Japan’s Potential as a Defense Equipment Exporter

Join an expert panel from Japan’s defense sector for a timely discussion on Japan’s potential emergence as an important exporter of defense equipment. As Tokyo relaxes longstanding restrictions on defense equipment transfers and pursues major overseas contracts, including for the Mogami-class frigate, new opportunities are opening for Japan’s defense industry. Yet greater willingness and capacity to export do not necessarily guarantee international demand or a solid push from Japanese producers. Questions remain over cost competitiveness, production capacity, after-sales support, and Japan’s ability to compete with established suppliers in an increasingly crowded global market. This conversation offers a unique opportunity to hear informed perspectives on the challenges and opportunities Japan faces as it seeks to expand its role as a regional and global security provider.

Panelists:

Major General Makoto Shimasue, (JGSDF, ret) Director of Research, Japan Association of Defense Industry

Mr. Kevin Maher, Senior Advisor, NMV Consulting

Rintaro Inoue, a Research Fellow, the Institute of Geoeconomics

YCAPS is glad to partner with Kreab Tokyo to deliver this opportunity

Kreab is a world-class communications consulting firm founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 1970. Since its opening in 1985, Kreab Inc., the Tokyo office, has been providing consulting services to a wide range of clients, making full use of its network that connects 30 countries around the world. Kreab supports communications activities with three core business areas: public relations, government relations, and global risk management. This includes extensive experience helping the Japanese government with its global PR efforts. More information is available at https://kreab.com/tokyo/ja/

Registration is required. To register, please complete this form. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. It may take a few days to tally guests and confirm space availability.

*RSVP and confirmation is mandatory for attendance

Schedule :

18:00-18:30 Light refreshments and networking

18:30: Welcoming Remakrs

18:35-1905: Moderated panel discussion

19:05: Moderated Q&A with members of the audience

19:40: Wrap up

19:45 All activities finished. Venue closes

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2026

Time: 18:00 reception, 18:30 seminar start

Language: English

Venue: Kreab Tokyo: Atago Green Hills MORI Tower 11F, 2-5-1 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-6211

Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/eW37EsN43Kn6zFJh6

Panelists:

Makoto Shimasue, Major General (Ret.), is Director of Research at the Japan Association of Defense Industry (JADI), where he focuses on defense equipment and systems, international defense technology cooperation, and engagement with overseas defense organizations. He joined JADI in 2019 following more than three decades of service in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). During his military career, Shimasue held several senior command and staff positions, including Commander of the JSDF C4 Systems Command, Chief R&D Officer at the GSDF R&D Command, and Section Chief for C4 Operations at the Japan Joint Staff. He also served as Intelligence Coordinator at the Japan Defense Intelligence Headquarters and as Japan’s Defense Attaché to Pakistan. His operational experience includes leading communications and coordination efforts during the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake and the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, as well as coordinating an international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission to Pakistan in 2005. Shimasue holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and has completed advanced military and strategic intelligence training in Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Kevin Maher is a Senior Advisor at NMV Consulting, LLC. Kevin joined NMV Consulting after retiring from the U.S. Department of State as a Senior Foreign Service officer, following a distinguished thirty-year career with a focus on Japan and East Asia. Kevin led the State Department’s Japan Task Force in the aftermath of the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident. Prior to that, Kevin was the Director of the Office of Japan Affairs at the State Department in Washington DC (2009 – 2011). Kevin served 18 years in Japan, including as the Consul General in Okinawa, Japan; Director of Political Military Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, where he oversaw the realignment of U.S. military forces in Japan; as the Minister-Counselor for Environment, Science and Technology at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, which included oversight of the nuclear energy relationship; and as Principal Officer in Fukuoka, Japan. He also spent three years in the Pentagon as Chief of the Policy Office for the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force.

Rintaro Inoue is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics, International House of Japan, and a PhD student at Keio University. His research focuses on Japan–Australia–U.S. defense cooperation and strategic studies. He holds a B.A. and M.A. in Law from Keio University. His recent publications include “Bridging Strategy and Business: A Japanese Perspective on AJUS Defence Industrial Cooperation” and “Preparing for a Protracted Maritime War: The Strategic Case for Japan–Australia Naval Industry Cooperation.” He was a member of the inaugural cohort of the Japan–Australia Dialogue and Exchange for the Next Generation (JADE Fellowships), jointly organized by the Japan Foundation and the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney.

Cost: Free of charge

Moderator: Dr. John Bradford, Executive Director, YCAPS.

Format: This event will be off-the-record. Questions are encouraged.

Registration: Required.

Co-Sponsors: Kreab Tokyo