Examining the Yoon Administration's Foreign Policy over the Past Two Years
Junya Nishino
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Introduction.
Two years have passed since President Yoon Suk-yeol took office in May 2022. Since then, President Yoon has had difficulties in domestic politics due to the parliamentary configuration of "small government vs. big opposition" and low approval ratings. Because of the ruling party's crushing defeat in the April 2024 general election, the Yoon administration will no doubt continue finding itself in a difficult position during its remaining term of less than three years. On the other hand, as far as its diplomacy is concerned, the Yoon administration has since the outset been strengthening the US-ROK alliance and improving Japan-ROK relations; it has pursued expanding South Korea's role in the global community under the diplomatic vision of becoming a "global pivotal state." This article aims to provide an overview and assessment of the Yoon administration's diplomacy in the past two years, while analysis regarding Japan-ROK relations and trilateral cooperation between Japan, ROK, and the United States will be addressed in separate articles within this special feature.
Proactive Diplomacy on the Global Stage
During the presidential election campaign of 2022, then-presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol argued that, "South Korea should no longer be confined to the Korean Peninsula but rise to the challenge of being what I have described as a ‘global pivotal state', one that advances freedom, peace, and prosperity through liberal democratic values and substantial cooperation." (From his February 2022 article contributed to the Foreign Affairs magazine.) The "National Security Strategy," released in June 2023, after the inauguration of his administration, was subtitled "Global Pivotal State for Freedom, Peace and Prosperity." With this idea of "GPS" as a diplomatic compass, the Yoon administration has been actively advancing global-oriented diplomacy.
The Yoon administration's first move that drew attention was announcing the Indo-Pacific strategy. It was in the late 2010s that the United States and Japan began to promote their Indo-Pacific strategy, for which Japan coined the watchword "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" (FOIP). The then-Moon Jae-in administration hesitated to formulate a Korean version of the Indo-Pacific strategy that could be perceived as encircling China. In contrast, the Yoon administration aimed to formulate its Indo-Pacific strategy from the outset. In November 2022, President Yoon announced his Indo-Pacific strategy in a speech at the ROK-ASEAN Summit held in Cambodia; in December, the South Korean government published a booklet titled "Indo-Pacific Strategy for Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity," which provides an overall summary of the strategy. A year later, in December 2023, the "Action Plan of the Republic of Korea for a Free, Peaceful, Prosperous Indo-Pacific," was released.
The strategy and the action plan, sharing the same orientation as the Biden administration's Indo-Pacific Strategy (October 2022) and the Kishida administration's New Plan for the FOIP (March 2023), have significantly promoted the strategic partnership among the three countries. This is apparent from a document adopted at the August 2023 US-Japan-ROK summit meeting at Camp David, in which the three countries defined themselves as Indo-Pacific nations and agreed to expand cooperation across the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
The second new development in South Korean foreign policy under the Yoon administration is the establishment of cooperative relations with NATO. This move aligns with the Yoon administration's emphasis on liberal values. The fact that NATO has also increased its interest in the Indo-Pacific region, as seen in, among other signs, the new "Strategic Concept" it adopted in 2022, emphasizing its relations with Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, known as the AP4, has led to promoting ROK-NATO relations. President Yoon attended NATO summits in Madrid in June 2022 and Vilnius in July 2023; he will also participate in the July 2024 meeting in Washington D.C. Before these events, in November 2022, South Korea's Diplomatic Mission to NATO was established and began its activities.
The Yoon administration is also proactive in diplomacy with the Global South countries. In May 2023, South Korea held its first summit meeting with Pacific Island nations, and in June 2024, it hosted the ROK-Africa Summit in Seoul, inviting the leaders of 48 African countries. This was the first meeting of its kind in South Korea. The country is strengthening its relationship with African countries using official development aid as leverage.
Three Key Features of Yoon's Diplomacy
Reflecting on the diplomatic efforts of the Yoon administration over the past two years, the following features can be highlighted:
Firstly, there is a strong emphasis on what is known as "value-based diplomacy." This approach aligns closely with Japan's past concept of the "Arc of Freedom and Prosperity" and its current "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" initiative. In the preface of the "National Security Strategy," President Yoon stressed the need to "actively address the rapidly evolving security environment" "as a global pivotal state grounded in the spirit of freedom and solidarity" based on the recognition that "[c]lashes of values, ideas, and interests around the globe are shaking the existing world order based on rules and principles." In his inaugural address, President Yoon referred to "freedom" as many as 35 times; he stressed the importance of universal values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights at every opportunity. In March 2024, South Korea hosted the third meeting of the Democracy Summit, initiated by the Biden administration in 2021. As this event exemplifies, President Yoon's emphasis on universal values is evident in his diplomatic efforts. Of course, it might be better to consider these efforts by South Korea as intended to underscore its superiority and legitimacy in the international community, with North Korea's political system in mind that pays no respect to such values.
Secondly, Yoon's diplomacy is characterized by "strategic clarity," particularly in the context of U.S.-China strategic competition, where it aims to strengthen a robust alliance relationship with the United States. In a contribution to the Foreign Affairs magazine, then-presidential candidate Yoon criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's diplomatic stance as strategically ambiguous, particularly amidst heightened tensions between the United States and China. Yoon advocated for the establishment of a "Comprehensive Strategic Alliance" with the United States. This direction was affirmed in joint statements such as the U.S.-ROK Leaders' Joint Statement shortly after Yoon took office in May 2022 and the U.S.-ROK 70th Anniversary Commemorative Joint Statement during President Yoon's state visit to the United States in April 2023, confirming the progression of bilateral relations towards a "Global Comprehensive Strategic Alliance."
Concurrently, Yoon's administration has maintained its pledge to build a relationship with China based on "mutual respect," as outlined in his presidential election campaign. While aiming to enhance strategic communication with China in the June 2023 "National Security Strategy," Yoon reiterated a consistent stance of resolute response based on national interests and principles concerning issues involving national sovereignty.
Thirdly, Yoon's diplomacy emphasizes strengthening defense capabilities and deterrence under the principle of "peace through strength." In contrast to the Moon administration's emphasis on reconciliation and dialogue with North Korea, the Yoon administration prioritizes enhancing defense and deterrence capabilities against North Korea's increasing nuclear and missile capabilities. Specifically, Yoon administration has prioritized the construction of what is known as the "Three-axis System," as one of its national policy agendas: (1) preemptive strike capability dubbed "Kill Chain," (2) the Korea Advanced Missile Defense (KAMD) system, and (3) Korea Massive Punishment and Retaliation (KMPR) capability. It was the Park Geun-hye administration that decided on the introduction of this Three-Axis system. Yoon criticized before he took presidential office that the Moon administration had hampered this move.
Furthermore, Yoon's administration has focused on enhancing extended deterrence within the U.S.-ROK alliance. The "Washington Declaration," announced during President Yoon's state visit to the United States, exemplifies this effort. This declaration clarifies the United States' commitment to South Korea's defense amidst increasing concerns about the reliability of U.S. extended deterrence in South Korea, specifying regular deployments of U.S. strategic assets to areas surrounding South Korea, including the port calls to South Korea of nuclear submarines capable of carrying nuclear weapons.
Additionally, the "Washington Declaration" decided to establish a new framework for U.S.-ROK "Nuclear Consultation Group" (NCG) to enable South Korea's involvement in U.S. nuclear operations. The third NCG meeting in June 2024 discussed joint guidelines for integrating South Korea's conventional forces with U.S. nuclear capabilities to respond to potential nuclear attacks by North Korea. Both countries plan to conduct joint military exercises, including responses to North Korea's nuclear use, in August 2024.
Shift from the Moon Administration and the Continuity of Korean Diplomacy
The diplomatic trajectory of the Yoon administration stands in stark contrast to that of the Moon Jae-in administration and previous progressive governments, largely due to differences between conservative and progressive camps in South Korean politics. During the Moon administration, the "Korean Peninsula Peace Process" aimed at inter-Korean reconciliation faltered in the face of North Korea's enhancement of its nuclear and missile capabilities. In response, the Yoon administration is strengthening its defense and deterrence capabilities by deepening the US-ROK alliance as well as by promoting "minilateralism" cooperation with like-minded countries, represented by the trilateral cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea.
Initially keen on joining the Quad (U.S., Japan, Australia, India), South Korea encountered Japan's reluctance and perceived challenges in maintaining Quad cohesion due to India's involvement. Consequently, the Yoon administration shifted focus towards strengthening cooperation among Japan, the United States, and South Korea. This shift in focus saw promising developments under the leadership of the Biden administration, notably with trilateral summits held during the NATO Summit in Madrid in June and in Phnom Penh in November, where leaders of Japan, the United States, and South Korea issued a joint statement that the three countries would share real-time North Korean missile warning data. This real-time sharing mechanism started operation at the end of 2023.
Central to advancing this trilateral cooperation was the imperative to address long-standing tensions in Japan-ROK relations. The Yoon administration was acutely aware of the need for reconciliation. In other words, for the Yoon administration, deepening the US-ROK alliance, improving Japan-ROK relations, and developing Japan-US-ROK cooperation were a single-packaged policy; from the outset, there was a kind of strategic thinking permeating the Yoon administration's diplomacy that sought to link these three elements organically together. On reflection, this was also the reason for the Yoon administration's efforts to rush to improve Japan-ROK relations. The announcement by the South Korean government in March 2023 of a solution to the wartime labor issue (a third-party reimbursement plan) and President Yoon's visit to Japan following it; President Yoon's state visit to the United States in April; the restoration of Japan-ROK shuttle diplomacy through Prime Minister Kishida's visit to South Korea in May; and the August 2023 Japan-US-ROK summit at Camp David. It is no exaggeration to say that these series of events are the outcomes of the proactive and positive diplomatic efforts of the Yoon administration.
As noted above, the Yoon administration's foreign policy, depicted as "strategic clarity," is considered to be an antithesis to the Moon administration's foreign policy. However, it is more than that. The worsening of Korean people's sentiment toward China following its economic retaliation to counter the deployment of THAAD in South Korea in 2017 and the volatile international situations due to Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine encouraged South Korea to pursue its foreign policy of placing greater emphasis on its alliance with the United States and taking a consistent and principled stance toward China. Furthermore, given the goal of securing its strategic clarity and in response to economic coercion by China, the Yoon administration has also focused on economic security initiatives through, for example, joining the US-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and keeping pace with US moves to strengthen supply chains. As soon as the Yoon administration took office, a new post, Secretary to the President for Economic Security, was created under the First Deputy Director of the National Security Office; in January 2022, the new post was elevated to that of the Third Deputy Director in charge of economic security.
While Yoon's diplomatic approach is often framed as a stark contrast to the Moon administration's policies, it also demonstrates continuity in South Korean diplomacy regardless of whether the government leans conservative or progressive. Two key aspects highlight this continuity:
Firstly, there is a notable confidence and assertiveness in South Korea's role on the global stage, manifesting in Yoon's administration vision of a "Global Pivot State." This vision underscores South Korea's increasing political and economic significance internationally, including discussions about South Korea's potential inclusion in the G7 summits. In fact, South Korea was invited to the G7 meetings in 2020, 2021, and 2023, when the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan held the chair country—it was not invited to the meetings in 2022 and 2024 when Germany and Italy assumed the chair country. On the other hand, South Korea's self-positivity tended to take the form of the projection of nationalism under the Moon administration. For example, in response to Japan's export restrictions on semiconductor materials in July 2019, President Moon declared that "we will never lose to Japan again" and promoted domestic production of chip materials. In contrast, under the Yoon administration, Koreans' confidence and pride are working as a motor force to advance internationalism-oriented foreign policy.
Secondly, efforts to diversify South Korea's external economic relations to reduce over-reliance on China have been evident since the Moon administration's introduction of the "New Southern Policy," emphasizing relations with ASEAN and India across areas of People, Peace, and Prosperity (three P's). Economic pressure from China following the THAAD deployment in 2017 spurred proactive measures in promoting economic cooperation with ASEAN and India during the Moon administration. Yoon's administration effectively continued and adapted this policy under the "Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative" within the context of the Indo-Pacific strategy. This framework positions ASEAN as a strategic pivot connecting the Pacific and Indian Oceans, highlighting mutual strategic partnerships and enhanced security cooperation.
Furthermore, given the economic coercion experienced from China, Yoon's administration sought to bolster preparations for joint responses with the United States, enhancing the U.S.-ROK alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan and the United States. Its bitter experience associated with the deployment of THAAD in 2017 left South Korea seeking reassuring support from the United States against potential Chinese economic coercion.
Conclusion.
The remaining three years of the Yoon administration's term will fundamentally maintain the direction of foreign policy as outlined in this article. However, amidst the polarization of South Korean politics between conservative and progressive factions, the overwhelming victory of the opposition in the April 2024 elections suggests that Yoon's foreign policy will face even harsher scrutiny domestically. The defining features of Yoon's diplomacy— "value-based diplomacy," "strategic clarity," and "peace through strength"— have all drawn strong opposition from the opposition parties. In particular, the escalating tensions in inter-Korean relations and the strengthening of trilateral cooperation among Japan, the United States, and ROK have been criticized for creating a bloc-oriented division reminiscent of the Cold War era.
In addressing these criticisms and contemplating the future of Yoon's diplomacy based on past developments, the setting of relations with China will be crucial. The successful hosting of the Japan-China-South Korea summit in May 2024 as the chair country was a significant achievement in this regard. Another critical element will be the outcome of the U.S. presidential election in November 2024. If the Trump administration returns to power, it could pose significant challenge for Yoon's foreign policy, which prioritizes a tough stance on North Korea and emphasizes the U.S.-ROK alliance. Should this scenario unfold, the Yoon administration may find itself devoting more time to alliance management. Nevertheless, its proactive role on the global stage is likely to continue to be pursued in diplomacy.
(Professor, Keio University)
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- June 2020,"Transformation of the International Order in the Middle East--- Varying Degrees of "Stateness" and Three Directions of the New Order" written by Satoshi Ikeuchi, Professor, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo
- June 2020,"Destabilization in the Middle East and its Impacts on Japan's Energy Security" written by Amane Kobayashi, Research Fellow, The Institute of Energy Economics
- May 2020: Urgent Recommendations "Toward a V-shaped Recovery after the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic "Coronavirus Testing for All" --- the First Step of the Next Phase"
- May 2020: "US Diplomacy toward Iran: Economic Sanctions as a Diplomatic Tool" Hiroki Sugita Columnist, Kyodo News
- "Russian Factors in the Middle East" Taisuke Abiru Senior Research Fellow, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
- "The SDF Dispatches to the Middle East --- History and Significance" Ippeita Nishida Senior Research Fellow, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
- March 2020, "Space and Security" Kazuto Suzuki Professor, Hokkaido University
- March 2020, "The US Security Space Policy --- With a Focus on the Establishment of Two Space Forces" Yasuhito Fukushima Chief Researcher, The National Institute for Defense Studies
- March 2020, "China's Recent Activities in Space and Cyberspace" Bonji Ohara Senior Research Fellow, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
- March 2020, "Environmental Security and Japan" Takashi Sekiyama Associate Professor, Kyoto University
- March 2020, "Changes in Global Environment and Security --- US Security Strategy" Hideshi Tokuchi Senior Fellow, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS)
- February 2020, "Cyberspace Security" Motohiro Tsuchiya Professor, Keio University
- February 2020, "Japan's Space and Cyberspace Policy" Yukinari Hirose Former President of the National Institute for Defense Studies
- December 2019, "The US-China Confrontation --- Where Will Hegemony Reside Next?" Akio Takahara Professor, the University of Tokyo
- December 2019, "Challenges Facing the Chinese Economy" Osamu Tanaka Chief Senior Researcher, Institute of Developing Economies, JETRO
- December 2019, "US Strategic Perception on China: Implications for US Allied Partners" Tsuneo Watanabe Senior Fellow, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
- November 2019, "The Xi Jinping Administration's View of the International Order– China's emphasis on United Nations diplomacy and liberal economic policies−" Shin Kawashima, Professor, the University of Tokyo
- November 2019, "The Future of China's Security Strategy" Hideshi Tokuchi, Senior Fellow, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
- November 2019, "China --- Its Confidence and Anxiety" Bonji Ohara, Senior Research Fellow, Sasakawa Peace Foundation
- August 2019: Several Perspectives on the Korean Peninsula Issue--- The Deteriorating Japan-South Korea Relationship and the Uncertain Denuclearization of North Korea --- By Masahiro Akiyama Chairman, the SSDP
- July 2019, "An Outlook on the Denuclearization of North Korea--- What is the Stance of North Korea?---", Junya Nishino, Professor, Keio University
- July 2019, "An Outlook on the Denuclearization of North Korea --- How will the US move?", Narushige Michishita, Vice President, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
- July 2019, "Discussion on Denuclearization of North Korea", SSDP Discussion Meeting on May 8, 2019
- May 2019: "Current Status and Prospects of South Korea and Japan's Frictions over History: How to address the Judicial Problems", Masao Okonogi, Professor Emeritus, Keio University
- May 2019: "South Korea and Japan's Frictions over History" (Comments), Junya Nishino, Professor, Keio University
- May 2019: Japan and South Korea Relationships (Question & Answer)
- March 2019: "The Present State and Prospects of the Indian Economy and Economic Policies" written by Koji Kobayashi, Senior Economist Mizuho Research Institute Ltd.
- March 2019: "The "Modi diplomacy" in the History of Indian diplomacy--- Departure from or maintenance of the traditional diplomacy? ---" written by Toru Ito, The National Defense Academy of Japan
- February 2019: Dynamics of Indian Politics and the 2019 General Elections, written by Chiharu Takenaka, Professor of Rikkyo University
- February 2019: "Cooperative Strategy" to Realize "Competitive Strategy"--- The composite structure of Japan's "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" strategy (vision) ---, written by Matake Kamiya, Professor at The National Defense Academy of Japan
- January 2019:, A paper, "How will the US midterm elections results affect the Trump administration's foreign policy for 2019?" written by Tsuneo Watanabe, Senior Fellow, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
- January 2019:, A paper, "The Present and Future of the International Trade Order" , written by Akihiko Tamura, Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
- December 2018: The US-China Competition and Japan, written by Ryo Sahashi, Professor at Kanagawa University
- December 2018: An Outlook for the US-China Trade War―What makes the two economically interdependent superpowers confront each other?―, written by Takashi Sekiyama, Associate professor at Toyo University
- September 2018: Proposal, "The Denuclearization of North Korea and the Restoration of Peace in the Korean Peninsula― Correct Perceptions and Eight Proposals on Japan's North Korea Diplomacy-" edited by the Society of Security and Diplomatic Policy Studies
- September 2018: "The Taiwan Policy of the Xi Jinping Administration in its Second Term: An Outlook on Cross-Strait Relations in the New Era" written by Yasuhiro Matsuda, Professor of the Tokyo University
- July 2018: "The EU States and Russia on North Korea Issues- Expansion of Influence through Diplomacy: Attempts and Limitations -" lectured by Yuichi Hosoya, Professor of Keio University
- "An Assessment of the US-North Korea Summit and an Outlook for the Future of the Korean Peninsula" lectured by Junya Nishino, Professor of Keio University
- "Korean Peninsula Issue and Japan's Future Security Policy" written by Hideshi Tokuchi, Senior Fellow of National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies
- July 2018: "US North Korea policy affected by personnel changes in the Trump administration" lectured by Tsuneo Watanabe, Senior Fellow of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.
- "China-North Korea relationship under Xi Jinping" lectured by Shin Kawashima, Professor of the Tokyo University.
- "North Korean Denuclearization and Russia" lectured by Nobuo Shimotomai, Professor of the Hosei University.
- March 2018: "The Network Hegemony Theory for a Security Architecture in The Asia Pacific Region" lectured by Masahiro Akiyama, Chairman, the Society of Security and Diplomatic Policy Studies
- January 2018: "A Destabilized Middle East" lectured by Koichiro Tanaka, Professor, Keio University
- December 2017: "Problems in Sino-Japanese Relations, 1992-2042" lectured by Ezra F. Vogel, Professor of the Social Sciences Emeritus at Harvard University
- November 2017: "The Future of the Asia-Pacific Region" written by Yoriko Kawaguchi, Fellow, the Meiji Institute for Global Affairs, Former Minister Foreign Affairs
- October 2017: "A New Trend in India's Foreign Policy and Japan" Written by HIROSE,Takako, Professor, Senshu University
- August 2017: "The Shocks that shook the Transatlantic World and their Implication for Japan's Foreign Policy" written by HOSOYA, Yuichi, Professor, Keio University
- August 2017: "Does Economic Interdependence not Encourage Collaboration? ―Thinking Japan-China Relations from an Economic Perspective―" written by Takashi SEKIYAMA, Ph.D., Toyo University
- July 2017: Proposal article "The Trump Administration's Impact on the Cross-Strait Relations" written by Yasuhiro Matsuda, Ph.D.
- June 2017: Proposal article "The outlook for the relationship between two great powers and implications for Japanese diplomacy" written by Professor Shin Kawashima
- May 2017: (Emergency Proposal) Facing the Inconvenient Truth: Re-examining Policy for Peace and Denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula (Chief author, Masao Okonogi)
- March 2017: "Economic Influences of the Trump Administration" written by Professor Motoshige Ito
- February, 2017: Proposal article "Trump's Foreign and Security Policy - Unpredictable President, Realistic Secretaries - " written by Mr. Tsuneo Watanabe is posted on the website of SSDP.
- December, 2016: Proposal article "Reconsidering North Korea Policy: How to Deal with a Nuclear Armed Divided States" written by Professor Masao Okonogi is posted on the website of SSDP.
- Taiwan-Japan Round Table on August 24th, at Capital Tokyu Hotel
- Japan-Korea Political Leaders Dialogue was held on February 10th,2023 at International House of Japan
- March 2022, A remembrance seminar "Remembering Professor Ezra Vogel" held on January 17, 2022
- March 2021, Japan-ROK Parliamentary Dialogue -Japan-ROK Cooperation in the Era of US-China Competition- held on March 11, 2021
- December 2020: The report of the Japan-ROK Future Dialogue held on November 21 to discuss "Japan-ROK Cooperation in the Post-Covid-19 Era
- October 2020: "Responses to COVID-19 and Agendas for the Post-COVID-19 Era", A Brief Overview of the Japan-Korea Experts Dialogue held on July 29,30, 2020
- October 2020: "The China-Taiwan Confrontation over Corona Response and Taiwan's Security" written by Makoto Ogata, Former Chief of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in Taipei
- May 2020: "Rivalries in the Middle East in New Security Dynamics", Written by Sayed Ghoneim, Major General (retired) of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Chairman, Institute for Global Security & Defence Affairs
- March 2020: The Japan-South Korea Relationship in a Cul-de-Sac--- Where is an Exit ? Masao Okonogi Professor Emeritus, Keio Universit
- December 2019: The Hong Kong Upheaval and the Future of Cross-Straits Relations-The 2019 Japan-Taiwan Strategic Dialogue Report OGATA, Makoto Former Chief of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in Taipei
- August 2019: Report; 2019 FUTURE CONSENSUS DIALOGUE --Sustainable Prosperity and Future of Korea-U.S.-Japan Cooperation-- By Future Consensus Institute (Yeosijae)
- June 2019: Report on India – Japan Security Dialogue 2019 by Ms. Vindu Mai Chotani, Ph.D Student, The University of Tokyo
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June 2019: Four papers on Japan-India Cooperation submitted to India-Japan Security Dialogue 2019
-
Japan's Rationale for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision
Tsuneo Watanabe, Senior Fellow, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation -
The Significance and Possibilities of India-Japan Cooperation in the Concept of the Indo-Pacific
Toru ITO Associate Professor, National Defense Academy of Japan -
Japan-India Defense Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific Context - Operationalizing the Security Aspect of the Indo-Pacific Vision –
Hideshi Tokuchi, Senior Fellow, National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) -
India-US-Japan Defense Cooperation: What's next?
Dr. Satoru Nagao, Hudson Institute
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Japan's Rationale for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific Vision
- November 2018: "The Present State of the Japanese Economy and Policy Issues" lectured by Motoshige Itoh, Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo.
- November 2018: "Expanding Social Security Expenses and Fiscal Reforms" lectured by Kazumasa Oguro, Professor at Hosei University.
- September 2018: "Taiwan Identity and Cross-Strait Relations and Trump's Taiwan Policy and the Future of Taiwan-US Relations-Discussion at The Second Japan-Taiwan Strategic Dialogue (June 21, 2018, Taipei)-" written by OGATA, Makoto
- September 2018: "Japan-Taiwan Dialogue 2018 Minutes", 21st June 2018, Taipei, Taiwan.
- July 2018: Report on The Second Japan – Philippines Strategic Dialogue prepared by Ms. Vindu Mai Chotani, Ph.D. Student, Graduate School of Public Policy, Tokyo University.
- May 2018: "Civilian Control "at Crisis"? – Perhaps Not, for the Case of the Field Sit-reps from SDF's South Sudan Mission" reported by Ippeita Nishida, Research Fellow, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation
- January 2018: "Fukushima, Genki?Project-Young Taiwanese volunteers introduce the facts on Fukushima's revival through documentary films-" reported by OGATA, Makoto, Former Chief of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in Taipei
- December 2017: "Commemorating a Quarter Century of Dispatches of the JSDF's PKO Units: Challenges and Possibilities in the Post South Sudan" written by Takayuki Shoji, Lecturer, Nihon University
- November 2017: "19th CCP National Congress" written by Mr. Bonji Ohara, Senior Research Fellow, the Sasakawa Peace Fondation
- October 2017: "What is Japan's Role in the Indo-China border conflict?" written by Dr. NGAO,Satoru, Research Fellow, Institute for Future Engineering
- July 2017: "Overview of the Current Situation in Taiwan-" the Naturally Independent Generation" will affect the Taiwan"s politics-" written by Makoto Ogata MGE.(Ret.)
- June 2017: "Japan-U.S. Economic Dialogue" written by Mr.Takaaki Asano
- March 2017: "The Japan-Philippines Strategic Dialogue" written by Mr. Hideshi Tokuchi
- February, 2017: Current topic "The Importance of Japan's Security Role Under Trump" written by Dr. Satoru Nagao is posted on the SSDP website.
- December, 2016: Current topic "Widening Security Task: Will SDF do the Job?" written by Mr. Ippeita Nishida is posted on the SSDP website.
- July 2024, Research journal "Security Studies vol6 no2" (How Has South Korea Changed under the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration?) in English edition was published.
- April 2024, Research journal "Security Studies vol6 no1" (The Middle East in Turmoil) in English edition was published.
- December 2023, Research journal "Security Studies vol5 no4" (What is th Global South?) in English edition was published.
- September 2023, Research journal "Security Studies vol5 no3" (Hegemonic America: Where It's Headed) in English edition was published.
- June 2023,Research journal "Security Studies vol5 no2" (Nuclear Crisis Scenarios Facing Japan and the Outlook of Nuclear Deterrence and Arms Control and Disarmament) in English edition was published.
- March 2023,Research journal "Security Studies vol5 no1" (What Will Happen to European Security?―Facing the War in Ukraine) in English edition was published.
- January 2023, Research Jounal "Security Studies (vol 4 no 4)" - Defending Our Country – Defense Policy in a "New Cold War Era - was published.
- October 2022, Research Jounal "Security Studies (vol 4 no 3)" - Xi Jinping's China - Politics, Economy, Society and Diplomacy - was published.
- Jun 2022, Research Jounal "Security Studies (vol 4 no 2)" -The Russia-Ukraine War and Its Global Impact- was published.
- March 2022, Research Jounal "Security Studies (vol 4 no 1)"-What is Economic Security?- was published.
- December 2021, Research Jounal "Security Studies (vol 3 no 4)"-Korean Peninsula Situation- was published.
- September 2021, A research journal "Security Studies vol03 no03" -Asia's Security II- (English edition)
- June 2021, A research journal "Security Studies vol03 no02" -Asia's Security I- (English edition)
- March 2021: Research journal "Security Studies (vol3 no1) "- US Foreign Policy in the Biden Administration / The 2020 US Presidential Election and American Democracy -(English edition)
- December 2020: A research journal "Security Studies (vol2 no4) "- Normalize Japan-South Korea Relations trough Dialogues -(English edition)
- September 2020: A research journal "Security Studies (vol2 no3) "-The Novel Coronavirus and Security-(English edition)
- July 2020: A research journal "Security Studies (vol2 no2) - Middle East Situation and Japan's Security - " (English edition) was published
- May 2020: A research journal "Security Studies (vol2 no1) - Cyber, Space, Environment and Security - " March 2020 (English edition)
- February 2020, "A research journal "Security Studies (vol1 no4) " (English edition)"
- September 2019: A research journal "Security Studies (vol1 no3) " (English edition)
- August 2019: Korea-Japan Joint Seminar: FUTURE CONSENSUS DIALOGUE
- April 2019: "Security Studies (vol1 no2) April 2019"
- March 2019: A research journal "Security Studies vol1 no01" just published
- February 2019: The Denuclearization of North Korea and the Takeshima Issue
- December 2018: Former Vice Defense Minister Masahiro Akiyama's Memoirs (An Ad)
- November 2018: Participation in the Future Consensus Forum held in Beijing
- September 2018: "2018 Indo-Pacific Security Dialogue" reported by Masahiro Akiyama
- 2017 December: "The Butterfly Project-A possibility of showing a solution to the North Korea problem-"
- October 2017: Campaign on the problems with North Korea
- August 2017: A New Containment Policy Strategy
- June 2017: Korean peninsla
- March 2017: President Duterte
- February, 2017: Kazakhstan
- November, 2016: Participated in Astana Club 2016 held in Kazakhstan on November 14- 16, 2016.