On the evening of Wednesday, June 25, thirty five community members gathered at the Yokosuka City Industrial Exchange Plaza for a YCAPS Community Conversation featuring Dr. Paul Midford, a leading scholar of Japanese security policy.
Dr. Midford, author of The Senkaku Islands Confrontation and the Transformation of Japan’s Defense, brought attention to a critical but often misunderstood issue: how ongoing tensions around the Senkaku Islands have quietly but significantly shaped Japan’s defense strategy over the past decade. Held in a 45-minute author talk format followed by open discussion and Q&A, the event welcomed a diverse audience—including base personnel, local residents, university students, and regional security professionals. Dr. Midford’s presentation provided attendees with valuable context on Japan’s evolving security outlook and created space for cross-community dialogue, learning, and professional networking.
