WASHINGTON, February 1, 2016 – The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is pleased to announce that Masanori Nishi, former Administrative Vice Minister of Defense of Japan, is joining the Japan Chair as a Distinguished Visiting Fellow. He will focus on the U.S.-Japan alliance and security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. “Mr. Nishi brings to CSIS unique expertise on the evolution of Japanese security policy and the U.S.-Japan alliance,” said Dr. Michael J. Green, Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair. “His insights will prove invaluable as CSIS continues to examine U.S. strategy in Asia and ways to enhance alliance relationships and networks of security cooperation in that context.”

Mr. Nishi comes to CSIS after a distinguished 35-year career in Japan’s Ministry of Defense. Most recently, he served as Administrative Vice Minister from April 2013-October 2015, where he coordinated defense policy and reported directly to the Minister of Defense as the highest-ranking national civil servant in the Ministry. He holds a bachelor of laws degree from the University of Tokyo and a master’s degree from the University of Oxford.