Unpacking Japan’s Three New Security Documents: Implications for the U.S.-Japan
Alliance and Okinawa

Japan unveiled three new security documents in December 2022, including the nation’s first National Defense Strategy that defines Tokyo’s security policy for the coming decade. Observers have described the documents as transformational that marks a critical juncture in Japan’s foreign policy. The question, however, is how so?

The seminar will explore this question by unpacking the new documents to illustrate how they focus on enhancing the overall military effectiveness of the alliance by pursuing an integrated and resilient force structure between the two nations. Japan’s updated security policy, in fact, has broader implications on debates over the role of alliances in U.S. grand strategy. The presentation will also touch upon the implications drawn from the new strategy—especially the concept of “deterrence by resilience”—for Okinawa, including how it may relate to Washington’s decision to remove two squadrons of F-15C/D fighters at Kadena Air Base in October 2022.

Please use this link to register for the event.

Speaker:

Takuya Matsuda holds a Ph.D. from the War Studies Department at King’s College London. He is a Grand Strategy in Asia Research Fellow at the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS) and concurrently, a non-resident visiting fellow at George Washington University’s Institute for Security and Conflict Studies. He was also formerly a Hans J. Morgenthau Fellow at the Notre Dame International Security Center through 2021/22. His research focuses primarily on alliance politics, great power relations, international relations theory, and U.S. grand strategy. His work on international security affairs has been published both in scholarly and policy outlets such as the Australian Journal of International Affairs, War on the Rocks, Foreign Policy, and the Diplomat. Takuya received his MA from Johns Hopkin University’s School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) and BA from Keio University in Tokyo, Japan.

Schedule:

• 17:30-18:30 Networking and refreshments. Arrive at your leisure.
• 18:30-20:00 Presentation and Q&A session.

Event Cost: Free of charge

Location: Vessel Hotel Campana Okinawa
〒904-0115 Okinawa, Nakagami District, Chatan, Mihama, 9−22
goo.gl/maps/PsF7icULPM3rgoKx9

Moderator: Dr. Takuya Matsuda
Format: This event will be off-the-record. Questions are encouraged.

Registration: Optional. Can be found at this Link.