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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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Essays and Commentary

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 6】 How to Facilitate NATO-IP4 Defense Industrial Cooperation: The Case of Italy and Japan

Mainstream analysis of NATO-IP4 defense industrial cooperation differs over whether these countries should leverage partnerships in the strategic competition with Russia and China. However, geopolitical drivers are but one factor, and often a contingent one. Adding to the strategic argument, this paper examines the technological, economic, and political drivers of defense industrial cooperation through a case study of Italian-Japanese cooperation.

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14Mar2025

The spread of SNS and changes in democracy in the politics of Southeast Asian countries and Japan

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27Feb2025

Enhancing Japan’s Defense Capabilities and Challenges Beyond 2027

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Essays and Commentary

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 5】 A French View of the Indo-Pacific Challenges and How Allies Can Prepare to Face Them

The Indo-Pacific is a recent concept that encompasses two oceans and three of the most populous countries in the world: India, China, and Indonesia. The region contains numerous regional hotspots, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea and around Taiwan; nuclear proliferation crises in Iran and North Korea; endemic piracy around the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Aden, and multiple island archipelagos; and, finally, environmental security issues. Deficits in regulation and multilateralism reinforce regional uncertainty and instability.

March 21, 2025

Essays and Commentary

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 4】 Mirroring Russia-China Strategic Cooperation in the Arctic

NATO efforts to establish defense cooperation with IP4 partners are more likely to succeed if their focus is on the immediate operational demands that defense forces face across the North Atlantic and Indo-Pacific theaters. One feasible area for NATO to play a role is joint sustainment tools. Navigating and prevailing in a contested logistics environment means ensuring that logistics, supply chain operations, and transportation capabilities are resilient and can operate effectively in hostile settings.

March 21, 2025

Reports and Publications

Report: US-Australia-Japan strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: Testing trilateralism through crisis simulation

The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, in collaboration with the United States Studies Centre (USSC) at the University of Sydney, conducted a strategic simulation on strategic crises in the Indo-Pacific region. This simulation focused on two interrelated crises: the Taiwan Strait crisis and d the Korean Peninsula nuclear crisis.

March 20, 2025

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Programs

Japan–U.S. Program

Acting as a hub of experts and intellectual information to strengthen the Japan–U.S. relationship and maintain regional peace and stability

Security Studies Program

Helping to bring peace and stability to Japan and the greater Indo-Pacific region

Scholarship Program

Providing study abroad scholarships for future leaders in Japan

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

Pursuing resolutions to lingering conflicts and the establishment of peace

Social Innovation Program

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

Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Program

Working toward a future of lasting peace and mutual understanding

The Ocean Policy Research Institute
Division of Ocean Vision and Action

Pioneers for a sustainable ocean, developing an innovative ocean governance

The 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

Essays and Commentary

Security Studies Program

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 6】 How to Facilitate NATO-IP4 Defense Industrial Cooperation: The Case of Italy and Japan

By Giulio Pugliese, Lecturer in Strategic Communications at King's College London and the Director of the EU-Asia Project at the European University Institute

Mainstream analysis of NATO-IP4 defense industrial cooperation differs over whether these countries should leverage partnerships in the strategic competition with Russia and China. However, geopolitical drivers are but one factor, and often a contingent one. Adding to the strategic argument, this paper examines the technological, economic, and political drivers of defense industrial cooperation through a case study of Italian-Japanese cooperation.

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 5】 A French View of the Indo-Pacific Challenges and How Allies Can Prepare to Face Them

The Indo-Pacific is a recent concept that encompasses two oceans and three of the most populous countries in the world: India, China, and Indonesia. The region contains numerous regional hotspots, including territorial disputes in the South China Sea and around Taiwan; nuclear proliferation crises in Iran and North Korea; endemic piracy around the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Aden, and multiple island archipelagos; and, finally, environmental security issues. Deficits in regulation and multilateralism reinforce regional uncertainty and instability.

By Tsiporah Fried, Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chairman for Innovation and Strategy, French Joint Chiefs of Staff

March 21, 2025

Security Studies Program

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 4】 Mirroring Russia-China Strategic Cooperation in the Arctic

NATO efforts to establish defense cooperation with IP4 partners are more likely to succeed if their focus is on the immediate operational demands that defense forces face across the North Atlantic and Indo-Pacific theaters. One feasible area for NATO to play a role is joint sustainment tools. Navigating and prevailing in a contested logistics environment means ensuring that logistics, supply chain operations, and transportation capabilities are resilient and can operate effectively in hostile settings.

By Liselotte Odgaard, Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute

March 21, 2025

Security Studies Program

IINA: China’s Clean Energy Policy: Why China Will Push for Clean Energy Despite the Trump Administration’s Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

Shortly after taking office in January 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, an international framework to combat global warming. Since the U.S. is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, there is concern that the U.S. withdrawal will reverse global climate change measures. By contrast, China, which is another major emitter, has maintained its position on promoting clean energy: energy that does not lead to the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), which accounts for the majority of greenhouse gases. China now has a presence in the renewable energy and electric vehicle (EV) markets as well as an international supply chain, acquiring the critical minerals used in components and materials from locations around the world.

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

March 19, 2025

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Videos

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

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

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

Peacebuilding Program

Conversation with Ambassador Tariq Karim, "Importance of Bay of Bengal"

This seminar featured Ambassador Tariq Karim of Bangladesh (Director of the Bay of Bengal Research Center at Bangladesh Independent University and Special Visiting Scholar at the South Asia Institute of the National University of Singapore). He discussed the recent political turmoil in Bangladesh and the international attention it has garnered, focusing particularly on the geopolitical significance of the Bay of Bengal and Bangladesh’s role as a mediator in fostering cooperation between South Asia and Southeast Asia.

December 13, 2024

Peacebuilding Program

De-radicalization and Reintegration of "Terrorists": Practical Insights from Bangladesh (2024.07.31)

This seminar featured expert presentations and discussions by experts on the current state and challenges of de-radicalization programs in Bangladesh.

Professor Imtiaz Ahmad from the Department of International Relations at the University of Dhaka presented on the progress of the country's de-radicalization programs and the importance of cultural counseling. This was followed by a presentation from Afsana Mimi, a prominent Bangladeshi actress and cultural counselor, who shared insights on practical approaches to social reintegration, using the arts as medium to open up their minds. In addition, psychologist Saidul Islam offered his analysis of psychological counseling methods, which support enhancements of former violent extremist offenders’ cognitive and problem solving skills, as well as redefinition of their identities and objectives of their lives.

November 29, 2024

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Reports and Publications

Report: US-Australia-Japan strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: Testing trilateralism through crisis simulation

Ocean Newsletter No.589

A DECADE OF LEARNINGS ON GENDER-LENS ACCELERATION: Case Studies from Asia

Mediating Self-Determination Conflicts

Explore Our Reports and Publications

Think, Do, and Innovate-Tank

Featured News

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 6】 How to Facilitate NATO-IP4 Defense Industrial Cooperation: The Case of Italy and Japan

Latest Events

The 3rd Pacific Islands Young Professionals Forum

World Island Forum

Blue Impact Finance –“Actions for System Change”

The Present and Future of the Chinese Entertainment Market 2025

The spread of SNS and changes in democracy in the politics of Southeast Asian countries and Japan

Enhancing Japan’s Defense Capabilities and Challenges Beyond 2027

Latest News

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 5】 A French View of the Indo-Pacific Challenges and How Allies Can Prepare to Face Them

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 4】 Mirroring Russia-China Strategic Cooperation in the Arctic

Report: US-Australia-Japan strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: Testing trilateralism through crisis simulation

Programs

Japan–U.S. Program

Security Studies Program

Scholarship Program

Strategic Dialogue and Exchange Program

Peacebuilding Program

Social Innovation Program

Sasakawa Japan-China Friendship Program

The Ocean Policy Research InstituteDivision of Ocean Vision and Action

The Ocean Policy Research InstituteDivision of Island Nations

Essays and Commentary

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 6】 How to Facilitate NATO-IP4 Defense Industrial Cooperation: The Case of Italy and Japan

Latest News

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 5】 A French View of the Indo-Pacific Challenges and How Allies Can Prepare to Face Them

IINA: 【Cooperation between European and Indo-Pacific Powers in the US alliance system project：Policy Paper Vol. 4】 Mirroring Russia-China Strategic Cooperation in the Arctic

IINA: China’s Clean Energy Policy: Why China Will Push for Clean Energy Despite the Trump Administration’s Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

Videos

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

Conversation with Ambassador Tariq Karim, "Importance of Bay of Bengal"

De-radicalization and Reintegration of "Terrorists": Practical Insights from Bangladesh (2024.07.31)

Reports and Publications

Report: US-Australia-Japan strategic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific: Testing trilateralism through crisis simulation

Ocean Newsletter No.589

A DECADE OF LEARNINGS ON GENDER-LENS ACCELERATION: Case Studies from Asia

Mediating Self-Determination Conflicts

Video Title

The Ocean Policy Research Institute
Division of Ocean Vision and Action

The Ocean Policy Research Institute
Division of Island Nations