The Yokosuka Council in Asia-Pacific Studies and the The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation co-hosted the third Washington DC meeting of the Allied Security Practitioners Exchange Network (ASPEN) on December 12, 2025 at the Mansfield Foundation. Over 20 American and Japanese defense and security professionals engaged with Dr. Shawn Harding and his presentation on his doctoral thesis, Realizing a Benefit, Not a Burden: Base Politics, Local Coordination, and the Transformation of Iwakuni Air Base.
While the discussion with Dr. Harding was fruitful, the highlight of the evening was a sake tasting sponsored by the Sake Brewers Association of North America and presented by Louie Anne Batac-Nguyen of Capital Sake. Louie Anne’s sake briefing certainly raised the sake knowledge of all participants, who were able to enjoy four splendid sake varieties.
For questions please contact Nick Millward, ASPEN Community Manager at nick@ycaps.org
To learn more about ASPEN, visit the YCAPS ASPEN webpage here.