
U.S.-Japan Nuclear Cooperation: The Significance of July 2018
Author: Phyllis Genther Yoshida, PhD
In July 2018, the U.S.-Japan Agreement for Cooperation Between the Government of Japan and the Government of the United States on Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy will extend automatically. Its extension means Japan can receive U.S.-origin special nuclear material, retain advance consent for reprocessing, and is bound by the non-proliferation criteria and practices set out in the agreement. Such agreements are known as “Section 123” Agreements.

Testing Trilateral, U.S.-Japan, and U.S.-ROK Responses to North Korean Provocations: Tabletop Exercise Pacific Trident
Author: Admiral Michael McDevitt and Yoichi Kato
Categories: Tabletop Exercise
Tabletop Exercise Pacific Trident explored trilateral, U.S.-Japan, and U.S.-Republic of Korea (ROK) responses to unexpected events and deliberate North Korean provocations. This report summarizes the exercise, its policy-level insights, and its final recommendations to policymakers in the United States, ROK, and Japan.
Tags: DPRK, North Korea, Pacific Trident, Tabletop Exercise, trilateral relations, TTX, U.S.-Asia, U.S.-Japan, U.S.-Japan-ROK, U.S.-ROK

Technical Feasibility of an Integral Fast Reactor (IFR) as a Future Option for Fast Reactor Cycles
Author: Sasakawa Peace Foundation
The concept of an Integral Fast Reactor (IFR), which integrates a sodium-cooled small metal-fueled fast reactor with pyroprocessing facilities, could be an option for future fast reactor cycles. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation in 2016 commissioned a paper and hosted meetings to explore this idea.

Operation Rugby Daemon Cybersecurity Desktop Exercise
Author: Linton Wells II
Categories: Cybersecurity, Tabletop Exercise
Sasakawa USA released a report in English and Japanese on November 30 about its recent “tabletop exercise” in Tokyo, which simulated a major cyberattack during the 2019 World Rugby Cup to be hosted in Japan.
Tags: cyber security, Japan, security, TTX

On the Path to a New Automotive Future in Japan and the United States
Author: Phyllis Genther Yoshida, PhD
The key to global oil security is transportation. This report highlights automakers’ and governments’ efforts to increase the use of clean energy in automobiles and the hurdles faced by manufacturers and policy makers in their quest to increase the number of electric and fuel cell automobiles.
Tags: Auto industry, automotive future, electric cars, energy, fuel cell cars, phyllis yoshida