The Transition and Development of Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” Policy

YCAPS & the Sasakawa Peace Foundation are pleased to announce the next event in the Community Conversations seminar series in the Yokosuka Community! This event will feature Capt. (Ret.) Teruaki Aizawa of the National Defense Academy of Japan.

*Update! YCAPS is happy to announce Cdr. Jason W. Schwarzkopf (USN) will be joining us as a discussant for this event and will add comments and perspective after Capt. Aizawa's presentation.

Capt. Aizawa will discuss the transition and development of Japan’s “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” policy. This talk will focus on its significance in building a new international order based on the "rule of law", with the management of relations with China in mind.

Schedule:

• 17:30-18:15 Refreshments & Networking (food & drinks)
• 18:15-19:30 Presentation and Q&A
• 19:30-19:45 Post Event Conversing

Location:

Werk Yokosuka
Japan, 〒238-0006 Kanagawa, Yokosuka
https://www.werk-yokosuka.com/

Google Map

Registration: Optional via this form.

Speaker:

Teruaki Aizawa is a retired Captain of the JMSDF. He served in the JMSDF for over 30 years as a Mine Warfare Officer, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diver. During this period, he held key leadership such as the Commanding Officer of the Minesweeper Ocean. He also has various experiences as a government official and academic researcher. After retiring from the JMSDF in 2016, he worked at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and has been working as an associate professor at The National Defense Academy of Japan, School of Defense Sciences, Department of Leadership and Military History since 2020. He is an expert in maritime security studies and he is now responsible for education and research of Japan’s modern military history. Especially, he has been a pioneer researcher of Japan's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)" Policy.

Discussant:

Cdr. Jason W. Schwarzkopf, a native of Lake View, Iowa, is a 1997 graduate of the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from the University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) with a masters of science degree in Management and from the University of Arkansas (Little Rock) with a masters of Business Administration, each in 2004. He graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, completing both Joint Phase Military Education Phase I and Space Cadre training in 2008. Schwarzkopf’s operational assignments include tours as a division officer aboard USS Germantown (LSD 42) and USS Higgins (DDG 76); as USS Bainbridge (DDG96) department head and subsequently Executive Officer; as Tomahawk Land Attack Missile Officer, Carrier Strike Group Ten; as Chief Staff Officer, Maritime Prepositioning Squadron Two; and most recently as Fleet Combat Center Director, COMSEVENTHFLEET. Schwarzkopf deployed in support of operations DESERT FOX (1998), SOUTHERN WATCH (1999, 2001), and JTF LEBANON (2007); as lead anti-piracy planner for CTF 151 during an individual augment assignment in 2007; operation ACTIVE ENDEAVOUR (2008) while assigned flagship, Standing NATO Maritime Group One and operation NEW DAWN (2010). Additionally, he directed Maritime Prepositioning Squadron Two ships during exercises NATIVE FURY (2012), EAGER LION (2012), and COCONUT GROVE (2012). Assignments ashore include a tour at the Bureau of Naval Personnel as a staff planner in the Center for Career Development; and as Deputy N9, Concepts and Innovations Directorate, Navy Warfare Development Command.  His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Navy Commendation Medal (three awards), and the Navy Achievement Medal (three awards).

Format: This event will be off-the-record.

Registration: Optional via this google form
Moderators: Jeff Mazziotta

Co-Sponsor: Sasakawa Peace Foundation
Seminar Cost: Free of charge