Former Japan maritime defense leader to join Naval War College faculty

NEWPORT, R.I. – U.S. Naval War College (NWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, announced today that the former leader of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) will join the school’s faculty in the International Programs department as one of the President NWC’s Distinguished International Fellows who are retired heads of navy (CNO equivalents) from allied and partner navies who serve as faculty members at the college. 

Among his duties, Tomohisa Takei will develop and teach elective courses, writing research papers on security topics, provide regional expertise to support Regional Study Groups, construct and participate in wargames, represent the college at conferences and symposia and serve as a senior mentor to U.S. and international students.

Prior to taking this position at NWC, Takei, was an admiral who served as the 32nd chief of staff, JMSDF. He was born in the prefecture of Nagano and was commissioned into the JMSDF on March 1979. Takei assumed position of JMSDF chief of staff in 2014.

Takei joins retired admirals Guillermo Barrera (Columbia) and Nirmal Verma (India) as Distinguished International Fellows at NWC. 

NWC is an upper-level professional military education institution that includes a one-year resident program that graduates 600 resident students a year, and a multifaceted distance education program that graduates more than 1,000 students per year. Its missions include educating and developing leaders, helping define the future of the Navy, supporting combat readiness, and strengthening maritime partnerships. Students earn Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) credit and either a diploma or a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies or Defense and Strategic Studies. Established in 1884, U.S. Naval War College is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. More than 50,000 students have graduated since its first class of nine students in 1885 and about 300 of today’s active duty admirals, generals and senior executive service leaders are alumni.