The Center for East Asian Studies (CEAS) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison recently hosted Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces Rear Admiral HAYAMIZU Takaaki. During his three-day visit in November, the Admiral delivered briefings to Air Force and Navy ROTC cadets, and met with university faculty and state officials. His presentations focused on Japan’s efforts to bolster its defense capabilities in response to growing regional tensions, particularly from China, North Korea, and Russia.
Admiral Hayamizu’s briefings to the ROTC programs highlighted the long-standing and close cooperation between American forces in the region and the Japanese Self-Defense Forces. The briefings emphasized the importance of the Japanese Constitution, which states “the Japanese people forever renounce war as a sovereign right of the nation and the threat or use of force as means of settling international disputes.”
Admiral Hayamizu explained how Japan’s pacifist constitution has shaped the development of its military forces over the past seven decades. As a result, Japan maintains self-defense forces rather than a conventional military and has focused on defensive capabilities. The nation will only engage in the use of force in a narrow set of circumstances—generally an attack on Japan itself.
“Hearing from senior leaders is always an invaluable opportunity, offering unique insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape,” said UW student and Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Ian Jacobson of the Air Force ROTC program. “Admiral Hayamizu’s visit was a particularly impactful experience among the leaders we’ve hosted. He provided not only a thoughtful perspective on the Japan Self-Defense Forces’ plans to modernize within constitutional bounds but also touched on the Japanese public’s view of the U.S. presence in their region. This engagement was a remarkable opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of our ally’s mission in safeguarding their security in the Indo-Pacific and how the United States can better support these efforts.”
Beyond his engagements with ROTC cadets, Admiral Hayamizu met with UW–Madison faculty, toured the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, and visited the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, where he received a briefing from state military and civilian leaders on the organization and mission of the Wisconsin National Guard.
This visit was made possible through a collaboration between CEAS, the Japan-America Society of Wisconsin (JASWI), and National Resource Center grant funding through the U.S. Department of Education. CEAS is particularly grateful for the support of Andrew Seaborg, Honorary Consul of Japan in Wisconsin, and JASWI Executive Director Kerry Clark, without whom this visit would not have been possible.
The event underscores CEAS’s commitment to providing students and faculty with opportunities to engage with leading experts and policymakers in the field of East Asian Studies. To learn more about CEAS, visit their website or follow them on social media.