Takayuki Sugimoto

Takayuki Sugimoto graduated from the National Defense Academy of Japan in 1985. In the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), he served as a pilot of the P-3C patrol aircraft and commander of the Air Patrol Squadron and the Fleet Air Wing. Sugimoto also served in the Maritime Staff Office and the Joint Staff Office. After being promoted to Vice Admiral, he served as the Commander of the Fleet Air Force and as the Commandant of the districts of Kure and Yokosuka. While at Harvard, he will conduct research on contemporary developments in Japan’s defense strategy in response to new security threats, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine.