Experts Kota Umeda
Research Fellow
Profile
Kota Umeda is a research fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan.
From 2015 to 2025, he worked at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), where he focused on researching U.S. space policy, coordinating with other space agencies, and developing JAXA's cybersecurity policy and incident response strategies.
From 2019 to 2022, Mr. Umeda served as JAXA's liaison officer in Washington, D.C., collaborating with the U.S. government, industry leaders, and various stakeholders to promote Japan-U.S. space cooperation.
Prior to his career in the space sector, Mr. Umeda spent five years at the Japan Ministry of Defense, where he researched military activities surrounding Japan and contributed to the formulation of arms control and disarmament policies. He holds a Master of Laws from Kyoto University and a Bachelor's degree in Policy Studies from Kwansei Gakuin University.
From 2015 to 2025, he worked at the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), where he focused on researching U.S. space policy, coordinating with other space agencies, and developing JAXA's cybersecurity policy and incident response strategies.
From 2019 to 2022, Mr. Umeda served as JAXA's liaison officer in Washington, D.C., collaborating with the U.S. government, industry leaders, and various stakeholders to promote Japan-U.S. space cooperation.
Prior to his career in the space sector, Mr. Umeda spent five years at the Japan Ministry of Defense, where he researched military activities surrounding Japan and contributed to the formulation of arms control and disarmament policies. He holds a Master of Laws from Kyoto University and a Bachelor's degree in Policy Studies from Kwansei Gakuin University.
Expertise
Space policy/ Defense innovation/ Cybersecurity
Publications
Umeda, Kota, and Robert S. Wilson. 2024. “Space-Based Missile Warning.” Asia Policy 19 (1): 95–111.
Research
Emerging Technology
Navigating Uncertainty in U.S. Space Policy: Decoding Elon Musk’s Influence
When President Trump declared in his second i…
Research Fellow
Kota Umeda
Emerging Technology
Biden’s track record in boosting U.S. space security
In February, Rep. Mike Turner, chair of the U…
Research Fellow
Kota Umeda
Emerging Technology
Starlink highlights economic security challenges facing democracies
The Russia-Ukraine war has placed a fresh spo…
Research Fellow
Kota Umeda
Emerging Technology
Satellite constellations taking on greater role in Japan’s security
The Russia-Ukraine war, which started in Febr…
Research Fellow
Kota Umeda
Experts in Geoeconomics
Experts
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Maletta GabrieleResearch AssistantResearch Assistant at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG). Specialised in Japan-EU foreign relations and European Security and Defence, Gabriele holds…View Profile -
Masayoshi UnoResearch AssistantMasayoshi Uno is a Research Assistant at the Asia Pacific Initiative (API) & the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG), the International House of Japan…View Profile
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Manish SharmaVisiting Research FellowManish Sharma is an ex-investment banker, with over two decades of experience spanning academia, consulting, think tank and corporate finance. His aca…View Profile
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Masahito KanekoResearch AssistantMasahito Kaneko is a Research Assistant of the China Group at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG). He specializes in the History of International Rela…View Profile
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Kuniharu KakiharaGroup Head, International Security Order / Visiting Senior Research FellowBorn in 1964, Kuniharu Kakihara graduated from the National Defense Academy and holds master’s degrees in Regional Studies from the University of Tsuk…View Profile -
Shin OyaVisiting Senior Research FellowMr. Oya assumed current position from November 2024. Prior to that, he worked at the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), where he was inv…View Profile
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Kenichi DoiSenior Research FellowSenior Research Fellow of the China Group at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG). Doi specializes in China and the world (geoeconomic issues, such as …View Profile
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Yoshimi IgawaVisiting Research FellowIGAWA Yoshimi (Ph.D.) is a Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Business School, Kyoto University of Advanced Science. A…View Profile
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Eiki TagamiVisiting Research FellowEiki Tagami is a visiting research fellow in Institute of Geoeconomics at International House of Japan from May 2024. With over 30 years of experience…View Profile
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Mariko TogashiVisiting Research FellowMariko Togashi has been a Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG) since January 2024. Prior to IOG, Mariko was a Research Fell…View Profile
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Kota UmedaResearch FellowKota Umeda is a research fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics at the International House of Japan. From 2015 to 2025, he worked at the Japan Aero…View Profile
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Andrew CapistranoVisiting Research FellowAndrew Capistrano is Director of Research at PTB Global Advisors, a Washington DC-based geopolitical risk consulting firm. Specializing in economic co…View Profile
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Paul NadeauVisiting Research FellowPaul Nadeau is an adjunct assistant professor at Temple University's Japan campus, co-founder & editor of Tokyo Review, and an adjunct fellow…View Profile
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Naoko EtoSenior Fellow & Group Head, ChinaETO Naoko is Professor at the Department of Political Science, Gakushuin University. Her main research interests include contemporary Chinese politics…View Profile
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Satoshi YamadaVisiting Senior Research FellowSatoshi Yamada has been a visiting senior research fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG) since 2022. He has over 25 years’ experience in the J…View Profile
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Hirohito OgiSenior Research FellowHirohito Ogi is a senior research fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG) studying military strategy and Japan’s defense policy. Before joining …View Profile
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Yusuke IshikawaResearch Fellow ／Digital Communications OfficerYusuke Ishikawa is Research Fellow and Digital Communications Officer at Asia Pacific Initiative (API) and Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG). His resear…View Profile
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Makoto ShionoGroup Head, Emerging Technologies ／Director of ManagementMakoto Shiono holds a B.A. in Political Science from the Faculty of Law at Keio University and a Master of Laws (LLM) from Washington University (St. …View Profile
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Kazuto SuzukiDirector & Group Head, Economic SecurityKazuto Suzuki is Professor of Science and Technology Policy at the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo, Japan. He graduated fr…View Profile
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Yuichi HosoyaGroup Head, Europe ＆ Americas ／Director of Research, Asia Pacific Initiative
Director, International House of JapanYuichi Hosoya is professor of international politics at Keio University, Tokyo. Professor Hosoya was a member of the Advisory Board at Japan’s Nationa…View Profile -
Hotaka MachidaVisiting Senior Research FellowMACHIDA Hotaka is a visiting senior research fellow in Institute of Geoeconomics at International House of Japan. He joined the Institute in October, …View Profile
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Kousuke SaitoVisiting Senior Research FellowSAITOU Kousuke is a professor at the Faculty of Global Studies, Sophia University, Japan. He received his Ph.D. in International Political Economy fro…View Profile
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Yoshiyuki SagaraSenior Research FellowYoshiyuki Sagara is a senior research fellow at the Asia Pacific Initiative (API), where he focuses on economic security, sanctions, health security p…View Profile
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Ken JimboManaging Director (Representative Director), International House of Japan ／President, Asia Pacific InitiativeJIMBO Ken is Professor at the Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University. He served as a Special Advisor to the Minister of Defense, Japan Ministry…View Profile
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Hitoshi SuzukiSenior Research Fellow ／COO, LLC future mobiliTy researchSUZUKI Hitoshi (PhD) was Associate Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefectur…View Profile
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Rintaro InoueResearch AssociateRintaro Inoue is a Research Associate at the Asia Pacific Initiative (API) & the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG), the International House of Japan…View Profile
