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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

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

Latest Events

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25Jul2025

Forging a Sustainable Future through Africa–Japan Collaboration

Registration Closed

11Jul2025

Taiwan’s Community-Driven Response to Information Threats

Registration Closed

03Jul2025

A Decade of Partnership Japan's Capacity Building initiatives for UN Peace Operations

Registration Closed

24Jun2025

The Role of Mediation Diplomacy and Media in the Middle East

Registration Closed

19Jun2025

Symposium on Creating a Multicultural Society with Foreign Communities

Registration Closed

11Jun2025

For a sustainable ocean – Forging social collaboration and international partnership from Nice and beyond

Registration Closed

Essays and Commentary

SPF China Observer: Satellite Imagery Analysis - Preliminary Assessment of Iran’s Nuclear Development and the Attacks on Nuclear-Related Facilities

On June 13, 2025, Israel initiated attacks on various locations within Iran, including nuclear-related facilities. Shortly thereafter, in the early hours of June 22 (local time), the United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear-related sites.

July 23, 2025

Essays and Commentary

IINA: Deciphering China’s New National Security White Paper: The Positioning of Japan in the Security Strategy of China

On May 12, 2025, China published a white paper titled China’s National Security in the New Era. President Xi Jinping has shown a strong interest in national security since his administration was first inaugurated, and to date the establishment of the National Security Commission of the Chinese Communist Party was decided in the meeting of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo in January 2014, the “holistic view of national security” was proposed by Xi Jinping in the first meeting of the National Security Commission in May the same year and was enacted into law as the National Security Law in July 2015, and the National Security Strategy (2021–2025) was deliberated on in the Chinese Communist Party Politburo in November 2021.

July 23, 2025

Essays and Commentary

IINA: The ASEAN-GCC-China Summit--The Search for New Partnerships

On May 27, 2025, the leaders of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), and China gathered for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, for a summit. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss trade, investment, and economic cooperation, as well as common efforts to combat terrorism and other transnational crimes, and to explore a new framework for cooperation between East Asia and the Middle East. This brief review examines the significance of the meeting, focusing on the aims of ASEAN and, in particular, its chair, Malaysia.

July 18, 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

Strategy and Deterrence Program

SPF China Observer: Satellite Imagery Analysis - Preliminary Assessment of Iran’s Nuclear Development and the Attacks on Nuclear-Related Facilities

By Benedetta Berti, Director of Policy Planning in the Office of the Secretary General at NATO

On June 13, 2025, Israel initiated attacks on various locations within Iran, including nuclear-related facilities. Shortly thereafter, in the early hours of June 22 (local time), the United States conducted airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear-related sites.

IINA: Deciphering China’s New National Security White Paper: The Positioning of Japan in the Security Strategy of China

On May 12, 2025, China published a white paper titled China’s National Security in the New Era. President Xi Jinping has shown a strong interest in national security since his administration was first inaugurated, and to date the establishment of the National Security Commission of the Chinese Communist Party was decided in the meeting of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo in January 2014, the “holistic view of national security” was proposed by Xi Jinping in the first meeting of the National Security Commission in May the same year and was enacted into law as the National Security Law in July 2015, and the National Security Strategy (2021–2025) was deliberated on in the Chinese Communist Party Politburo in November 2021.

By Katsuya Yamamoto, Program Director and Senior Research Fellow, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation

July 23, 2025

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: The ASEAN-GCC-China Summit--The Search for New Partnerships

On May 27, 2025, the leaders of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council), and China gathered for the first time in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, for a summit. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss trade, investment, and economic cooperation, as well as common efforts to combat terrorism and other transnational crimes, and to explore a new framework for cooperation between East Asia and the Middle East. This brief review examines the significance of the meeting, focusing on the aims of ASEAN and, in particular, its chair, Malaysia.

By Tomotaka Shoji, Director, Regional Studies Department National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS)

July 18, 2025

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

IINA: Contours of Influence: China’s Expanding Footprint in the Pacific Islands

In recent years, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has significantly intensified its political, economic, and strategic presence in the Pacific Islands region. This expansion, situated within a broader context of strategic competition, particularly with the United States and its allies, is reshaping the geopolitical equilibrium in the Indo-Pacific.

By Fabrizio Bozzato, Senior Research Fellow, Planning and Coordination Department, Sasakawa Peace Foundation

July 10, 2025

Explore Latest Essays and Commentary

Videos

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

The Role of Mediation Diplomacy and Media in the Middle East

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

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

Webinar: Toward Improving the Effectiveness of Extended Deterrence in the Japan-U.S. Alliance

On Monday, June 2, SPF's National Security and Japan-U.S. Program released 15 policy recommendations titled "Toward Improving the Effectiveness of Extended Deterrence in the Japan-U.S. Alliance" and hosted a public webinar to share the contents and discussions of those recommendations.

June 23, 2025

General Affairs and Networking Program

The 1st SPF Defense Dialogue: Enhancing Japan’s Defense Capabilities and Challenges Beyond 2027

On Thursday, February 27, 2025, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s Japan-U.S. and Security Studies Unit (formerly the Security Studies Program) held a symposium titled "The 1st SPF Defense Dialogue," focusing on the theme of "Enhancing Japan’s Defense Capabilities and Challenges Beyond 2027."

June 19, 2025

Explore Latest Videos

Reports and Publications

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

Ocean Newsletter No.595

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

Toward Improving the Effectiveness of Extended Deterrence in the Japan-U.S. Alliance -To make the “nuclear umbrella” be real-

Explore Our Reports and Publications

Think, Do, and Innovate-Tank

Featured News

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

Latest Events

Forging a Sustainable Future through Africa–Japan Collaboration

Taiwan’s Community-Driven Response to Information Threats

A Decade of Partnership Japan's Capacity Building initiatives for UN Peace Operations

The Role of Mediation Diplomacy and Media in the Middle East

Symposium on Creating a Multicultural Society with Foreign Communities

For a sustainable ocean – Forging social collaboration and international partnership from Nice and beyond

Latest News

SPF China Observer: Satellite Imagery Analysis - Preliminary Assessment of Iran’s Nuclear Development and the Attacks on Nuclear-Related Facilities

IINA: Deciphering China’s New National Security White Paper: The Positioning of Japan in the Security Strategy of China

IINA: The ASEAN-GCC-China Summit--The Search for New Partnerships

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

SPF China Observer: Satellite Imagery Analysis - Preliminary Assessment of Iran’s Nuclear Development and the Attacks on Nuclear-Related Facilities

Latest News

IINA: Deciphering China’s New National Security White Paper: The Positioning of Japan in the Security Strategy of China

IINA: The ASEAN-GCC-China Summit--The Search for New Partnerships

IINA: Contours of Influence: China’s Expanding Footprint in the Pacific Islands

Videos

The Role of Mediation Diplomacy and Media in the Middle East

【Podcast Audio】Changing International Order and American Foreign Policy

Webinar: Toward Improving the Effectiveness of Extended Deterrence in the Japan-U.S. Alliance

The 1st SPF Defense Dialogue: Enhancing Japan’s Defense Capabilities and Challenges Beyond 2027

Reports and Publications

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

Ocean Newsletter No.595

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

Toward Improving the Effectiveness of Extended Deterrence in the Japan-U.S. Alliance -To make the “nuclear umbrella” be real-

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