The Asian Forum Japan (AFJ), which began as a voluntary association, was established as a non-profit organization in April 1993 after receiving the authorization of Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs.At the time, the Cold War had just ended, and Japan was faced with the need to break out of previous frameworks and implement new diplomatic and national security policies. The foundation of AFJ as a think tank was based on a strong desire to meet those contemporary needs through policy proposals, advice and implementation. To this day, AFJ consistently maintains its principal of "meeting the needs of the times" through proposing diplomatic and national security policies for the Asia-Pacific region, especially those involving Japan, the United States and China.