The National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) organized a three-day training program on security and foreign policy issues in the Indo-Pacific region for the Australian National University’s National Security College (NSC) from June 2 to June 4, 2025. Twenty-four Australian government officials, together with three NSC faculty and staff members, participated in the program. It was the sixth time such a program was organized since GRIPS and NSC signed a memorandum of understanding in 2017.

Staring with the orientation by Prof. Narushige Michishita, GRIPS Executive Vice President, the lectures and discussion were held on topics of “Japan’s Energy Transition Strategy” “Japan’s National Security Strategy” “China’s Influence Operations towards Japan and Japan’s Response” “Japan’s Space Technology and Strategy” and “Turbulent International Situation and Japan” which were led by Mr. Tatsuya Terazawa from The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan, Prof. Narushige Michishita from GRIPS, Prof. Tomoko Ako from University of Tokyo, Prof. Kazuto Suzuki from University of Tokyo, and Mr. Nobukatsu Kanehara from Sasakawa Peace Foundation (in the order of appearance). Each lecture was followed by an extensive Q&A session, resulting in very lively discussions.

<Lecture by Prof. Narushige Michishita>

On the second day of the program, the delegation visited the House of Representatives First Members' Building, where they attended a lecture and discussion session on “Policies and Security Policymaking in Japan” by Mr. Akihisa Nagashima, Special Advisor to the Prime Minister for National Security, Member of the Diet. The delegation actively asked many questions here as well, and the Q&A session continued until the very end. It made their visit a fulfilling one despite the limited time.

<Lecture and discussion session by Mr. Akihisa Nagashima>

After the lecture and discussion session, they moved to the National Diet Building and joined an English guided tour. The delegation members not only gained knowledge about the system and history of Japanese politics but also seemed to be deeply impressed by the value and atmosphere of the National Diet Building as a historical structure.

On the final day of the program, after two lectures in the morning, Prof. Michishita gave a follow-up and Wrap-up session in the afternoon. And the three-day program was completed.

Throughout the program, the delegation members actively exchanged opinions with the lecturers based on their respective work experiences.?
We sincerely hope that our executive program will continue to contribute to maintaining good relationship between Australia and Japan.

<Group Photo at GRIPS>