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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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Featured News

Essays and Commentary

IINA: “On the Horizon”: Australia as a Maritime Power in the Indo-Pacific

Security challenges in the maritime domain are attracting increasing attention as strategic competition accelerates across the Indo-Pacific region. For Australia, this was brought into stark relief by the arrival of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships in the Tasman Sea (separating Australia and New Zealand), where they proceeded to conduct an unannounced live-fire exercise on 21 February. Though such exercises are technically legal, they were viewed as “irresponsible” in Canberra since they occurred in a busy air corridor between the two countries and construed as part of a pattern of unsafe and unprofessional conduct by the Chinese armed forces.

Latest Events

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14May2025

Policy Recommendation on Enhancing the Foundation for Human Resource Base of Defense Capabilities

Registration Open

02May2025

Toward a Sustainable Ocean: Outcomes of the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan and Perspectives toward the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice

Registration Closed

17Apr2025

Special Seminar “Science and Policy Nexus and Stakeholder Engagement for A Sustainable Ocean”

Registration Closed

16Apr2025

IINA: Key Changes in the Russian Military since the Start of the War

The Russian military has undergone a series of profound transformations over the course of its history, from the nineteenth-century reforms of Dmitry Milyutin, who laid the foundation for the modern Russian army, to the creation of the Soviet Red Army under Leon Trotsky and the development of nuclear missiles during the Cold War. For better or worse, Russia’s place in world history has largely been defined by its military endeavors.

May 1, 2025

News

Beyond Francis: Charting the Church’s global path (The Interpreter)

The passing of Pope Francis on 21 April 2025 marks not only the end of a pontificate but also the closing of a diplomatic chapter in global affairs. As the College of Cardinals prepares to enter the conclave, the choice of the next pope carries far-reaching implications. Choosing a pontiff is not just a spiritual decision – it is a moment of geopolitical consequence.

April 25, 2025

Essays and Commentary

IINA: Another Issue Concerning Tritium: Reflections on the Boundary Between Peaceful and Military Uses of Nuclear Energy

Tritium exists in nature and is produced as a byproduct of the combustion of uranium fuel in nuclear reactors. In Japan, tritium is known to be contained in ALPS treated water discharged into the ocean from the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. However, there is another aspect of this nuclear material: it plays an essential role in boosting the explosive power of nuclear weapons. In the context of the use of tritium in nuclear weapons, France has announced its intention to decommission its aging tritium-producing military reactors and, as an alternative, to produce tritium in commercial nuclear reactors by the end of 2025. It has become a point of contention among non-proliferation experts.

April 25, 2025

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Programs

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

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)

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)

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

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

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)

Pursuing resolutions to lingering conflicts and the establishment of peace

Social Innovation Program
(Asia and Middle East Unit)

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

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

Working toward a future of lasting peace and mutual understanding

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

Pioneers for a sustainable ocean, developing an innovative ocean governance

Division of Island Nations
(Ocean Policy Research Institute)

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)

Providing study abroad scholarships for future leaders in Japan

Essays and Commentary

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: “On the Horizon”: Australia as a Maritime Power in the Indo-Pacific

By Thomas Wilkins, Senior Fellow, Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)

Security challenges in the maritime domain are attracting increasing attention as strategic competition accelerates across the Indo-Pacific region. For Australia, this was brought into stark relief by the arrival of People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships in the Tasman Sea (separating Australia and New Zealand), where they proceeded to conduct an unannounced live-fire exercise on 21 February. Though such exercises are technically legal, they were viewed as “irresponsible” in Canberra since they occurred in a busy air corridor between the two countries and construed as part of a pattern of unsafe and unprofessional conduct by the Chinese armed forces.

IINA: Key Changes in the Russian Military since the Start of the War

The Russian military has undergone a series of profound transformations over the course of its history, from the nineteenth-century reforms of Dmitry Milyutin, who laid the foundation for the modern Russian army, to the creation of the Soviet Red Army under Leon Trotsky and the development of nuclear missiles during the Cold War. For better or worse, Russia’s place in world history has largely been defined by its military endeavors.

By Yu Koizumi, Project Research Associate Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Tokyo

May 1, 2025

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: Another Issue Concerning Tritium: Reflections on the Boundary Between Peaceful and Military Uses of Nuclear Energy

Tritium exists in nature and is produced as a byproduct of the combustion of uranium fuel in nuclear reactors. In Japan, tritium is known to be contained in ALPS treated water discharged into the ocean from the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. However, there is another aspect of this nuclear material: it plays an essential role in boosting the explosive power of nuclear weapons. In the context of the use of tritium in nuclear weapons, France has announced its intention to decommission its aging tritium-producing military reactors and, as an alternative, to produce tritium in commercial nuclear reactors by the end of 2025. It has become a point of contention among non-proliferation experts.

By Yuki Kobayashi, Research Fellow, Sasakawa Peace Foundation

April 25, 2025

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: Will Artificial Intelligence Change Warfare? -Future battlefield of mixed expectations and concerns

The invention of gunpowder contributed to the improvement of people's lives through the development of mines and social infrastructure, while also fundamentally changing the nature of warfare. And now in the 21st century, artificial intelligence (AI) has been called "The Third Revolution in Warfare" and is attracting attention not only for its potential to introduce new conveniences into society, but also transform war itself. In fact, some 70 years after Alan Turing proposed the basic concepts of AI in the 1950s, the possibility that AI-powered autonomous unmanned systems and robots will play a leading role in the new battlefield is becoming a reality.

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

April 9, 2025

Explore Latest Essays and Commentary

Videos

Peacebuilding Program

The Role of Parliamentarians for Advancement of WPS Agenda

On February 6, 2025, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation hosted a symposium titled "The Role of Parliamentarians for Advancement of WPS (Women, Peace and Security) Agenda." This symposium was organized, taking the opportunity of "Focal Point Network Meeting" to be held in Tokyo, co-chaired by the Japanese and Norwegian governments.

April 15, 2025

The Role of Parliamentarians for Advancement of WPS Agenda

Security Studies Program

Interview with Dr. Comfort Ero, President of the International Crisis Group

What are the international crises facing the world today, and how will they impact Japan? Dr. Comfort Ero, President of the International Crisis Group and SPF Senior Research Fellow Ippeita Nishida tackle these questions with a wide-ranging discussion covering the ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, the intensifying U.S.-China rivalry and Trump 2.0, the implications for the Global South, and more.

April 8, 2025

Japan-U.S. Program

Current State and Challenges of Youth Mental Health, w/ Dr. Joshua Gordon, Former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s Japan-U.S. Program hosted a lecture featuring Dr. Joshua Gordon, former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) of the United States, on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

February 21, 2025

Security Studies Program

Trends of Global Crisis in 2025 and Beyond

Dr. Comfort Ero, President of the International Crisis Group, was the guest speaker for a keynote address on global conflict trends, with a focus on the Crisis Group's relevance to the Global South.

December 25, 2024

Explore Latest Videos

Reports and Publications

The importance of shipping routes thrown up by the Panama Canal

War 3.0: the Rapid Change of Warfare - Deepening Deterrence in the New (Space and Cyber) Domains -

Publication of the English Book “The Battles of Imphal and Kohima: Japanese Operations in Northeast India”

Soft Recognition: Enabling Participation of Self-Determination Groups in Intergovernmental Organisations

Explore Our Reports and Publications

Think, Do, and Innovate-Tank

Featured News

IINA: “On the Horizon”: Australia as a Maritime Power in the Indo-Pacific

Latest Events

Policy Recommendation on Enhancing the Foundation for Human Resource Base of Defense Capabilities

Toward a Sustainable Ocean: Outcomes of the 10th Our Ocean Conference in Busan and Perspectives toward the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice

Special Seminar “Science and Policy Nexus and Stakeholder Engagement for A Sustainable Ocean”

Ocean Science and Policy Nexus – UNOC 3 and Beyond

The 3rd Pacific Islands Young Professionals Forum

World Island Forum

Latest News

IINA: Key Changes in the Russian Military since the Start of the War

Beyond Francis: Charting the Church’s global path (The Interpreter)

IINA: Another Issue Concerning Tritium: Reflections on the Boundary Between Peaceful and Military Uses of Nuclear Energy

Programs

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(Japan-U.S. and Security Studies 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(Asia and Middle East Unit)

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

Division of Island Nations(Ocean Policy Research Institute)

Sasakawa Scholarship Program(Scholarship Unit)

Essays and Commentary

IINA: “On the Horizon”: Australia as a Maritime Power in the Indo-Pacific

Latest News

IINA: Key Changes in the Russian Military since the Start of the War

IINA: Another Issue Concerning Tritium: Reflections on the Boundary Between Peaceful and Military Uses of Nuclear Energy

IINA: Will Artificial Intelligence Change Warfare? -Future battlefield of mixed expectations and concerns

Videos

The Role of Parliamentarians for Advancement of WPS Agenda

Interview with Dr. Comfort Ero, President of the International Crisis Group

Current State and Challenges of Youth Mental Health, w/ Dr. Joshua Gordon, Former Director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Trends of Global Crisis in 2025 and Beyond

Reports and Publications

The importance of shipping routes thrown up by the Panama Canal

War 3.0: the Rapid Change of Warfare - Deepening Deterrence in the New (Space and Cyber) Domains -

Publication of the English Book “The Battles of Imphal and Kohima: Japanese Operations in Northeast India”

Soft Recognition: Enabling Participation of Self-Determination Groups in Intergovernmental Organisations

Video Title

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
(Japan-U.S. and Security Studies 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
(Asia and Middle East Unit)

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

Division of Island Nations
(Ocean Policy Research Institute)

Sasakawa Scholarship Program
(Scholarship Unit)