International Forum on War History
The International Forum on War History was launched in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS). The forum provides an opportunity to re-examine military history from diverse perspectives through bilateral and multilateral comparative studies, helping to counterbalance the often-one-sided national interpretations. It also serves as a platform to promote mutual understanding and contribute to confidence-building among participating countries.
23rd International Forum on War History
The 23rd Forum: “The Pacific War as Global History”
The subject of this year’s forum is “The Pacific War as a Global History.” As mentioned in the National Security Strategy of Japan of 2022, the current security environment surrounding Japan is characterized by inter-state competitions across the political, economic and military realms, in which states seek to shape global and regional order their advantage as well as to increase their influences. Such “attempts to revise the existing international order” was shown during the World War II and the Pacific War.
Against this backdrop, the forum will focus on the political, diplomatic, and military policies of Japan, the United States, China, the Soviet Union, and other countries involved in the Pacific War, from the perspective of a global history. We will discuss their historical significances in the attempt to modify the existing order, and impacts of the Pacific War on the East Asian regional order and the international order. It is expected that the discussion by experts, both from historical as well as security perspectives, will derive implications for contemporary and future Japan’s defense and security policies.
This forum will be held in online webinar format. We warmly invite you to join this unique opportunity for historical reflection.
| Date | Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 09:30 - 16:50 (JST) |
|---|---|
| Format | Online (webinar with simultaneous Japanese-English interpretation; pre-registration system) |
| Participation Fee | Free |
| How to Apply | ▶ Click here to register |
Part I (09:30 - 11:45)
- Opening Remarks (09:30 – 09:45)
- Keynote Address (09:45 - 10:30)
Hatano Sumio (Professor Emeritus, University of Tsukuba)
“The Pacific War as Global History”
- Session 1: The Pacific War and East Asian Regional Order (10:40 - 11:45)
Presenters:
- Takeda Tomoki (Professor, Daito Bunka University)
“The Greater East Asia Conference and the Asia-Pacific International Order”
- Sarah C. M. Paine (Professor Emerita, U.S. Naval War College )
“The Sino-Japanese War as Global History”
Comments:
- Shoji Junichiro (Senior Research Advisor, NIDS)
Part II (13:30 - 16:50)
- Special Address (13:30 - 14:15)
Presenters:
- Brian P. Farrell (Professor, National University of Singapore)
“The Anglo-Japanese War as Global History during World War II”
- Asada Masafumi (Professor, Seijo University)
“Battles in South Sakhalin and the Kuril Islands as a Global History”
Comments:
- Hanada Tomoyuki (Senior Fellow, Center for Military History, NIDS)
- Overall Discussion (15:45 - 16:45)
- Closing Session (16:45 - 16:50)
Please note that the program is subject to change without prior notice.
