The Foundation of RIPS

As a result of Japan's transformation from a country that has experienced the severity of war, to a country that has a strong desire for peace, Japanese people tend to adopt abstract and idealistic notions of peace. They tend to leave security up to the self-defense forces and the U.S.-Japan Mutual Security Treaty and seldom question their own responsibility for the nation's peace and fundamental opinions regarding security policies are rarely articulated.

However, in political, economic and military spheres, international relations are extremely intertwined and complex. In order to maintain the peace and prosperity of our nation in such an environment, it is crucial to conduct research into how best Japan can manage its own security. Further, it is also important that Japan, a nation considered to be a major global power, examines issues relating to international peace and security.

In recent years, the peoples’ interest in security issues has grown and security matters have increasingly been discussed among experts, as well as in the mass media. Abroad, both governmental and non-governmental research relating to this matter prospers and private research institutions significantly contribute to governmental policy-making and policy projection. Britain's International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), Sweden's Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), America's Rand Corporation and The Brookings Institute are just a few examples of such organizations.

Against this backdrop, the Japan Defense Agency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs established the Research Institute for Peace and Security in October 1978. This Research Institute, based on the cooperation of specialists from varying fields, aims to contribute to provide the Japanese government with policy recommendations from an independent and objective viewpoint, while also serving to deepen international exchange and inform other nations of Japan's standpoint and position in international affairs.

Purpose and Business

The Purpose of this research institute is to conduct general investigations relating to our state's peace and security. Based on this research, we aim to further the progress of international exchange and security. In order to achieve this, we practice the following:

  1. Research and recommend general policies in order to ensure Japan's security and peace
  2. Conduct research and offer recommendations regarding security policies, including arms control
  3. Promote knowledge of security affairs among the general population
  4. Train future opinion leaders in the field of peace and security
  5. Forge and maintain close relations with domestic and foreign peace and security research institutes
  6. Publish and compile books and materials relating to peace and security
  7. Other important business in order to achieve the goals of the institute

Administration

For each research topic, we organize and work in project teams consisting of eligible specialists. Financially, we operate the institution by interest accrued on capital, membership fees collected from corporate and individuals members, subsidies received from other foundations for research projects and research commission received from government agencies etc.

Business Practice

1. Investigative Research
(1) Independent Research

(2) Consigned Research
We conduct investigational research on occasional topics consigned by the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other political bodies.

2. Security Research Fellowship Program
Since 1989, each term 7 young researchers are the subject of our 2-year fellowship program, which trains scholars and researchers who are primarily concerned with Japanese domestic security as well as international security problems.

3. Dissemination of Information
(1) Yearly publication and distribution of “Asian Security”
(2) Distribution of a variety of research results papers
(3) Yearly coordination of a public lecture
(4) Publication and distribution of the RIPS Newsletter
(5) Publication of books (Sorting of investigative research results, appropriate materials and such)

4. International Exchange
(1) We conduct monthly seminars on the subject of Asian security
(2) We hold occasional public forums and seminars to which foreign scholars and specialists are invited.
(3) The following are some of the overseas research institutes with which we have collaborated in the past:
The Atlantic Council of the United States (ACUS)
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR)
Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA)

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