2017 TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co., Leadership Program
Japanese Delegation Program Report

September 10-18, 2017
Houston, Texas & Washington, D.C.

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Table of Contents

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Program Overview
Program Impact
U.S. Trip Schedule
Basic Information of Houston and Washington, D.C.
Summaries and Reflections● Leadership● Innovation/Entrepreneurship● Diversity
6. Way Forward: Personal Reflections
7. Acknowledgements2

Program Overview
2017 TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program●

Overview○ The TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program, generously funded by
Mitsui & Co., Ltd., contributes to building a “TOMODACHI generation” ofcreative thinkers and driven doers who are invested in the future of U.S.-Japan
relations, understand and appreciate cultural differences, and possess theglobally-oriented skills and mindset needed to thrive and make a difference.

●

Goals
○ Create a professional network among rising business and government leadersin Japan and the United States.
○ Motivate young American and Japanese leaders to engage in and contribute tofurthering U.S.-Japan relations.
○ Raise awareness of important policies and issues relevant to the United States
and Japan among next generation leaders in both countries.

●

Concept○ Guided by the 2017 program theme, “Innovation, Entrepreneurship andLeadership,” the delegations will explore innovation, new technology, andindustrial development in the context of U.S.-Japan relations.
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Program Impact

4

U.S. Trip Schedule
HoustonD.C.

HoustonSep 10Sun

Sep 11
Mon

Sep 12
Tue

AM
Session

AJC
Houston

TMC
Innovation

AM
Session

Women’s
Leaders
Panel

Sushic

Women
Leaders

Sushic/HEB

Lunch

Depart to
HoustonSep 13
Wed

NASA
JohnsonSpace
CenterLunch

Washington, D.C.
Sep 14Thu

Sep 15Fri

Sep 16
Sat

CSIS

USJC
Breakfast

Program
Debrief

US House ofRepresentati
ves

FEMA/
R3ADY

Lunch
Capitol Hill

Washington
Post

Sep 17Sun

Excursion
PM
SessionPM
SessionMarylandState
Assembly

DaikinTechnology
Park

Celanese

Depart to DC

Depart forJapan

Global Giving
Joint Chief of
Staff
DoD

DinnerCycloneAnaya’s

Rudy’sReception
Season’s 52

The Hamilton

MitsuiReception
I Ricci

Momofuku

Old Ebbitt
Grill

Evening

Schedule
Review

Debrief

Debrief

Debrief

Debrief

Debrief

Debrief5Basic Information of Texas and Houston
General information of Texas● Population: 27.86 million (Ranked 2nd) [1]● Area: 695,700 km2 (Ranked 2nd) [2]● GDP per capita: 58,028 USD [3]● Nickname: The Lone Star State● Capital City: Austin● Largest City: Houston

Flag of Texas

General information of Houston● Population: 2.3 million (Ranked 4th) [4]● Area: 1,625 km2 [5]● Economy:○ Energy/Oil:
5,000+ firms, energy capital of the world○ Aeronautics:
NASA○ Biomedical Research:
Texas Medical Center
University of Houston○ Transportation:
Port of Houston
1st in US in international trade
10th in largest port in the world[1]: google, U.S. Census Bureau[2]: google[3]: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis[4]: google[5]: google[6]: Harris County, U.S. Census Bureau

Demographics of Houston [6]2016 Estimate

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Hurricane Harvey
Hurricane Harvey● Formed: August 17, 2017
● Dissipated: September 3, 2017
(Extratropical after September 1)● Fatalities: 75 confirmed● Damage: ≥ $70 billion (2017 USD)
(Preliminary total; unofficially third-costliest tropical
cyclone in U.S. history)● Areas affected: Windward Islands, Suriname, Guyana,
Nicaragua, Honduras, Belize, Yucatán Peninsula,Southern and Eastern United States (especially Texas,
Louisiana)

source:http://abcnews.go.com/US/hurricane-harveywreaks-historic-devastation-numbers/story?id=49529063

source:source:https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/09/22/historic-disaster-response-hurricane-harvey-texas

http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/26/us/hu
rricane-harvey-landfall/index.html

7How We Saw Houston (Impression and Findings. etc.)
Innovation● Houston has a long history in the development in energy and medicinal fields. The city took
advantages of its resources to attract people and encourage innovation. Texas Medical
Center (TMC) and TMC Innovation Institute are great examples. We can learn from Houston
and rediscover the characteristics of our own local prefectures and cities to think about ways
to vitalize local economy in Japan.

Diversity● Diversity does not automatically mean a harmonious society and equality among all groups.
We can learn from Houston’s experience in addressing issues as Japan with an aging
society will eventually need to start embracing immigration.

BIG!
● Everything was bigger and better in Texas● Physical space for growth and expansion● Rich in natural resources

People & Hospitality● Very friendly city
● Generous and big-hearted people● Enjoys traditional and local lifestyle8Basic Information of Washington, D.C.
General information about Washington, D.C.
● Capital of the U.S.
● Establishment: 1790
● Population: 681,000 [1]● Area: 177 km2 [2]● GDP per capita (2016): 186,172 USD [3]● Nickname: The District/Federal City (unofficial)●

Flag of Washington, D.C.

Characteristics:○ International
Hosts 176 foreign embassies and headquarters of many
international organizations, trade unions, non-profit
organizations, lobbying groups, and professional
associations.
○ Federal City■ Half of land is owned by government■ Main employer is government■ Center of history and artifacts○ African American heritage[1]: google, U.S. Census Bureau[2]: google[3]: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis[4]: U.S. Census Bureau

Demographics of DC [4]2016 Estimate

9How We Saw Washington, D.C. (Impression and Findings. etc.)

Capital City = City with a Mission● Does not reflect what overall America is like, in contrast with Houston. A political, global and elitecity. People are conscious to protect their rights and eager to make voices in public to makedifference.
● Brilliant leaders in the field of politics, military are gathered in Washington, D.C. The city has beena symbol of national diversity and displayed to be a leadership specifically in the whole country.
● We had more opportunities to see national flags in this city than the others. We realized that theStars and Stripes represents the American people.

Democracy● Importance and the beauty of democracy.
○ Everyone has a voice. (President Trump’s supporters protest at the Mall)○ Policies are not solely decided by people in power. (President or Military)

Networking● Knowledge, information, capital, culture, and many other things have accumulated in this city, andwe saw that each and every person's skills improve thanks to people in each field actively
networking with each other.

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Leadership
Women’s Leaders Panel
Summary● Introductions of chair and panelists○ Ms. Donna Cole
Entrepreneur, active member of the USJC, mother○ Ms. Susan Annoura
Entrepreneur, work experience in the U.S. and Japan,
mother○ Dr. Ayako Kameda
Senior executive, active member of the USJC, mother● Advice from leaders○ Actively connect and network with leaders○ Speak up: Bring difficult issues up○ Set clear goals: Continue to be motivated○ Break traditions○ Be conscious of unconscious bias

Reflections● Become a role model that fosters an environment that both women and men can strive in theworkplace without having to sacrificing personal and family life.
● Be Conscious about unconscious bias that hold all of us down.
As supervisors and leaders:○ Promote fairness in workplace.
○ Encourage staffs to speak up and be open to new ideas.
● Actively connect and network with leaders who may naturally become sponsors who will support you
and speak for you even in your absence.

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Leadership
Ms. Jane Nakano
Energy & National Security Program
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Summary● President Trump's "America First Energy Plan":
1) Deregulation; 2) Reduction of energy costs by maximizing use of the country's energy resources; 3)
Small government to facilitate innovation; 4) Air & water pollutions over climate change; 5) Maintaining
U.S. hegemony in global energy realm is a strategic, economic and diplomatic goal.
● Policy & Outcome: Prompt; directed by executive orders; symbolic messaging; green momentum;
impact on markets expected to be small.
● Nuclear power is not cost-competitive anymore following the development of technology to extract
shale oil.
● U.S. economy, energy & security policies are intertwined and affect world order.
Reflections● Despite the presidential power transition, industry is relatively calm andobservant of Trump's energy policy; there may not be a big impact toJapan.
● Securing energy is an important national interest; Japan must consider
how to secure its resources in relations to the U.S. and global affairs.
● Does Japan need to shift from nuclear to alternative energy sources? If
so, what will be the alternative and how we can secure access to it?

12Leadership
Ms. Colleen Hanabusa
Congresswoman
U.S. House of Representatives (Hawaii)
Summary● Ms. Hanabusa is a fourth-generation Japanese American who is
U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii’s 1st district since2016. She is a member of Democratic Party. She declared that
she would run for governor of Hawaii in 2018.
● She is assigned to the Committee on Armed Services andNatural Resources, where focusing on Asia-Pacific security
policy and defense policy as the position of a bipartisan.
● She is also working on healthcare, women's rights, civil rights,
fair and non-discriminatory immigration policies, job training andeducation.
Reflections● We were unable to meet her but her Chief of Staff shared her wonderful stories. One of the mostimpressive stories was that Ms. Hanabusa had an excellent inquiring mind, committed in gathering all
information and very determined and decisive.
● Her view on the issue of North Korea was insightful. She thinks that not only North Korea but also
Russia and China need to be paid attention to and the relationship they have with North Korea.
● We were very impressed with her ability to take action. She has been addressing various issues for
Hawaii regardless of the Democratic Party's position. We felt that she makes every effort for Hawaii.

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Leadership
Ms. Mari Kuraishi
Global Giving
Co-founder & President
Summary● Global Giving connects nonprofits, donors and companies in nearly every
country around the world. They help local nonprofits to access funding, tools,
training, and support they need to become more effective.
● Ms. Kuraishi is trying to develop underdeveloped areas from the bottom up
and looks at how new business models can overthrow giant market leaders(like Airbnb with hotels or Uber with taxis) in order to disrupt JICA and theWorld Bank in aid industry.
Reflections● She excels in business so we are interested to hear why she
chose charity as her work even though she had other options.
● We feel our generation likes to donate not through government
but directly to organization that work directly with the people inneed.
● Global Giving’s business model may change the thinking of
those who donate.
● If JICA changes the way their programs are run from throughthese bottom-up programs, then that means what this company
is doing is significant.

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Leadership
Mr. Andrew R. Slaten
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Ms. Akiko Otani
R3ADY Asia-Pacifici
Summary
FEMA● Introduction of disaster response framework in the U.S.
Five National Planning Frameworks: Prevention, Protection, Mitigation, Response and Recovery
R3ADY● R3ADY was launched in 2011 at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in Honolulu as
Asia Pacific Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience Network.
● Introduction of Philippine community resilience project .
Key factor to disaster preparedness and strengthening resilience is community approach.
Reflections● We tend to focus on characteristic aspects of leadership such as calmness
and tolerance. I realized that education plays an important role in acquiring
leadership by knowing that FEMA provides leaders with training programs on
emergency management.
● There are common views and issues to improve disaster prevention
capability in Japan, Asia and the U.S. The key is to build strong communities
and leaders must exercise leadership to secure budget to implement various
policies to make community closer and stronger.

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Leadership
Mr. David Nakamura
The Washington Post
Summary● Mr. David Nakamura is a reporter of Washington Post. He has been
belonging to the team of reporters since 2011 which follows the U.S.
Presidents.
● New slogan of Washington Post: Democracy Dies in the Darkness● Since last presidential election in 2016, under circumstance that “fakenews” has become a big social phenomenon, he believes that the truth
is more important than ever.
● He thinks journalism should have more credibility by showing more
solid evidence to readers.
Reflections● Despite the tension that we see on news andsocial media between media and the U.S.
President, the communication exchange
seems more active and transparent comparedto Japan.
● The U.S. faces the similar issue where
newspapers are no longer the predominantsource of information.

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Leadership
Ms. Aruna Miller
Maryland State House of Delegates

Summary● Ms. Aruna Miller is a member of the
Maryland House of delegates. She wasborn in India and came to the U.S. as an
immigrant. She worked for 25 years as atransportation engineer for Montgomery
county before she became a politician.
● She has been developing a diversified
society beyond the difference of gender,race and religion in the U.S. She is proudthat State of Maryland has a large
proportion of assemblywoman compared toother states.
● She is working on investing education,
growing good jobs, making transportation
work and protecting natural resources.

Reflections● We reaffirmed the greatness of diversified America
by hearing her story how she had confronted
difficult situation and how she plays an active role in
the political world.
● We were deeply impressed by her positive thinking
and attitude. She says she regards strangers as anindividual, not an enemy.
● She works on investing in STEM education(Science, Technology, Engineering, andMathematics). She tries to produce and increase
the number of skilled person in the field. Japan has
the same problems as U.S. such as compilation ofnational budget and lack of female engineer. Her
approach to STEM education was insightful.

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Leadership
Mr. Will Carr, LCDR
Mr. Charles Abbot, CAPTUS Department of Defense, J5, Joint Staff
Summary● J5 provides leadership solutions and expectations
related to military strategy in a long-term, broader
perspective.
● Governmental leadership: Clarity of writing isimportant so that subordinates/everyone canunderstand the same message.
● North Korea issue - All options are available on thetable; Diplomatic, economic means first; The militaryserves as deterrence.
● Partnership with private sectors for technologicaldevelopment. e.g. Ballistic Missile Defense system.
● Civil-military relationship; Important to stay connectedwith society. e.g. SNS, naming of naval ships.
● Education of young service members as U.S.
ambassadors: Important in host nations.
● The military plays a larger role in the aftermath ofdisaster since Katrina.
● Okinawa is geostrategically important; Okinawan
people's sentiment is understandable.

Reflections● Leadership in the military ismultidimensional: Leaders must educate
subordinates while accomplishing mission;align with national strategy and interest;
understand global security environment
and technological development; maintain
good relationships with civil society andhost nation.
● Military professionalism: Act as unofficial
ambassador where deployed/stationed;
Carr studied in Japan and has
understanding for foreign culture andlanguage.

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Innovation
Daikin Texas Technology Park (DTTP)
Summary● DTTP was established in May, 2017. It is the third biggest following
Tesla and Boeing in the U.S. manufacturing facilities.
● It has advanced techniques including IoT and AI such as unmannedtransportation robots, EV forklift and line production control with large
display.
● They promote diversity and hire employees from many races and isconsiderate of labor conditions of employees. For example, cafeteria
is available in several places and Dojo is prepared for employees toimprove their skills.
● They perform production control effectively to carry out a series ofprocesses of such as processing, assembling, inspection, shipmentin the same facility.
Reflections● Diversity of workers brings in excellent talented people andencourages technology development in the U.S.
● We need development of business environment to accept workers
from overseas to raise domestic productivity when working
population decreases in Japan.
● Innovation: We need to have high business goals and promotestrategic investment with a management philosophy that
continues to enhance innovation.
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Innovation
Celanese (Clear Lake, Pasadena)
Summary● Introduction to Celanese○ Leading company in production of acetyl products○ 2016 Net Sales: 5.4 billion USD○ Joint venture with Mitsui for methanol production● Process and examples of new product development○ Selection of projects are based on customer’sneeds○ Examples ranges from kitchen utensils toautomobile parts● Optimization of production process

Reflections● Innovation needs to be implemented in every levelof operation.
● Talk to customers (easy to say but difficult tocontinue).
● Actively seek for external expertise andcollaborations.
● Encourage active exchanges within your teamand with external partners.

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Innovation
NASA Johnson Space Center
Summary● NASA is operated training and research on manned space flightand flight control.
● They carry out various experiments in International Space Station(ISS) and developed advanced techniques such as GPS
technologies.
● The operation of the ISS is going to be finished in 2024. The ISS
would be dismantled in space and burnt in the atmosphere or
dropped in the sea.
● From 83,000 candidates, 12 astronauts are chosen. As for theselection standard, there are various criteria such as healthcondition, a master's or doctor’s degree in science, a pilot license,
psychology test results, leadership skill (behavior), and teamwork.
Reflections● Space development businesses produce innovation. This is because
each country pushes forward research and development jointly eventhough they have their own interests.
● We have to cooperate among nations to solve common problems suchas environmental and energy problems on the earth rather than to givepriority to maximizing the profit of our own country.
● We are excited of the commercial lunar trip to realize in the near future.

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Innovation/Entrepreneurship
Texas Medical Center (TMC) Innovation Institute
Summary● The TMC Innovation Institute provides the tools and action plans
necessary to move products and companies forward, regardlessof their stage of development. It also lowers the barriers of accessto hospital stakeholders and key opinion leaders across theircampus of 58 member institutions.
● TMC Accelerator (TMCx) program provides startup companies
with shared workspace, a curriculum tailored to the needs ofhealthcare entrepreneurs and the guidance of over 120 advisorsfrom the front lines of the industry. Companies have access to theworld’s largest medical center, all without membership fees or
equity sharing.
Reflections● It was an amazing environment for qualified startups to directly
reach out to physicians in the TMC, which would make it possible
to consolidate their ideas along with unmet medical needs
explored in the clinical practice.
● It's also noteworthy that the TMCx also gives opportunities forstartups to make presentations to investors, corporate partners,
hospital stakeholders, media and other guests.
● Most similar initiatives in Japan are based on single university
hospital. Apart from freedom of research in each institution,
reconstruction of ecosystems may be necessary to becompetitive in the rapidly changing world.

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Diversity
Mr. Randy Czarlinsky
American Jewish Committee (AJC)“Houston is What America will Look Like in the Future”
Summary● Introduction of AJC○ NPO that works to protect human rights, committed
to strengthen community and enrich QoL for residents.
Provides leadership to work on social justice issues
that affect all Americans.
○ Mr. Randy Czarlinsky, director at AJC explained situation and issues that Houston is facing now.
●

Houston Today○ Majority “minority” states; Most diversified city in the U.S. in terms of ethnicity.
Asian:6%, Hispanic: 44%, 26%:White, 23%:Black.
○ Social distortion; Despite its diversity, there are segregation among ethnicity by housing andeconomy and “good-oldman’s network” is rooted in the society. Hispanics in younger generation
are rising but are not believed in voting to change society.
○ Even borders are closed, it is impossible to change diversity and composition of U.S. society.

Reflections● We tend to regard diversity embraces fairness and acceptance but diversity itself is not an ultimate
goal. It is important to look into issues arising out of diversity and think the way to cope with themthrough inter-community cooperation.
● It is impressive that Jewish community takes leading role to reach out each ethnic group to be bridge
and take advocacy action to protect enhance pluralism of society and democratic value.

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Diversity
Mr. Glen Gondo
President
SushicSummary● Glen Gondo is the president of Sushic. He also belongs
to various Japanese-American communities andpromoting empowerment for Japanese-Americans.
● Staff guided us around H-E-B Grocery - San Felipe
which is linked with Sushic.
● We had sushi actually made by Sushic for lunch with
Donna Cole, Irene Hirano Inouye, and Glen Gondo.
Reflections● It was amazing that corporate identity matched the processes at the
ground level.
● They make sushi that is perfectly customized to the Texan tastes. The
best-selling flavors are those with lots of boldly flavored sauces.
● Mr. Glen has been spending his life breaking past prejudices forJapanese-Americans and promoting civil rights. I was moved to hear his
experiences.
● We were inspired by his comments on networking. He said the effort madewill surely come back to you.

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Way Forward
Sayaka Kawatake (Okinawa)
Community Relations Specialist, 18th Wing Public Affairs Office,
USAF, Okinawa● Keep being inspired and inspiring others: We met various Americanand Japanese leaders who are truly committed to making positivechanges in communities and inspiring young fellows as future
leaders. I will be someone like them who inspire people and work
together for the common goal of reinforcing U.S.-Japan relations.
●

Once TOMODACHI, always TOMODACHI: The friendship we
nurtured in the program is invaluable. I will connect Okinawa withother parts of Japan and the U.S. through the network for greaterbilateral partnership.

Tetsuya Furukawa (Aichi)
Chief, Business Planning Office, Chubu Electric Power Co., Inc.
● By participating in this program, I realized that my horizons arelimited to my small community.
● I will participate in autonomous action such as TOMODACHI
Initiative and want to broaden my network.
● My future vision is to play an active role as a project leader ofoverseas business development and I want to contribute toenergy industry development in both Japan and the U.S.

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Way Forward
Kakeru Fujimura (Iwate)
Assistant Manager, Transportation Section, Office of Regional
Promotions, Iwate Prefectural Government● I felt nice having to be able to communicate across the border
between the US and Japan. I was delighted to connect with many
people through this program. It was a very exciting experience toexchange views and ideas with people around the same age inboth delegations who work actively in various fields.
● It is my current goal to do well as a leader who will lead the
TOHOKU region in the future when the reconstruction is finished,making use of the experience and relationships I made during thisprogram.
Miho Ochiai (Kanagawa)
Assistant Manager, Government and External Relations Div.
Hitachi, Ltd.
● Deepen friendship with TOMODACHI delegates to be next
generation leaders who are committed to U.S.-Japan relations.
● Enhance inter-generational network and become a bridge tosupport younger generations.
● Take leading position and be a driving force in my own field. Get
out from my comfort zone to make difference.

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Way Forward
Takahiro Hotta (Fukuoka)
Chief Director, Fire Defense and Disaster Prevention Division
Fukuoka Prefectural Government● Through this program, I noticed the connections and relationships between thesociety of America and my life. I was unconscious of it in the beginning but throughthe trip, I noticed them and felt the connection closer and stronger.
●

I will challenge myself professionally and personally to
become a person who influences and changes the local
communities. The changes will lead to further strengthening
U.S.-Japan relations by making use of the network I madethrough this program and will make in the future.

Chieri Hayakawa (Hokkaido)
Chief System Administrator Hokkaido Gas Co., Inc.
● I felt that all speakers who I met through this trip were very proudof their personal positions and jobs. I learned the importance ofconfidence. I will enhance my leadership skills and be a person
who encourages and inspires people.
● I will share what I have learned through this program with others
in order to make my company and Hokkaido, where I live, better.
I will take immediate actions on what I can do now.

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Way Forward
Shinichi Fukunaga (Shizuoka)
Manager, Oncology Clinical Research Dept.,
Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.
● Through the quality trip in America and earnest discussion withvarious people, I have realized that leadership, innovation, andentrepreneurship, which are key components in this year's program,should be demonstrated to make the world better locally or globally.
● I will try to meet and talk with people from various backgrounds to
invoke inspiration, awareness, and inclusion.
● Being a mentor for young generations including but not limited to
TOMODACHI program is one of my important roles in my region.

Anna Nagamine (Okinawa)
Manager, Business Development Section
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology● Become a role model that encourages both women and men
to become future leaders● Become a sponsor: invest in people● Donate● Nurture the relationships with the leaders built during the
program (Japanese delegation, US delegation, USJC leaders,
Mitsui leaders)● Be an active member of TOMODACHI Alumni and be
involved in activities to promote US-Japan relationship28Way Forward
Yukari Yoshimura (Miyagi)
International Affairs Division, Miyagi Prefectural Government● We met amazing leaders from various fields, and I was most inspired by how they overcame
difficult issues. They explained that they set a clear goal, and thought positively and creatively inorder to achieve it. I would like to follow their example when I am faced with difficult situations.
● Through this program, I have realized one of the key factors for true diversity is to respect andlearn from our differences. I would like to meet people from different cultures and backgrounds toexpand my appreciation.
● Miyagi Prefecture is still on the way to full reconstruction, and I would like to contribute to myhometown by promoting diversity and internationalization.

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Bonds of Friendship30

Acknowledgements
We express our sincere thanks to

Mitsui & Co., LTD.
Mr. Yasushi Kokaze, Mr. Shinichi Hori, and Ms. Rika Yoshikawa

U.S.-Japan Council
Ms. Irene Hirano Inoue, Ms. Laura Winthrop Abbot,
and Mr. Kaz Maniwa
WLS
Mr. Wesley Stockstill and Ms. Noriko Litwin...American delegates, TOMODACHI alumni, and all our supporters.

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