role: Interns

Torrence Smith is an American national living in Japan, where he is engaged in various academic and professional activities. Currently, he is a student at Rikkyo University. Torrence specializes in economic research, particularly focusing on macro and microeconomic trends in the Indo-Pacific region. He has a background in business leadership from the University of Toledo and has been an advocate for deeper cultural and economic ties between the East and West.

Torrence values connections with people, especially in Japan, where he appreciates the opportunity to engage with a culture different from his own. Torrence’s journey in Japan has broadened his worldview, and he aims to foster further connections between Eastern and Western cultures.

Ms. Rupal Kalebere is an associate for the International Security Industrial Council-Japan. She brings a wealth of expertise in law and policy to the organization and is committed to strengthening the relationship between India and Japan.

Rupal currently serves as a project lead at the Center of Policy Research and Governance, a think tank located in Delhi. She holds a BA LLB degree from ILS Law College and is currently pursuing her MA in Defence and Security Laws from the National Academy of Legal Studies and Research in Hyderabad. Her education has provided her with a strong foundation in legal and policy matters related to security and defence.

Previously, Ms Kalebere has completed various international courses and has researched and interned for several organizations such as Princeton University, HSE University in Moscow, Athena Model United Nations, Adhyayan Foundation for Policy Research, Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sanstha, The Indo-Japan Community (IJC), Sahyadri Law Academy, and Amnesty International.

Rupal is an Indo-Japan Relations enthusiast and has a deep interest in promoting bilateral cooperation between the two countries. She is passionate about fostering growth and development in the region and believes that stronger ties between India and Japan can be a catalyst for progress. To achieve this, Rupal aims to facilitate greater collaboration between the two countries in areas such as defence, security, and technology. She brings her extensive knowledge of legal and policy matters to this endeavour and is committed to developing innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Mark is a current Masters Student at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), studying for a MSc Strategic Studies degree. His research interests consist of Japanese and Philippine defense/foreign policies.

Prior to his Masters, Mark has conducted freelance work researching on Islamist extremism in the Philippines in 2021. From 2020 to 2021, he interned at the Counterterrorism Analyst Intern as a PACOM (Pacific Command) specialist, where he conducted research on Japanese defense, foreign and social issues for security briefings and reports. He also collaborated on working on writing reports in other parts of the Indo-Pacific, including South and Southeast Asia.

Jonas Matenia is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Coding & Software Engineering at XU Exponential University in Potsdam, Germany. During his studies, he also completed a semester abroad in Kofu, Japan, where he deepened his understanding of both Japanese culture and the technological landscape.
With a strong interest in Artificial Intelligence, Jonas plans to focus his Bachelor’s thesis on automation on the battlefield, particularly the use of FPV drones. This interest is rooted in his 1.5 years of service in the Bundeswehr as a rifleman (OR-3) in the mechanized infantry, where he gained practical experience and developed a keen interrest in understanding military operations.
Additionally, Jonas interned at the Bundeswehr Centre of Military History and Social Sciences, where he contributed to the S6 department of military staff. This experience further solidified his interest in the intersection of technology and defense.

Having gained insights into both Europe and Japan, Jonas is particularly interested in fostering connections between these parties.
After completing his Bachelor’s degree, Jonas plans to return to military service before pursuing a Master’s degree in AI and autonomous systems.