On July 30, 2026, the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS), in partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS), welcomed Representative KONO Taro for a special Community Conversations event at Werk Yokosuka. The evening included networking, a lecture, and a question-and-answer session focused on Japan’s national security.
Representative Kono, an experienced member of Japan’s House of Representatives and former minister of defense and foreign affairs, shared his perspective on the changing security environment in the Indo-Pacific. In keeping with the event’s off-the-record format, the discussion addressed broad themes rather than specific policy positions.
He discussed China’s growing military and economic influence, the continued importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance, and the need for closer coordination between Japan and its international partners. He also addressed challenges facing Japan’s defense industry, including supply chains, production capacity, and the recruitment of Self-Defense Force personnel amid the country’s declining population. The conversation further explored how artificial intelligence, robotics, and other emerging technologies may shape the future of defense.
During the question-and-answer session, attendees raised issues related to regional security cooperation, defense technology, Japan’s industrial development, and the country’s relationships with partners in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.
YCAPS thanks Representative Kono, ICAS, and everyone who attended and contributed to the discussion.
