From May 11 to 13, 2026, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s Center for Mediation Support hosted a high-level international exchange in Tokyo, bringing together leading practitioners and policymakers from Oman, Switzerland, Türkiye, and prominent non-governmental organizations. The program was organized to strengthen cooperation in peace mediation and to foster dialogue between global experts and stakeholders in Japan at a time of increasing conflict worldwide.
The event also marked an important milestone for the Foundation, following the establishment of the Center for Mediation Support on April 1, 2026. As global conflicts grow more complex and frequent, the Center aims to serve as a platform for advancing mediation efforts and promoting collaboration across governments, international organizations, and civil society. By convening experienced actors from countries that prioritize mediation diplomacy, the program highlighted the importance of sustained and coordinated engagement in conflict resolution.
The invited participants included senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Oman, Switzerland, and Türkiye, as well as practitioners from the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD) and Conciliation Resources (CR). These countries and organizations are widely recognized for their active roles in mediation processes worldwide. Through exchanges with Japanese counterparts, the program created opportunities to share practical knowledge, discuss challenges, and explore new avenues for cooperation.
On May 11, the delegation visited Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where they paid a courtesy call on State Minister Mr. Horii and Director-General for Foreign Policy Bureau Mr. Arima. They also held in-depth discussions with officials from the International Peace Mediation Unit, exchanging perspectives on current global mediation efforts and Japan’s potential contributions in this field.
The following day, the delegation engaged with members of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Caucus, where they discussed the evolving role of mediation in addressing contemporary conflicts and the importance of inclusive approaches. They also visited the Embassy of Switzerland in Tokyo and participated in a panel discussion titled “The Swiss Approach to Peace Mediation,” which explored Switzerland’s long-standing experience in building effective “ecosystem” of mediation networks and facilitating dialogue.
On May 13, participants joined a bipartisan parliamentary study session on peace mediation, where they exchanged views on international practices and shared insights into the challenges faced by different countries and organizations. The delegation also had a study session with Fellows of the Center for Mediation Support to exchange views on Oman’s solid and quiet mediation diplomacy techniques and the characteristics of Türkiye’s mediation efforts. The program concluded with a public symposium, “Peace Mediation in an Age of Conflict: Comparative Experiences from Oman, Switzerland, Türkiye, and Private Institutions,” which attracted a wide audience. Speakers emphasized the growing importance of mediation, presented case-based experiences, and discussed how governments and non-governmental actors can complement each other in advancing peace processes.
Overall, the program contributed to strengthening networks among peace mediators in Japan and abroad, deepening understanding among domestic stakeholders, and raising awareness of Japan’s increasing engagement in this field. At the same time, international participants gained valuable insights into Japan’s emerging role and the momentum building around mediation initiatives. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s Center for Peace Mediation will continue to build on these efforts, exploring ways to contribute to global peace through approaches that draw on Japan’s unique strengths and the role of private foundations.
