Speaker: Tomonori Yoshizaki, Professor, Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) Former Vice President of National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS), Ministry of Defense, Japan

Moderator: Ayumi Teraoka, Postdoctoral Research Scholar, WEAI, Columbia University

China’s global outreach and the War in Ukraine have pushed U.S. allies in Asia and Europe closer in recent years. Professor Tomonori Yoshizaki of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS), former Vice President of the National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, will help us understand the motivations behind the developing ties between Japan and NATO. He will explore the prospects of their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and beyond and conclude by offering implications for the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Speaker's Bio: Professor Tomonori (Tom) Yoshizaki has served as Professor of Tokyo University of Foreign Studies (TUFS) since April 2023. He gives lectures and seminars on Japan’s national security policy, alliance management, and peace operations. Prior to his TUFS position, he had worked for the National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) of Japan MOD for thirty-six years. At NIDS, he served as vice president for academic affairs (2022-23), director of policy simulation (2015-22) & director of security studies department (2011-15). Prof. Yoshizaki served as a visiting fellow and lecturer at King’s College London, Hudson Institute, Japan's Self-Defense Forces Staff Colleges, Sophia University, Waseda University, and National Graduate Research Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS).