Takashi Okamoto joined the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in June 2023 as the College Operations Officer. Major Takashi Okamoto is a native of Fujisawa, Japan, and he entered the Marine Corps in 2008 via Platoon Leader’s Course after becoming a United States citizen. Before joining the Marine Corps, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering and a Master of Science degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University and worked as an Intellectual Property Consultant.
After commissioning in March 2008, Major Okamoto was designated as Logistics Officer. In this capacity, Major Okamoto deployed to Trebil, Iraq, as the Logistics Advisor for the Port of Entry Transition Team, II MEF (Marine Expeditionary Force). He advised Iraqi Customs Officials and Border Police on various logistics issues. Through this deployment, he was later given the Foreign Military Advisor occupational specialty. Other assignments as Logistics Officer include G-4, Regional Command Southwest supporting Marine Corps Retrograde and Redeployment operations, and 4th Marine Regiment in Okinawa, Japan, where he executed and supported numerous Security Cooperation exercises throughout the Indo-Pacific. Maj Okamoto also commanded a Motor Transport Maintenance Company and a Marine Special Operations Command Logistics Company.
Upon earning a Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies focusing on Southeast Asia from the Naval Postgraduate School and completing language training through the Defense Language Institute East in Malay, Major Okamoto gained the Foreign Area Officer designation. As a Foreign Area Officer, Major Okamoto utilized his Japanese language skills and worked closely with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force on several amphibious capability development programs. He also served with the Office of Defense Cooperation, U.S. Embassy – Kuala Lumpur. During this tour, Major Okamoto effectively coordinated the largest Navy-Marine Corps exercise in Malaysia (CARAT 2018) and the inaugural U.S.-Malaysia-Japan Trilateral HA/DR meeting.
