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IINA: The Role of the Next Secretary-General in the Shrinking United Nations

The selection of the next United Nations (UN) Secretary-General has begun, as António Guterres is scheduled to vacate the office at the end of 2026, in line with the customary practice of stepping down after two five-year terms. Throughout UN history, each Secretary-General has brought a distinct character to the role, and the Guterres era has been a decade marked by the decline of multilateralism. Who will inherit a shrinking Organization, and what should we expect from the next Secretary-General? This article outlines the selection process, briefly introduces the current candidates, and discusses what it means to be the next Secretary-General.

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28Oct2026

Sasakawa Peace Foundation 40th Anniversary Symposium
Learning from the World's Most Gender-Equal Nation: Driving Women's Power into Economic Growth
Japan – Iceland 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

Registration Open

27Oct2026

Together, We Can Shape the Future: Advancing Children's Well-being through a New Japan-Bangladesh Partnership”

Registration Open

19Oct2026

Working together to address ocean stewardship opportunities ～ SeaBOS experience

Registration Closed

14Sep2026

Ocean Impact Navigator for Japan
From Blue Impact Finance Momentum to Action
— Visualizing Business Opportunities and Impact in the Blue Economy —

Registration Closed

06Aug2026

Symposium
Co-creating Sustainable and Inclusive Migration Governance:Lessons from Multi‑Stakeholder Collaboration across East and Southeast Asia

Registration Closed

13Jul2026

Public Symposium"Inclusive Society with Foreign Residents in Local Communities: The Roles of Local Governments, NPOs, Corporations, and Residents"

Registration Closed

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SPF Hosts Tabletop Exercise on Security Challenges in the Taiwan Strait

On October 14, 2026, the U.S.-Japan and Security Studies Unit of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation hosted a tabletop exercise (TTX) featuring Mr. Tristan Tang, a Taiwan-based wargaming researcher.

October 16, 2026

News

What the Label “Women Refugee Entrepreneurs” Challenges us to Rethink

What image comes to mind when you hear the word "entrepreneur"? You probably picture someone leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative services to launch their own company with abundant capital. During our field research in Middle Eastern countries—including Türkiye, Jordan, and Egypt—this year, we met several "women entrepreneurs" living as refugees.

October 16, 2026

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Exchange of Views with China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC)

On October 13, 2026, the Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit welcomed a delegation from the China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC), headed by Assistant President and Executive Director Sun Yonggang, for a roundtable discussion. Participants exchanged views on a range of issues, including perceptions of foreign and defense policies and contemporary security challenges facing Japan and China. The discussion underscored the growing importance of maintaining communication and dialogue among stakeholders in both countries to promote mutual understanding and foster trust.

October 14, 2026

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IINA: The Role of the Next Secretary-General in the Shrinking United Nations

By Sumie Nakaya, Associate Professor of Peace and Conflict Studies at the Institute of Global Studies, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies

The selection of the next United Nations (UN) Secretary-General has begun, as António Guterres is scheduled to vacate the office at the end of 2026, in line with the customary practice of stepping down after two five-year terms. Throughout UN history, each Secretary-General has brought a distinct character to the role, and the Guterres era has been a decade marked by the decline of multilateralism. Who will inherit a shrinking Organization, and what should we expect from the next Secretary-General? This article outlines the selection process, briefly introduces the current candidates, and discusses what it means to be the next Secretary-General.

IINA: Latin America’s Pursuit of Active Non-Alignment in an Era of US-China Rivalry

Since his return to the White House, US President Donald Trump has identified the Western Hemisphere as a priority for US foreign and defense policy, and this shift appears to be reshaping political dynamics across Latin America. Some observers argue that Trump’s Big Stick diplomacy has contributed to a rightward shift in the region, with right-leaning candidates winning presidential elections in Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia, and Peru since the beginning of his second term. Many of these candidates campaigned on improving relations with Washington—a message that Trump openly welcomed. The so-called Orange Wave sweeping the region would seem to suggest that his hemispheric strategy is gaining traction.

By Suguru Osawa, Associate Professor, Aichi University

October 13, 2026

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: NATO's Evolving Space Security - Implications for Japan's Space Strategy

As a political and military alliance, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been forced to adapt to changing circumstances and emerging threat risks. It has continued to transform itself across every field, from organizational structure to operational management. Since the mid-2010s, addressing threats in the cyber domain has become a strategic challenge, and in the face of present-day vulnerabilities such as accelerated reliance on space infrastructure through digitalization, NATO has continued to systematically work on building deterrence and defense postures in outer space.

By Jun Nagashima, Senior Research Advisor, Nakasone Peace Institute,Lt. Gen, JASDF (Ret.)

September 30, 2026

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: Rebalancing to America? How the Iran War Is Reshaping Asia’s Energy Security

Since the outbreak of the Iran war on February 28, 2026, unstable transit conditions in the Strait of Hormuz have sharply curtailed oil and natural gas exports from Middle Eastern producers. Against this backdrop, the United States has emerged as an increasingly critical supplier underpinning Asia’s energy procurement. At the same time, as the conflict drags on, questions are mounting over whether the United States can continue sustaining large scale energy exports to Asia.

By Masahide Takahashi, Guest Research Fellow, Institute of Islamic Area Studies at Sophia University

September 7, 2026

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Ocean Policy Research Institute (Division of Island Nations)

The 1st Island Nations GLOBAL SYNERGY Mtg 4 - Knowledge Sharing: Breaking Regional Barriers

From March 12 to 13, 2026, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation hosted The 1st Island Nations Global Synergy Meeting in Tokyo, Japan. The event was organized in collaboration with the Government of Palau, EPCO and Sov Lanatir, both NGOs based in Mauritius, as well as the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States), a regional organization headquartered in Saint Lucia. Approximately 60 practitioners from island nations across the Caribbean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Pacific islands regions gathered to identify shared challenges and regional differences, while promoting mutual understanding and collaboration.

October 8, 2026

The 1st Island Nations GLOBAL SYNERGY Mtg 4 - Knowledge Sharing: Breaking Regional Barriers

Ocean Policy Research Institute

Ocean Impact Navigator for Japan: Blue Impact Finance Momentum to Action

The Ocean Impact Navigator (OIN) provides a framework for systematically assessing ocean impact and enabling investors, financial institutions, companies, startups, support organizations, and researchers to engage and evaluate opportunities from a shared perspective. Beyond being an assessment tool, OIN is expected to serve as a practical foundation for advancing blue finance and ocean impact investment in Japan.

October 7, 2026

Ocean Policy Research Institute (Division of Island Nations)

The 1st Island Nations GLOBAL SYNERGY Mtg 3 - Caribbean Regional Dialogue Outcome Report

From 12 to 13 March 2026, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation hosted The 1st Island Nations Global Synergy Meeting in Tokyo, Japan. The event was organized in collaboration with the Government of Palau, EPCO and Sov Lanatir, both NGOs based in Mauritius, as well as the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States), a regional organization headquartered in Saint Lucia. Approximately 60 practitioners from island nations across the Caribbean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Pacific islands regions gathered to identify shared challenges and regional differences, while promoting mutual understanding and collaboration.

September 30, 2026

Ocean Policy Research Institute (Division of Island Nations)

The 1st Island Nations GLOBAL SYNERGY Mtg 2 - Western Indian Ocean & African Island Nations Report

From 12 to 13 March 2026, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation hosted The 1st Island Nations Global Synergy Meeting in Tokyo, Japan. The event was organized in collaboration with the Government of Palau, EPCO and Sov Lanatir, both NGOs based in Mauritius, as well as the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States), a regional organization headquartered in Saint Lucia. Approximately 60 practitioners from island nations across the Caribbean, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Pacific islands regions gathered to identify shared challenges and regional differences, while promoting mutual understanding and collaboration.

September 16, 2026

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The Langtang Collapse

Locally Led Progress in Pilot Areas: Education Support for Migrant Children

Climate Loss Index (CLiX)

Ocean Newsletter No.606

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Featured News

IINA: The Role of the Next Secretary-General in the Shrinking United Nations

Latest Events

Sasakawa Peace Foundation 40th Anniversary SymposiumLearning from the World's Most Gender-Equal Nation: Driving Women's Power into Economic GrowthJapan – Iceland 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

Together, We Can Shape the Future: Advancing Children's Well-being through a New Japan-Bangladesh Partnership”

Working together to address ocean stewardship opportunities ～ SeaBOS experience

Ocean Impact Navigator for JapanFrom Blue Impact Finance Momentum to Action— Visualizing Business Opportunities and Impact in the Blue Economy —

SymposiumCo-creating Sustainable and Inclusive Migration Governance:Lessons from Multi‑Stakeholder Collaboration across East and Southeast Asia

Public Symposium"Inclusive Society with Foreign Residents in Local Communities: The Roles of Local Governments, NPOs, Corporations, and Residents"

Latest News

SPF Hosts Tabletop Exercise on Security Challenges in the Taiwan Strait

What the Label “Women Refugee Entrepreneurs” Challenges us to Rethink

Exchange of Views with China Association for International Friendly Contact (CAIFC)

Units and Programs

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit

General Affairs and Networking Program

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

Strategy and Deterrence Program

Asia Unit

Strategic Dialogue and Human Resource Development Program

Peacebuilding Program

Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Program

West Asia and Islam Unit

West Asia and Islam Program

Social Innovation Program

Ocean Policy Research Institute

Division of Ocean Vision and Action

Division of Island Nations

Scholarship Unit

Sasakawa Scholarship Program

Center for Mediation Support

Center for Mediation Support

Essays and Commentary

IINA: The Role of the Next Secretary-General in the Shrinking United Nations

Latest News

IINA: Latin America’s Pursuit of Active Non-Alignment in an Era of US-China Rivalry

IINA: NATO's Evolving Space Security - Implications for Japan's Space Strategy

IINA: Rebalancing to America? How the Iran War Is Reshaping Asia’s Energy Security

Videos

The 1st Island Nations GLOBAL SYNERGY Mtg 4 - Knowledge Sharing: Breaking Regional Barriers

Ocean Impact Navigator for Japan: Blue Impact Finance Momentum to Action

The 1st Island Nations GLOBAL SYNERGY Mtg 3 - Caribbean Regional Dialogue Outcome Report

The 1st Island Nations GLOBAL SYNERGY Mtg 2 - Western Indian Ocean & African Island Nations Report

Reports and Publications

The Langtang Collapse

Locally Led Progress in Pilot Areas: Education Support for Migrant Children

Climate Loss Index (CLiX)

Ocean Newsletter No.606

Video Title

Sasakawa Peace Foundation 40th Anniversary Symposium
Learning from the World's Most Gender-Equal Nation: Driving Women's Power into Economic Growth
Japan – Iceland 70th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations

Ocean Impact Navigator for Japan
From Blue Impact Finance Momentum to Action
— Visualizing Business Opportunities and Impact in the Blue Economy —

Symposium
Co-creating Sustainable and Inclusive Migration Governance:Lessons from Multi‑Stakeholder Collaboration across East and Southeast Asia