The Center for Mediation Support held the second regular study session on peace mediation support

On June 24, 2026, the Center for Mediation Support of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation held its second regular study session consisting of fellows from diverse regional and professional backgrounds.

In this study session, Kenta Aoki, Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Mediation Support, gave a presentation on the situation in Afghanistan under the Taliban interim government and the challenges to achieving peace. The presentation focused on domestic developments, relations with neighboring countries, and future prospects and challenges, and was followed by an active exchange of views among the participants.

Date: Thursday, June 24, 2026

• Endo, Mitsugi  — Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the University of Tokyo
• Ono, Hitomi — Visiting Scholar, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies
• Kakizaki, Masaki — Professor, Temple University, Japan Campus
• Kusakabe, Naonori — Associate Professor, Rikkyo University
• Toriya, Masato — Associate Professor, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies
• Nishikida, Aiko — Professor, Keio University
• Horinuki, Koji — Senior Research Fellow, the Institute of Energy Economics of Japan
• Machida, Hotaka — Senior Research Fellow, Panasonic Research Institute
• Matsuno, Akihisa — Professor Emeritus, Osaka University
• Mizobuchi, Masaki — Professor, Meiji Gakuin University
• Murakami, Takuya — President / Senior Fellow, Institute for Middle East Strategic Studies
• Yoshida, Tomoaki — Research Fellow, National Institute for Defense Studies
• Yoshida, Tomofumi — Director, Ekklesia
• Horiba, Akiko — Director, Center for Mediation Support, SPF
• Mori, Yuji — Senior Advisor, Center for Mediation Support, SPF
• Aoki, Kenta — Senior Research Fellow, Center for Mediation Support, SPF
• Oimatsu, Kyoka — Program Associate, Center for Mediation Support, SPF
• Shibata, Narumi — Program Officer, Center for Mediation Support, SPF
• Several additional practitioners and researchers