News Release
For Immediate Release
December 1, 2023
For inquiries:
Kathryn Bubolz
Associate Communications Officer
Sasakawa USA
kbubolz@spfusa.org

Lieutenant General Koichi Isobe Joins
Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA as a Distinguished Senior Fellow
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA), a leading U.S.-Japan
think tank, has named Lieutenant General Koichi Isobe (JGSDF, Ret.) a distinguished senior
fellow (non-resident).
LTG Isobe served for thirty-five years in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force(JGSDF). Currently, he is a strategic advisor for Kawasaki Heavy Industries,Ltd., as well as the JGSDF advisor for Yamasakura Exercise. His previous
senior fellowships include the Harvard University Asia Center (July 2017 toJune 2019) and the Asia Pacific Initiative (July 2017 to June 2021).
In his final two years of service, LTG Isobe was commander of the Eastern
Army, an area of responsibility that covers the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, ten prefectures,
and almost half of the Japanese population. During his tenure, he deployed more than one
hundred thousand Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) personnel in three big disasters: October
2013’s typhoon flood and landslide on Izu-Ohshima Island, February 2014’s record-breaking
snowfall in the Kanto region, and September 2014’s volcanic eruption at Mt. Ontake.
Unique among JSDF general and flag officers, LTG Isobe held senior Joint Staff positions twice: as
director J-5 (July 2009 - August 2011) and vice chief of staff (August 2012 - August 2013). In
addition, he served as a linchpin of Japan-U.S. military coordination via Operation Tomodachi
during the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011 while serving as J-5. As vice chief of staff,
LTG Isobe initiated the Amphibious Warfare Study Forum among the JSDF three-service seniorleaders.
Commissioned as a second lieutenant of the JGSDF, LTG Isobe attended the National Defense
Academy (JSDF’s three-service joint military academy) and was a helicopter aviator who flew OH6 and CH-47. After graduation from Command and General Staff College, JGSDF, he served at theJapan-U.S. Security Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (August 1989 - August 1991). Hiscommand positions included 9th Division Aviation Squadron, Central Readiness Force, 7thArmored Division, and Eastern Army.

LTG Isobe earned a master’s degree in military studies from Marine Corps University, where histhesis earned the Brigadier A. W. Hammett Award. He also received a master of science degreein national resource strategy from National Defense University. LTG Isobe’s awards include theLegion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal.
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, formerly Twitter,@SasakawaUSA and visit our website at Sasakawa USA.