The Sasakawa Peace Foundation Cordially Invites You to Attend:
“The U.S.-Japan Alliance in Asian Security”
A Lecture by Admiral Dennis C. Blair (April 16th, 2014)

On April 16, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation hosted Admiral Dennis C. Blair, Former U.S. Director of National Intelligence and Former Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, to discuss the value of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in the Asia Pacific region. The Abe administration is paving the way to deepen the U.S.-Japan security cooperation by establishing the NSC and enacting the Act on the Protection of Specially Designated Secrets. In addition, with the occasion of the revision of the Guidelines for U.S.-Japan Defense Cooperation at the end of this year, the Abe administration aims at the approval of exercising the right to collective self-defense. However, Japan's issues over history and aggravated relationship with neighboring countries are adding difficulties to the management of the U.S-Japan Alliance. Under this circumstance, Admiral Blair who has worked at the center of U.S security policy with profound knowledge on the Asia-Pacific region discussed the importance and necessity of a strong U.S.-Japan Alliance in the region.

From 2009 to 2010, Admiral Blair served as Director of National Intelligence of the USA and provided integrated intelligence support to the President, Congress and operations in the field. Prior to retiring from the Navy in 2002, Admiral Blair served as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command, the largest of the combatant commands.