Dr. Tosh Minohara is Professor of International Relations and Security Studies at the Graduate School of Law and Politics, Kobe University where he holds a joint appointment with the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies. He received his B.A. in International Relations from University of California, Davis, and his Ph.D. in Political Science and Diplomatic History from Kobe University. In addition, he is the founder and chairman of the Cabinet Office certified non-profit organization, Research Institute of Indo-Pacific Affairs (RIIPA). He also is a lecturer at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Staff College in Tokyo.