Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG)

The IOG is a private and independent think tank that focuses on geoeconomics. It aims to be a hub for intellectual exchange in the Asia-Pacific region and make a significant global impact. It will utilize the network with foreign think tanks and contacts in government, business, and academia which API and I-House have built over the years.

About the IOG

Message from Director Suzuki

The IOG’s founders

Symposium

Support & Membership

About the IOG

The IOG is a private and independent think tank that focuses on geoeconomics. It aims to be a hub for intellectual exchange in the Asia-Pacific region and make a significant global impact. It will utilize the network with foreign think tanks and contacts in government, business, and academia which API and I-House have built over the years. Specifically, we will:

1. Collect information, conduct research, accumulate knowledge and disseminate expertise undertaken by leading figures in Japan and the world in the fields of international affairs, regional studies, and geopolitics;
2. Create a high-level community that connects policy makers in the field of economic security with global companies;
3. Organize and implement a CGO (Chief Geoeconomics Officer) training program to enhance the ability of globally active companies to respond to geoeconomic risks and economic security challenges. In addition, we will invite corporate fellows to develop the next-generation of executives who have a strong understanding of geoeconomics;
4. Cooperate with foreign think tanks and business communities in Asia (including holding regular exchange trips).

IOG Executive Committee
Dr. Kazuto Suzuki, Director of the IOG (Professor, Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of Tokyo)
Dr. Yuichi Hosoya, Director of Research, Asia Pacific Initiative (Professor, Faculty of Law, Keio University)
Mr. Makoto Shiono, Partner, Industrial Growth Platform, Inc.

Message from Director Suzuki

In Japan, until recently, the worlds of politics and economy, security and private activities, public and private sectors existed self-sufficiently. Each has been treated autonomously albeit interfering with each other. In today’s world, these distinctions have become meaningless, and there are an increasing number of events that can only be understood within the framework of “geoeconomics,” a fusion of geopolitics and economy. There are many issues that geoeconomics should deal with, such as economic security, economic sanctions, and technological hegemony. At the IOG, we plan to deal with a wide range of geoeconomic themes initially centering on economic security and China, disseminate to the international community with a sense of speed, and grow ourselves to a think tank that will represent Asia and the Pacific. We would appreciate your warm support.

Dr. Kazuto Suzuki,
Director of the Institute of Geoeconomics
 

The IOG’s founders

Mr. Hironori Kamezawa, President & Group CEO of Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.
In the field of geopolitical and geoeconomic risks, the whole financial industry has been traditionally working to address the economic sanctions and the tightening of regulations, such as the US OFAC regulations triggered by terrorism. However, looking at the recent upheaval in the international economic order, the risks are expanding even further. I strongly feel a sense of crisis that not a single company nor single industry alone can deal with this risk. I am convinced that it is time to plough the rough ocean by forming a scrum across industries and collaborating with academia and the public sector. I expect the IOG to play a central role on this.

Mr. Takeshi Niinami, CEO of Suntory Holdings Limited
Today, the importance of economy in international relations has risen sharply and not a single company can ignore “geoeconomic risk.” It is no exaggeration to say that all the business leaders have been eagerly waiting for the establishment of an independent think tank from Japan that specializes in geoeconomics. I also look forward to the IOG’s initiative to foster “Chief Geoeconomics Officers (CGOs)”. I strongly support the sustainable development of the Japanese economy and the development of a solid and large geoeconomic community that the IOG will catalyze.

Mr. Takayuki Morita, President and CEO (Representative Director) of NEC Corporation
In the world facing dramatic changes, it is becoming more and more important for Japan and Japanese companies to analyze the global affairs and act from the perspective of geoeconomics. That said, in Japan, discussions and research in this field have been just begun so collaboration among industry, academia, and government is critical.　Moreover, discussions from the perspective of technologies are also important given that possessing advanced technological capabilities such as cyber security and networks is directly linked not only to the country’s international competitiveness but also to national security. Needless to say, these efforts ought to be carried out within the framework of international cooperation. Under such thoughts, the establishment of the IOG is timely and relevant. I will support the IOG to be a globally respected entity.

“Economic Security from the British and Japanese Perspective” Symposium

On July 26, 2022, the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG, Director SUZUKI Kazuto) hosted the symposium “Economic Security from the British and Japanese Perspectives”, inviting experts from the Geo-economics programme of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). The event was held at the International House of Japan.

Support, membership and other inquiries

The IOG is looking for companies that support our mission and activities. For inquiries, please contact us here.

Main Activities of the Institute of Geoeconomics

◆Geoeconomic Briefing
Geoeconomic Briefing is a series featuring researchers at the IOG focused on Japan’s challenges in that field. It will also provide analyses of the state of the world and trade risks as well as technological and industrial structures. Past articles can be found here.

◆IOG Geoeconomic Insights
In IOG Geoeconomic Insights, IOG’s experts take one story shaping today’s international politics and draw out its implications. Past videos can be found here.

◆IOG Economic Intelligence Report
The IOG Economic Intelligence Report will cover the latest regulatory developments on economic security & geoeconomics in the United States and Europe along with background and analysis of what it means for Japan and Asia. Past reports can be found here.

◆【Special Features】 Analyzing the 2022 Japanese Strategic Documents
What is required to transform Japan’s security policy into a more realistic strategy capable of deterring and responding to existing threats? How do the three strategic documents address this issue? Where is Japan’s security headed? What are the implications for economic security? We will examine these questions through Geoeconomic Briefings, Geoeconomic Insights, and commentary essays written by our experts. More information can be found here.

◆National Economic Security Strategy Project
API explores what Japan’s economic security strategy should be and aims to build an economic security community in Japan where the government, private sector, and academia can gather in search of a “most optimal solution” for this pressing issue facing Japan. More information can be found here.

◆Liberal International Order
As a product of our research, we published The Crisis of Liberal Internationalism: Japan and the World Order from Brookings Institution Press in February 2020. More information can be found here.