ASPEN News
YCAPS-ASPEN (Okinawa)
Saturday, February 21, 2026
Our fourth ASPEN workshop will be held in Naha, Okinawa, Japan on February 21, 2026. This workshop will include activities to teach participants about Maritime Security fundamentals, the connection between Maritime Security and Maritime Sovereignty Protection, and maritime domain awareness within the region. If you are interested in learning more, please check out the blog post here and fill out the form here.
All new participants with ASPEN are encouraged to learn more about our program and register with ASPEN here.
Past Events
YCAPS-ASPEN (Yokosuka), at the US Navy Base (CFAY)
Saturday, January 17, 2026
On Saturday, January 17, 2026, ASPEN hosted a naval ship visit tour for five group members. We met outside the Yokosuka US Navy Base at 1530 and started the tour. Inside the ship, we visited the ship's mechanical areas, dining facility, main deck, and pilot house. On the tour, we discussed the Navy experience from the grassroots perspective and observed what an average day is like for a U.S. sailor in Japan.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Washington)
Friday, December 12, 2025
YCAPS third Washington meeting was held at The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation Office. ASPEN members had a discussion with Dr. Shawn Harding about local coordination and politics associated with the hosting of U.S. military bases in Japan. After the presentation and discussion, members enjoyed sake tasting and networking organized by Capital Sake & the Sake Brewers Association of North America.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Tokyo)
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
ASPEN, in coordination with the US Embassy Defense Attaché Office (DAO) held a small dinner at the US Military Hotel (New Sanno).
YCAPS-ASPEN (Yokosuka)
Saturday, November 15, 2025
ASPEN’s third workshop convened military, government, and academic security professionals in Yokosuka on November 15 for a dynamic day of IAMD-focused presentations, scenario-based exercises, and alliance relationship-building at the storied Mikasa Memorial Ship.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Okinawa)
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
On November 12th, ASPEN members met for a private dinner with British author and geopolitical analyst James Crabtree at Earth Village Izakaya in Chatan, Okinawa. The evening involved deep discussion on Mr. Crabtree's research on security dynamics across the First Island Chain. Despite an evening of heavy typhoon rain, they enjoyed a highly thought-provoking discussion with Mr. Crabtree.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Yokohama)
Friday, October 3, 18:30-20:30
ASPEN members met for a private dinner with RADM Takeshi Yoshioka at the Antenna America on October 3rd. The evening involved deep discussion on what RADM Takeshi states is “a new ear of transformation for the JMSDF.” As ASPEN members enjoyed American beer and wings; they engaged in a thought-provoking discussion with the RADM.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Washington D.C.)
Friday, September 12, 15:00 - 17:00
Our second ASPEN-DC event was again hosted at the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation Office. We had a discussion with LT Gary Kim, USNR about lessons from Japanese and South Korean submarine building for the U.S. Navy. After the event, refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres was served with time for networking.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Kobe)
Friday, July 25, 2025
On July 25th, a group of ASPEN participants from the Kobe area gathered for a casual dinner at the Alchemy bar and restaurant. A month after ASPEN held the HADR workshop in Kobe, this informal meet up allowed members to re-connect and discuss future ASPEN activities in the local area. There is a high demand for more exchange opportunities that enables members to learn more about each other’s personal and professional lives.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Sasebo)
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
ASPEN held its first event in Sasebo, Japan on 23 July, 2025. A small group of ASPEN members gathered for a casual discussion over drinks and dinner at a local Izakaya. While friendships were being made, the group discussed potential ASPEN activities and events that may help expand the membership in Sasebo.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Yokohama)
Saturday, July 12, 2025
ASPEN hosted a private dinner and discussion at Antenna America with Captain Keitaro Ushirogata, Senior Research Fellow at the JMSDF Command and Staff College, as part of its continuing effort to foster informal, in-depth dialogue among security professionals and scholars.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Kobe)
Saturday, June 14, 2025
ASPEN held it's second workshop in Kobe, and hosted almost 40 security practitioners at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) office in Washington DC. The program included multiple presentations from leaders directly involved in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations (HA/DR). We also had leaders discuss Japanese and American responses to recent disasters, and the group held HA/DR simulations in the afternoon. After the workshop, participants enjoyed an evening of networking and camaraderie at the Alchemy Bar and Restaurant.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Okinawa)
Sunday, June 1, 2025
ASPEN held it's first event in Okinawa, where a small group of American and Japanese members met up for a casual dinner discussion to welcome new Okinawa-based members and re-connect with existing members. It was a great evening at the Chatan Gyu-Kaku filled with camaraderie and delicious food.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Washington D.C.)
Friday, May 16th, 2025
ASPEN had a discussion with LTC Marcus Morgan about developments with the US-Japan Alliance C2. Afterwards, attendees enjoyed refreshments and light hors d’oeuvres over casual conversation while developing their networks.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Yokohama)
Saturday, April 12, 2025
ASPEN members gathered for an evening of American beer, wings, and nachos at Antenna America. More than a dozen ASPEN members met each other and engaged with 2024 CFR/Hitachi Fellow, Scott Harold, on Japan’s evolving defense industry cooperation. It was a great evening of networking and learning about the intricacies and complications of the Japanese defense industry environment.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Yokohama)
Friday, January 25, 2025
ASPEN Members met in Yokohama to renew bonds and further shared cameraderie. ASPEN members had the opportunity to engage across SDF branches, Academia, and US military members. It was an enjoyable evening building friendships and sharing experiences over ice cold beer and nachos.
YCAPS-ASPEN (Yokosuka)
Saturday, October 26, 2024
YCAPS is excited to share that on October 26th, the Allied Security Practitioner Exchange Network (ASPEN) held its inaugural event. With over 30 security practitioners from across the region, brilliant minds came together on board the Mikasa Memorial Ship in Yokosuka. The workshop included an overview of the role of the Mikasa ship, the history of the US-Japan alliance, and sessions examining the communication and control networks necessary in the event of a regional conflict.
