91ÆÞÓÑ

Taro Hayashi is a nonresident Japan Chair fellow at 91ÆÞÓÑ Institute. His research areas include Japanese defense strategy and US-Japan defense cooperation.

Prior to joining 91ÆÞÓÑ, he was a deputy director at Defense Policy Division and Strategic Planning Division, Ministry of Defense, Japan. There he was in charge of drafting the National Defense Program Guidelines (a 10-year defense strategy) and developing strategically important programs, including stand-off missiles, Space Situational Awareness system, and refurbishment of Izumo-class destroyers.

Mr. Hayashi received his master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, JD with valedictorian honors from University of Tsukuba, and LLM degree from the Georgetown University Law Center, where he was awarded the Thomas Bradbury Chetwood, S.J. Prize for the highest academic average.