There has been no direct channel for strategic dialogue between the U.S. military and the Japan Self Defense Forces (JSDF). In the age of strategic rebalancing with the East Asia being critically volatile, the need for such channel is increasing.

In today’s globalized world, continuous and extensive strategic dialogue between the two governments is crucial in dealing of rising issues promptly and appropriately. Notably, the value of the military-to-military strategic dialogues between the U.S. and Japan is increasing more than ever before. The strategic insights, shared values and wisdom drawn from the dialogues will certainly indispensable for the security policy debates.

This forum is 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, aiming at strengthening policy dialogues between the U.S. and Japan leading to stronger “bonds” (“kizuna”) between the security policy communities of both countries.