May 10, 2019 - In This Issue:

    Photo by Joy Asico
Sixth Annual Sasakawa USA Security Forum focused on theme of new security challenges 

On April 24, 2019, Sasakawa USA held its Sixth Annual Security Forum at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. The day-long event included opening remarks by the Honorable Shinsuke J. Sugiyama, Japan's Ambassador to the United States, a keynote address by General Ryoichi Oriki, (ret.), former Chairman of the Japanese Joint Chiefs of Staff, and a conversation between Admiral Dennis Blair (ret.), Chairman of Sasakawa USA, and Dr. Yoichi Funabashi, Chairman of the Asia Pacific Initiative. 

The forum also featured five panel discussions on topics ranging from the United States' and Japan's Indo-Pacific strategies, to Japan's changing security strategy, and the role of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in a changing society.  A video is located on the Sasakawa USA website, as well as a complete recap and photos.

Chairman's Message: The State of the U.S.-Japan Alliance
                                Photo by Joy Asico

In his latest Chairman's Message for Sasakawa USA, The State of the U.S.-Japan Alliance, Adm. Dennis Blair provided an overview of the important U.S.-Japan alliance developments over the past year, including a look at policies, budgets, and regional concerns. "The U.S.-Japan alliance is making progress, but our competitors, technology, and world events continue to move fast. The alliance must accelerate pace if we are to maintain the kind of world in which we want our children to live and prosper," Blair wrote.


Sasakawa USA Forum: The Looming Cost-Sharing Storm
U.S. Marine Corps photo by
Sgt. Timothy Turner

In Issue No. 18 of the Sasakawa USA Forum, Michael Bosack argues that the Trump administration's quarrelsome position toward alliance cost-sharing spells trouble for the U.S.-Japan security relationship. Bosack provides context for existing cost-sharing agreements, identifies problems with the current U.S. administration's approach, and makes recommendations for ways alliance managers can mitigate potential fallout. Read " The Looming Cost-Sharing Storm: Mitigating the Impacts of Special Measures Agreement Negotiations on the U.S.-Japan Alliance."

The  Sasakawa USA Forum  is currently 
accepting submissions for Summer/Fall 2019. Submissions should be 750 to 2,000 words in length and written on issues that previously have been inadequately covered regarding Japan or U.S.-Japan relations from a bilateral, regional, and global context. For more information, contact Christopher Rodeman at [email protected]. 
   


Upcoming Events
                                 Photo by Joy Asico

Join Sasakawa USA for upcoming events in Washington, D.C., and Tokyo focused on U.S.-Asia relations. Please check our events page for event details and new listings as we post them.





Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA

1819 L Street NW
Suite 300
Washington DC 20036

202-296-6694