IATSS Forum is a training institute established in 1985 through a personal grant from Soichiro Honda, and Takeo Fujisawa, the founders of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., with the aim of nurturing talented young leaders to shoulder Asia’s future.

The roots of "forum" as a term meaning "gathering place" in ancient Rome suggest IATSS Forum's role as a gathering place for young professionals from ASEAN and Japan. Inviting talented people from ASEAN countries to Japan for a broad range of seminars, field study, Group Study and cultural exchange under the common theme, "Thinking and Learning Together," the Forum is a place for participants to develop a greater understanding of their ASEAN neighbors and to address current issues facing ASEAN and Japan.

The program of IATSS Forum is developed by a diverse group of learned individuals from various fields, who make up the IATSS Forum Program Committee. We invite top lecturers from academia and industry. Specific issues addressed in each session vary to meet the needs of the times. But our commitment is to focus not so much on in-depth research in a particular field, but on the liberal arts skills required to become young leaders.

The first IATSS Forum Program was held in September 1985 with participants from Malaysia. As of November 2009, a total of 46 IATSS Forum Programs have been held. Programs originally included participants from only a single country, but beginning in 1991 the IATSS Forum Program became an ASEAN Forum, with young people from several nations taking part at the same time. About 800 participants have completed Programs over the last 24 years. Today we invite about twenty young people from ASEAN countries and Japan to Suzuka City for the 55-day Forum Program.

IATSS Forum facilities and accommodation are located in the city of Suzuka, Mie Prefecture, in central Japan. The city is conveniently situated about 50 km south of Nagoya, or about 40 minutes away by train. Facilities include a seminar hall, computer room, cafeteria, library, recreation room, laundry room, kitchen, and prayer room. Participants enjoy private rooms and on weekends can take advantage of such nearby amenities as tennis courts, indoor swimming pool and spa.