posed to the Asia Pacific region, and Japan especially, as a result of Russia’s increased cooperation with Iran, North Korea, and China to bolster its defense industrial bases due to its economic and demographic weaknesses. The Kagans research and subsequent papers will provide valuable analysis on these critical issues, offering insights that could shape future defense and security policies in the Asia-Pacific region.
Photos (left to right): Drs. Kimberly and Fredrick W. Kagan
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U.S.-Japan Research Exchange:
Ms. Tomoko Matsuzawa
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| |  | Ms. Tomoko Matsuzawa, director for international cooperation on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and gender advisor for the Japanese Ministry of Defense, is set to embark on a one-week U.S.-Japan Research Exchange study trip to the United States from December 9 to 13. The inclusion of WPS in formal documents between the U.S. and Japan, such as the recent Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee (“2+2”) and the Joint Leaders’ Statement, signals a growing recognition of WPS as a crucial area of cooperation to realize a free and open Indo-Pacific and world. The primary purpose of Ms. Matsuzawa’s visit to Washington, DC, and New York is to gain insights and exchange ideas on improving the U.S. and Japan’s respective and collaborative integration and implementation of the WPS agenda to foster a more inclusive and resilient partnership that enhances peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Ms. Matsuzawa will publish a research paper based on the findings from her trip, which will be made available on Sasakawa USA’s website.
Photo: Ms. Tomoko Matsuzawa
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New Senior Program Officer: Mr. John Seymour | |
Sasakawa USA would like to introduce Mr. John Seymour, a newly appointed senior program officer who joined Sasakawa USA in September. In his new role, Mr. Seymour will support many of Sasakawa USA’s programs, including the Japan-US Military Program (JUMP), the U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance Series, and Rising Indo-Pacific Security Experts (RISE), among others.
Prior to joining Sasakawa USA, Mr. Seymour served as a program officer at the Institute of International Education, where he helped manage the Fulbright Scholarship Program in the East Asia and Pacific region for U.S. students and scholars. Mr. Seymour has also interned at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Japan Chair and Asia Pacific Initiative in Tokyo.
Mr. Seymour completed graduate studies at Georgetown University with a masters of arts in Asia studies in 2020, where he focused on international relations and security in the Indo-Pacific region. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Georgetown. Additionally, Mr. Seymour has participated in several Japanese language programs, including ones at Middlebury College, Nanzan University, and the Hokkaido International Foundation.
Within the field of international relations, Mr. Seymour has a special interest in sports diplomacy, especially the role of baseball in the U.S.-Japan relationship. He has coached youth baseball in Washington, DC, for over 10 years.
Photo: Mr. John Seymour
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Konnichiwa! My name is Masako Hariu, and I am an administrative manager at Sasakawa USA, a position I have held since January 2023. It has been an honor to be part of strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship since then.
My interest in U.S.-Japan relations started very early when I was just a young kid in Tokyo. I loved watching U.S. TV shows and movies, visiting museums to learn about the arts and histories of other countries, and going to stores where I could see American products. This early interest was further deepened when I first traveled to the U.S. with my family. I remember being surprised by many things, not only the atmosphere or things we could see, but also the people and how they interacted with each other. Since then, I have been passionate about experiencing other cultures. All of these experiences have moved me to where I am today.
After relocating to Washington, DC, I was fortunate to learn more about Sasakawa USA’s mission which aims to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Japan. One of my memorable experiences in DC has been seeing the cherry blossoms in spring at the Tidal Basin which symbolizes the deep rooted relationship between the U.S.-Japan.
My time at Sasakawa USA has been meaningful in many ways such as supporting my colleagues who are working hard to build stronger relationships between the U.S. and Japan. In addition, I am fortunate to meet people of various backgrounds who share the same ambitions. I am very much looking forward to continuing to contribute to the U.S.-Japan relationship.
Photo: Ms. Masako Hariu
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Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
1819 L Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
+1.202.296.6694
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