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Session with Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga and Former Defense Minister Onodera at Meiji Kinenkan © RJIF

Japan – U.S. Military Statesmen Forum

Prior to this present forum, there had been no direct channel of strategic dialogue existing between the Japanese Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) and U.S. Forces. Moreover, in light of the shifting regional security climate within Pacific Asia, there has been an increasingly pressing need for the implementation of such a forum.

Under the dramatic changes unfolding in the international environment, it is imperative for both the Japanese and U.S. governments sustain mutual engagement through comprehensive high-level policy dialogue in order to adequately address present security challenges. In this manner, the importance of strengthening strategic dialogue between JSDF and U.S. Forces has never been greater. With this strategic focus in mind, such a dialogue will constitute an integral aspect to the ongoing security policy debate for the region.

Japan-U.S. Military Statesmen Forum (MSF) seeks to provide this channel for strategic dialogue. By bringing together the long-term military service experiences from both the former Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. military, and the former Chiefs of Staff of the Joint Staff of the JSDF, MSF hopes to further enhance Japan-U.S. policy dialogue in this era of strategic rebalancing in this region, establishing a security policy community through which deeper and stronger bonds may be forged.

Dr. Yoichi Funabashi
Chairman
Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation

Forum Members

Japan

Takashi SAITO
(2nd Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff)
Ryoichi ORIKI
(3rd Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff）
Shigeru IWASAKI
(4th Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff）

U.S.

Richard MYERS
(15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)
Peter PACE
(16th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)
Michael MULLEN
(17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff)

Admiral Takashi Saito (Ret.),
2nd Chief of Staff of Joint Staff

It has been five years since my retirement from the Japan Self Defense Forces. In the last five years, the security environment in East Asia has dramatically shifted, and a fast-flowing change seems to be evolving into a big wind waves. Navigating through significant changes in strategic environment, the current Abe Administration has formulated the very first National Security Strategy of Japan, followed by the new National Defense Program Guidelines. Under such security climate, the Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF) is too reorienting its establishment, while the United States has announced the Rebalancing to Asia.

At this crucial juncture and decisive point in time, the Japan-U.S. Military Statesmen Forum (MSF) is to be launched in July 2014 in Tokyo. Organized by Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation (RJIF), experienced retired military personnel from U.S. and Japan will sit on the same table for strategic dialogue at the Forum.

This forum will be an assembly of former Chairmen of Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. and former Chiefs of Staff of the Joint Staff of Japan to share the knowledge and experiences with each other on common strategic challenges. I particularly wish for the forum to generate “Wisdom” of accomplished top military officers from both countries on important issues such as “Rebalancing” of the U.S., Japan’s “Dynamic Joint Defense Force,” and Japan-U.S. joint operations; and share the wisdom with all involved in the security community.

Moreover, I strongly believe that this forum will be an expression of strong Kizuna present in the Japan-U.S. Alliance, and an inspiration for the alliance to advance.

When I held the post of Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff, I recognized acute need of a network of former military officers from which the active-duty officers could draw lessons and benefit from the insights of our seniors. There were no efforts made to realize the idea until this day. The establishment of this Japan-U.S. Military Statesmen Forum is a significant achievement, and I aspire to take an active role as a member of the Forum.