| 1959 | Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) established |
| 1960 | JIIA approved as incorporated foundation affiliated with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monthly publication "Kokusai Mondai" first published |
| 1963 | JIIA approved as specified public interest promotion corporation |
| 1981 | Pacific Economic Cooperation Council (PECC) Secretariat established |
| 1994 | Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific (CSCAP) Secretariat established |
| 1996 | Center for the Promotion of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (CPDNP) established |
| 2008 | JIIA ranked 2nd in Asia in "Global Go-To Think Tank Rankings" announced by University of Pennsylvania (US) |
| 2009 | JIIA ranked 1st in Asia in "Global Go-To Think Tank Rankings" |
| 2010 | JIIA ranked 2nd in Asia in "Global Go-To Think Tank Rankings" 19th PECC General Meeting held in Japan JIIA celebrates 50th anniversary |
| 2011 | JIIA ranked 2nd in Asia in "Global Go-To Think Tank Rankings" |
| 2012 | JIIA certified by Prime Minister as public interest incorporated foundation; JIIA assumes new status |
ABOUT US
The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA), founded in 1959, is a private, nonpartisan policy think-tank focused on foreign affairs and security issues. In addition to a wide range of research projects, the institute promotes dialogues and joint studies with other institutions and experts at home and abroad, examines Japanese foreign policy and makes proposals to the government, and disseminates information on international relations to the public. The institute, together with a large network of affiliated scholars, aims to serve as an indispensable resource on international affairs in a complex world.
Message from Chairman
The Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) is a nonpartisan policy think tank on foreign and security affairs established in December 1959 at the proposal of former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida, on the model of policy think tanks such as the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House).
With former Prime Minister Yoshida serving as JIIA’s first Chairman, this institute was established with strong help and support from leading figures in Japanese politics (both ruling and opposition parties), business, academia and journalism, including Ai’ichiro Fujiyama, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Morinosuke Kajima, a member of the House of Councilors and former career diplomat, Taizo Ishizaka, Chairman of the Japan Federation of Economic Organizations (Keidanren), and Masamichi Yamagiwa, Governor of the Bank of Japan.
Approved in September 1960 as an incorporated foundation affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, JIIA received further authorization in March 1963 as a specified public interest promotion corporation that made it eligible for certain tax incentives. In the fifty years since, JIIA has remained faithful to its initial purposes while fine-tuning its activities to meet the needs of the times. On March 27, 2012 JIIA was certified by the prime minister as a public interest foundation in recognition of its significant contributions to the public interest, and this change in status became effective April 1, 2012.
The world is entering into an age of dramatic change, and our institute will take on an increasingly large role as it brings together the human resources and wisdom of industry, government, and academia and extensively networks with research institutions and leading intellectuals overseas. We would deeply appreciate your understanding and support for the future growth and development of the world and Japan.
Chairman Taizo Nimuro
Mission Statement
JIIA's Articles of Incorporation stipulate the institute's aims and endeavors as follows:
The Institute's aims shall be to conduct research on international affairs and scientifically examine Japan's foreign policy to provide a constructive framework for formulating such policy; disseminate knowledge and information on international affairs and encourage research on international affairs by universities and research groups throughout Japan; assist in shaping world opinion favorably toward Japan and ensuring the sound administration of Japan's foreign affairs; and contribute willingly to world peace and prosperity.
The Institute shall undertake the following endeavors in order to achieve the aforementioned aims.
- Research studies and policy recommendations pertaining to international affairs
- Dialogues and exchanges on international affairs with Japanese/foreign universities, research institutes, research groups, etc.
- Endeavors pertaining to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT), etc.
- Diffusion of knowledge and dissemination of information inside and outside Japan on the aforementioned endeavors and on other international issues through electronic media, magazines, books and other publications as well as seminars, lectures, discussion meetings, and similar gatherings
- Other endeavors deemed necessary to achieve the Institute’s aims
History
Message from President
For more than fifty years since its establishment, the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) has actively engaged in research and devised policy recommendations on foreign and security policy, enabling it to present a broad audience, including policy makers and researchers both inside and outside Japan, with useful ideas and analyses.
Based on this half-century of activity, our institute has been acknowledged internationally as one of Japan’s and the world’s leading think tanks.
To enhance Japan’s intellectual presence in future, JIIA will actively undertake policy-related research and formulate recommendations, disseminate Japan’s views to opinion leaders abroad, provide information to interested parties at home, and develop human resources inside and outside Japan.
Our entire staff is committed to ensuring that JIIA is able to provide policy recommendations and analyses for the next fifty years as well.
President Yoshiji Nogami
Centers
JIIA has the affiliated centers addressing each specific issue.
JIIA Global Network
JIIA has, and expands, a broad foreign/domestic network encompassing renowned institutions and organization, which enables us to produce wide-ranging and insightful outcomes.
Successive Chairman
| Chairman | Shigeru Yoshida (Dec 1959 - Oct 1967) (former Prime Minister) |
| Acting Chairman | Morinosuke Kajima (Oct 1967 - Jun 1973) Chairman, Kajima Institute of International Peace |
| Chairman | Morinosuke Kajima (Jun 1973 - Dec 1975) Chairman, Kajima Institute of International Peace |
| Acting Chairman | Kogoro Uemura (Dec 1975 - Apr 1976) Honorary Chairman, Keidanren |
| Chairman | Shozo Hotta (Apr 1976 - Feb 1990) Chairman, The Sumitomo Bank, Ltd. |
| Acting Chairman | Yoshizane Iwasa (Feb 1990 - Mar 1991) Advisor, The Fuji Bank, Ltd. |
| Chairman | Yoshizane Iwasa (Mar 1991 - Jun 1999) Advisor, The Fuji Bank, Ltd. |
| Chairman | Gaishi Hiraiwa (Jul 1999 - May 2007) Advisor, Tokyo Electric Power Company, Inc. |
| Acting Chairman | Reijiro Hattori (May 2007 - Apr 2011) Honorary Chairman, Seiko Holdings Corporation |
| Chairman | Taizo Nishimuro (Apr 2011 - present) Advisor to the Board, Toshiba Corporation |
* Title indicates position held when appointed Chairman/Acting Chairman
Successive President
| Kanichiro Kubota | January 1962 – May 1965 |
| Setsuya Beppu | May 1965 – April 1968 |
| Taro Tokunaga | April 1968 – September 1969 |
| Hisanaga Shimazu | September 1969 – December 1973 |
| Michitoshi Takahashi | December 1973 – October 1977 |
| Katsumi Ono | October 1977 – October 1980 |
| Toru Nakagawa | October 1980 – May 1984 |
| Kinya Niizeki | May 1984. 5 – April 1990 |
| Nobuo Matsunaga | April 1990 – March 1999 |
| Hisashi Owada | March 1999 – January 2003 |
| Yukio Satoh | February 2003 – January 2009 |
| Yoshiji Nogami | February 2009 – present |
Funding
Our primary funding sources are public and private research contracts, corporate and individual membership fees, donations and publication sales.
Topics
Membership
A highlight of JIIA's recent activities and a summary of its organization.
Publication
Journal
Kokusai Mondai (International Affairs)
No.622 June 2013 "The Tangled Web of Regional Integration Efforts in the Asia-Pacific"
Books
Political Infrastructure of American politics
(Fumiaki Kubo ed., 2010)
US-China Relations: Post Cold War Framework and Development
(Seiichiro Takagi ed., 2007)
More Publication