The Allied Security Exchange Network (ASPEN) convened a maritime security workshop in Naha on February 21, 2026. Hosted by the Yokosuka Council on Asia‑Pacific Studies (YCAPS) at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum, the event brought together mid‑career security practitioners from across the US–Japan Alliance—including Japan Coast Guard, SDF, U.S. services, government, industry, and academia—to strengthen skills and professional ties.
Throughout the day, participants attended seminars and a time‑pressured Senkaku‑focused simulation emphasizing Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), operational decision‑making, legal constraints, and crisis coordination. Seminar leaders connected JCG operational posture and institutional arrangements to the value of fused information for timely decisions, while small‑group exercises tested information sharing, escalation control, and coordinated civilian–military responses. Discussions were frank and engaged, reinforcing shared understanding and practical approaches to maritime crisis response.
The workshop concluded with an Okinawan dinner featuring traditional performance and an optional museum visit, providing cultural context and informal networking that deepened professional relationships.
For questions please contact Nick Millward, ASPEN Community Manager at nick@ycaps.org
To learn more about ASPEN, visit the YCAPS ASPEN webpage here.