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Masaaki Yatsuzuka

Senior Research Fellow, China Division, Regional Studies Department, National Institute for Defense Studies, Japan

Masaaki Yatsuzuka is a senior research fellow at the China Division, Regional Studies Department, National Institute for Defense Studies (NIDS) in the Ministry of Defence of Japan. His main research fields focus on modern history of Chinese politics and the current China's security policy. He has experience as a research fellow in the Japan Society for Promotion of Science (2011-2013), a researcher at Political Section of Consulate-General of Japan in Hong Kong (2013-2015), an analyst at Intelligence and Analysis Service in Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2015-2016), and a deputy director in International Policy Division, Bureau of Defence Policy, Ministry of Defence of Japan (2018-2019). He received his B.A. in Policy Management and M.A. in Law from Keio University. His recent publications include China Security Report 2021: China's Military Strategy in the New Era (2020).

Articles by Masaaki Yatsuzuka

Politics

Japanese academic: Some concerns with China's military AI advancements

A possible concern on the military use of AI in China, where the party controls the People's Liberation Army, is that political rationality may take precedence over military rationality. This could heighten the risks of accidental escalation or a lack of assurance of control and safety when using such technology. Japanese academic Masaaki Yatsuzuka delves into the issue.

Masaaki Yatsuzuka

28 Dec 2023

Politics

Asserting Japan's interests in the Middle East

Japanese academic Masaaki Yatsuzuka notes that Japan's Middle East diplomatic initiatives pit it against China, which is also attempting to increase its influence among the Arab nations. How will developments pan out, and what does the future hold for Japan-Middle East relations?

Masaaki Yatsuzuka

01 Aug 2023

Politics

China's military-civil fusion promotes militarisation of meteorological balloons

Japanese academic Masaaki Yatsuzuka finds China's explanations and criticism of the US in the aftermath of the balloon incident unpersuasive, more so in light of its military-civilian fusion strategy.

Masaaki Yatsuzuka

14 Feb 2023

Politics

Will China become an 'empire by invitation' in the Middle East?

China's influence in the Middle East region is growing, not only due to its economic might but also because of its active development of dialogue platforms. In that context, Middle East countries may expect China to play a mediator role in regional security and political issues. Will China rise to the challenge?

Masaaki Yatsuzuka

07 Sep 2022

Technology

The complex impact of China's military-civil fusion in space

With China's accelerated efforts to become a great space power, including opening up its space sector to private firms, Western developed countries worry that China's military-civil fusion (MCF) strategy may see technology developed in the commercial sector being used to boost China's military space power in the future. Are these fears justified? Japanese academic Masaaki Yatsuzuka looks into the issue.

Masaaki Yatsuzuka

04 Jul 2022

Politics

Japanese academic: Can the PLA succeed in its smart warfare transformation?

Japanese academic Masaaki Yatsuzuka examines the PLA's latest efforts to move towards smart technology and smart warfare, and what this might mean for China and other countries.

Masaaki Yatsuzuka

22 Dec 2020