International Conference on Policy Simulation
"Connections Japan 2025/26”
Prospects for Innovation and Streamlining in Policy Simulation
In the current security environment, there is an increasing level of uncertainty regarding the existing international order. Inter-state competition is becoming more prominent due to the expansion and deepening of interdependence among countries and changes to the global power balance that are accelerating and becoming more complex.
The “Policy Simulation,” also known as the Political/Military Wargame, has gained global attention as a tool that can facilitate the development of flexible and appropriate responses to these challenges. A series of international conferences called “Connections,” which developed in the United States and the United Kingdom, has been held widely in Europe and other developed countries.
The NIDS has developed policy simulation to support policy planning and education since 2015 and held the “Connections Japan” since 2022. At the Connections Japan 2025/26, we will deepen discussions on the themes of “Prospects for Innovation and Streamlining in Policy Simulation.”
| Date/Time | January 28, 2026 (Wed) 9:20-14:30 (JST) | |
|---|---|---|
| Event Format | Online webinar (Teams) | |
| Language | Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation will be provided | |
| Registration | This event has ended. | |
| Inquiry | Please email to:seisaku2025@piic-inc.com | |
Program (tentative):
9:20- 9:25
Opening Remarks
9:30-10:40 SESSION 1:
Leveraging Generative AI in Policy Simulation
10:50-12:00 SESSION 2:
Initiatives and Ways Forward in Europe
13:20-14:30 SESSION 3:
Optimizing Policy Simulation for Its Intended Purpose
Panelists(tentative)
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), United Kingdom Ministry of Defence
Mr. Michael Bagwell (Principal Analyst, Defence Wargaming Centre)
Mr. Oliver Barton (Senior Principal Analyst, System, Analysis and Social Science Group)
National Defense Wargaming Center (NDWC), United States National Defense University
Mr. Nicholas Amato (Policy Division Director)
Mr. Hyong Lee (Senior Policy Analyst)
Dr. Selma Gomez Orr (NDWC Lead for the Eisenhower School of National Security and Resource Strategy)
Other Scholars/Experts
Dr. Karl Sörenson (Director of Research and Deputy Director of the Strategy and Policy Department at the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI))
Dr. Joseph Verbovszky (Co-Director, German Wargaming Center, Helmut Schmidt University)
Mr. Tim Hobbs (CEO, Capital Shield Australia Pty Ltd.)
Mr. Kaisaku Takeuchi (President, Groots Inc.／Founder of deeptier Inc.)
* The themes of sessions are tentative. The programs may change.
