Press Release
For Immediate Release
January 4, 2024
For inquiries:
Kathryn Bubolz
Associate Communications Officer
Sasakawa USA
kbubolz@spfusa.org

Dr. Hidetoshi Hirata Joins Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
as a Distinguished Senior Fellow
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA) is pleased to announce
that Dr. Hidetoshi Hirata has joined our team as a distinguished senior fellow (non-resident).
Dr. Hirata began his Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) career in 1980 after
completing his master's degree at Tokyo University, where he specialized inaeronautical engineering. During his career, Dr. Hirata was involved inoperationally testing the F-15J fighter, flight testing the T-2CCV (controlconfigured vehicle) research aircraft, as well as developing the XT-4
intermediate trainer aircraft and the FSX (currently known as the F2 fighterjet). From 1994, Dr. Hirata worked for many years at the Defense Planningand Policy Department of the Air Staff Office, where he was involved in drafting several National
Defense Program Outlines and Mid-term Defense Programs, the relocation of the Air Combat
Command headquarters to Yokota AFB which strengthened Japan-U.S. corporation, theintroduction of aerial refueling aircraft, and the selection of the F-35 fighter jet. In addition, Dr.
Hirata engaged in defense policy related to the Air Self-Defense Force, development of defense
capabilities, and defense exchanges with other countries. Furthermore, Dr. Hirata served as thedirector general of the Defense Planning and Policy Department (A5) at the Air Staff Office from2007-2009.
Additionally, Dr. Hirata served as commander of various units such as the 3rd Air Wing stationed
at Misawa AFB (2004-2006), Air Rescue Wing (2006-2007), and the Southwestern Composite Air
Division (currently the Southwestern Air Defense Force) stationed in Okinawa (2009-2011).
Afterwards, he oversaw human resource development for the Japan Air-Self-Defense Force as
the commandant of the Air Staff College (2011-2012) and the commander of the Air Training
Command (2012-2013). Dr. Hirata became a major general in 2004 and lieutenant general in 2009
and retired from the JASDF in 2013 as commander of the Air Training Command.
Throughout Dr. Hirata’s JASDF career, his thorough knowledge of aerospace engineering andadept networking skills helped increase the JASDF's recognition on the international stage andmodernize the JASDF’s airpower. He also exercised strong leadership as commander of various

wings and forces. Currently, Dr. Hirata serves as a strategic advisor for Nippon Aircraft SupplyCo., Ltd. He received his PhD in aeronautical engineering from Stanford University (1990). Inaddition, Dr. Hirata received a MS in national resources strategy from the Industrial College ofArmed Forces at the National Defense University (1999) in Washington, DC, and master’s andbachelor’s degrees from Tokyo University.
For further information, please contact Associate Communications Officer Kathryn Bubolz at
kbubolz@spfusa.org.
###About Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA) is a non-partisan 501 (c)(3) organization dedicated todeepening the understanding of and strengthening the relationship between the U.S. and Japan for thebenefit of a free and open international community. Its activities focus on security and diplomacy, throughexchanges, dialogue, analysis, publications, and networking. Follow us on X @SasakawaUSA, Instagram at
sasakawausa, and visit our website at Sasakawa USA.