Former Taipei bureau chief of Japan’s Sankei Shimbun, Akio Yaita, announced the launch of the Indo-Pacific Strategy Think Tank (IPST) on Monday. The think tank is aimed at connecting Taiwan to the world and honoring former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
Speaking at the inaugural reception, Yaita stated that Taiwan is on the front lines of the Indo-Pacific region. He said the purpose of establishing IPST is not only to pay tribute to Abe, but also to defend Taiwan's freedom and democracy alongside international allies. He said they plan to create a website and a YouTube channel to keep global audiences informed about daily events in Taiwan, thereby fostering greater awareness.
Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Chairman Su Jia-chyuan (蘇嘉全) said there has been a growing focus on Taiwan following the Russo-Ukrainian War, and suggested that the think tank will enhance Taiwan's international visibility.
Japan's representative to Taiwan Kazuyuki Katayama acknowledged Yaita's deep understanding of regional dynamics, especially in light of recent Chinese military exercises.
The American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene also affirmed Yaita’s knowledge of Taiwan. He expressed interest in collaborating with IPST to strengthen trilateral relations among the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan to enhance security in the Indo-Pacific.
Hudson Institute’s China Center Director Miles Yu (余茂春) said that Japan plays a leading role in the Indo-Pacific strategy and that U.S.-Japan relations are decisive in the region. As such, he said that the IPST provides the opportunity to further connect the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan.