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
Security
Sustained Denial and Strategic Depth: Policy Recommendations for Japan’s Next Strategic Documents
As China continues to expand its military and uncertainty grows over U.S. alliance commitments, what kind of defense strategy shou
Group Head, International Security Order / Visiting Senior Research Fellow
Kuniharu Kakihara
Security
Japan’s space systems face growing cybersecurity threats
In November, less than a month after taking office, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi established the Japan Growth Strategy Headquarte
Research Fellow
Kota Umeda
Security
The Geoeconomics of Gen AI: Middle Power Strategies on Digital Sovereignty
How Is Generative AI Changing Global Competition and Cooperation? / Hiroshima AI Process / South Korean Approach to AI / EU’s Poli
Research Fellow
Kota Umeda
Emerging Technology
The Geoeconomics of Generative AI Development Race: How Emerging Technologies Can Become National Power
Generative AI has been progressing at an incredible pace and has become one of the most closely watched emerging technologies. Its
Group Head, Emerging Technologies
Makoto Shiono
Emerging Technology
A Looming Crisis in U.S. Science and Technology: The Case of NASA’s Science Budget
Barely six months into the second Trump administration, more than 4,000 employees have left the National Aeronautics and Space Adm
Research Fellow
Kota Umeda
Experts in Geoeconomics
Experts-
Yuki GotoVisiting Research FellowYuki Goto is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics. He has led the intelligence of external affairs at Japan Petroleum Explorati…View Profile -
Takashi ItoVisiting Senior Research FellowAfter graduating from Keio University, he joined Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, where he was engaged in the semiconductor business, covering manufac…View Profile - Koki ShigenoiVisiting Research FellowKoki Shigenoi is Visiting Researcher at the Interfaculty Initiative in Information Studies (III), The University of Tokyo, and Associated Researcher a…View Profile
- Takayoshi FukuyoVisiting Research FellowTakayoshi Fukuyo is the CEO and Founder of ArkEdge Space Inc., a Tokyo-based startup delivering micro-satellite constellation solutions from planning …View Profile
-
Letizia SueraResearch AssistantLetizia Suera is a Research Assistant with the Economic Security Group at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG) and a Capacity Building Associate at the…View Profile - Yoshiyuki KatoVisiting Senior Research FellowYoshiyuki Kato was born in Aichi Prefecture in 1979, he received his Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary. After serving as Associate Professor a…View Profile
- Eyck FreymannVisiting Research FellowEyck Freymann is a Hoover Fellow at Stanford University, where he directs the Allied Coordination Working Group. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the I…View Profile
- Yoshiyuki FukudaVisiting Research FellowYoshiyuki Fukuda is a macroeconomist and financial strategist with over 20 years of experience spanning central banking, international organizations, …View Profile
- Kasumi YamazakiSecretary General ／Senior Executive Vice PresidentKasumi Yamazaki has served as the inaugural Secretary General and Senior Executive Vice President of the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG) since January…View Profile
- Makoto OuchiProgram OfficerMakoto Ouchi is a Program Officer at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG). He actively engages in the planning and management of workshops and programs…View Profile
- Kikyo TaguchiResearch AssistantKikyo Taguchi assumed her current position in July 2025, after serving as a Researcher/Advisor in the Political Section at the Embassy of Japan in Ger…View Profile
- Gabriele MalettaResearch 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Eiki TagamiVisiting Senior Research FellowEiki Tagami is a visiting senior research fellow in Institute of Geoeconomics at International House of Japan from May 2024. With over 30 years of exp…View Profile
- 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
- 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
- Andrew CapistranoVisiting Research FellowAndrew Capistrano is a geopolitical risk consultant based in Tokyo, and Director of Research at PTB Global Advisors in Washington, DC, where he specia…View Profile
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Naoko EtoVisiting Senior FellowNaoko Eto is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Gakushuin University. Her main research interests include East Asian affairs and Ja…View Profile
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Hitoshi SuzukiSenior Research Fellow ／COO, LLC future mobiliTy researchHitoshi Suzuki (PhD) was Associate Professor at the Graduate School of International Studies and Regional Development, University of Niigata Prefectur…View Profile
- Rintaro InoueResearch FellowRintaro Inoue is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics, International House of Japan, and a PhD student at Keio University. His research …View Profile
- Yusuke IshikawaResearch Fellow ／Digital Communications OfficerYusuke Ishikawa is Research Fellow and Digital Communications Officer at the Institute of Geoeconomics (IOG). His research focuses on European compara…View Profile
