Times of Crisis

In Times of Crisis: Global and Local Civil-Military Disaster Relief Coordination in the United States and Japan

The In Times of Crisis project is a two-year joint effort of the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis (IFPA) and the Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP) at Osaka University, together with some individual scholars in Japan, and with the support from the Japan Foundation’s Center for Global Partnership (CGP).

The project focuses on improving the ability of the United States and Japan to effectively pool civilian and military resources and to respond together (bilaterally or as part of a broader coalition) in support of host nations and international relief agencies to alleviate suffering and to speed recovery in a time of crisis. Indeed, it is the pressure of time (an integral part of any crisis) that underscores the value of extensive dialogue and preparation in advance of a coordinated response to a natural or man-made disaster. Responding in a timely fashion requires a continuous regimen of effective planning and communication, which in turn relies on strong personal and institutional relationships between the two countries and with other partners. This project strives to strengthen and diversify these relationships so as to be better prepared, to respond more efficiently, and to improve over time as the individuals and organizations involved incorporate lessons from shared experiences.

The interim report outlines the key findings from year 1 of the project and serves as a primer for civil-military coordination (CMCoord) in the two countries and related policy reforms. It also identifies the most promising areas for bilateral cooperation within international frameworks. Building on the first year’s results, the research team will further focus its research and dialogue on the most promising areas for enhanced cooperation. Findings from year 1 of the project suggest that it might be too difficult (and unnecessary) to try to bridge the gaps between the military and civilian sectors for disaster relief situations in a comprehensive way. U.S.-Japan military-to-military interactions and parallel civilian-to-civilian interactions are likely to be much more productive than trying to integrate civil-military dialogues and policies across the alliance. These ideas will be presented and discussed at a bilateral workshop in Tokyo toward the end of 2007, which will further inform a concluding monograph to be released in the spring of 2008.

Interim Report: http://www.ifpa.org//pdf/InTimesOfCrisis.pdf

U.S.-Japan Foundation: http://www.us-jf.org/

Osaka School of International Public Policy: http://www.osaka-u.ac.jp

Contact Jim Schoff (jschoff@ifpa.org), associate director of Asia-Pacific studies at IFPA, for more information.