Latest Activities | The Japan Forum on International Relations

August 13, 2026

NEAT Working Group on “Addressing Social Challenges Associated with Population Ageing in East Asia” Held

The Working Group on “Addressing Social Challenges Associated with Population Ageing in East Asia,” organized by NEAT Japan (the Japan Forum on International Relations) under the framework of the Network of East Asian Think-tanks (NEAT), was held, and policy recommendations were formulated.

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July 31, 2026

Yomiuri Shimbun Interviews Yohei Takahata on His Concept of a “Shared-Spheres” International Order

Masahiko Takekoshi, Director of the Editorial Board Office at The Yomiuri Shimbun, conducted an approximately one-hour interview with Yohei Takahata, Distinguished Research Fellow at the Japan Forum on International Relations (JFIR), on his concept of a “shared-spheres” international order.

The discussion explored the Arctic as a leading example of transformations in the international order, Takahata’s concept of a world in which confrontation and cooperation coexist rather than being mutually exclusive, and the implications of this emerging order for Japan’s Arctic policy and broader diplomatic strategy.

July 29, 2026

Reframing WPS through Human Security: Exchange of Views with JICA Ogata Research Institute Executive Director Yoichi Mine

JFIR President Mayu Watanabe and Executive Director Yohei Takahata exchanged views with Yoichi Mine, Executive Director of the JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development, as part of the WPS project. Against the backdrop of major transformations in the international order, they discussed a wide range of issues, including the contemporary significance of human security, its intersection with WPS, and future possibilities for Japanese diplomacy.

July 21, 2026

Exchange of Views with Project Leader Minori Takahashi on Future Study Group Activities

JFIR President Mayu Watanabe, Program Director Yohei Takahata, and Director of Research Wakako Ito visited Hokkai-Gakuen University and exchanged views with Project Leader Minori Takahashi. Taking into account developments in the international situation surrounding the Arctic and the progress of the study group, they discussed a wide range of issues concerning future research activities and the direction of policy recommendations.

July 21, 2026

Discussion on Arctic Policy with Associate Professor Juha Saunavaara

JFIR President Mayu Watanabe, Program Director Yohei Takahata, and Director of Research Wakako Ito visited the Arctic Research Center at Hokkaido University and exchanged views with study group member Juha Saunavaara on the security environment surrounding the Arctic, regional cooperation, and international trends in Arctic research.

July 16, 2026

3rd Regular Meeting “Study Group on the Evolving Dynamics of the Arctic and Japan’s Response ” Held

Study group member Osamu Inagaki presented his research, titled “Characteristics and Development of the International Legal Order in the Arctic,” followed by a free and open exchange of views among the participants.

June 30, 2026

Policy Recommendations Released: “The Deepening of US-Japan Cooperation on ‘Non-Military’ Aspects”

JFIR has released policy recommendations from its study group on "The Deepening of US-Japan Cooperation on 'Non-Military' Aspects," chaired by Dr. MAESHIMA Kazuhiro, JFIR Distinguished Research Fellow and Professor at Sophia University. The recommendations are the result of two years of research.

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June 16, 2026

2nd Regular Meeting “Study Group on the Evolving Dynamics of the Arctic and Japan’s Response ” Held

Study group member Takahiro Ishihara presented his research, titled “Military and Security Developments in the Arctic,” followed by a free and open exchange of views among the participants.

June 12, 2026

2nd Regular Meeting “Study Group for Applying Japan’s Strengths to Further the WPS Agenda” Held

Attorney Sakura Kamitani was invited as an external lecturer and presented research titled “The Current State and Challenges of Sexual Violence in Digital Spaces,” followed by a free and open exchange of views among attendees.

June 12, 2026

Meeting between the Leader and General Manager

Project Leader Wakana Takahashi and General Manager Yohei Takahata met to review the progress of the research project and exchanged views on research issues with an eye toward the future operation of the study group and the direction of dissemination of its findings.