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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

Essays and Commentary

Putin’s India Visit Amid Strained Indo-U.S. Relations

On the evening of December 4, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin—whom he called a “friend”—at the foot of the aircraft stairs at a Delhi airbase. The two shared a handshake and an embrace before traveling together in the same car to the Prime Minister’s Residence for dinner. While similar scenes of the two sharing a vehicle were observed during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, in September, it is extremely rare for Modi to personally receive a foreign leader at the airport.

Latest Events

See more events

30Jan2026

Seminar on Promoting Japan–Brazil Mutual Understanding ～Looking Beyond 130 Years of Friendship～

Registration Open

02Dec2025

INDIA in the WEST PACIFIC
～Growing Interests and Engagements, and the Region’s Responses～

Registration Closed

21Nov2025

Understanding Thai Politics: The Evolving Dynamics of Society and Politics

Registration Closed

14Nov2025

Ocean of Peace, Reemergence Day, and Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region

Registration Closed

03Nov2025

COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Seminar on Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience

Registration Closed

30Oct2025

The 200th Ocean Forum: Toward Stability and Sustainable Development in the Arctic Ocean

Registration Closed

Essays and Commentary

Blue carbon collaboration at COP30: Technical outcomes and pathways

On 11 November 2025, the Ocean Pavilion at COP30 in Belém hosted the session “Blue Carbon Collaboration: Sharing Japan’s Coastal Solutions with Asia and Beyond (Including Marine CDR Pathways)”, organised by the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF).

December 26, 2025

News

SPF President Sunami visits Libya to discuss cooperation with the Libyan Peace Institute Following the MOU signed earlier this year

On December 23, 2025, Atsushi Sunami, President of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), and his delegation visited Tripoli, the capital of Libya, where they were welcomed by H.E. Mr. Abdullah Allafi, Vice President of the Libyan Presidential Council; Abdullah Hameed, President of the Libyan Peace Institute; and a member of the House of Representatives (HOR). During the visit, they exchanged views on Libya’s security situation and the general elections to be held for the first time since the ceasefire agreement.

December 25, 2025

Essays and Commentary

Japan-U.S. Insights: Analyzing President Trump's Executive Orders on Nuclear Energy Promotion: U.S. Strategic Intent and Implications for Japan

December 24, 2025

Browse Latest News

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

Putin’s India Visit Amid Strained Indo-U.S. Relations

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

On the evening of December 4, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally greeted Russian President Vladimir Putin—whom he called a “friend”—at the foot of the aircraft stairs at a Delhi airbase. The two shared a handshake and an embrace before traveling together in the same car to the Prime Minister’s Residence for dinner. While similar scenes of the two sharing a vehicle were observed during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China, in September, it is extremely rare for Modi to personally receive a foreign leader at the airport.

Blue carbon collaboration at COP30: Technical outcomes and pathways

On 11 November 2025, the Ocean Pavilion at COP30 in Belém hosted the session “Blue Carbon Collaboration: Sharing Japan’s Coastal Solutions with Asia and Beyond (Including Marine CDR Pathways)”, organised by the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (OPRI-SPF).

December 26, 2025

National Security and Japan-U.S. Program

Japan-U.S. Insights: Analyzing President Trump's Executive Orders on Nuclear Energy Promotion: U.S. Strategic Intent and Implications for Japan

By Yuki Kobayashi, Senior Research Fellow, SPF

December 24, 2025

Strategy and Deterrence Program

SPF China Observer: What Does “One China” Mean?

China has reacted furiously to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks in the Diet, and the issue has escalated into a major diplomatic dispute, with both Tokyo and Beijing summoning each other’s ambassadors and trading accusations.

December 11, 2025

Explore Latest Essays and Commentary

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

The Potential and Challenges of Rare Earth Mining at Minamitorishima: Can It Strengthen Japan's Economic Security?

Introducing SPF Reports on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis

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

Ocean Newsletter No.598

Explore Our Reports and Publications

Think, Do, and Innovate-Tank

Featured News

Putin’s India Visit Amid Strained Indo-U.S. Relations

Latest Events

Seminar on Promoting Japan–Brazil Mutual Understanding ～Looking Beyond 130 Years of Friendship～

INDIA in the WEST PACIFIC～Growing Interests and Engagements, and the Region’s Responses～

Understanding Thai Politics: The Evolving Dynamics of Society and Politics

Ocean of Peace, Reemergence Day, and Peace and Stability in the Indo-Pacific Region

COP30 Virtual Ocean Pavilion Seminar on Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience

The 200th Ocean Forum: Toward Stability and Sustainable Development in the Arctic Ocean

Latest News

Blue carbon collaboration at COP30: Technical outcomes and pathways

SPF President Sunami visits Libya to discuss cooperation with the Libyan Peace Institute Following the MOU signed earlier this year

Japan-U.S. Insights: Analyzing President Trump's Executive Orders on Nuclear Energy Promotion: U.S. Strategic Intent and Implications for Japan

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

Putin’s India Visit Amid Strained Indo-U.S. Relations

Latest News

Blue carbon collaboration at COP30: Technical outcomes and pathways

Japan-U.S. Insights: Analyzing President Trump's Executive Orders on Nuclear Energy Promotion: U.S. Strategic Intent and Implications for Japan

SPF China Observer: What Does “One China” Mean?

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

The Potential and Challenges of Rare Earth Mining at Minamitorishima: Can It Strengthen Japan's Economic Security?

Introducing SPF Reports on the Rohingya Refugee Crisis

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

Ocean Newsletter No.598

Video Title

INDIA in the WEST PACIFIC
～Growing Interests and Engagements, and the Region’s Responses～

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