Fellow Researchers Profile

Kohtaro ITO

Kohtaro ITO

Senior Research Fellow

Associate Professor, Faculty of Sustainability Studies, Hosei University

Visiting Associate Professor, Institute of General Education, Ritsumeikan University

[Research Themes]
Assessment and analysis of long-term strategic trend in East Asia
Security and international politics studies for resolution of new social issues
Enhancing dissemination of Japan's views and information to other countries, and international networking

Expertise

  • South Korea's Diplomacy and National Security Policy, East Asian International Relations, Policy Process

Profile

Education

2022.03 Doctor of Political Science, Graduate School of Law, Chuo University
2017.03 Coursework completed without Ph.D degree, Graduate School of Law, Chuo University
2005.12 Graduated, Korean Language Programs, Korean Language & Culture Center of Korea University
2004.03 Master of Policy Studies, Chuo University
2003.03 - 2003.12 Exchange Student between Chuo University and Korea University
2001.03 Bachelor of Policy Studies, Chuo University

Career

2024.04 - Present Associate Professor, Faculty of Sustainability Studies, Hosei University
2022.04 - 2024.03 Lecturer, Faculty of Sustainability Studies, Hosei University
2022.02 - 2024.03 Senior Researcher, Keio Research Institute at SFC
2021.06 - Present Associate Fellow, The Nakasone Peace Institute
2021.01 - Present Senior Research Fellow, The Canon Institute for Global Studies
2019.04 - Present Visiting Associate Professor, Institute of General Education, Ritsumeikan University
2018.08 - 2018.9 Visiting Fellow, Ilmin International Research Institute, Korea University
2018.04 - 2019.3 Program Advisor, the Honors Program, Ritsumeikan University
2018.04 - 2021.03 Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Social Scienses, Shukutoku University
2018.04 - 2022.03 Visiting lecturer, Faculty of Community Policy, Shukutoku University
2017.07 - 2021.03 Visiting Research Fellow, Institute of Social Scienses, Chuo University
2017.07 - 2020.12 Research Fellow, The Canon Institute for Global Studies
2015.01 - 2017.06 Deputy Counsellor, National Security Secretariat (NSS), Cabinet Secretariat
2010.01 - 2014.12 Research Fellow, The Canon Institute for Global Studies
2008.09 - 2009.08 Junior Research Fellow, Ilmin International Research Institute, Korea University
2007.06 - 2008.08 Research Assistant, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry, IAA
2006.06 - 2007.06 Assistant Program Officer, Japan Center for International Exchange
2005.03 - 2005.07 Secretary of Member of the House of Representatives
2004.04 - 2005.02 Policy Research Staff of Member of the House of Representatives

Publications

  • Tomoyuki Furutani and Kohtaro Ito, “Introduction: Impact on Military Drones,” Kohtaro Ito, “Chapter 7: South Korea -Background and Practices Accelerating Drone Adoption, ” Tomoyuki Furutani, Kohtaro Ito, and Heigo Sato, eds, "Drones are changing warfare," Tokyo: Keisoshobo, 1-18 and 261-291, February 24, 2024 (in Japanese)., 2024.2.24
  • “South Korea’s Defense Policy -Defense Industry and Defense Diplomacy Supporting Strong Military Forces-,” Keisoshobo, November 16, 2023 (in Japanese)., 2023.11.16
  • “Dai 5-shō dai 3-setsu Kankoku ni taisuru Nihon no bōei gaikō ─ rekishitekikeii to genkai"[Chapter 5 Section 3, Japan's Defense Diplomacy toward South Korea: Historical Background and Limitations] and “Dai 11-shō Kankoku no `kokubō gaikō' ─ ─ `kokka seizon' no shudan kara `tayōna kokueki jitsugen' no tame no jitsuri shugi e"[Chapter 11 South Korea's Defense Diplomacy: From Means of National Survival to Pragmatism for Realizing Diverse National Interests], Tsuneo Watanabe and Ippeita Nishida, eds, "What is Defense Diplomacy: the role of military forces in peacetime," Tokyo: Keisoshobo, pp.117-121 and pp.261-291 (in Japanese)., 2021.10.20
  • Kunihiko Miyake and Tsukasa Yamanaka, “Gaikoteki Eitiwa Gakushuho"[Diplomatic English dialogue learning method], Nanundo (in Japanese)., 2021.5.13
  • "Japan’s Security Pledge in the Korean Peninsula", Jagannath P. Panda ed., The Korean Peninsula and Indo-Pacific Power Politics: Status Security at Stake (London: Routledge, 2020), pp.57-71., 2020.2.21
  • “Kankoku no senryoku zōkyō seisaku no tenkai to gunji sangyō no hatten shingijutsu kakutoku o mezasu shūnen to sono heigai"[The Development of Korean fighting strengthening policy and the development of defense industry - Obsessions and its adverse effects towards acquiring new technologies], Narushige Michishita, eds, Technology changes War and Peace, Tokyo: Fuyoshobo Shuppan, pp.95-105(in Japanese),2018.9.25

Papers

  • “Success Factors of the South Korean Defense Industry Breakthrough and Its Impact on the International Community” The Journal of International Security, No.51-4, Japan Association for International Security, March 31, 2024, pp.72-90 (in Japanese)., 2024.3.31
  • “Continuity in Korea's Foreign and Security Policy What is the Bottom Line That Will Not Change with Regime Change?” Journal of Contemporary Korean Studies, No.23, The Association for Contemporary Korean Studies, November 30, 2023, pp.38-49, 2023.11.30
  • "Kankoku no bōei sōbi-hin yushutsu sai kakudai no ugoki to sono haikei"[Movement and background of South Korea's re-expansion of defense equipment exports], the CISTEC Journal, Center for Information on Security Trade Control, pp.261-271 (in Japanese)., 2022.5.25
  • "Kankei kaizen no kizashi ga mienai nikkankankei"[Showing no signs of improving relations between Japan and South Korea], Toa, pp.30-37 (in Japanese),2018.9.25
  • "’Botong gugga’leul jihyanghaneun han-il-yang-gug” [Japan and South Korea Aiming for a Normal Country], Policy Brief No.45, Ilmin International Research Institute, Korea University (in Korean),2018.10.15
  • "Kankoku no bōei sōbi-hin yushutsu kakudai to kongo no kadai"[Korea's Defense Equipment Export Expansion and Future Challenges], the CISTEC Journal, Center for Information on Security Trade Control, pp.282-293 (in Japanese),2018.9.25
  • "Kankoku no seijinin'yōsei-do ― daitōryō hisho-shitsu no rekishi to tokuchō o chūshin ni ―"[Political appointment system in Korea-focusing on the history and features of the presidential secretariat-] Kenkyunenpo, Chuo University, pp.275-290,2014.2.20
  • "Kiki kanri seisaku no kokusai hikaku ― kiki taiō no keizai seisaku-ron ni mukete"[International comparison of crisis management policies - Towards economic policy theory responding to crises], RIETI Policy Discussion Paper, 08-P-002、pp.66-69,2008.5.1
  • "Sho gaikoku ni manabu kokumin hogo taisei no arikata ni kansuru kenkyū"[Study on the way of protecting citizens learning from foreign countries], the Tokyo Foundation Study Report(2005-22), pp.36-49,2005.3.1

Others

Articles

  • "Kyūsoku ni fukugen suru beikan gunji kyōryoku - nichibeikan anzen hoshō kyōryoku sai kōchiku e no fuseki -"[Rapidly Restoring US-ROK Military Cooperation - Stepping Stone for Rebuilding Japan-US-ROK Security Cooperation -], Toa(No.662), The Kazankai Foundation (in Japanese). 2022.7.25
  • "Nichibeikan anzen hoshō kyōryoku no fukugen o mezasu Yoon Sokyol jiki seiken"[Yoon Sokyol administration aiming to restore Japan-U.S.-ROK security cooperation], Toa(No.659), The Kazankai Foundation (in Japanese). 2022.4.25
  • "Nihon ga shiranai beikan kankei no fakutofurunesu (kōhen) - beikan bōei sangyō kyōryoku no shinten to sono haikei -"[Factfulness of U.S.-ROK Relations that Japan does not Know (Part 2) -Progress and Background of U.S.-ROK Defense Industry Cooperation-], International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (in Japanese). 2022.4.11
  • "Nihon ga shiranai beikan kankei no fakutofurunesu (zenpen) - Moon Jaein seiken no tai Indo asean gaikō o hyōka suru Amerika -"[Factfulness of U.S.-South Korea Relations that Japan Does Not Know (Part 1) -The United States Evaluates the Moon Jae-in Administration's Diplomacy with India and ASEAN-], International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (in Japanese). 2021.9.30
  • "Taiwan yūji to Kankoku 〜 Beikoku no omowaku ni taisuru Kankoku no keikai-kan 〜'“hokutōajia jōsei kenkyūkai komentarī (1 ) "[Taiwan Emergency and South Korea: South Korea's Wariness Against the U.S. Speculation], Northeast Asia Situation Study Group Commentary (1), the Nakasone Peace Institute (in Japanese). 2021.9.2
  • "Chōhei-sei o meguru Kankoku kokumin no ninshiki henka to `kokubō kaikaku 2.0' No yukue"[Changes in South Korean People's Recognition of Conscription and the Future of "Defense Reform 2.0"], International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (in Japanese). 2020.12.11
  • "Kankoku no anzen hoshō gaikō senryaku ― ringoku wa `reddochīmu (Chūgoku Kitachōsen Roshia)'-iri o mezashite iru no ka?"[South Korea's Security and Diplomacy Strategy: Are Neighboring Countries Aiming to Join the "Red Team" (China, North Korea, Russia)?], SYNODOS (in Japanese). 2020.9.30
  • "Ninki nokori ni-nen to natta Moon Jaein seiken − sō senkyo de no yotō asshō to jiki daitōryō senkyo e muketa ugoki −"[The Moon Jae-in Administration With Two Years Left in Its Term -The Ruling Party's Sweeping Victory in the General Election and Moves toward the Next Presidential Election-], Kaikaku-sha, pp.30-33 (in Japanese). 2020.8.1
  • "Posuto korona e ugokidashita Kankoku seiji -"[Korean politics started to move to Post-Corona -Whereabout of Power Organization Reform-], International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (in Japanese).2020.5.18
  • "What to Make of South Korea’s Growing Defense Spending", International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.2020.3.12
  • "US-led leadership can strengthen the United Nations Command, and ROK’s concerns -A perspective from Japan-", International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation.2019.10.21
  • "Bōei sōbi-hin dōnyū o meguru beikan nikkankankei"[US-Korea/Japan-Korea relations regarding the introduction of defense equipment], the Japan-Korea Cultural Foundation News, the Japan-Korea Cultural Foundation, pp.6-7 (in Japanese).2019.6.25
  • "Chūgoku to no kankei ni kuryo suru Kankoku -Taichu 3 NO gensoku no genzai-"[ROK Suffering from Relationship With China -Present 3NO Principles for China-"], International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (in Japanese).2019.5.30
  • "Shimin dantai no seiken hihan, gekika suru kenryoku tōsō… kukyō ni tatasa reru bun zai Tora seiken"[Criticism of citizen's groups, intensifying power struggle ... the Moon administration facing a predicament], Wedge Infinity (in Japanese),2018.12.11
  • "Moon seiken ga susumeru kokubō kaikaku 2.0 To wa nanika"[What is the Defense Reform 2.0 promoted by the Moon administration?], International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (in Japanese),2018.10.3
  • "Kawaru beikan dōmei? Nihon e no eikyō wa `beikan gōdō gunji enshū chūshi' wa higashiajia ni nani o motarasu no ka"[The US-Korea alliance changing? What is the impact on Japan? What does "US-ROK Joint Military Exercise Stop" bring to East Asia?], Wedge Infinity (in Japanese),2018.7.9
  • "Chōsenhantō jōsei no kyū tenkai -zaikanbeigun o meguru dōkō ni mo chūi ga hitsuyō-"[The rapid development of the Korean peninsula situation-Need to watch for trends in US forces in Korea-], International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (in Japanese),2018.6.7
  • "Orinpikku heimaku-go no Moon Jae-in seiken no yukue"[The future of the Moon administration after the Olympics Games is over], International Information Network Analysis, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (in Japanese),2018.2.19
  • "Chōsenhantō: Kitachōsen ni yoru kaku misairu kaihatsu to Chōsenhantō yūji"[Korean Peninsula: North Korea's nuclear and missile development and the Korean Peninsula emergency], Talisman, pp.12-14 (in Japanese),2018.2
  • "Kokubō-ryoku zōkyō ni yonenganai Kankoku, kaimami eru aseri"[South Korea who has no doubt over national defense enhancement, impatience to find glimpse], Wedge Infinity (in Japanese),2017.12.8
  • "Kankoku naisei no konran wa shūsoku suru ka - `rōsoku minshin' no sentaku wa ikani -"[Confusion in Korea's Home Economics Will Does the turmoil of domestic affairs converge? - How is the choice of candlelight sentiment], Kaikaku-sha, pp.26-29 (in Japanese).,2017.3.1
  • "Anpo yori mo anzen ga yūsen suru Kankoku yowamaru kokumin no taikita kyōi ninshiki to takamaru saigai anzen ishiki"[Recognition of North Korean threats and increasing disaster safety awareness of Korean weakening Koreans who take priority over security], Wedge Infinity (in Japanese),2014.8.1
  • "Wazuka 5-nen de yushutsu-gaku 10-bai ni kyūshin suru Kankoku no bōei sangyō"[South Korea's defense industry rapidly developinging the 10 times export value in only 5 Years], Wedge, pp.34-36 (in Japanese),2013.11.20
  • "Lee Myung-bak daitōryō Takeshima jōriku no haikei wa nanika"[What is the background of President Lee Myung-bak landing Takeshima], Kaikaku-sha, pp.28-31 (in Japanese).,2012.10.1

Membership in Professional Academic Association

  • The Japan Association of International Relations
  • Japan Association for International Security
  • Association for Contemporary Korean Studies in Japan
  • Public Policy Studies Association Japan
  • Japan Association of International Security and Trade