HONOLULU — The Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies welcomed former commanders of U.S. Pacific Command / Indo-Pacific Command and former chiefs of staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces Joint Staff for the inaugural Japan-U.S. Security Discussion (JUSSD) from April 14-15. Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA co-hosted the two-day event, which focused on the enduring security alliance and regional stability.

Participants included retired U.S. Navy Admirals Harry Harris, Philip Davidson, and John Aquilino; retired Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano; and retired Japan Ground Self-Defense Force General Koji Yamazaki, a DKI APCSS alumnus. Highlighting the long-standing friendship between the two nations, the leaders engaged in a collegial reunion while discussing a wide array of issues currently being addressed by the bilateral security alliance. DKI APCSS Director Suzanne Vares-Lum and Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA Chairman and President Dr. Satohiro Akimoto facilitated the discussion.

The group met for candid, off-the-record conversations focused on the critical challenges of the current security environment and the pivotal lines of effort that Japan and the United States are pursuing to maintain regional stability. Discussions centered on areas where they can deepen collaboration to build a stronger, more resilient partnership. The timeliness of this event is underscored by the ongoing Japan and U.S. command-and-control upgrades and respective force posture augmentation efforts.

The JUSSD was organized and implemented by DKI APCSS U.S. Army War College Fellows Col. Ryan Case and Col. Kent Justice, Visiting Practitioner Lt. Col. Peter Hwang, DKI APCSS Professor Dr. Belinda A. Yeomans (the project creator and academic lead), and Sasakawa USA Senior Program Officers Mr. John Seymour and Ms. Kaede Ishidate.