The “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” vision has been the centerpiece of Japan’s foreign policy since the Abe administration, As the war in Ukraine unfolded, there has been growing concern in Japan about a possible “spillover effect” to a wider region, possibly to the Indo-Pacific. Is Japan’s Self - Defense Forces, together with its alliance partner, prepared to face security challenges in the region? What developments can we look for in the new National Security Strategy scheduled to be reviewed by the end of this year?

At this critical juncture, we are honored to host General IZUTSU Shunji, Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self - Defense Force, for a special in-person event in Tokyo.

Please join us to learn from and engage with General IZUTSU.

This event will be conducted in-person and online.
In-person participation is for members and guests only. Online participation is open to the public. Registration is required.
There is an in-person guest fee of 5,000 yen. Online participation is free.

Speaker Bio

General IZUTSU Shunji
Chief of Staff of the Japan Air Self - Defense Force

General IZUTSU Shunji assumed duties as the Chief of Staff, Koku-Jieitai (Japan Air Self - Defense Force) on August 25, 2020. As the highest-ranking officer in the Koku-Jieitai, he leads a force of some 50,000 service members and civilians.

He is a native of Chiba Prefecture and a graduate of the National Defense Academy.  He studied at the US Air Force’s Air Command and Staff College and Harvard Kennedy School, earning his Master’s degree in Public Administration.

He was commissioned in the Koku-Jieitai in 1986 and became an F-4 pilot. His command assignments include Flight Group Commander of 7th Air Wing, Commander of 6th Air Wing, and Commander of Western Air Defense Force, and most recently, he was appointed as Commander, Air Defense Command, where he also served as the Commander of Joint Task Force-Ballistic Missile Defense. He has also served in Iraq for reconstruction and support missions.