U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

E M P OW E R I N G T H E N E X T G E N E R A T IO N

2017 Annual ReportTABLE OF CONTENTSWELCOME........................................................................................................... 3
ABOUT THE U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL......................................................... 4
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
2017 Annual Conference................................................................................6
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Program ...............................8
Asian American Leadership Delegation Program.....................................9
Women in Leadership..................................................................................10
EDUCATIONAL & NETWORKING PROGRAMS
Watanabe Scholarship...................................................................................12
Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit................................................................13
Regional Programs........................................................................................14
Silicon Valley Japan Platform.......................................................................15
Business Networking....................................................................................15
Government and Legislative Networking.................................................16
TOMODACHI INITIATIVE
About TOMODACHI....................................................................................18
TOMODACHI Programs..............................................................................19
TOMODACHI Emerging Leaders Program..............................................22
LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORTBoards..............................................................................................................24
Sponsors..........................................................................................................27
Membership...................................................................................................31

2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

Dear Friends,
On behalf of the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC), we want to thank our generous donors, dedicated Board members,
and engaged Council Leaders, Associates and Friends for your strong support in 2017. We extend special thanks
to our hard-working staff. We reached new milestones in our mission to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations andfoster people-to-people connections, which we are proud to highlight with this 2017 Annual Report.
Regional collaboration was a prominent feature of this past year. In May, USJC co-hosted the inaugural JapanHawaii Economic Summit in Kona. More than 200 leaders—including governors, vice governors and otherrepresentatives of seven Japanese prefectures—gathered on the Big Island to examine different aspects of JapanHawaii relations, such as energy, tourism, education and food.
The Silicon Valley Japan Platform (SVJP) remains strong. Building on the momentum of the 2016 Annual
Conference in Silicon Valley, SVJP has continued to connect entrepreneurs, startups and investors across the
Pacific. This success has enabled USJC to also look into other regions focused on technology, like Kendall Squarein Boston and the Shibuya “Bit Valley” in Tokyo.
The 2017 Annual Conference, held in November in Washington, DC, brought together leaders from throughout
the United States and Japan. Reflecting upon the changes in the year since the presidential elections, we discussed
geopolitical issues and the importance of regional ties, and celebrated diverse leaders such as women on
corporate boards and Japanese American millennials.
We also strengthened the regional structure of our membership. Members in many states held Japan-related
events with a regional focus, bringing together American and Japanese community leaders. The TOMODACHI
Initiative, while continuing its robust programs that inspire young leaders, has also created an Alumni Regional
Framework, empowering select TOMODACHI alumni to mentor and guide others.
We express our sincere appreciation to retiring Chairman of the Board Dennis Teranishi, who served from 2015
through the end of 2017. It is thanks to his strong leadership that we were able to achieve so much.
In 2018, we will continue to focus on regional relations with the Japan-Texas Economic Summit, and expand our
foundation in Japan with the Annual Conference in Tokyo. USJC has created a new community—creating deep,
lasting connections among current and future leaders from varied sectors, regions and backgrounds in the UnitedStates and Japan—and offers life-changing experiences for the next generation of leaders. We thank you again foryour generous support, and look forward to another dynamic year in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.

Sincerely,

Irene Hirano Inouye
President

Phyllis Campbell
Chair of the Board
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U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILABOUT THE U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

OUR MISSIONTHE U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL is a Japanese American-led organization fully dedicatedto strengthening ties between the United States and Japan in a global context. By
promoting people-to-people relationships through its innovative programs in networking
and leadership, the Council serves as a catalyst to inspire and engage Japanese andAmericans of all generations. It develops the next generation of leaders committed to avibrant and dynamic relationship.

OUR VISION
We envision a vibrant and dynamic U.S.-Japan relationship, strengthened by theincreased diversity of leaders committed to the relationship, and increasing positive andproductive cooperation that benefits both countries and the Asia-Pacific region.
The U.S.-Japan Council, a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization, was founded in2008 and is headquartered in Washington, DC with staff in California, Hawaii and Tokyo.
In 2012, the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) was created to support the administration of the
TOMODACHI Initiative, and in 2013, it became a Public Interest Corporation (koeki zaidan
hojin). The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) maintains offices in Tokyo, Japan.

“Looking back over the half-century history of theJapan-U.S. alliance, we have never seen two leaders of Japanand the United States forging such a close relationship andstrong bond in just one year … but we are not the only ones
who have supported this invaluable friendship between
Japan and the United States … I would like to acknowledge
tremendous efforts by leaders from various fields, including
political, business and cultural leaders.”—HIS EXCELLENCY SHINZO ABE,
PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN4

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION“TOMODACHI has become the leading institution for
cementing people to people bonds between our two countries… Your time, your energy and your support are changing
lives and strengthening the very foundation of U.S.-Japan
relations.”—AMBASSADOR WILLIAM HAGERTY,
U.S. AMBASSADOR TO JAPANSIGNATURE PROGRAMS:2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DELEGATION PROGRAMASIAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DELEGATION PROGRAMWOMEN IN LEADERSHIP2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

THE 2017 U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL Annual Conference, themed Unity
in Diversity: Shaping the Future Together, was held from November 13 to 14
in Washington, DC. Held in the nation’s capital a year after the presidential
election, the conference brought together leaders from government, business,academia and nonprofit sectors to examine changes in the administration andways to continue to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations. Participants discussed
how to further empower the many leaders in the U.S.-Japan arena, including
Japanese Americans and other Asian Americans, millennials and women; andways to strengthen economic ties between the two countries.

Left: Japanese American stars Sarah LaFleur (left)
and Adam Yamaguchi.
Center: The panel with Japanese American
millennials.
Right: Keynote Speaker Minister Yoshino.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS:
The Conference featured six Keynote Speakers:• Mr. Wes Bush, Chairman, CEO and President, Northrop
Grumman Corporation• Secretary Elaine L. Chao, U.S. Secretary of Transportation• Mr. Nobuchika Mori, Commissioner, Financial Services Agency,
Government of Japan• Secretary Wilbur L. Ross, Jr., U.S. Secretary of Commerce• Mr. Kazuhiko Toyama, Managing Partner, Industrial Growth Platform Inc.
• Mr. Masayoshi Yoshino, Minister for Reconstruction, Government of Japan
Other prominent speakers included:
Mr. Charles F. Bolden, Jr., 12th NASA Administrator; Dr. Michael J.
Green, Senior Vice President for Asia & Japan Chair, Center for Strategic& International Studies (CSIS); Mr. Tamotsu Hiiro, President, Johnson &Johnson K.K. and Medical Company; Dr. Sachiko Kuno, Founder and Chair,
Halcyon; Ms. Kathy Matsui, Vice-Chair, Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd.; Rep.
Keiko Orrall, State Representative, Massachusetts Legislature; Ambassador
John V. Roos, Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan; and Mr. Paul Yonamine,
Chairman, GCA Corporation.

Keynote Speaker Secretary Chao.

“[We now have] new, disruptive technologies
that have the potential to change the way wetravel and connect with one another … Prime
Minister Abe has emphasized innovation andcreativity. Thank you all so much for what you
are doing to build bridges of understanding
between East and West.”—SECRETARY ELAINE L. CHAO,
U.S. SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATIONJAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERS, MOVERS AND SHAKERS
This annual, dynamic panel discussion led by Ms. Jan Yanehiro, President, Jan Yanehiro, Inc., looked at Japanese American
leadership from a variety of industries and backgrounds, featuring Ms. Sarah LaFleur, CEO of MM.LaFleur, a fashion e-tailer
for busy professional women; Dr. Judy Sakaki, the first Japanese American woman president of a four-year university (Sonoma
State University); Mr. Adam Yamaguchi, the world-traveling Executive Producer and Correspondent of CBS News; and Mr.
Roy Yamaguchi (no relation to Adam), Chef and Restaurateur of Roy’s Restaurants.

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U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

Left: (L-R) Chair of the USJC Board of Councilors Paul
Yonamine; USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye; Secretary Ross;
Commissioner Mori; Mr. Masami Iijima, Member of the USJC
Board of Councilors and Representative Director & Chairman of
the Board of Directors, Mitsui & Co., LTD.
Right: ELP Alumni welcome the 2017 TOMODACHI Emerging
Leaders at the Annual Conference.

“I usually suggest [U.S.] governors to go and visit Japan, meet thepeople and see things with their own eyes. Because I think everythingis local and individual when it comes to whether you feel like doing
something together.”—AMBASSADOR KENICHIRO SASAE,AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN TO THE UNITED STATESREGIONAL RELATIONS BEYOND
WASHINGTON & TOKYO

Recognizing the many ways U.S.-Japan relations can be strengthened
through local ties, this panel discussed the important role states,
prefectures, corporations and communities have in fostering regional
partnerships. Mr. Matthew Goodman, William E. Simon Chair in Political
Economy & Senior Adviser for Asian Economics at CSIS, led the panel,
which featured Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae (Ambassador of Japan to
the United States), Ambassador Tom Schieffer (Former U.S. Ambassador
to Japan and CEO of Envoy International) and Ms. Haruno Yoshida(President & Representative Director, BT Japan Corporation and Vice
Chair of the Board of Councillors, Keidanren).

KEY FACTS• THIS WAS USJC’S EIGHTH Annual Conference, and the fourth
to be held in Washington, DC.

Ambassador Sasae (left) and Ambassador Schieffer.

• THERE WERE MORE THAN 700 ATTENDEES, including over
250 USJC members.
• APPROXIMATELY 100 GENEROUS SPONSORS contributed
nearly $1.5 million.
• MEDIA COVERAGE INCLUDED , Asahi Shimbun, Forbes, NHK,
Politico and Reuters Japan.

PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMMING:
The many dimensions of the U.S.-Japan relationship were reflected in the
Conference’s nearly twenty panel discussions and programs. These included:• Answering the Call to Public Service• Policy Experts Forum on U.S.-Japan Current Affairs• Diversity in Leadership: The Journey of Asian American State Legislators• Bright Future: Millennial Leaders & the Cultural Seeds of Their SuccessMs. Yoshida laughs during the discussion.

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U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
DELEGATION PROGRAM

THE JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DELEGATION (JALD)
program provides the opportunity for a select group of Japanese American
leaders to travel to Japan to engage with Japanese leaders in the business,government, academic, nonprofit and cultural sectors.

The 2017 Japanese American Leadership Delegation traveled to Kanazawa andTokyo in March. In Kanazawa, they spoke at a symposium about culture andcommunity engagement that was co-sponsored with the Japan Foundation
Center for Global Partnership. In Tokyo, they met with senior leaders in thebusiness and government sectors, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

THE 2017 JALD DELEGATESThe 2017 JALD was a diverse group, withdelegates from 10 states across America,
from Hawaii to New Hampshire, andmultigenerational, from Shin-Issei to Gosei.
They work in businesses, city government,
the judicial system and nonprofit
organizations that are focused on social,economic, historical and cultural issues,and the future of Japanese Americans.

JALD is generously sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

“The close-up perspective that this trip has offered is truly rare and unparalleled.
This opportunity has been an honor, a privilege and an adventure never to beforgotten. The JALD trip . . . demonstrated its ability to forge strong alliances
between people that promote positive change, exchange of ideas, mutual respect
and a more genuine understanding of each country’s values.”—JUDGE SAWAKO GARDNER“There were so many rewarding experiences that allowed me to gain a new
personal perspective regarding my responsibility to work to strengthen U.S.-Japan
relations. I now feel a strong sense of belonging to both countries. The many
people-to-people interactions that occurred on this JALD trip are a testament tothe value of the program.”—MR. GARY YAMASHITA8EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATIONJALD ALUMNIAt the 2017 Annual Conference inNovember, over 80 JALD alumni gathered
for dinner. All JALD classes have had theopportunity to sing karaoke with Friend of
the Council Taro Kono in Tokyo. Because
the now Foreign Minister could not visit
Washington, DC this time, the JALD alumni
paid tribute to him by singing his favorite
song, Hey Jude.

2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILASIAN AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
DELEGATION PROGRAM

THROUGH THE ASIANAMERICAN LEADERSHIP
DELEGATION (AALD ) program,

USJC works with elected officials
to broaden the understanding of
U.S.-Japan relations at the statelegislative level.
The 2017 program selected six
elected state officials from diverse
backgrounds and regions of thecountry. From September to October,the delegates traveled to Tokyo,
Kyoto and Osaka to meet withJapanese political and government
leaders, business executives andnonprofit leaders to exchange ideas
as well as create networks that canmutually benefit the U.S.-Japan
relationship. The delegates also
spoke about their varied personal

and professional journeys at a panel
discussion in Kyoto titled “Diversity
in Leadership: The Journey of Asian
American State Legislators.”
AALD is funded by the Sasakawa
Peace Foundation and implemented
by USJC, in collaboration with the
National Asian Pacific American
Caucus of State Legislators andthe National Conference of State
Legislatures.

THE 2017 AALD DELEGATES:The delegates with (seated, from right) Kyoto Mayor
Daisaku Kadokawa, President of the Kyoto City
Assembly Kazuhiro Terada, and Vice President of
the Kyoto City Assembly Katsunobu Kubo.

• Have roots in Cambodia, China,
Japan and the Philippines• Are state representatives from
California, Hawaii, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Utah andWashington StateMr. Yohei Sasakawa (left), Chairman of Nippon
Foundation, speaks as the delegates and Ms. Junko
Chano (right), Executive Director of the Sasakawa
Peace Foundation, listen.

“Being able to hear from Japanese business leaders about the economy,
Japanese corporate norms, and how to better facilitate trade between
our two countries was one of the most fascinating aspects of thisprogram … These discussions yielded important insights to inform ourstate policies in trying to attract Japanese investment, foster stronger
economic relations and improve our states’ business climates.”—REPRESENTATIVE AARON LING JOHANSON“As a proud Japanese American, it [was] an honor
to be spending my first time in Japan … travelingas a member of the Asian American Leadership
Delegation of 2017 … I am proud to represent myrich family cultures and my communities of color,which is very rare in my county.”—REPRESENTATIVE MONICAJURADO STONIER

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U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILWOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

Cleveland (left), Washington, DC (center) and Portsmouth (right) were a few of the cities that held Regional Women in Leadership discussions.

IN 2017, USJC’S SUPPORT for women in leadership was stronger than ever. Several events and programs led to

dynamic discussions and stronger networks, inspiring women and men of all generations.

REGIONAL WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP AND OTHER NETWORKING EVENTSUSJC members throughout the United States continued to organize and participate in the Regional Women in Leadership(RWL) series, funded by the Embassy of Japan. USJC held RWL events in six cities in 2017, including four new locations:Portsmouth, NH; Providence, RI; Cleveland, OH and Little Rock, AR. (RWL events were held in two additional cities,
Phoenix, AZ and Salt Lake City, UT, in January 2018.) Community leaders discussed Japan’s womenomics agenda, as
well as ways that Americans can support it. Apart from RWL, USJC members in Hawaii and the Midwest also held events
examining various aspects of women’s leadership, such as ensuring diversity in the workplace and finding ways to turndifferences into competitive advantages.

PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE 2017 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
During the 2017 Annual Conference, in an interactive forum called “Women’s Leadership& Success on Corporate Boards,” seven distinguished women who serve on the boards ofJapanese and American companies and organizations shared their personal journeys. Someof the tips the leaders provided include fighting age discrimination by increasing older
women in executive positions, and addressing work-life balance so that women do not shy
away from higher positions.

JAPANESE WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP INITIATIVEThe Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI), founded by USJC Board Member
Atsuko Fish and supported by USJC, continued to grow in 2017. The 2017 Fellows of thisBoston-based program, which fosters Japanese women leaders interested in nonprofit
management, pitched their ideas (pictured with USJC Associate Kozue Sawame, left) in
November as part of an event co-hosted by USJC. Also in 2017, following 10 years of success,JWLI launched “JWLI-II,” an executive leadership development program.

TOMODACHI PROGRAMSTMWLP participants visited the
MetLife office in New York.

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As part of the 2016-17 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program (TMWLP),
Japanese university students from Tokyo, Osaka, Naha and Sapporo traveled to Washington,
DC and New York City to meet with several leaders, including members of Congress,
heads of NPOs, business executives and USJC members. As part of the TOMODACHI HighSchool Women Career Mentoring Program in Fukushima, supported by the TOMODACHI
Combini Fund (FamilyMart Co., Ltd. and Lawson, Inc.), about 120 high school girls from
Fukushima participated in dance workshops, met exchange students and learned frommentors with global careers.

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATIONEDUCATIONAL & NETWORKINGPROGRAMS:WATANABE SCHOLARSHIP
JAPAN-HAWAII ECONOMIC SUMMITREGIONAL PROGRAMSSILICON VALLEY JAPAN PLATFORM
BUSINESS NETWORKINGGOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVE NETWORKING2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILWATANABE SCHOLARSHIP“During the Watanabe Leadership Weekend, I became really good friends with the other
scholars. We shared our passion and ideas for studying abroad in the United States, as well
as future goals. These discussions motivated me to think about my future from different
perspectives and the meaning of studying in the U.S.”—MS. YURI KIMURA, WATANABE SCHOLAR 2016–17

2016-17 Watanabe Scholars with
Mr. & Mrs. Watanabe.

THE TOSHIZO WATANABE S tudy Abroad Scholarship Program provides
financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students for a semester or yearlong study abroad program in the United States or Japan. A generous endowment
gift of $10 million from Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe to the U.S.-Japan Council makes
it possible to award scholarships to students for whom study abroad would not be
possible without financial support.

WATANABE LEADERSHIP WEEKEND

2016-17 Watanabe Scholars ask questions.

In February, all 10 scholars from the inaugural 2016-17 cohort gathered in Los
Angeles for the Watanabe Leadership Weekend, a three-day leadership training anddevelopment program. This was the first time the scholars met one another, making
it a valuable opportunity to share their accomplishments and challenges while
studying abroad. During the program, scholars attended panel discussions, shared
their thoughts on various topics and networked with Mr. and Mrs. Watanabe, USJC
members and young professionals in the region.

“I challenge you to be persistent in pursuing your goals. Perseverance will accomplish
many things.”—MR. TOSHIZO WATANABE TO THE 2016-17
SCHOLARS AT THE LEADERSHIP WEEKEND

2017-18 WATANABE SCHOLARS

2017-18 Watanabe Scholars at the 2017
Annual Conference.

“In the future, I want to be someone
who can support and inspire the next
generation, like the professionals I met
at the USJC Annual Conference.”—MR. ETSUO FUJITA,WATANABE SCHOLAR 2017–18

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For the 2017-18 year, scholarships were awarded to 21 Japanese students—18
undergraduate and three graduate students—studying at institutions in 10 statesacross the United States. This second cohort of Watanabe Scholars represent
universities in Fukuoka, Kyoto, Miyagi and Tokyo. For the majority of the scholars
this was their first study abroad experience, and they were placed all across theUnited States—including California, Hawaii, Indiana, New York, North Carolina andRhode Island—specializing in fields like computer science, education, filmmaking,international relations, social work and sports management. Eighteen of the scholars
came to Washington, DC for the 2017 USJC Annual Conference in November, where
they met with USJC members and TOMODACHI alumni. The scholars also met with
Mr. and Mrs. Watanabe over dinner and shared their study abroad experiences so
far.
Beginning in 2018, the scholarship will also support U.S. students who wish to study
in Japan. The Council looks forward to supporting many more students in the future
through this lasting gift from Mr. Watanabe.

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

JAPAN-HAWAII ECONOMIC SUMMIT

Left: The governors’ panel: Governors
Ige (center) and Yuzaki (right), as well as
founder of the Governors’ Circle Dr. Daniel
Okimoto, examined regional economic
collaboration from a macro perspective.
Right: The education panel: (L-R) Moderator
Irene Hirano Inouye; Dawn Amano Ige,
First Lady of Hawaii; Kuniaki Shimozaki,
Superintendent of the Hiroshima Prefectural
Board of Education; Shanti Shoji, Co-Founderof Kizuna Across Cultures; David Lassner,
President of the University of Hawaii.

MORE THAN 200 LEADERS GATHERED IN KONA in May for theinaugural Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit, which USJC co-hosted with theState of Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism(DBEDT). This three-day summit connected Hawaii with seven Japanese
prefectures: those with which it has sister-state relationships, as well as thosethat are part of USJC’s Governors’ Circle initiative. Governor David Y. Ige of
Hawaii, Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki of Hiroshima, and the vice governors of
Fukuoka, Nagano, Oita and Shizuoka all spoke in various sessions, discussing
ways to enhance their state or prefectures’ relationship with one another and thecontinental United States.

OPENING RECEPTION
A welcome reception with local food, music and hula was attended by all fourmayors of the Aloha State (Hawaii County, Honolulu, Kauai and Maui). Afterthe reception, as part of an impromptu exchange, Mayor Bernard Carvalho
of Kauai (pictured right) sang the Japanese song “Furusato” (meaning“hometown”) with the delegation from Hokkaido, who had just signed a sisterstate agreement with Hawaii the day before.

SPEECHES AND DISCUSSIONS“I see a terrific, vibrant future [for JapanHawaii relations]. We do know that there
is significant investment in Hawaii, and…
Hawaii is playing a more important role in
the U.S.-Japan relationship.”—GOVERNOR DAVID IGE
OF HAWAII

The Summit welcomed as Keynote Speakers Mr. Robert Harrison, Chairman &CEO of First Hawaiian Bank, and Mr. Masaaki Tanaka, Senior Global Advisor of
PwC International.
Panel discussions studied Japan-Hawaii relations from various angles, including
cross-cultural businesses, two-way tourism, food and clean energy. Speakers
included: Mr. Daniel Dinell, President of Hawaii Coffee Company; Mr. Yosuke
Honjo, CEO of ITO EN US Group; Mr. Allan Ikawa, President & CEO of Big
Island Candies; Mr. Yasunobu Kyogoku, Managing Partner of Innovation Global
Capital; Mr. Alan Oshima, President & CEO of Hawaiian Electric Company; Mr.
Pono Shim, President & CEO of the Oahu Economic Development Board; andMr. George Szigeti, President & CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

TOUR OF PU’U WA’AWA’AThe Summit concluded with a tour of Pu’u Wa’awa’a, a ranch owned by Founder& CEO of Blue Planet Energy, Henk Rogers. Mr. Rogers (pictured left) explained
how the ranch is completely off the grid, storing energy in batteries, and how
such renewable energy initiatives could be expanded elsewhere.
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U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILREGIONAL PROGRAMSUSJC HOLDS REGIONAL PROGRAMS throughout the year to provide opportunities for Japanese and Americans to
network and explore areas of collaboration in U.S.-Japan relations. We thank the many members who organize, execute andreport on these programs. 2017 events included:

LOS ANGELESIn July, USJC and the LA84 Foundation hosted a reception in Los Angeles
celebrating the United States and Japan’s shared experience hosting the Olympic &Paralympic Games. USJC Board Member Yuko Kaifu (President of JAPAN HOUSE
Los Angeles) emceed the program. Speakers included Renata Simril, President &CEO of the LA84 Foundation; Donna de Varona, two-time gold medalist swimmer
at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games; and Peter Tomozawa, Vice President andExecutive Director of Board Relations of the LA2028 Bid Committee. They talked
about the legacy of the Foundation, reflected on the impact of the 1964 Tokyo
Games, previewed the 2020 Tokyo Games, and provided an update on plans for
hosting the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

NEW YORKIn March, USJC and the American Jewish Committee (AJC)’s Asia Pacific
Institute (API) held an event with the Consulate of Japan in New Yorkcelebrating the friendship and trilateral ties among the United States, Japanand Israel. Four panel speakers—Irene Hirano Inouye; David Harris, AJC
CEO; Ambassador Reiichiro Takahashi, Consul General of Japan in New York;and Amir Sagie, Deputy Consul General of Israel in New York (pictured with
Council Leader Wendy Takahisa and API Chair Jeffrey Stone)—shared theirperspectives on achievements and areas of collaboration for the future.

TOKYO
In May, the USJC Japan Region co-sponsored a symposium titled “The Roleof Technology and Innovative Business Models for Creating a Globalized
and Sustainable Economy” with the American Chamber of Commerce inJapan, the U.S. Embassy Tokyo, the Sharing Economy Association and Uber.
Speakers included Minister Katsunobu Kato, Minister for Promoting Dynamic
Engagement of All Citizens; Ren Ito, Executive Officer of Mercari Inc. andManaging Director and CEO of Mercari Europe Ltd.; Masami Takahashi,
President of Uber Japan Co., Ltd.; and Toshihiko Yokoo, Mayor of Taku City,
Saga Prefecture. Discussions focused on creative solutions to enable moremembers of society to participate in the economy.

WASHINGTON, DC
Friend of the Council Taro Kono (front, second from right) was appointed as theJapanese Minister for Foreign Affairs in August. Soon after his appointment, hevisited Washington, DC for a number of meetings related to diplomacy, economics
and security. During his stay, he visited the National Japanese American Memorial,
where he laid a wreath and met with Japanese American leaders, including
USJC members and JALD alumni. As a Board Member of the National JapaneseAmerican Memorial Foundation, Council Leader John Tobe (right) guided theMinister. Both Minister Kono and his father Yohei Kono, Former Speaker ofthe House of Representatives of Japan, have been very supportive of JapaneseAmerican leaders and USJC since its inception.
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EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILSILICON VALLEY JAPAN PLATFORM
THE SILICON VALLEY JAPAN Platform (SVJP) is an initiative of

USJC and the Asia Pacific Initiative (AP Initiative). SVJP aims to connect
the technological dynamism of Silicon Valley with the current and futureneeds of economic revitalization in Japan. SVJP is co-chaired by Dr. Daniel
Okimoto, Professor Emeritus at Stanford University (Member and Former
Chair of the USJC Board of Councilors) and Mr. James Kondo, President,
AP Initiative (USJC Council Leader).
In 2017, SVJP welcomed Council Leader Kenta Takamori as its new
Executive Director. SVJP held various benkyokais, workshops and meetings
with corporate leaders over the course of the year. This included an
Annual Corporate Members’ Retreat in September, which featured visits
to Google’s “X,” Tesla and the Stanford Design School (d.school), as well
as discussions with Ambassador John V. Roos, Senator Bill Bradley andsenior leaders from companies such as Nest, Toyota Research Instituteand McAfee. SVJP was also instrumental in organizing a panel discussion
during the 2017 USJC Annual Conference called “Innovation Hubs from
Silicon Valley to Kendall Square to Japan’s ‘Bit Valley.’”Dr. Rieko Yajima, Visiting Research Scholar at the
Stanford Center for Design Research, gives a talk on
design thinking during the SVJP Annual Corporate
Members’ Retreat.

BUSINESS NETWORKING
BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD
THE BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD (BAB) is a group of business leaders inJapan with experience in the United States who are also familiar with the workof USJC. Under the leadership of Mr. Masaaki Tanaka, Vice Chair of the USJC
Board of Councilors, BAB continued to be successful in 2017. BAB was held fourtimes over the course of the year, each welcoming a speaker for their perspectives
on U.S.-Japan relations: Mr. Jesper Koll, Chief Executive Officer of Wisdom Tree
Japan (February); Mr. Heizo Takenaka, Professor Emeritus at Keio University
and Chairman/Director of Pasona, Inc. (June); Dr. Daniel Okimoto, Professor
Emeritus at Stanford University, Co-Chair of the Silicon Valley Japan Platform
and inaugural Chair of the USJC Board of Councilors (September); and Mr. DanielTani, former NASA astronaut and current faculty member at the American School
in Japan (December).
Top Left: Mr. Tani shares the story of his Japanese American heritage, as well as his journey
as an astronaut.
Middle: Mr. Koll (left) chats with Mr. Tanaka.

BUSINESS NETWORKING INITIATIVE
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE in November,

USJC hosted in Washington, DC the Japanese and Japanese American BusinessNetworking Initiative meeting. USJC Board Members, Council Leaders and otherleaders, including representatives of Japanese Chambers of Commerce, discussed
how to collaborate across regions to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through business.
Left: Ms. Debra Nakatomi listens to Mr. Allen Okamoto’s insights.
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2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

GOVERNMENT AND LEGISLATIVENETWORKINGAMBASSADOR, CONSULS GENERALAND JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERS MEETING (CG-JA)
THE ANNUAL CG-JA MEETING is sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign

Affairs and organized by USJC and the Embassy of Japan. Prominent Japanese Americans
selected by their respective Consuls General from across the United States gather for a
discussion with Japanese government leaders.
The 2017 discussion, held in Washington, DC in January, focused on key issues suchas strengthening regional ties, public diplomacy and bilateral exchange programs.
Participants shared their views on U.S.-Japan relations under the new U.S. presidential
administration, the importance of supporting programs that build goodwill, opportunities
to build relationships across regions, and more. Participants also discussed special events,
including educational opportunities related to the 75th anniversary of Executive Order
9066. Following the meeting, Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae (pictured) hosted a lunch forparticipants at his residence.

LEGISLATIVE NETWORKINGTHROUGH LEGISLATIVE NETWORKING, USJC seeks tofacilitate exchange between elected officials in the United States
and Japan at the state, local and national levels. In May, USJC
joined the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE), The
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation and a coalition of other
U.S.-Japan interest groups in hosting a reception on Capitol Hill.
The reception welcomed 17 Japanese Diet members who werevisiting Washington, DC and brought together over 150 leading
figures in U.S.-Japan relations. In July, the U.S.-Japan Conference
on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON) and USJC
convened the fifth U.S.-Japan Legislative Exchange Summit,
facilitating discussions among organizations involved in U.S.Japan legislative exchange to share resources and increase thenumber of program participants.

16

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii (right) spoke at the reception
on Capitol Hill.

TOMODACHI INITIATIVE:
ABOUT TOMODACHITOMODACHI PROGRAMSTOMODACHI EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM

2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILABOUT TOMODACHITHE TOMODACHI INITIATIVE IS a publicprivate partnership between the U.S.-Japan Council
and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, with support fromthe Government of Japan. Born out of support forJapan’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake,
TOMODACHI invests in the next generation ofJapanese and American leaders through educationaland cultural exchanges as well as leadership programs.

TOMODACHI seeks to foster young American andJapanese leaders who are committed to and engaged

in strengthening U.S.- Japan relations, appreciate eachother’s countries and cultures, and possess the global
skills and mindsets needed to contribute to and thrive
in a more cooperative, prosperous and secure world.
In 2012, the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) was created tosupport the administration of TOMODACHI. The U.S.Japan Council (Japan) is a registered Public Interest
Corporation (koeki zaidan hojin) and maintains offices inTokyo, Japan.

1,073 INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATED IN 39 PROGRAMS
2017 PARTICIPANTS
BY HOMETOWN

2017 PARTICIPANTS
BY PROGRAM TYPE

U.S.
28%

Leadership
54%

Japan
(Non-Tohoku)
39%

Educational
38%

Japan
(Tohoku)
33%

18

Cultural
8%

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILTOMODACHI PROGRAMSWE THANK THE USJC network for their strong supportof the TOMODACHI Initiative. Our members and friends
participated in or supported many TOMODACHI programs
over the course of the year. The following are a few examples.

New U.S. Ambassador to Japan William F. Hagerty, who arrived inTokyo in August, quickly showed strong support for the TOMODACHI
Initiative. He spoke at the 2017 TOMODACHI Generation Summit in
September, and called TOMODACHI alumni “the new caretakers of[the U.S.-Japan] partnership.” In December, he hosted a reception inhonor of TOMODACHI at his residence, welcoming TOMODACHI
alumni and representatives of donor companies, government andnonprofit organizations.

The TOMODACHI Alumni Regional Framework was launched in March, following a reception in Tokyo that commemorated the sixth
anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake (attended by distinguished guests that include First Lady of Japan Akie Abe and Governor of
Fukushima Masao Uchibori). The framework introduces new leaders in seven regions of Japan, each with a university student and a high school
student, as well as a young professional as the regional mentor. This has strengthened relations among TOMODACHI alumni, and empoweredthem with skills to organize activities in their regions. The 2017 TOMODACHI Generation Summit, which brought together 270 Japanese andAmerican TOMODACHI alumni, guests and supporters, was an even greater success than the inaugural one in 2015.

THESE PROGRAMS WOULD NOT be possible

without the generous support of corporations fromthe United States and Japan. More information
about these programs in 2017 and their donors are
published in a separate TOMODACHI report. Please
see www.tomodachi.org for more information.
THREE KEY SUSTAINING PARTNERS are

critical to TOMODACHI’s infrastructure: financial
support by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
goes to overhead and infrastructure; the Prudential
Foundation’s support facilitates the Alumni program;and Evolution Financial Group provides pro bono
office space and support to the Tokyo team.

“Paying it forward. That is the underlying theme that creates such astrong alumni network and community … this sense of community
and wanting to create a space where others can also connect — is
why I decided to invest myself as the Core Committee Chair [of the
TOMODACHI Generation Summit].”—MR. KEITO ANDO,TOMODACHI ALUMNUS

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL 2 0 1 7 ANNUAL RE P ORT

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2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILTOMODACHI PROGRAMS

Twenty-one American and Japanese college students participated in panel
discussions, site visits and team-building exercises as part of the 2017
Building the TOMODACHI Generation Morgan Stanley Ambassadors
Program. This program teaches models of cross-sector partnerships toaddress social challenges, and is held in February and March in Washington,
DC. The program is a partnership between The Washington Center forInternships and Academic Seminars and the U.S.-Japan Research Institute.

At the 2017 USJC Annual Conference, eight TOMODACHI
alumni from the United States and Japan shared their stories of
how TOMODACHI transformed their lives. Topics ranged frommentorship and leadership to women’s empowerment, reconnectingwith your passion, the importance of higher education, storytelling,
and giving back to your community.

“TOMODACHI has not only reignited my passion for nursing, it hasgiven me the tools to understand how I can help others.”—MS. KATE ALEKSANDROVA,TOMODACHI ALUMNA

In August, eight nursing students from Tohoku traveled to New York, New
Jersey and Washington, DC to participate in a two-week study tour as part of
the TOMODACHI J&J Disaster Nursing Training Program 2017. The cohort
was joined by two nursing students from Rutgers University in New Jersey.
The students learned about disaster medicine and disaster nursing, as well as
medical procedures and medicine that are specific to the United States.
In December 2016 and January
2017, twenty high school
students from Fukushima
prefecture participated in the
TOMODACHI Honda Cultural
Exchange Program 2017 in Los
Angeles, California. During
this two-week program fundedby Honda Motor Co., Ltd., thestudents participated in volunteer
activities and had a homestay
opportunity. The students also
participated in the Rose Parade
by decorating the float createdby American Honda Motor Co.
(which sponsors the parade), andperforming an original piece withmusician Daniel Ho.

20

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

As part of the TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program
2017, ten American delegates visited Iwate and Tokyo in June
and July, and gained insights from the revitalization efforts of
Kamaishi and Rikuzentakata (pictured here with the pine treethat survived the Great East Japan Earthquake). In September,nine Japanese delegates visited the United States. They traveled
to Houston just a week after the floods of Hurricane Harvey, andlater expressed how inspired they were by the resilienceof Houstonians.

2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILTOMODACHI PROGRAMS
In August, 18 young Japanese social entrepreneurs and community
leaders took part in the TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social
Innovation and Leadership Program. Under the guidance ofiLEAP (headed by Council Leader Britt Yamamoto) and Microsoft
staff, they participated in leadership training in Seattle. Also
engaging with the participants were several other Council Leaders,
including Harold Taniguchi (pictured center) and news anchor
Lori Matsukawa, who wrote and aired a piece on the program forKING-TV, an NBC affiliate based in Seattle.

“I knew I wanted to be involved with Japan and had a passion forJapanese Affairs, but didn’t know how to get involved. Attending thisconference allowed me to receive advice from young professionals and[senior leaders]. Now I have a clearer vision on how to instill change in thefield and contribute to U.S.-Japan relations.”—MR. COLIN TIMMERMAN,TOMODACHI ALUMNUS

The TOMODACHI Daiwa House Student Leadership Conference,
held in Boston (April) and Chicago (October), enabled Japaneseand American university students to discuss U.S.-Japan relations.

As part of the 2016-17 TOMODACHI KAKEHASHI Inouye
Scholars Program, undergraduate students and chaperones from the
University of Hawaii, Manoa visited Kyushu University. During
discussions with students on campus, the Hawaii students shared thelegacy of the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye. The program is part of
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ KAKEHASHI Project.

From August to December,
two young Japanesewomen with disabilities
participated in the
TOMODACHI Disability
Leadership Program in
America 2017. The program,supported by Northrop
Grumman Corporation andimplemented by the Institutefor Community Inclusion
at UMass Boston, engaged
the trainees in a spectrumof activities, including a site
visit to the Easter Seals of
Massachusetts, where they
tried assistive technology
devices (top) and presented
on their experience interningat disability-focusedorganizations in
Boston (bottom).

“Upon returning to Hawaii, I feel a desire to better understand the culture and place (historicaland current) of my own lineage (China), as well as those of other people . . . I feel a heightened
sense of responsibility to explore my identity as the descendant of immigrants.”—MS. ANGELINE ZHOU, TOMODACHI ALUMNA

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL 2 0 1 7 ANNUAL RE P ORT

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2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILTOMODACHI EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM
THE U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL’S TOMODACHI Emerging

Leaders Program (ELP) identifies, cultivates and empowers a
new generation of Japanese American leaders. Emerging Leadersparticipate in leadership education, design and implement original
USJC programming, and develop powerful, lifelong personal andprofessional friendships. A new cohort of leaders aged 24-35 is
selected annually to attend the Annual Conference, become USJC
Associates, and join program alumni in bridging the future of the
U.S.-Japan relationship.
In its eighth year, the 2017 program brought 12 Japanese American
young professionals to Washington, DC for the 2017 USJC Annual
Conference. The Emerging Leaders participated in a leadershiporientation program, networked with high-level leaders andparticipated in the Annual Members Meeting.

“The discussion on [Japanese American] identity, being honest and feeling safe with each other proved to be both an introspective
and shared experience that immediately brought us together … these cultural connections helped make our friendships
more meaningful.”—2017 EMERGING LEADERKIMBERLY HARUKI

U40 SUMMITIN AUGUST, ELP ALUMNI hosted the second

USJC U40 Summit in Los Angeles. Approximately 60
leaders aged 40 years or younger gathered from acrosssectors in the U.S.-Japan community. This included
current and prospective USJC Associates, TOMODACHI
Alumni Regional Mentors from Japan and alumni of the
TOMODACHI-Mitsui & Co. Leadership Program.
Taking advantage of multicultural Los Angeles,
participants gained insight on the unique Japanese andJapanese American community in Little Tokyo. The
opening reception was held at the Japanese American
National Museum (JANM), and was organized with the
USJC Board of Directors (who were in town for a board
retreat). Participants also visited historically significant
sites, each with tours led by USJC supporters—including
JANM, the Go for Broke National Education Center, theLittle Tokyo Service Center and the Japanese American
Cultural & Community Center—and explored how local
relationships could forge global connections.

22

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION“The Summit is a powerful engine of both creativity andgrowth for our community, and makes me excited for whatelse our U40 group can accomplish.”—2015 ELP ALUMNUS
DAVID KENJI CHANG

LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT:USJC BOARDSUSJC MANAGEMENT & STAFF
SPONSORSHIP & SUPPORTMEMBERSHIP2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

U.S. BOARD OF DIRECTORS(AS OF DECEMBER 2017)
THE U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL’S BOARD of Directors consists of leadersfrom across the United States and in Japan who provide their expertise inestablishing and guiding the Council’s mission and activities.

BOARD OFFICERSDENNIS TERANISHI, Chair; President& CEO, Pacific International Center forHigh Technology Research
IRENE HIRANO INOUYE, President,
U.S.-Japan Council
PHYLLIS CAMPBELL, Vice-Chair;
Chair, JPMorgan Chase & Co., PacificNorthwest
ROYANNE K. DOI, Vice-Chair &Nominating and Governance Committee
Chair; Chief Compliance Officer,
Prudential International Insurance,

Prudential Financial, Inc. (Japan
Representative Office)GARY S. MORIWAKI, Vice-Chair &Development Committee Chair; Partner,
Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP
SUSAN MORITA, Secretary; Partner,
Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
DAVID NISHIDA, Treasurer & FinanceCommittee Chair
WALLACE K. TSUHA, At-Large;
President, Tsuha Foundation

Outgoing Chair Mr. Teranishi (left) with Irene
Hirano Inouye and outgoing board members(from left) Ms. Doi, Mr. Kono, Mr. Moriwaki and
Mr. Okamoto.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK former Chairman of the Board Dennis Teranishi, as well as the Members of the Boardof Directors who completed their terms in December 2017: Royanne Doi, Dayne Kono, Gary Moriwaki, Allen Okamoto and
Wally Tsuha. In January 2018, these five individuals join the Legacy Council, which was recently established to utilize thecontinued leadership and expertise of past Board Members.

BOARD MEMBERSDONNA FUJIMOTO COLE, President& CEO, Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc.

YUKO KAIFU, President, JAPANHOUSE Los Angeles

ALLEN M. OKAMOTO, Owner-Broker,
T. Okamoto & Co.

TRACEY DOI, CFO and Group Vice
President, Toyota Motor North America

TOMOKO KIZAWA, Audit Committee
Chair; Partner, Deloitte & Touche LLPSCOTT SATO, President and COO,
Pasona Inc.

SUSAN EICHOR, President & COO, aio

DAYNE KONO, Engagement Committee
Chair; Principal, Masuda, Funai, Eifert &Mitchell, Ltd.

DENNIS R. SUGINO, Investment
Committee Chair; Founder, Kansa
Advisory LLC

NORMAN NAKASONE, Senior Vice
President, Central Pacific BankTASHA YOROZU, Managing Attorney,
Yorozu Law Group, PC

ATSUKO TOKO FISH, Trustee, Fish
Family Foundation
JAMES HIGA, Executive Director,
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
LEONA HIRAOKA, Communications
Committee Chair; President & CEO, KEIROYOSUKE JAY O. HONJO, CEO andFounder, ITO EN US GroupLEGACY COUNCILJILL NISHI, Program Development
Committee Chair; Director of the Officeof the President and Chief of Staff,
U.S. Programs, Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation

USJC’S LEGACY COUNCIL includes members of the Board of Directors and select members of the Board of Councilors whocompleted full terms of service on the Board. It was established to recognize the invaluable contributions of Board members, past,present and in the future, and to encourage previous Board members to remain active leaders at USJC.
Members of the Legacy Council convened for the first time at the 2017 Annual Conference to discuss how it will support USJC’s
activities, the current Board and senior leadership.
TOM IINO, Chair; Chairman of theBoard, Pacific Commerce BankSHO DOZONO, Principal, Dozono
Consulting
MICHAEL K. HIRAIROBERT ICHIKAWA, Partner,
Kobayashi Sugita & Goda

24

FREDERICK H. KATAYAMA, Anchor
and Producer, Reuters Insider, Thomson
Reuters

HENRY OTA

COLBERT MATSUMOTO, Chairman &President, Island Holdings, Inc.

SUSAN ONUMA, Partner, Ingram
Yuzek Gainen Carroll & Bertolotti, LLP

MONI MIYASHITA, Partner, Innosight
Consulting

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATIONPAUL NIWA, Chair of Journalism,
Emerson College

JAN YANEHIRO, President, Jan
Yanehiro, Inc.

2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

U.S. BOARD OF COUNCILORS(AS OF DECEMBER 2017)
THE U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL’S DISTINGUISHED Board of Councilors consists of leaders who are recognized for their life-

long contribution and commitment to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations. Their expertise and guidance directs the Council’s
mission and activities.

BOARD OFFICERSPAU L YONA MIN E , Chair; Chairman andExecutive Officer, GCA Corporation Japan
HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA,
Vice Chair; President & CEO, Mineta &Associates, LLC; Former U.S. Secretaryof Commerce; Former U.S. Secretary ofTransportation
MASAAKI TANAKA, Vice Chair; Senior
Global Advisor, PwC International

BOARD MEMBERSNAOYUKI AGAWA, Distinguished
Visiting Professor, Doshisha University
HONORABLE GEORGE ARIYOSHI,
Former Governor, State of Hawaii
GERALD CURTIS, Burgess Professor
Emeritus of Political Science, Columbia
University
HIS EXCELLENCY ICHIRO FUJISAKI,
Former Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary of Japan to the U.S.
DR. HIROYUKI FUJITA, Founder,
President, CEO and Chairman of the Board,
Quality Electrodynamics
HIS EXCELLENCY YASUO FUKUDA,
Former Prime Minister of Japan
GLEN S. FUKUSHIMA, Senior Fellow,
Center for American Progress
SOICHIRO FUKUTAKE, Director andChairman, Benesse Holdings, Inc.
HONORABLE COLLEEN HANABUSA,
U.S. House of Representatives, State of Hawaii
YASUCHIKA HASEGAWA, Corporate
Counselor, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
Ltd.
NOBUYUKI HIRANO, Director, President& Group CEO, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial
Group, Inc.
HONORABLE MAZIE HIRONO, U.S.
Senate, State of Hawaii
MASAMI IIJIMA, Representative Director& Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mitsui& Co., LTD.
HIS EXCELLENCY RYOZO KATO,
Former Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary of Japan to the U.S.

MASAHARU KOHNO, Special
Representative of the Government of Japanfor the Middle East and Europe; Special
Envoy of the Government of Japan for the
Middle East Peace
YORIHIKO KOJIMA, Honorary
Chairman, Mitsubishi Corporation
HIROKO KUNIYA, Journalist
HONORABLE DORIS MATSUI, U.S.
House of Representatives, State of California
HIROAKI NAKANISHI, Chairman of
the Board, Representative Executive Officer,
Hitachi, Ltd.
TAKESHI NIINAMI, President & CEO,Suntory Holdings Limited
DR. DANIEL OKIMOTO, PH.D., DirectorEmeritus, Shorenstein APARC; FSI Senior
Fellow and Professor Emeritus of Political
Science, Stanford University
JOHN ONODA, Senior Corporate
Counselor, Gagen MacDonald
W. DOUGLAS PARKER, Chairman &CEO, American Airlines
SUSAN H. ROOS, Chief Administrative
Officer, Geodesic Capital
HIS EXCELLENCY MOTOATSUSAKURAI, President, Japan Society; Former
Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in
New York
HONORABLE JOHN THOMASSCHIEFFER, President & CEO of Envoy
International, LLC; Former Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
U.S. to Japan
HONORABLE MARK TAKANO, U.S.
House of Representatives, State of California
GEORGE TAKEI, Actor, Hosato
Enterprises, Inc.
TOSHIZO WATANABE, President,
Toshizo Watanabe Foundation
KRISTI YAMAGUCHI, Founder, Always
Dream Foundation
ROY YAMAGUCHI, Chef andRestaurateur, Roy’s
DR. SHINYA YAMANAKA, 2012 Nobel
Laureate; Director, Center for iPS Cell
Research and Application, Kyoto University

THE USJC COMMUNITY WAS

saddened to lose Hiro Ogawa, Memberof the Board of Councilors, in 2017. He
was the Chairman of CAI International,
a transportation finance and logistics
company that he founded. He cochaired the Development Committeeof the 2016 USJC Annual Conference in
Silicon Valley, and along with his latewife Betty, was a generous supporter of
USJC over the years. He hosted several
USJC events at his beautiful home in
Silicon Valley, including a reception thatwas held in conjunction with the 2014
Governors’ Meeting. We extend our
deepest condolences to Hiro and Betty’ssons, Council Leaders Andrew Ogawa
and Marcus Ogawa, and their families.

HONORARY MEMBERS
HIS EXCELLENCY YOHEI KONO,
Former Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives of Japan
HONORABLE WALTER MONDALE,
Former Vice President of the United States;
Former Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary of the U.S. to JapanHIS EXCELLENCY YOSHIO
OKAWARA, Former Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japanto the U.S.
HIS EXCELLENCY KUNIHIKO SAITO,
Former Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary of Japan to the U.S.
DR. KATSUHIKO SHIRAI, Former
President, Waseda University
HIS EXCELLENCY SHUNJI YANAI,
President and Judge, International Tribunal
for the Law of the Sea; Former Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japanto the U.S.

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL 2 0 1 7 ANNUAL RE P ORT

25

2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL (JAPAN)
BOARD OF DIRECTORSAND BOARD OF COUNCILORS(AS OF DECEMBER 2017)

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ernest M. Higa, Chair & Representative Director; Chairman,
President & CEO, Higa Industries Co., Ltd., Wendy’s Japan
LLC; K.K. Higa Investments; Director, JC Comsa Corporation;
Director, Shinsei Bank, Limited
Irene Hirano Inouye, Representative Director & President;
President, U.S.-Japan Council
David Nishida, Vice President
Ryuichi Katayama, Internal Auditor
Todd Guild, Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company, Inc.
Russell K. Kawahara, Partner, Atsumi & Sakai
Stan Koyanagi, Director and Corporate Senior Vice President,
Responsible for Enterprise Risk Management & Global GeneralCounsel, ORIX Corporation

In 2012, the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) was createdto support the administration of TOMODACHI. The
U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) is a registered Public Interest
Corporation (koeki zaidan hojin) and maintains an office inTokyo, Japan.

BOARD OF COUNCILORS
Kathy Matsui, Chair; Vice-Chair, Goldman Sachs Japan
Co., Ltd.
Royanne K. Doi, Chief Compliance Officer, Prudential
International Insurance, Prudential Financial, Inc. (Japan
Representative Office)Daniel Fujii, President, Trust Capital Co., Ltd.;
President & CEO, Everglory Group Limited
William Ireton, Representative Director, Ireton
Entertainment Inc.
Henry Seiichi Takata, Representative Director and Managing
Partner, SynTech Japan Co., Ltd.

MANAGEMENT & STAFF(AS OF DECEMBER 2017)

WASHINGTON, DC HEADQUARTERS:
Shiori Okazaki, Director of
Irene Hirano Inouye, President
Communications
Laura Winthrop Abbot, Executive Vice
President & Chief Operating Officer
Tess Esposito, Chief Financial
Officer and Director of Finance andAdministration

Akiko Otani, Director of Partnerships& Special Projects
Dana Fager, Development Manager

Mya Fisher, Director of Education

Sonoko Plummer, Executive Assistant& Office Manager

Shane Graves, Director of Program
Development

Remy Tubongbanua, Information
Manager

CALIFORNIA:
Kenta Takamori, Executive Director,
Silicon Valley Japan Platform
Kaz Maniwa, Senior Vice President

Gary Zottoli, Financial Manager
Aya Maher, Digital Communications
Specialist
Michael Berrios, Membership &Development Coordinator
Grace Kim, Program Coordinator

Yumi Hiroshima, Executive Assistant &Program Manager, Silicon Valley Japan
Platform

Allison Murata, Program Manager

Aya Hashimoto, Program Manager,
TOMODACHI Initiative

Kevin McCarthy, Women’s Leadership
Program Manager, TOMODACHI
Initiative

HAWAII:
Wendy Abe, Director of External
RelationsTOKYO:
Junko Tsuda, Executive Director, U.S.Japan Council (Japan)
Michiyo Horita, Director of ExternalCommunications & Program Manager,
TOMODACHI Initiative
26

Hiromi Kato, Administrative & Office
Manager, TOMODACHI Initiative
Kaoru Utada, Alumni Manager,
TOMODACHI Initiative

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION

Kana Takagi, Administrative Assistant

2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILSPONSORSHIP & SUPPORTTHE U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL (U.S.) and U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) are supported by the generous contributions of ourcorporate, individual and foundation donors who share the goal of strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through people-topeople connections. We gratefully acknowledge the following who generously supported the Council’s many educational andnetworking programs, including the Annual Conference, Regional Programs and Summits, the Emerging Leaders Program, theLeadership Institute and the Silicon Valley Japan Platform.

PLATINUM SPONSORSTITLE SPONSORSSIGNATURE SPONSORSANONYMOUS

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL 2 0 1 7 ANNUAL RE P ORT

27

2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

SIGNATURE SPONSORS

MR. HIRO OGAWA

PREMIER SPONSORSANONYMOUS

MS. ROYANNE K. DOIGONDO COMPANY

J.C.C. FUND

MS. ATSUKO TOKO FISH

MS. IRENE HIRANOINOUYE

MS. TOMOKO KIZAWAJOHN & SUSAN ROOS28

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL

PREMIER SPONSORS (CONTINUED)
MR. SCOTT SATO

MR. DENNIS R. SUGINO
MR. DENNIS Y.
TERANISHIPAUL & LYNDA
YONAMINE

GOLD SPONSORS

2017 CORPORATE MEMBERS

Advantage Partners

JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles

Anonymous

JC Comsa Corporation

Aoyama Zaisan Networks
Co., Ltd.

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Apple Japan, Inc.

Keiro

Bank of Hawaii
John & Suzanne Basalla
The Phyllis and William
Campbell FundDow Chemical Japan Ltd.
First Hawaiian BankFirst Insurance Company
of Hawaii Charitable
Foundation
First Rate, Inc.
FUJITSU LIMITED
Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Gee Family Foundation
Higa Industries Co., Ltd.
Hitachi High-Technologies
Corporation
Houston Methodist ResearchInstitute
Mr. Thomas Iino
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.

JTB USA, Inc.
Konica Minolta, Inc.
Mr. Stan Koyanagi
KPMG JapanKTA Super Stores
Mr. Colbert Matsumoto
MinebeaMitsumi Inc.
Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
The Okada Family
Foundation
The ORIX Americas
Miyauchi Charitable
Foundation
Palo Alto Networks K.K.
Robbins Geller Rudman &Dowd LLP
ROKI GROUP CO., LTD.
Sun Noodle North America
TMI Associates
TOKYU HOTELS CO., LTD.
USJC ELP Class of 2015

American Airlines, Inc.
Amway Japan G.K.
Anonymous
Apamanshop Holdings Co., Ltd.
Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Brother International
Corporation
Castle Hotel & Spa / Hoakalei
Country Club
Central Japan Railway Company
Daikin U.S. Corporation
Deloitte LLP
East Japan Railway Company
Henry Schein, Inc.
Highland Capital Management
Hitachi, Ltd.
IBM Japan, Ltd.
ITOCHU International Inc.
ITO EN (North America) INC.
Japan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd.
J.C.C. FundJohnson & Johnson
Kawasaki Good Times
Foundation
Marubeni America Corporation
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
MUFG Union Bank, N.A.
Nomura Holdings, Inc.
Northrop Grumman Corporation
NTT Group
Panasonic Corporation of North
America
PasonaPrudential Financial
PwC Japan Group
Sojitz Corporation of America
Sumitomo Corporation ofAmericas Foundation
TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
Toshiba Corporation
Toyota Motor North America,
Inc.
UNIQLO USA, LLC.

The Council would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. Toshizo Watanabe, The Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund and The Toshizo
Watanabe Foundation for their generous contributions that enabled 21 Watanabe Scholars to study in universities throughout theUnited States in 2017-18. Additional contributions from the Watanabe Foundation have enabled the Scholars to meet one another,
expand their network and participate in the 2017 USJC Annual Conference.
A full list of sponsors of the Japan-Hawaii Economic Summit is available at: http://bit.ly/Japan_Hawaii_Economic_Summit_Program.
To view a current list of sponsors of the Japan-Texas Economic Summit scheduled for May 7-9, 2018,
please visit our website at: http://www.usjapancouncil.org/Japan_Texas_Economic_Summit.
U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL 2 0 1 7 ANNUAL RE P ORT

29

2017

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCILCONTRIBUTING BENEFACTORS
aio
Alexander & Baldwin, Inc.
Mr. Hal Amano
American Savings Bank
Anonymous
Mr. Archibald Asawa
Ms. Phyllis Campbell
Ms. Donna Fujimoto ColeMr. Richard Dasher
Ms. Tracey Doi
Mr. Ernest Doizaki
Mr. Kiyotaka Fujii
Mr. Mark Fukunaga
Mr. Glen Gondo
Mr. John Gotanda
Mr. Todd Guild
Ms. Brenda Handley

Mr. Michael Lerch
Ms. Lynn Hashimoto
Mr. Jonathan Malamud
Mr. Russell Hata
The Hawaiian Electric Companies Mr. Kaz Maniwa
Mr. Larry Matsumura
Mr. James Higa
McAllen Economic
Mr. Michael Hirai
Development Corporation
HouseMart
Ms. Susan Morita
HPM Building Supply
Mr. Satoru Murase
Mr. Fumiaki Ikeno
Mr. Verne NaitoiQ 360
Mr. Norman Nakasone
Mr. Marc Iyeki
Ms. Jill Nishi
Ms. Eri Kakuta
Mr. Andrew Ogawa
Ms. Akiko Yu Kamata
Mr. Marcus Ogawa
Mr. Russell Kawahara
Mr. Tak Ohde
Governor Heita Kawakatsu
Mr. Allen Okamoto
Mr. Tom Kelley
Ms. Merle Aiko Okawara
King’s Hawaiian
Mr. Henry Ota
Mr. Eiichiro Kuwana

The Queen’s Health Systems
Ms. Nobuko Saito Cleary
San-J International Inc.
Ms. Charlene Shimada
Ms. Sandra Shirai
Ms. Catherine Stevens
Mr. Lance Stuart
Mr. Yoshiteru “Terry” Suzuki
Ms. Saki Takasu
Ms. Eriko Talley
Mr. Keith Terasaki
Mr. Wally Tsuha
Mr. Allen Uyeda
Ms. Kristi Yamaguchi
Ms. Mariko Yang
Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki
Zippy’s Restaurants

IN-KIND SPONSORS
Hitachi, Ltd.
iQ 360ITO EN (North America) INC.
LION Coffee
MM.LaFleur
MUFG Union Bank, N.A.
OmniTrak Group, Inc.

aio
American Airlines, Inc.
Big Island Candies
Ms. Donna Fujimoto Cole
Deloitte LLP
Evolution Financial Group
Hawaiian Host, Inc.

GRANTS & CONTRACTS

Reconstruction Agency of JapanT. Okamoto & Co.
Terasaki Family Foundation
TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP

CONTRIBUTION LEVELS
Sasakawa Peace Foundation
State of Hawaii – Department of
Business, Economic Development& Tourism

The Fish Family Foundation
Kresge Foundation
Ministry of Foreign Affairsof Japan

SILICON VALLEY JAPAN PLATFORM
Apamanshop Holdings Co., Ltd.

LT and RT Huang Foundation

Belsky Family Foundation

Shinkin Central Bank

Fast Retailing Co., Ltd.

NEC Corporation

Platinum Sponsors($100,000+)

Title Sponsors($50,000-$99,999)

Signature Sponsors($25,000-$49,999)

Premier Sponsors($10,000-$24,999)

Gold Sponsors($5,000-$9,999)

Contributing Benefactors($1,000-$4,999)

TOMODACHI INITIATIVE
Please refer to the 2017 TOMODACHI Annual Report or
http://usjapantomodachi.org/about-us/donors/ for a list of TOMODACHIStrategic Partners, Sponsors and Supporters.
We would like to thank all donors for their generous support.
A copy of the U.S.-Japan Council’s audited financial statement and 990 Tax Return are available on our
website at: www.usjapancouncil.org/operations
30

EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATIONMEMBERSHIP(AS OF DECEMBER 2017)

A full listing of Council Leaders, Associates, Friends of the Council andCorporate Members is available on our website, www.usjapancouncil.org.

THE U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL COMPRISES members andsupporters who are committed to the mission of the organization.
Included in these ranks are top leaders from major corporations,academia and research, politics and law, as well as entrepreneurs andthought leaders. Council Leaders are leaders who actively contributeto shaping U.S.-Japan relations through the work of the Council.
Associates are young professionals, ages 18 to 40, who are engaged in
the Council’s work. Friends of the Council support the Council’s work
and initiatives, and want to affiliate with and support the organization
but for various reasons are not able to become actively engaged in theCouncil’s activities. Corporate Members are companies that financiallycontribute to the Council’s general mission and programs on an annual
basis at the level of $10,000 or more.
COUNCIL LEADERSASSOCIATESFRIENDS OF THE
COUNCIL

444

191

16

“One of the things that’s great about the U.S.-Japan Council isthat it’s raising the profile of Japan in the United States—and theimportance of the United States to Japan’s economic wellbeing aswell its security.”—AMBASSADOR TOM SCHIEFFER,FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR TO JAPAN“I strongly believe that in the last decade, the willingness,interest and ability to understand each other, connect andbuild relationships between Japanese Americans and Japanesenationals has grown much stronger, due in large part to the
U.S.-Japan Council, Prime Minister Abe, and the Ministry ofForeign Affairs and their efforts and investments to build andnurture people-to-people relationships with Japanese Americans
uniquely positioned as ambassadors between the two countries.”—MS. LESLIE A. ITO, PRESIDENT & CEO,JAPANESE AMERICAN CULTURAL& COMMUNITY CENTER

MEMBERSHIP BREAKDOWN BY COUNTRY
USA

JAPAN

563

82

THERE ARE 6 MEMBERSIN OTHER COUNTRIESTHROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH (2009–2017)

526

600

651

403

87

137

2009

2010

178
2011

249
2012

316

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

“I was giving a tour of the Japanese American Memorial
to Patriotism in WWII [in Washington, DC] to a group ofelementary school students. I told them that I was born in Japanand was adopted by an American family. We spoke about theinternment, the Civil Liberties Act of 1988, and the promise of‘Never Again.’ After the tour concluded, one of the chaperones
came up to me. She told me about her son, who was on the tour.
As a Muslim American, he had been unhappy recently, unsure
about his identity when he saw all that is going on in the news.
But having heard my story, he told his mom in amazement thateverything was going to be OK. The woman held my hands andthanked me with tears in her eyes. This is why I joined the U.S.Japan Council. It’s the people-to-people connections that makea real difference, especially in the lives of young people. Having
participated in the Japanese American Leadership Delegation,and having met many TOMODACHI participants throughvarious events, I feel that we really inspire each other.”—MR. BRUCE HOLLYWOOD, PLANNER,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Membership Breakdown By Sector[ Business ]366[ government ]$82[ education ]74[ nonprofit ][ law ]

8544

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