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Think, Do, and Innovate-Tank

A think tank as well as a foundation, SPF believes that both words and actions are key to understanding the challenges of today and forging new paths toward a more harmonious, sustainable, and inclusive future.

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2025 is poised to become an “Ocean Super Year,” a pivotal moment for advancing international rules that safeguard our ocean. Learn more about SPF's work to support efforts to protect and sustain our ocean for future generations.

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Featured News

Reports and Publications

Reports on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in the Philippines

The Peacebuilding Program of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation promotes the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda as one of its core pillars. In collaboration with PLCPD (Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development), we have produced three reports aimed at deepening the understanding of the WPS agenda and its implementation in the Philippines. These reports aim to serve as valuable resources for policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and other stakeholders engaged in peacebuilding and gender equality.

Latest Events

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14Oct2025

Science-Policy-Society Interface for the Ocean We Want ～ A Sustainable Ocean Economy for All

Registration Open

06Oct2025

Official Side Event of TICAD9 “Building Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems and Local Economies in Africa Anchored in Sustainable Blue Economies and Agriculture”

Registration Closed

19Aug2025

Leveraging Impact Finance and Empowering Communities to Improve Food Security and Promote Sustainable Blue Economies

Registration Closed

News

India-U.S. Tensions Increase｜India's Oil Policies are Torn Between U.S. and Russia｜Japan-Thailand Joint Project on Education Support for Migrant Children

September 2025 Vol.2

September 25, 2025

Essays and Commentary

IINA: The Oil Policies of India are Torn Between the United States and Russia

On August 6, 2025, President Donald J. Trump of the United States signed an Executive Order imposing secondary tariffs on India, thereby raising the total tariff rate to 50%, in response to India’s continued procurement of Russian crude oil. Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, India has actively purchased Russian crude oil and has not only used it to meet domestic demand but has also refined it and exported it to regions around the world as Indian petroleum products.

September 17, 2025

Essays and Commentary

IINA: Rapidly Growing Distrust of the U.S. in India and the Crisis in India-U.S. Relations --The Limits of Trump-Modi Friendship

Two days before the new tariffs were scheduled to take effect by the U.S., President Trump demonstrated explicit dissatisfaction with India's stance on tariff negotiations, leading to a unilateral imposition of tariffs. Trump had always professed a firm friendship with Indian Prime Minister Modi since his first term in office, and Modi welcomed Trump's re-election more than anyone else. In February of this year, Prime Minister Modi was one of the first to be invited to the White House.

September 16, 2025

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Programs

General Affairs and Networking Program (Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit)

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit
General Affairs and Networking Program

Contributing to the peace and stability of the international community while strengthening Japan's security capabilities

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program (Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit）

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit
National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

Contributing to the creation of peace and a new international order in the face of drastic shifts in the security environment by cooperating with the United States, friends, and partners

Strategy and Deterrence Program (Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit）

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit
Strategy and Deterrence Program

Assessing global shifts to contribute to the creation of a more advantageous security environment

Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program (Asia and Middle East Unit)

Asia and Middle East Unit
Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program

Building a foundation of trust between Japan, Asia, and the Middle East to fortify solidarity and engender peaceful coexistence

Peacebuilding Program (Asia and Middle East Unit)

Asia and Middle East Unit
Peacebuilding Program

Pursuing resolutions to lingering conflicts and the establishment of peace

Social Innovation Program (Asia and Middle East Unit)

Asia and Middle East Unit
Social Innovation Program

Envisioning a society where women in Asia can realize their full potential

Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Program (Asia and Middle East Unit)

Asia and Middle East Unit
Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Program

Working toward a future of lasting peace and mutual understanding

Division of Ocean Vision and Action (Ocean Policy Research Institute)

Ocean Policy Research Institute
Division of Ocean Vision and Action

Pioneers for a sustainable ocean, developing an innovative ocean governance

Division of Island Nations (Ocean Policy Research Institute)

Ocean Policy Research Institute
Division of Island Nations

Building mutual trust between Japan and Pacific island nations and promoting peace and prosperity in the region through targeted research and localized projects

Sasakawa Scholarship Program (Scholarship Unit)

Scholarship Unit
Sasakawa Scholarship Program

Providing study abroad scholarships for future leaders in Japan

Essays and Commentary

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: The Oil Policies of India are Torn Between the United States and Russia

By Masahide Takahashi, Senior Research Fellow, Middle East Institute of Japan

On August 6, 2025, President Donald J. Trump of the United States signed an Executive Order imposing secondary tariffs on India, thereby raising the total tariff rate to 50%, in response to India’s continued procurement of Russian crude oil. Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, India has actively purchased Russian crude oil and has not only used it to meet domestic demand but has also refined it and exported it to regions around the world as Indian petroleum products.

IINA: Rapidly Growing Distrust of the U.S. in India and the Crisis in India-U.S. Relations --The Limits of Trump-Modi Friendship

Two days before the new tariffs were scheduled to take effect by the U.S., President Trump demonstrated explicit dissatisfaction with India's stance on tariff negotiations, leading to a unilateral imposition of tariffs. Trump had always professed a firm friendship with Indian Prime Minister Modi since his first term in office, and Modi welcomed Trump's re-election more than anyone else. In February of this year, Prime Minister Modi was one of the first to be invited to the White House.

By Toru Ito, Professor, Department of International Relations & Graduate School of Security Studies, National Defense Academy of Japan

September 16, 2025

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: The Trump Administration’s AUKUS Review: Trajectory and Long-Term Implications

In June 2025, the Financial Times reported that the US Department of Defense had initiated a formal review of AUKUS—the trilateral security partnership between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The review is being led by Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, a known skeptic of the pact. Shortly after the report, a Pentagon spokesperson confirmed that the reassessment aligns with the Trump administration’s America First doctrine. While initial reports suggested a 30-day timeframe, Colby’s office later announced via a post on X that the process would extend into the autumn.

By Tomohiko Satake, Associate Professor, the School of Politics, Economics and Communication (SIPEC), Aoyama Gakuin University

September 9, 2025

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: Self-Determination and Governance —What Should We Learn from Timor-Leste's Independence?

Timor-Leste is one of the few countries which have gained independence in the 21st century. At the time of its independence, Timor-Leste was a region with a population of just 920,000, yet it defied the much larger Indonesia, a nation with over 200 million people, and achieved independence through its struggle for self-determination. Timor-Leste experienced serious famine and numerous acts of violence during the Portuguese colonial period and the subsequent Indonesian occupation, but it overcame such conditions to achieve independence, making it a “model case” of statehood.

By Koji Sakane, Professor, Director of International Center, Shimane University (Former Aid Coordination Advisor to Timor-Leste)

September 1, 2025

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Videos

Strategy and Deterrence Program

SPF・DSET・SIA/JFC Event: Taiwan’s Community-Driven Response to Information Threats

Experts from Taiwan and Japan took the stage to discuss a wide range of topics, including information integrity, responses to foreign information manipulation, AI-driven disinformation tactics, the importance of digital literacy, and the potential for cross-border collaboration.

September 5, 2025

SPF・DSET・SIA/JFC Event: Taiwan’s Community-Driven Response to Information Threats

Ocean Policy Research Institute

"Blue Economy in the Ocean Super Year 2025: Views from Japan" on NHK World

In this special program, which aired on NHK World on August 22, 2025, SPF President Atsushi Sunami discusses Japan’s approach to the “Blue Economy” based on video reports from across the country.

August 28, 2025

Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program

The Role of Mediation Diplomacy and Media in the Middle East

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF)’s Asia and Middle East Unit, Group 1 (Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program) hosted a public seminar, welcoming Dr. Ezzeddine Abdulmoula - Research Manager, and Mr. Haoues Taguia - Head of Gulf and International Research, from the Al Jazeera Centre for Studies.

July 11, 2025

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

【Podcast Audio】Changing International Order and American Foreign Policy

In this episode, Hal Brands, the Henry A. Kissinger Distinguished Professor of Global Affairs at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and Tsuneo Watanabe, a Senior Fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, discussed the evolving international order and American foreign policy.

July 4, 2025

Explore Latest Videos

Reports and Publications

Reports on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in the Philippines

Ocean Newsletter No.597

The Current Status of Emergency Legislation in Japan and Its Challenges: From Nankai Trough Earthquake to the Taiwan Contingency

Proposals for Reducing Nuclear Risks and New Nuclear Arms Control - On the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the A-bombings

Explore Our Reports and Publications

Think, Do, and Innovate-Tank

Featured News

Reports on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in the Philippines

Latest Events

Science-Policy-Society Interface for the Ocean We Want ～ A Sustainable Ocean Economy for All

Cooperation and the Sustainable Development of Indo-Pacific Tuna Fisheries

Fiji Trade and Investment Promotion Seminar

Ocean Decade Fifth Foundations Dialogue Plenary Session

Official Side Event of TICAD9 “Building Sustainable, Resilient and Inclusive Food Systems and Local Economies in Africa Anchored in Sustainable Blue Economies and Agriculture”

Leveraging Impact Finance and Empowering Communities to Improve Food Security and Promote Sustainable Blue Economies

Latest News

India-U.S. Tensions Increase｜India's Oil Policies are Torn Between U.S. and Russia｜Japan-Thailand Joint Project on Education Support for Migrant Children

IINA: The Oil Policies of India are Torn Between the United States and Russia

IINA: Rapidly Growing Distrust of the U.S. in India and the Crisis in India-U.S. Relations --The Limits of Trump-Modi Friendship

Programs

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies UnitGeneral Affairs and Networking Program

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies UnitNational Security and Japan-U.S. Program

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies UnitStrategy and Deterrence Program

Asia and Middle East UnitStrategic Dialogue and Exchange Program

Asia and Middle East UnitPeacebuilding Program

Asia and Middle East UnitSocial Innovation Program

Asia and Middle East UnitSasakawa Japan-China Friendship Program

Ocean Policy Research InstituteDivision of Ocean Vision and Action

Ocean Policy Research InstituteDivision of Island Nations

Scholarship UnitSasakawa Scholarship Program

Essays and Commentary

IINA: The Oil Policies of India are Torn Between the United States and Russia

Latest News

IINA: Rapidly Growing Distrust of the U.S. in India and the Crisis in India-U.S. Relations --The Limits of Trump-Modi Friendship

IINA: The Trump Administration’s AUKUS Review: Trajectory and Long-Term Implications

IINA: Self-Determination and Governance —What Should We Learn from Timor-Leste's Independence?

Videos

SPF・DSET・SIA/JFC Event: Taiwan’s Community-Driven Response to Information Threats

"Blue Economy in the Ocean Super Year 2025: Views from Japan" on NHK World

The Role of Mediation Diplomacy and Media in the Middle East

【Podcast Audio】Changing International Order and American Foreign Policy

Reports and Publications

Reports on the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda in the Philippines

Ocean Newsletter No.597

The Current Status of Emergency Legislation in Japan and Its Challenges: From Nankai Trough Earthquake to the Taiwan Contingency

Proposals for Reducing Nuclear Risks and New Nuclear Arms Control - On the Occasion of the 80th Anniversary of the A-bombings

Video Title

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit
General Affairs and Networking Program

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit
National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit
Strategy and Deterrence Program

Asia and Middle East Unit
Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program

Asia and Middle East Unit
Peacebuilding Program

Asia and Middle East Unit
Social Innovation Program

Asia and Middle East Unit
Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Program

Ocean Policy Research Institute
Division of Ocean Vision and Action

Ocean Policy Research Institute
Division of Island Nations

Scholarship Unit
Sasakawa Scholarship Program