Enabling Professional Growth & Fostering Grassroots Connections
with World-Class Expertise
YOKOSUKA COUNCIL ON ASIA-PACIFIC STUDIES
Join Us
YCAPS wants you!
We are a rapidly growing group taking aim at big
issues impacting the Asia-Pacific Region
If you'd like to join an event just RSVP and turn up. You can also sign up to our mailing list. If you aren't sure and want more information, then drop us an email. We bring together a diverse group of individuals with different backgrounds and experiences to help us explore common challenges. Our members include students, young professionals, leaders at the top of their careers and retired experts. Our programs are designed to help everyone develop while building bridges between Yokosuka's thought communities. If you are already active in YCAPS and you want to expand your roles as a volunteer please visit this page to view our latest volunteer opportunities and direction regarding applications .
Upcoming Events
YCAPS Events Connect Audience Members with Each Other and World-Class Experts
YCAPS-ISDP Europe Asia Series (via Zoom)
Wednesday, November 6, 2024 – 19:00 (JST)
As geopolitical tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, the Quad—India, Australia, Japan, and the US—seeks to solidify its role as a leading security and development force. By focusing on quality infrastructure, critical technologies, and supply chain resilience, the Quad competes with China in several of these areas. In this context, cooperating with other actors - both regional and extra regional - could be beneficial for the Quad's broader strategic goals. Meanwhile, The EU’s Global Gateway, with €300 billion in investments, offers a unique opportunity for the Quad to further these goals while also enhancing regional development, promoting democratic values, and also providing tangible good to the Indo-Pacific region.
For more information, please see the event page.
YCAPS Community Event (in-person, Hodogaya, Yokohama)
Sunday, 10 November 2024 - 10:00 (JST)
The Canadian Embassy in Tokyo will host this year’s Commonwealth Remembrance Day ceremony at the Commonwealth War Cemetery Hodogaya, Yokohama on Sunday 10 November 2024. The ceremony starts at 10.30AM and will finish by 11.30AM. A group of YCAPS members will attend to pay respects to the fallen. We will meet at Hodogaya Station at 10:00AM and share taxis to the cemetery. You are also welcome to go directly to the cemetery, but note that no parking will be available. The event will be solemn and outside, so dress smartly and warmly.
For more information, please see the event page.
YCAPS Community Conversations (in-person, Sasebo)
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 – 17:30 (JST)
YCAPS is excited to announce our next event in Sasebo. This event will feature Dr. Chisa Masuo who will lead us in a discussion on China's Maritime Strategy relating to Taiwan. We will also be joined by Dr. John Bradford who will add perspective as a discussant.
On February 14, 2024, not long after Lai Ching-te won Taiwan's presidential election, a collision between a Taiwanese coast guard and a Chinese fishing boat occurred near Taiwan-administered Kinmen Island. Since then, China has been increasing pressure on Taiwan from the sea, including the participation of Chinese coast guard vessels in joint exercises surrounding the island of Taiwan. China has begun applying the same salami-slicing strategy against Taiwan that it used against the Philippines and Japan . How will China's Taiwan policy change in the future? What impact will China's actions have on international relations in the Indo-Pacific? In this seminar, we will consider these issues together with the participants.
For more information, please see the event page.
YCAPS-Getting to Know Japan Webinar Series (via Zoom)
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 – 10:00 (JST)
Mr. Robert Whiting is joining the Getting to Know Japan series to introduce his book "Gamblers, Fraudsters, Dreamers and Spies: The Outsiders Who Shaped Modern Japan," a fascinating swatch of postwar Japanese history from the Occupation Era to the 2022 Assassination of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. His book also includes tales of Occupation era Black Ops groups fighting communist insurgents and drug runners from North Korea, ex US servicemen and mafiosis running Vegas style gambling dens in post occupation Tokyo, baseball managers like Bobby Valentine, and business chiefains like disgraced CEO's like Carlos Ghosn.
For more information, please see the event page.
YCAPS-Community Conversations (in-person, Fussa)
Tuesday, November 19, 2024 – 18:15 (JST)
The ongoing war in Ukraine and increasing likelihood of a military crisis around Taiwan are critical security issues of our day. As nations struggle to respond appropriately, they are concluding that strengthening partnership among like-minded countries is a useful part of their strategies. This is ushering in a new round of Indo-Pacific connectivity that improving ties within the region and with other regions, especially Europe. Professor Yoshizaki, a leader with a long history as one of Japan's leading scholars teaching strategy to military officers and government officials, will explore these dynamics and take your questions.
For more information, please see the event page.
YCAPS Community Conversations (in-person, Iwakuni/Hiroshima)
Saturday, November 23, 2024 – 12:00 (JST)
When Kiyomori Taira – whose statue sits to the right of the ferry terminal as you walk toward the Torii Gate – upjumped Miyajima from a backwater pilgrimage center to the heart of the ritual regime set up for his rise to power as the Donald Trump of Japan’s 12th century, the hope that it would still be an important part of Japan’s semiotic geography must have seemed wishful, if not quixotic, thinking. Yet, here it is, one of the most popular of Japan’s tourist sites at the beginning of the 21st century.
Although advertised as a scenic location, Miyajima is in fact integral to two civil wars and an imperial restoration, as well as one of the reasons Hiroshima was chosen to be the premier 軍都military city at the dawn of the Imperial Age. While you’ve probably already been to Itsukushima, this tour will take you into the deep lore of the island, not available on any tourist brochure or tour guide.
John Mensing will lead a day trip to explore two museums not commonly visited on trips to Miyajima. The guide will provide historical detail and context.
For more information, please see the event page.
Browse our past events by year:
Professional Development Programs
YCAPS is committed to supporting the personal and professional development of our members
Network Building
Meet People with Shared Interests and Common Ambitions
YCAPS events are organized on the principal that who you meet is as important as what you learn. Therefore seminars and professional development experiences typically include a social portion where members can interact on a personal level with the world-class facilitators as well as the other participants. The events have proven to be fantastic opportunities to find mentors and develop peer-to-peer support networks.
Open Seminar Series
Learn from World-Class Experts in a Relaxed Setting
YCAPS' open seminars bring experts from around the world to share their perspectives with our participants. Open to the public, the setting is community-oriented, relaxed, accessible and professional. The YCAPS/US-Japan Foundation Getting to Know Japan webinars offer introductory-level information about Japan's social and cultural landscape.
The YCAPS/Sasakawa Peace Foundation Community Conversation series highlights topics that are of immediate interest to the base-hosting communities in Japan. These seminars are specifically designed to be applicable to all levels of expertise, from curious students to professionals working in that field. They are typically held in-person near U.S. bases in Japan.
The YCAPS/Japan International Christian University Foundation Indo-Pacific Policy Dialogue program is designed to address advanced-level policy-oriented interests for academics, experts, and other specialists. These interactive online sessions facilitate dialogue among security experts, policy analysts, and senior academics in an effort to examine a wide range of issues affecting the Indo-Pacific region. Indo-Pacific Maritime Hour events are more technical in nature. These interactive online discussions engage regional practitioners directly involved in maritime security to shed light on maritime issues that have significant implications on regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Mongolia Connect
Strengthening grassroots community connections for the common good
The YCAPS Mongolia Connect program creates opportunities for Americans, Japanese, and Mongolians to establish international friendships, develop intercultural leadership skills, and learn about issues impacting the greater international community. The program's events mix social and educational experiences, language lessons, and volunteer opportunities in a unique and impactful way. Through empowering and connecting people from these three countries, YCAPS seeks to create long-lasting relationships.
YCAPS Roundtables
Informed Small-group Dinner Discussions
YCAPS members gather in small groups to discuss current events in a casual atmosphere. Each roundtable is facilitated by a specialist who provides read-ahead materials to enable those attending to dive right into the discussion even before the food arrives. Invitations are shared with YCAPS members and those on our email list.
YCAPS Military Support
Supporting U.S. Navy Sailors at sea and military commands ashore
YCAPS Afloat directly supports U.S. military personnel in their efforts to expand their regional knowledge and strategic thinking while deployed and during port visits throughout the Indo-Pacific region. Working in alignment with commands’ leadership and/or Morale, Welfare & Recreation (MWR) programs, YCAPS Afloat provides information and other resources or, when there are sufficient interested personnel, establishes a YCAPS chapter on board specific ships. If you are interested in receiving resources for you command (guest speakers, tailor reading packages, etc) or establishing a YCAPS Afloat chapter, please send us an email to get in touch.
Reference Materials & Research Projects
Organizing and Sharing Information
YCAPS'YCAPS creates and distributes reference materials for practitioners, researchers and students engaging with the region's strategic, diplomatic and legal affairs. Underwriting the Alliance is an annotated collection of the key bilateral treaties, agreements, and policy documents that provide the structure of the U.S.-Japan Alliance. Negotiate is a guide to negotiations for government practitioners. YCAPS largest research report to date is Prospects for the Quad Coast Guards to Cooperate Toward Implementation of the Free & Open Indo-Pacific Vision. The YCAPS reading list is built on the suggestions of our members and participants.
Fellowships, Internships, Scholarships, and Conferences
Connecting People with Opportunities
YCAPS has formal and informal relationships with many organizations that sponsor a wide range of professional development programs. These include university scholarships, fellowships, internships, travel grants, and conferences. In some cases, YCAPS members have opportunities for priority placement in these programs. In other cases, YCAPS volunteers are available to advise on placement and coach applications. Download the YCAPS Guide to Fellowships, Scholarships and Conferences, or contact us for more information. YCAPS hosts interns via a small program that tailors the terms of each internship to the specific needs of each applicant. Individuals interested in interning with YCAPS should complete this statement of interest.
Writers' Circle
Become a YCAPS writer
The YCAPS Writers' Circle is a peer-to-peer network that supports professional writing throughout the process from idea to publication. Some of our members are professional editors or experienced authors who have published many books and articles. Others are aspiring to see their first piece in print. If you would like to get involved to get some advice regarding outlets and audiences, receive feedback on a draft manuscript, or to help others on their writing projects, email the Writers' Circle. We'll find you partners that suit your needs!
Our Partners
YCAPS partners with other organizations to deliver world-class programming
The Japan ICU Foundation (JICUF) is an independent educational foundation based in New York City. Their mission is to work with International Christian University to nurture global citizens who contribute to the well-being of humanity. YCAPS collaborates with JICUF to deliver the YCAPS-JICUF Indo-Pacific Policy Dialogue program.
YCAPS and TUJ's Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies (ICAS) both serve as centers of gravity for professional development and advanced thinking on issues related to Asian politics, society, and economics. Because our regular event venues are about 90 minutes from each other, we share some audience members while serving different core communities. YCAPS and ICAS take advantage of this situation to regularly co-sponsor events.
The Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP) is a Stockholm-based non-profit and non-partisan research and policy organization. ISDP is dedicated to expanding understanding of international affairs, focusing on the inter-relationship between security, conflict, and development. YCAPS collaborates with ISDP's Stockholm Centre for South Asia and Indo-Pacific Affairs (SCSA-IPA) to jointly deliver our Europe-Asia Webinar Series.
The International Security Industry Council (ISIC Japan) was established in 2019 to promote collaboration between indigenous space and defense companies with their foreign counterparts. Its mission is to foster personal and commercial relationships through persistent and informative engagement, online and in-person. YCAPS has collaborated with ISIC to build public awareness of the contributions American military bases provide and co-sponsor events.
The Pacific Forum is a non-profit, foreign policy research institute based in Honolulu, Hawaii. YCAPS collaborates with the Pacific Forum to gather regional perspectives and disseminating findings and recommendations to opinion leaders, governments, and the public. We have co-sponsored public seminars, published collaborative reports, and jointly delivered the online Maritime Discussion Series that preceded the current Indo-Pacific Maritime Hour.
The Japan Foundation, New York (JFNY) was established in 1991 to promote collaboration between the people of Japan, the United States, and beyond in order to address issues of global concern. YCAPS collaborated for 2 years with JFNY to jointly deliver the online Getting to Know Japan Webinar Series. JFNY was formerly known as The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP).
The United States-Japan Foundation (US-JF), established in 1980, is committed to promoting stronger ties between Americans and Japanese by supporting projects that foster mutual knowledge and education, deepen understanding, create effective channels of communication, and address common concerns in an increasingly interdependent world. YCAPS has collaborated with US-JF in the past to jointly deliver the Getting to Know Japan Webinar Series.
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF), established in 1986, is a private foundation with the concept of “Think, Do, and Innovate-tank”. SPF conducts original research and does work that is rooted in the field to resolve issues based on local conditions and needs, with the aim of creating a world where people can live together and coexist, transcending politics, ideology, religion, race, and national borders. YCAPS previously collaborated with SPF to jointly deliver the Community Conversations Series.
Team Members
YCAPS and its services wouldn't be possible without our dedicated team of staff, research fellows, and volunteers. From social media management, website planning, and webinar moderating, to event organization, research, and community outreach, our team works tirelessly to ensure that we can continue to deliver world-class events and research that appeal to both experts and casual attendees.
To learn more about our team members and their backgrounds, please visit our team page.
Support
YCAPS is an all-volunteer organization, but we do need funds to deliver our programming
YCAPS volunteers do not accept salaries or any sort of material compensation. However, we cannot deliver programs and events without funding. Internet services, advertising, consumables at our receptions, and tokens of appreciation for our speakers are among the largest costs. Partnerships with like-minded organizations and donations in kind from supporting businesses are a tremendous help, but more funds enable us to do more for our community. Follow this link to donate. Your donations are very much appreciated. YCAPS is 501(c)3 organization and donations are deductible from U.S. income taxes.
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