Japan Institute For International Affairs (JIIA) Visiting Research Fellow

2008-2009

Andrin Raj was a Visiting Fellow at the Japan Institute for International Affairs from 2008 to 2009 academic research year. He was an ASEAN scholar and conducted his research on “Japan’s Initiatives in Security Cooperation in the Straits of Malacca on Security in Southeast Asia: Terrorism and Maritime Security”.

During his tenure as a Visiting Fellow he worked under and was mentored by Vice Admiral Hideaki Kaneda, Japan’s first high ranking military officer and a former commander of the MSDF’s fleet escort force in the horn of Africa in the early years of piracy. It was the first time ever that JIIA had requested a military officer to supervise Andrin’s work since his research focused on terrorism and maritime terrorism. This was prior to Vice Admiral Hideaki Kaneda’s appointment at JIIA.

Andrin’s work consisted of working with the Japanese Coast Guard, Japanese Self Defence Forces and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maritime Security Division in his research. His work also included in briefing and presentations at the National Defence Academy in Yokosuka, a forum on his research findings and attending events and meetings related to JIIA security activities.

His publication has been quoted by top maritime experts in a book published on maritime security as well as in University thesis for Masters Students. His work has also been quoted in other joint publications.