On April 27, 2026, Mieko Nakabayashi, President of The Tokyo Foundation, and Yuta Komori, Director of Policy Research, hosted representatives from two prominent think tanks: The Heritage Foundation, one of the most influential policy research institutions in the United States, and the Caspian Policy Center (CPC), a think tank specializing in the economics, politics, and energy landscape of the Caspian region.

The meeting opened with a presentation of two policy proposals recently released by The Tokyo Foundation — one on national resource strategy and another on refundable tax credits (kyufu-tsuki zeigaku kojo) — both published between late March and April of this year. The discussion then turned to the Caspian region, an area of growing global attention due to its abundant natural resources, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and rapid economic development. Participants noted that Japan has been investing in and benefiting from the Caspian region for approximately 30 years. The discussion also included views encouraging Japan to expand its presence in the Caucasus, particularly in the areas of railway infrastructure and defense technology, as well as a lively exchange of perspectives on the importance of diversifying diplomatic relations between Japan and the Caspian region.

The Tokyo Foundation will continue to actively create opportunities for international policy dialogue, bringing a global perspective to bear on the resolution of social challenges facing Japan.