Exiting Normal: Emerging Disruptive Technologies and their Impact on Military Operations and Equipment

I have over 20 years of experience at the Japanese Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In my experience, I have been a member of the Joint Staff Office and the Air Staff Office as well as commanded units of the Japan Air Self Defense Force. Mainly in the past, I was part of the Defense Planning and Policy Department where I was responsible for acquisition of defense equipment and creating future military strategy, operational plans and capabilities. And I studied International Relations based on National Security as Visiting Scholar at Stanford University. Most recently, I focus on Emerging and Advanced Technologies, DX, Innovation etc. for improvement of our mission capabilities.

Graduated from the National Defense Academy of Japan in 1985 and completed his Master’s program (area studies) at the University of Tsukuba in 1998. Joined the Maritime Self‐Defense Forces in 1985 and became a helicopter pilot. Stationed in China between 2003 and 2006 as a naval attaché. Became chief of the intelligence section, MSDF Maritime Staff Office, Ministry of Defense, in 2006 and commanding officer of the 21st Flight Squadron, MSDF, in 2009. Worked at IHS Jane’s from 2011 as an analyst and business development manager and joined The Tokyo Foundation for Policy Research in 2013, and became the Director of Policy Research in 2016 before assuming his present position in June 2017. His works include Chugoku no gunji senryaku (China’s Military Strategy), Toyo Keizai Inc., Gunji taikoku: Chugoku no shotai (Military Power and the Truth about China), Tokuma Shoten, Nani ga senso wo tomeru no ka (What Stops War?), Discover 21, Inc., and co-author of Magari kado ni tatsu chugoku (China at a Turning Point), NTT Publishing, Bei Chu Shin-Reisen no Maku-ake - After Sharp Power- (Opening US-China New Cold War - After Sharp Power-), Tokyo Keizai Inc.

NATO Head of Situational Awareness and has served as the Chief Historical Advisor to the Command Group at NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) since 2017. From 2011 to 2013 she worked at the Legal Office and then in Strategic Plans & Policy at HQ Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT).

Deputy Lead of the Technology, Disruption and Uncertainty research workstream in RAND Europe. Her research focuses on defence futures, defence research and innovation ecosystems, and the impact of emerging technologies on the security threat landscape, capability development and defence equipment manufacturing. Anna has been in RAND for 5 years, producing analysis for the UK MOD Defence Science and Technology Laboratory; the UK MOD’s Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre; UK Strategic Command; UK Army HQ; the French MOD; the European Defence Agency; the European Commission; NATO and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group.