Events

Time and Location

November 9th, 5am ET, 7pm JT
Online

About

The Pacific Theater, also known as the Asia-Pacific War was geographically the largest theater that was fought in during World War II. This theater of the war saw Allied nations joining together to fight against Japan in some of the largest naval battles in history. Vice Admiral Yoji Koda will explain, from Japan’s perspective, the causes of Japan’s successes and failures during this period and examine several of Japan’s key battles.

Questions are encouraged during the live event. Register here: Meeting Registration – Zoom.

Vice Admiral Yoji Koda was born in Tokushima, the southern part of Japan in December 1949. He is a graduate of the Japan Defense Academy (1972), JMSDF Staff College, and the U.S. Naval War College. As a surface warfare officer, he took command of the JS Sawayuki (DD-125), Destroyer Flotilla-3 and Fleet Surface Force at sea. His shore duty includes Director General for Strategy, Plans and Operations, Maritime Staff.

He retired from JMSDF as Commander in Chief, Self-Defense Fleet, in 2008. Then, he made in-depth research on China’s Current Naval Strategy at the Asia-Center, Harvard University from June 2009 to July 2011. He had served as an advisor to the National Security Secretariat of GOJ from March 2012 to March 2014. Vice Admiral Koda has been working for the Japan Marine United Corporation, one of Japan’s major shipbuilders, as a senior advisor since his retirement in 2008.

He is a proficient writer on maritime and security affairs. His recent articles include: “The Russo-Japanese War: Primary Causes of Japanese Success,” U.S. Naval War College, “A New Carrier Race: Strategy, Force Planning and JS Hyuga,” U.S. Naval War College, “The U.S.-Japan Alliance: Responding to China’s A2/AD Threat,” Center for New American Security.

In addition to his writing, he also attends many international security and maritime conferences both in Japan and in foreign countries. Except for the COVID- 19 shut-down period from early 2020 to mid-2022, he attended 10 to 15 security conferences abroad, including USA, China/Taiwan, Australia, SE Asia and European nations. From summer 2022, he started attending in-person international meetings of this type.

This event will be recorded and archived on YCAPS’ YouTube channel Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies – YouTube.

For more information visit:
GTKJ- Asia-Pacific-War – YCAPS
Series webpage: Know Japan – YCAPS

This event is supported through the Salary Assistance Grant for U.S.-Japan Community Grassroots Exchange Program.

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