Sedona Forum Tokyo Held: Report
The McCain Institute and the International House of Japan co-hosted the Sedona Forum Tokyo, its first overseas event. Over 120 leaders and experts participated, discussing geopolitical issues, AI, regional stability, and other diverse themes to advance freedom, innovation, and security in the Japan-U.S. alliance.
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- 📰 Published: May 1, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 1, 2026 at 11:31
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McCain Advisory Inc. (Headquarters: Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; Co-representatives: Jack McCain, Kimihiro Momono, Chris Masuyama; hereinafter “McCain Advisory”) is pleased to report that the “Sedona Forum Tokyo – Advancing Freedom, Innovation, and Security in the Japan-U.S. Alliance,” co-hosted by the McCain Institute (Arizona State University affiliated, Chairman: Jack McCain) and the International House of Japan (IHJ, Minato-ku, Tokyo), was held at the International House of Japan on January 15, 2026. This forum marks the first time the McCain Institute’s annual flagship conference, the “Sedona Forum,” which has been held annually in Sedona, Arizona, has been held overseas.
More than 120 leaders and experts from Japan, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region, including parliamentarians, government officials, and business dignitaries, participated in this invitation-only forum. McCain Advisory, with CEO Jack McCain also serving as a board member of the McCain Institute, participated as a supporting partner for this forum.
Jack McCain, CEO of McCain Advisory and Board Member of the McCain Institute
Session Overview
Against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical competition, increasing uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific region, and the growing complexity of shared challenges between Japan and the U.S., this forum served as an extremely timely platform for dialogue. Opening remarks were delivered by Jack McCain, Mr. James Masaaki Kondo, Chairman of the International House of Japan, and Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director of the McCain Institute. Across all five sessions, a wide range of themes were discussed, spanning global security, AI, critical minerals and energy security, China, Taiwan and regional stability, sports and cultural diplomacy, and Japan-U.S. financial trends.
Left to right: Mr. James Masaaki Kondo, Chairman of the International House of Japan, Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director of the McCain Institute, and Jack McCain
Sessions on security, technology, and energy featured appearances by House of Representatives member Taro Kono, House of Representatives member Akihisa Shiozaki, former Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation Sethuraman Panchanathan, and former Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Keishu Yoshida. Discussions revolved around Japan-U.S. military cooperation, strategic calculations concerning the Taiwan Strait, AI talent development, and the strategic vulnerability of reliance on China for critical minerals. In a lunch discussion, Dr. Evelyn Farkas and former CIA Director David Petraeus exchanged frank opinions on adapting military power in light of the war in Ukraine and deterring Iran.
Sessions on China, Taiwan, and regional stability featured appearances by House of Councillors member Rui Matsukawa, Professor Satoshi Mori of Keio University, and President of the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Randy Schriver, where the importance of strengthening both diplomatic efforts and deterrence was emphasized.
In the sports and cultural diplomacy session, Akie Abe, Chairwoman of the Social Contribution Support Foundation, Shimmer S. Mayo, sports investor, and Keiji Suzuki, Athens Olympic gold medalist, discussed building trust and the power to connect people.
Sports and Cultural Diplomacy Session: From left, sports investor Shimmer S. Mayo, Athens Olympic gold medalist Keiji Suzuki, and Akie Abe, Chairwoman of the Social Contribution Support Foundation
The climax, "Dialogue with the Finance Minister," featured Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama in a dialogue format with Rick Davis, Chairman of the McCain Institute, where she extensively shared her views on various Japan-U.S. economic and financial policy issues, including rare earths, women's political participation, crypto assets/stablecoins, and the concept of a $550 billion investment in the U.S.
At the closing, Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Mr. Ken Jimbo, Executive Director of the International House of Japan, and Jack McCain provided a summary, reaffirming the importance of continuous dialogue across borders and fields, and the determination to strengthen cooperation among democratic nations. The forum concluded with a dinner reception and a performance of traditional Noh theater, providing participants with an opportunity to directly experience Japanese culture.
The report from the International House of Japan (photos and details) can be viewed at the following link:
https://ihj.global/news/new/2026021203/
Furthermore, this year's main conference, "Sedona Forum 2026," will be held in Sedona, Arizona, U.S.A., from Friday, May 1 to Saturday, May 2, 2026 (Arizona local time), and this year's theme is "Challenges to American Dominance."
About the McCain Institute
The McCain Institute is a non-partisan think tank founded on the commitment to public service of the late Senator John McCain and his family. As part of Arizona State University, it operates from Washington D.C. with the mission of defending democracy, promoting human rights and freedom, and cultivating character-driven leaders.
More than 120 leaders and experts from Japan, the United States, and the Asia-Pacific region, including parliamentarians, government officials, and business dignitaries, participated in this invitation-only forum. McCain Advisory, with CEO Jack McCain also serving as a board member of the McCain Institute, participated as a supporting partner for this forum.
Jack McCain, CEO of McCain Advisory and Board Member of the McCain Institute
Session Overview
Against the backdrop of intensifying geopolitical competition, increasing uncertainty in the Indo-Pacific region, and the growing complexity of shared challenges between Japan and the U.S., this forum served as an extremely timely platform for dialogue. Opening remarks were delivered by Jack McCain, Mr. James Masaaki Kondo, Chairman of the International House of Japan, and Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director of the McCain Institute. Across all five sessions, a wide range of themes were discussed, spanning global security, AI, critical minerals and energy security, China, Taiwan and regional stability, sports and cultural diplomacy, and Japan-U.S. financial trends.
Left to right: Mr. James Masaaki Kondo, Chairman of the International House of Japan, Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Executive Director of the McCain Institute, and Jack McCain
Sessions on security, technology, and energy featured appearances by House of Representatives member Taro Kono, House of Representatives member Akihisa Shiozaki, former Director of the U.S. National Science Foundation Sethuraman Panchanathan, and former Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, Keishu Yoshida. Discussions revolved around Japan-U.S. military cooperation, strategic calculations concerning the Taiwan Strait, AI talent development, and the strategic vulnerability of reliance on China for critical minerals. In a lunch discussion, Dr. Evelyn Farkas and former CIA Director David Petraeus exchanged frank opinions on adapting military power in light of the war in Ukraine and deterring Iran.
Sessions on China, Taiwan, and regional stability featured appearances by House of Councillors member Rui Matsukawa, Professor Satoshi Mori of Keio University, and President of the Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Randy Schriver, where the importance of strengthening both diplomatic efforts and deterrence was emphasized.
In the sports and cultural diplomacy session, Akie Abe, Chairwoman of the Social Contribution Support Foundation, Shimmer S. Mayo, sports investor, and Keiji Suzuki, Athens Olympic gold medalist, discussed building trust and the power to connect people.
Sports and Cultural Diplomacy Session: From left, sports investor Shimmer S. Mayo, Athens Olympic gold medalist Keiji Suzuki, and Akie Abe, Chairwoman of the Social Contribution Support Foundation
The climax, "Dialogue with the Finance Minister," featured Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama in a dialogue format with Rick Davis, Chairman of the McCain Institute, where she extensively shared her views on various Japan-U.S. economic and financial policy issues, including rare earths, women's political participation, crypto assets/stablecoins, and the concept of a $550 billion investment in the U.S.
At the closing, Dr. Evelyn Farkas, Mr. Ken Jimbo, Executive Director of the International House of Japan, and Jack McCain provided a summary, reaffirming the importance of continuous dialogue across borders and fields, and the determination to strengthen cooperation among democratic nations. The forum concluded with a dinner reception and a performance of traditional Noh theater, providing participants with an opportunity to directly experience Japanese culture.
The report from the International House of Japan (photos and details) can be viewed at the following link:
https://ihj.global/news/new/2026021203/
Furthermore, this year's main conference, "Sedona Forum 2026," will be held in Sedona, Arizona, U.S.A., from Friday, May 1 to Saturday, May 2, 2026 (Arizona local time), and this year's theme is "Challenges to American Dominance."
About the McCain Institute
The McCain Institute is a non-partisan think tank founded on the commitment to public service of the late Senator John McCain and his family. As part of Arizona State University, it operates from Washington D.C. with the mission of defending democracy, promoting human rights and freedom, and cultivating character-driven leaders.