On Monday, September 11, 2023, YCAPS hosted Dr. Narushige Michishita of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS), who presented on the opportunities and challenges surrounding Japan’s decision to defend Taiwan. Dr. Michishita, who is Professor and Executive Vice President at GRIPS, focused on security policy shifts introduced by Japan via three strategic documents in December 2022.
Particularly, Dr. Michishita expanded upon three questions: (1) What is new in Japan’s security strategy? (2) What is Japan doing to execute this strategy?, and, lastly, (3) What challenges will Japan face as it implements said strategy.
His in-depth analysis of these points were followed by a Q&A session, with members of the audience curious about the motivations behind these foreign policy decisions, as well as their implications in the region regarding other powers.
Among the audience were Japanese and U.S. service members including Lt. General Chuji Ando, Commander of the JASDF Northern Air Defense Force as well as Colonel Matthew Kenkel, Deputy Commander, 35th Fighter Wing, and Captain Paul Hockran, Commanding Officer, NAF Misawa whose perspectives enriched the discussion.
