On April 14 and 15, 2026, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA brought together former chiefs of staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces and former commanders of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command for the inaugural Japan-U.S. Security Discussion (JUSSD), a high-level dialogue focused on the present status and future growth of the U.S.-Japan alliance. This important convening was co-hosted with the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS) in Honolulu, HI.

The principal participants of this dialogue included ADM Katsutoshi Kawano (JMSDF, Ret.), GEN Koji Yamazaki (JGSDF, Ret.), ADM Harry Harris (USN, Ret.), ADM Philip Davidson (USN, Ret.), and ADM John Aquilino (USN, Ret.). Sasakawa USA Chairman and President Dr. Satohiro Akimoto and DKI APCSS Director Suzanne Vares-Lum facilitated the discussions among the participants as moderators.

In their discussions, the participants addressed many topics critical to the bilateral security alliance, including the present security environment and areas where the U.S. and Japan can further collaborate to build a stronger, more resilient partnership. As former leaders of the alliance, the participants exhibited their expertise and experience in equal measure across two days of productive dialogue.

Sasakawa USA extends its gratitude to the participants as well as co-host DKI APCSS for their contributions to the inaugural JUSSD.

Photo (left to right): MG Suzanne Vares-Lum, ADM John Aquilino, GEN Koji Yamazaki, ADM Philip Davidson, ADM Katsutoshi Kawano, ADM Harry Harris, and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto.

Source: Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA