To build upon the insights generated during the public forum on March 6, 2026, the Stratbase Institute and the Japan Institute of International Affairs convened a closed-door session yesterday afternoon. The session gathered representatives from the government, military, academe, and diplomatic community from different like-minded countries to exchange insights and explore pathways for deeper and more effective cooperation.  
 
The afternoon session featured two presentations: “Building Maritime Capacity: Aligning Assistance and Strengthening Regional Partnerships,” delivered by the 32nd Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, ADM Tomohisa Takei (Ret.), and “Advancing Strategic Cooperation between ASEAN and Like-Minded Partners for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Leveraging the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship,” presented by Stratbase Institute Trustee, Program Convenor, and Non-Resident Fellow Dr. Renato de Castro of De La Salle University–Manila. The session was successfully co-moderated by Dr. Charmaine Misalucha-Willoughby, Executive Director, Center for Global Outreach, Japan Institute of International Affairs, and Former Ambassador, Embassy of Japan in Vietnam H.E. Takio Yamada.  
 
The closed‑door roundtable provided a productive and candid exchange of views on the challenges, opportunities, and pathways for strengthening regional stability and maritime security in the Indo‑Pacific. Stratbase reaffirms its commitment to engaging stakeholders across the region in building a resilient, multilateral, and rules‑based international order.