U.S.-Japan Councile m p ow er i ng t he n e x t ge n er at ion

2016 Annual ReportTable of Contents
Welcome........................................................................................................... 3
About the U.S.-Japan Council......................................................... 4
Signature Programs
2016 Annual Conference................................................................................6
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Program ...............................8
Asian American Leadership Delegation Program.....................................9
Women in Leadership..................................................................................10
Educational & Networking Programs
Prime Minister Abe’s Visit to Pearl Harbor...............................................12
Ocean Symposium.........................................................................................12
Silicon Valley Japan Platform.......................................................................13
Watanabe Scholarship...................................................................................13
Business and Legislative Networking........................................................14
Regional Programs........................................................................................15
Governors’ Circle...........................................................................................16
TOMODACHI initiative
About TOMODACHI....................................................................................18
TOMODACHI Programs..............................................................................19
TOMODACHI Emerging Leaders Program..............................................22
Leadership and Support
Boards..............................................................................................................24
Sponsors..........................................................................................................27
Membership...................................................................................................31

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Dear Friends,
On behalf of the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC), we want to thank our generous benefactors, dedicated Board
members, engaged Council Leaders, Associates and Friends, and hard-working staff for your support in 2016.
We reached new milestones in our mission to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations and foster people-to-people
connections, which we are proud to highlight with this 2016 Annual Report.
When USJC opened its office in 2009, the common descriptor of U.S.-Japan relations was “Japan passing.” TheCouncil was created on the belief that such words did not describe the state of our bilateral relations, and that it
was a critical time to develop strong people-to-people relationships across all sectors and generations.
Over the past eight years, USJC has expanded the engagement of Japanese American leaders, building newpartnerships with leaders from both countries. Through the TOMODACHI Initiative, USJC has worked with
the U.S. and Japanese governments and many leading companies. TOMODACHI has provided hope andopportunity to thousands of young Japanese in the Tohoku region affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
This investment in the next generation of leaders has extended beyond the immediate needs of rebuilding in
Tohoku, and is now a long-term commitment across Japan and the United States.
USJC is also strengthening regional leadership and programming, building partnerships locally as well as
nationally and internationally. This includes a new initiative, the Silicon Valley Japan Platform, which forges
opportunities between Silicon Valley leaders and companies and their Japanese counterparts. The 2016 USJC
Annual Conference brought over 700 leaders from both countries to Silicon Valley and highlighted the region’s
dynamism and innovation, which holds promise for new dimensions in U.S.-Japan relations.
As 2016 ended, we witnessed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stand with President Barack Obama at Pearl Harborto honor those who lost their lives 75 years ago, at the start of World War II. This was preceded by President
Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima earlier in the year. Both events highlighted the importance of reconciliation
and remembering the past while moving into the future. The two leaders’ friendship mirrored the bond
between the United States and Japan, which is now stronger than ever.
In 2017, we will continue to focus on finding common ground, as we work toward the mutually beneficial goalof bringing our countries closer together. We thank you again for your generous support, and look forward toanother dynamic year in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.

Sincerely,

Irene Hirano Inouye
President

Dennis Teranishi
Chairman of the Board

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ABOUT 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 an office in Tokyo, Japan.

“After one of the most horrific chapters in human history . . . the“We are opening a new chapter to the reconciliation ofUnited States and Japan chose friendship and peace. Over the decades,

Japan and the United States, and in our history of trust

our alliance has made both of our nations more successful . . . And

and friendship . . . Together, Japan and the United States

today, the alliance between the United States and Japan — bound notwill become a light for hope, for the people in the world.”

only by shared interests, but also rooted in common values — stands—his excellency Shinzo Abe,
Prime Minister of Japanas the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia Pacific and a force
for progress around the globe. Our alliance has never been stronger.”—President Barack Obama,
Former President of the United States4empowering the next generation

Signature Programs:
2016 Annual Conference
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Programasian american leadership delegation Program
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2016 Annual conference

The 2016 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference, themed Imagine.
Innovate. Inspire. — The Silicon Valley Experience, was held from November 14
to 15 in Silicon Valley, California. It brought together leaders from government,
business, academia and nonprofit sectors to discuss issues that included
technology collaboration in various areas from design to artificial intelligence, as
well as women’s leadership, fostering young leaders and celebrating diversity.

Left: Ms. Tamlyn Tomita and Mr. Scott Fujita.
Right: Keynote Speaker Mr. Peter Schwartz.

Keynote Speakers:
The Conference featured three Keynote Speakers:• Mr. Hiroaki Nakanishi, Chairman of the Board, Representative Executive
Officer, Hitachi, Ltd.
• Mr. Peter Schwartz, Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Salesforce• Mr. Brad Smith, President and Chief Legal Officer, Microsoft Corporation
Other prominent speakers included: Ambassador John V. Roos, former
Ambassador of Japan to the United States; Ambassador Masaharu Kohno, Special
Representative for the Middle East and Europe & Special Envoy for the Middle
East Peace of Japan; Ms. Hiroko Kuniya, journalist; and Mr. Tom Kelley, Partnerof IDEO.

Keynote Speaker Mr. Hiroaki Nakanishi,
Chairman of the Board, Representative
Executive Officer, Hitachi, Ltd.

“If we’re going to succeed in promoting better ties between Japan and the United States, if we’re going to succeed inhelping to move the world forward, we need to make sure that technology can move forward without leaving people
behind.”—Mr. Brad Smith, President and Chief Legal Officer, Microsoft Corporation

The silicon valley Experience
Mr. James Higa, Executive Director of Philanthropic Ventures Foundation and
Mentor in Residence at Index Ventures, led a panel called “The Silicon Valley
Experience,” where panelists Ms. Rochelle King (Vice President of Data, Insights
and Design, Spotify), Mr. Hans Peter Brøndmo (General Manager of Robotics,X) and Mr. Bryan Meehan (CEO, Blue Bottle Coffee) shared their perspectives onwhat Japan may learn from Silicon Valley’s success.
(L-R) Mr. Higa, Ms. King,Mr. Brøndmo, Mr. Meehan.

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2016

U.S.-japan council“It really is great to see Japan’s craftsmanship and sense of design that have become such valuable parts of our growth here
in Silicon Valley. I’m excited to witness this kind of exchange that is taking place between our two great countries.”—Secretary Norman Y. Mineta,
Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and Transportation

Going Beyond Expectations: Japanese American
Leaders, Movers and Shakers
This annual, dynamic panel discussion led by Ms. Jan Yanehiro,
President, Jan Yanehiro, Inc., looked at Japanese American leadershipfrom a variety of industries and backgrounds, featuring Mr. Scott Fujita,
a former NFL Athlete who was adopted by a Japanese American family;
Ms. Kathy Matsui, Vice-Chair of Goldman Sachs Japan Co., Ltd. who is apioneer in the Womenomics movement; Ms. Tamlyn Tomita, actress andsinger known for Karate Kid 2; and Mr. Kenshiro Uki, the millennial Vice
President of Operations at Sun Noodle North America.

Key Facts• This was USJC’s first Annual Conference in California.
There were approximately 700 attendees, including about
250 USJC members.

The 2016 TOMODACHI Emerging Leaders at the Annual
Conference.

• approximately 100 generous sponsors contributed
more than $1 million.
• Media coverage included NHK, The San Francisco
Chronicle and The San Jose Mercury News.

Panel Discussions and Special Programming:
The many dimensions of the U.S.-Japan relationship were reflected in
the Conference’s approximately twenty panel discussions, programs,
and networking & information sessions. These included:• U.S.-Japan Artificial Intelligence Innovation

A scene from the Building Bridges session.

• Silicon Valley Success Stories in Japan• Building Bridges – Not Barriers• Paper Lanterns Documentary Screening & Discussion

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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 2016 Japanese American Leadership Delegation traveled to Japan fromMarch 5 to 12. They visited Kobe and spoke at a symposium about diversity
and inclusion that was co-sponsored with the Japan Foundation Center for
Global Partnership. They then traveled to Tokyo to meet with senior leaders inthe business and government sectors, including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
JALD is generously sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The 2016 JALD Delegates
The 2016 JALD was a diverse group,
including many delegates of mixed
heritage, from areas that range
from Seattle to Guam to Amherst,
Massachusetts. All delegates shared aninterest in fostering stronger relations
between the United States and Japan anda deep curiosity about the progress madeby Japan following the launch of Prime
Minister Shinzo Abe’s reforms.

“As I got to know the incredibly talented and accomplished members of thedelegation, for the first time, I met folks who lived the same experience [as me].
It is difficult to find words that can describe how it felt to make this personal
discovery with my remarkable new friends, while experiencing the culture of mybirthplace. It was surreal.”—Mr. Bruce Hollywood“We took great pride that our delegation reflected the evolving and diverse faces of our Japanese American heritage, racially, and withregard to generational roots . . . What unified and inspired each of us was the desire to understand more about our shared Japanesecultural roots and the manner in which we could further contribute to the enhancement of relations between the United States andJapan.”—Judge Kiyo Matsumoto

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asian american leadership
delegation program

Through the Asian
American Leadership
Delegation (AALD ) program,

USJC works with elected officials
to broaden the understanding of
U.S.-Japan relations at the statelegislative level.
In 2016, six elected state officials
from diverse backgrounds andregions were selected. From
December 2 to 10, the delegatestraveled to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
to meet with Japanese politicaland government leaders, businessexecutives and nonprofit leaders
to exchange ideas as well as create
networks that can mutually benefit
the U.S.-Japan relationship. The
delegates also spoke about theirvaried 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 2016 AALD delegates:• Have roots in China, India, thePhilippines, South Korea andTaiwan• Were all born outside of the UnitedStates• Are state representatives from
Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland,
Texas, Virginia and Washington
State“As an Asian American, I am often judged,
and there is an underlying expectation
to represent all Asians equally. This“I believe that the Japanese people’s sense of quiet optimism and steady focus on
moving forward with diligence and purpose will help to continue the nation’s
progress for the better. I am now more interested in learning about Japan andour bilateral issues, and am eager to contribute in any way that I can to further
improve our relationships.”—Delegate Mark Keamexperience helped me mature at a newlevel, one that has me asking questions that
dig a little deeper into understanding thecultures and needs of each Asian American
community.”—Representative Mia Su-Ling
		Gregerson

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Women in Leadership

Left: Ms. Hiroko Kuniya moderated the session “Women’s Advancing Leadership in the Workplace and the World.” Center: Japanese American
women in politics: (L-R) Ms. Mariko Yamada, Ms. Yoriko Kishimoto, Ms. Margaret Abe-Koga, Ms. Karyl Matsumoto, Ms. Aimee Sueko Eng.
Right: First Lady of Hawaii Dawn Amano Ige speaks to students about leadership as part of RWL.

In 2016, USJC’s support for women in leadership was stronger than ever. Several
events and programs led to active discourse and stronger networks, inspiring women andmen of all generations.

Regional Women in Leadership Networking

Ms. Kuraishi, Co-founder andPresident of GlobalGiving, discusses
her experience.

USJC 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
26 networking events in twelve cities ranging from Boston to Honolulu, providing theplatform for 396 community leaders to discuss Japan’s Womenomics agenda and womenin leadership. Participants developed ideas on how Americans can support Prime Minister
Abe’s agenda locally and internationally.

Panel Discussions at the 2016 Annual Conference
During the 2016 Annual Conference, breakout sessions examined women’s leadershipfrom two different angles. In “Women’s Advancing Leadership in the Workplace and theWorld,” corporate leaders discussed innovative ideas on advancing women’s impact in theworkplace. In “New Paths for Nikkei Women: Elective Politics,” Japanese American womenin a variety of elected offices, from school boards to state governments, shared how they
overcame cultural norms and gender stereotypes to engage in politics.
Ms. Nobuko Sasae (first row, second
from left), conference interpreter andwife of Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae,
was among the RWL participants inWashington, DC.

Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiativeand World Assembly for Women
In October, Irene Hirano Inouye (along with Council Leaders Mari Kuraishi and Yumi
Kuwana) spoke at the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI) Summit, which fosters
women leaders interested in nonprofit management. JWLI was founded by USJC Board
Member Atsuko Fish and is supported by USJC. In December, at the invitation of Prime
Minister Abe, Irene Hirano Inouye spoke at the World Assembly for Women in Tokyo,
where she was part of a high-level round table themed “Work-Life Management 2.0.”

TOMODACHI Programs

TMWLP participants meet withwomen leaders in Washington, DC.

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As part of the 2015-16 TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program (TMWLP),
Japanese university students and mid-career professional women traveled to Washington,
DC and New York City to meet with several leaders, including members of Congress, headsof NPOs and USJC members. As part of the TOMODACHI High School Women Career
Mentoring Program in Fukushima, which is supported by Lawson and FamilyMart Co., Ltd.,
about 120 high school girls from Fukushima participated in dance workshops, met exchange
students and learned from mentors with global careers.

empowering the next generation

Educational & Networking
Programs:
Prime Minister Abe’s Visit to Pearl Harbor
ocean symposium
Silicon Valley Japan Platform
Watanabe Scholarship
Business and Legislative Networking
Regional Programs
Governors’ Circle

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Prime Minister Abe’s Visitto pearl harbor“It is my wish that our Japanese children, and President Obama, your American children, andindeed their children and grandchildren, and people all around the world, will continue toremember Pearl Harbor as the symbol of reconciliation.”—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Pearl Harbor

In December, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made an unprecedented visit toPrime Minister Abe stands with
President Obama at Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor with President Obama. Both leaders reflected on the impact of the start ofWorld War II. Their remarks were somber and emotional, and reflected the importanceof remembering history, committing to learn from it and using those lessons to build abetter future.
Many USJC members and supporters were invited to join events marking the Prime
Minister’s visit, including USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye, Senator Mazie Hirono,
Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa, Governor George Ariyoshi, Board Chairman
Dennis Teranishi and Board Member Wally Tsuha.

Irene Hirano Inouye with Herbert
Yanamura, a Japanese American veteran of
the Military Intelligence Service.

USJC also joined other Japanese American organizations in welcoming the Prime
Minister, Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Tomomi Inada ata reception at the Japanese consulate. Prime Minister Abe thanked the JapaneseAmerican community in Hawaii for their support and friendship over the years, andrecognized the service of Japanese American veterans in the 100th Infantry Battalion
and the 442nd RCT.
The Prime Minister’s visit was preceded by President Obama’s historic visit toHiroshima in May. These two leaders’ actions made 2016 a milestone year for U.S.Japan relations.

Ocean Symposium
In August, USJC and Sailors for the Sea Japan held the Japan-U.S. International
Symposium for Ocean Conservation in Hawaii. More than a dozen prominent leadersfrom both sides of the Pacific, including Akie Abe, the First Lady of Japan, gatheredin Honolulu to discuss ocean conservation, the sustainable management of fisheries
and more. The event was attended by close to 300 individuals, including leaders fromgovernment, business and the civil sector.

Governor and Mrs. Ige welcome guests totheir residence.
Mrs. Abeaddresses theaudience.

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Women from Japan and the United States, represented by Mrs. Abe and Irene Hirano
Inouye, discussed solutions to protect the ocean. They approached ocean conservationfrom multiple angles, including policy, education, science and grassroots efforts topromote environmentalism. Speakers included Julie Packard (Executive Director,
Monterey Bay Aquarium), Minako Iue (President, Sailors for the Sea Japan), and apanel of students, including a TOMODACHI alumnus. Aya Higa, Board Member ofHands On Tokyo, emceed the event.
Following the Symposium, Governor David Ige and Mrs. Dawn Amano Ige hosted a
reception at their residence for 150 leaders of Hawaii and the U.S.-Japan community.
Paul Yonamine, Chair of the Board of Councilors, and his wife Lynda hosted a private
reception the evening before at their Hawaii residence for the delegation from Japan.

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Silicon Valley Japan Platform

A scene from the Silicon Valley Demo
Session, in which local entrepreneurs
and businesses showcased theirproducts and services.

“It is absolutely essential for Japan andSilicon Valley to connect and broaden
and deepen the synergies between Silicon
Valley and Japan.”—Dr. Daniel Okimoto,
Co-Chair, Silicon Valley
Japan Platform; Professor
Emeritus, Stanford
University

The Silicon Valley Japan Platform (SVJP) is an initiative of USJC

and the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation (RJIF). SVJP emerged out of thesuccess of the Governors’ Meeting in Silicon Valley in July 2014 (organized aspart of the Governors’ Circle) as well as Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Silicon
Valley in April 2015. SVJP aims to connect the technological dynamism of
Silicon Valley with the current and future needs of economic revitalization in
Japan. SVJP is led by its two co-chairs, Dr. Daniel Okimoto, Professor Emeritus
Department of Political Science, Stanford University (Member and former Chairof the USJC Board of Councilors) and Mr. James Kondo, President, Rebuild
Japan Initiative Foundation (USJC Council Leader).
Activities in 2016 included benkyokais, workshops and meetings with corporate
leaders. SVJP was also instrumental in organizing panel discussions andworkshops during the 2016 USJC Annual Conference, including “The Silicon
Valley Experience,” “U.S.-Japan Artificial Intelligence Innovation” and “Silicon
Valley Demo Session.”

Watanabe Scholarship
The Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad

Scholarship Program provides financial assistanceto undergraduate and graduate students for asemester or year-long study abroad program in the
United States or Japan. A generous endowment giftof $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.
In the 2016-17 year, scholarships were awarded to ten Japanese undergraduate
students studying in the United States. This inaugural cohort of Watanabe Scholars
represents universities in Tokyo, Chiba and Miyagi prefectures. They attend public
and private institutions in California, New York, Virginia, Georgia and Pennsylvania
through exchange partnerships with their schools in Japan. There was a high level ofinterest for this unique scholarship this first year, making the selection competitive.
The Council looks forward to supporting many more students in the future throughthis lasting gift from Mr. Watanabe.

Mr. Watanabe (center) received appreciationfrom the U.S. State Department for his generous
contributions to future leaders in U.S.-Japan
relations. He is pictured here with (L-R) Aaron
Forsberg, Economic Unit Chief, Office of Japan
Affairs, Bureau of East Asian & Pacific Affairs;
Margot Carrington, Minister-Counselor for
Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo;
Irene Hirano Inouye and Dennis Teranishi.

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business and legislative networking

Mr. Rhodin discusses IBM Watson’s
innovations in cognitive business.

Adm. Harris discusses security challenges in
the Pacific.

Ms. Kuniya (right) chats with students attending
BAB.

Business Advisory Board
The Business Advisory Board (BAB) is a group of business leadersin Japan 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 2016. BAB was held fourtimes over the course of the year, each welcoming a speaker for their perspectives
on U.S.-Japan relations: Mr. Michael D. Rhodin, Senior Vice President of Watson
Business Development (February); Dr. Gerald Curtis, Burgess Professor Emeritus
of Political Science at Columbia University (May); Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr.,
Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (July); and journalist Ms. Hiroko Kuniya(October).

Business Networking Initiative
Ms. Debra Nakatomi speaks at the BusinessNetworking Initiative meeting in Silicon
Valley.

in conjunction with the Annual Conference in Silicon Valley, USJC
hosted in November the Japanese and Japanese American Business Networking
Initiative meeting. USJC Board Members, Council Leaders and other leaders,
including representatives of Japanese Chambers of Commerce, discussed how tocollaborate across regions to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations through business.

Legislative Networking
Through Legislative Networking, USJC seeks tofacilitate exchange between elected officials in the United States
and Japan at the state, local and national levels. In June, USJC
welcomed Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Congressman Mark
Takano (D-CA-41) for a discussion titled “Asian Americans in
U.S. Politics.” Senator Hirono and Congressman Takano talked
about their experience in Congress, as well as U.S.-Japan relations
and other issues of national interest. Representative Kriselda
Valderrama, Member of the Maryland House of Delegates, also
addressed the audience as an alumna of the 2015 AALD program.
In May, USJC was also one of the cooperating organizations for a
reception that was held on Capitol Hill in honor of ten JapaneseDiet members who were visiting Washington.
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Senator Hirono (center) converses with guests.

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Regional Programs
USJC 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. 2016 events included:

BostonIn March, USJC hosted a fifth anniversary commemoration for Tohoku, incooperation with the Berklee College of Music, the Consulate General of Japanin Boston, and the Fish Family Foundation (where Member of the USJC Board of
Directors Atsuko Fish serves as a Trustee). Presentations, including a speech by
Mayor of Ofunato Kimiaki Toda, addressed various ways in which U.S.-Japan
cooperation has helped Tohoku’s recovery. Berklee students from Tohoku whoare currently studying on the TOMODACHI Suntory Music Scholarship Fundalso performed for the audience.

HawaiiIn July, USJC hosted a panel discussion centered on multi-generational
companies. The panelists were USJC members who are second- and thirdgeneration leaders of food businesses: Russell Hata (Y. Hata Ltd.), Winston
Taira (King’s Hawaiian) and Kenshiro Uki (Sun Noodle) (pictured third fromright, third from left and second from left, respectively). The discussion focusedon the dynamics of family-owned businesses and generational management,
including succession planning, management philosophies, family relationships
within a business and growth strategies.

HoustonIn April, USJC members in Houston took part in the city’s annual Japan Festival,
which brought together 25,000 visitors overall. Board Member Donna Cole(pictured right) and Associate Kuriko Hasegawa Wong (second from left) wereamong those who organized and volunteered at a USJC booth, teaching visitors
how to make origami kabuto helmets and handing out USJC bookmarks with
their names in Japanese.

New York
In January, USJC welcomed members and supporters to a New Year reception at
the Nippon Club. The event featured a presentation by Paul Yonamine, who had
just been appointed as the new Chair of the Board of Councilors. He discussed
his upbringing in Hawaii, encouraging young Japanese Americans to explore
their family roots. He also talked about new ventures at IBM Japan, which heleads as the Country General Manager and President.

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regional programs
tokyo
In July, USJC held a summer member event with current and prospective
members. The event featured Council Leader Eriko Talley, Head of HR, APAC
at Facebook (pictured in the center), as the speaker, along with Council Leader
Janelle Sasaki (left) and Associate Yuta Hasumi (right). Ms. Talley discussed
her career and provided advice for the next generation of leaders, encouraging
them to take risks fearlessly, learn from mistakes and make the most of allopportunities.

Washington, DC
In March, USJC and the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) USA co-hosted“The United States and Japan: Reassessing 3-11,” a full-day discussion on thedisaster and the joint response to it. The conference included panel discussions
with American and Japanese experts and officials, most of whom were directly
involved in the response to 3-11. Speakers included Ambassador John V. Roos;
USJC Executive Vice President & COO Suzanne Basalla, who was Senior Advisor
to Ambassador Roos at the time (pictured second from left); and Amya Miller,
special advisor to the City of Rikuzentakata (pictured in the center), who
expressed her appreciation for the event and read a letter from Mayor Futoshi
Toba of Rikuzentakata. (Photo by Joy Asico)governors’ circle

Since 2010, USJC has led the Governors’ Circle initiative to promote bilateral economic collaboration at the state-

prefecture level.
In 2016, under the leadership of Council Leader Hal Amano, representatives from approximately 25 companies in
Hiroshima, Okayama, Shizuoka, Fukuoka and Oita participated in the USJC Annual Conference in Silicon Valley.
In a breakout session called “Hidden Gems Showcase,” they shared their technologies and services that have highpotential for growth in collaboration with Silicon Valley innovators or investors. These ranged from power technologies,
mobile technologies, IoT applications, gaming and 3D applications to FinTech technologies. They made requests forinvestment or partners in Silicon Valley, offered general technology updates, or raised the importance of collaboration
between key U.S. and Japanese leaders to create standards in new technologies. The companies also held trade showpresentations, giving conference attendees opportunities to learn about each of the businesses.
Representatives of the five prefectures also spoke about the charms and advantages of their regions, and presented
business opportunities reflecting the participating companies. They also highlighted their manufacturing strengths,
attractions for visitors and residents, and unique food products.
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Tomodachi initiative:
about tomodachi
tomodachi programs
tomodachi emerging leaders program2016

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ABOUT TOMODACHIThe TOMODACHI Initiative is a public-private
partnership between the U.S.-Japan Council andthe U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, with support from theGovernment of Japan. Born out of support for Japan’srecovery 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 an officein Tokyo, Japan.

1,081 INDIVIDUALs participaTED in 47 programs
2016 Participantsby Hometown2016 Participantsby PROGRAM TYPE

U.S.
23%

Leadership
51%

Japan
(Non-Tohoku)
33%

Educational
36%

Japan
(Tohoku)
44%

18

Cultural
13%

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TOMODACHI PROGRAMs
U.S. and Japanese university students discussed social problems during
the Building the TOMODACHI Generation Program in February.
The teams that presented the strongest solutions traveled to Tohoku
in the summer (pictured). The program is a partnership between The
Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars and the
U.S.-Japan Research Institute.

“ I have learned so many things, including civil society, teamwork
skills, and skills needed in global fields. But most of all, this program
made me realize that we each have different strengths, and that if we
combine them together, we can bring changes to create a sustainable
and resilient environment.”—Ms. Yumeko Inoue,
TOMODACHI Alumna

In April, five TOMODACHI alumni
visited Kumamoto to support thoseaffected by the earthquakes that struck
the prefecture earlier that month. Mostof these alumni were in Tohoku during
the Great East Japan Earthquake, andhad participated in the TOMODACHI
Alumni Disaster Resilience Training
Program. They visited a temporary
shelter, offered support and exchanged
stories about their experience.

In October, USJC sponsored an evening celebrating ten years
of UNIQLO in the United States. Ms. Yo Douglas (pictured
on the left with Ms. Nicole Beach of UNIQLO and Ms. Lynn
Yaegar of Vogue magazine) and Mr. Ryohei Kawanishi shared
how their careers have progressed since they took part in the
TOMODACHI-UNIQLO Fellowship.

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TOMODACHI PROGRAMS“Many places in the U.S. are accessible, and equal
opportunities are guaranteed for people with disabilities ina variety of situations. However. . . All of these rights wereobtained by the long struggle of people with disabilities.
Disability leaders of the next generation must know about
the history of disability rights, and continue the disability
movement.”—Ms. Toshiko Kudo,
TOMODACHI AlumnA

At the 2016 USJC Annual Conference, TOMODACHI alumni highlighted
the ways they overcame challenges, including learning from businessfailures, building sustainable communities after losing their homes, andfinding solace in storytelling after losing family members.

From August to September, the TOMODACHI Microsoft iLEAP Social
Innovation and Leadership Program hosted 25 Japanese scholars and young
professionals who traveled to Seattle and spent a month in leadershiptraining. Microsoft Japan.,Co., Ltd. is a new TOMODACHI StrategicPartner, and iLEAP is led by Council Leader Britt Yamamoto.

The TOMODACHI
Daiwa House
Student Leadership
Conference, heldin Dallas (April)and Washington,
DC (October),enabled Japaneseand American
university students
to discuss U.S.Japan relations.

20

empowering the next generation

From July to December, three women with disabilities
participated in the TOMODACHI Disability Leadership
Program in America. The program, supported by Northrop
Grumman and implemented by the Institute for Community
Inclusion at UMass Boston, engaged the trainees in a spectrumof activities, including internships with disability-focusedorganizations or government entities.

Three key sustaining partners

are critical to TOMODACHI’s infrastructure:
Takeda’s financial support goes to overhead andinfrastructure; the Prudential Foundation’s support
facilitates the Alumni program; and Evolution Japan
provides pro bono office space and support to theTokyo team.
These programs would not be possible
without the generous support of corporations fromthe United States and Japan. More information
about these 47 programs in 2016 and their donors
are published in a separate TOMODACHI
report. Please see www.tomodachi.org for more
information.

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TOMODACHI PROGRAMSIn May, the TOMODACHI
Initiative was recognized by
Japan Day (a large-scale Japan
festival) in New York for theirsupport to the Tohoku region
since the Great East Japan
Earthquake. Vice Chair of
USJC Board of Directors Gary
Moriwaki (pictured in the centerwith USJC New York Regional
Chair Sakura Yagi and Council
Leader Fred Katayama) accepted
the award on behalf of USJC.
As part of the 2015-16 TOMODACHI Inouye Scholars program, which ispart of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ KAKEHASHI Project, a group ofundergraduate students and chaperones from the College of Hawaiian
Language at the University of Hawaii at Hilo spent nine days in Japan in
March. The students traveled to Tokyo and Hokkaido, exploring the Ainu
language and culture.

In April, four high school students visited Mie, Japan to represent
the United States at the Junior 7 Summit, a students’ version of
the G7 summit. One of the students was Omar Saracevic (pictured
second from left with Ambassador Caroline Kennedy, the other
U.S. delegates and USJC intern Taylor Gentry), an alumnus of the
TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy.

continue this lifelong relationship that has been created as a

In March, the TOMODACHI Initiative hosted a reception to commemorate thefifth year since the Great East Japan Earthquake. The event included a signingceremony for a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Governmentof Japan and the U.S.-Japan Council in support of TOMODACHI.
TOMODACHI alumni from Tohoku, representatives from the Governmentof Japan and the U.S. Embassy, and Irene Hirano Inouye also participated in aroundtable discussion.

result of this Summit.”“This faith that we can overcome anything has been inspired by the“I will continue to keep in touch with [my host] family . . . and—Mr. Omar Saracevic,
TOMODACHI alumnus

TOMODACHI Initiative and its countless supporters. The Initiativeemphasizes hard work, empathy and the importance of making a difference
through volunteerism and selfless acts of kindness. TOMODACHI has shown
us the amazing things we can accomplish if we work together.”—Mr. Fumiya Otani,
TOMODACHI alumnus

In August, eight students participating in the TOMODACHI Suntory
Fukushima Mirai Music Program traveled to New York and took part in aworkshop with the New York Philharmonic. The students, who had been
affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, performed “Furusato” (whichmeans “hometown”).
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TOMODACHI Emerging Leaders Program“USJC provided us with the best available platform,
tools and resources to effectively advance strong U.S.Japan relations. As a proud graduate of the seventh
TOMODACHI ELP, my next goal is to interact morewith the USJC community as an Associate and to findways to add value to the community.”—2016 Emerging Leader Russell Saito

The 2016 class.

The U.S.-Japan Council’s TOMODACHIEmerging Leaders Program (ELP) identifies, cultivates, andempowers a new generation of Japanese American leaders.
Emerging Leaders participate in leadership education,
design and implement original USJC programming, anddevelop powerful, lifelong personal and professional
friendships. A new cohort of leaders aged 24-35 is selectedannually to attend the Annual Conference, become USJC

Associates, and join program alumni in bridging the futureof the U.S.-Japan relationship.
In its seventh year, the 2016 program brought 12 JapaneseAmerican young professionals to Silicon Valley for the2016 U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference. The Emerging
Leaders participated in a leadership orientation program,
networked with high-level leaders and participated in the
Annual Members Meeting.

U40 Summit
In August, ELP alumni hosted the inaugural USJC

U40 Summit in Los Angeles. Over 50 leaders from the
U.S.-Japan community, ages 40 and under, gathered forinteractive programming focused on fostering leadership,
engagement and action in U.S.-Japan relations and theJapanese American community.
ELP alumni organized, planned and raised funds for theSummit, which was themed “Embracing Risk,” with theaim to challenge participants and align the Summit with the
USJC Annual Conference in Silicon Valley. USJC Associates,
alumni of select TOMODACHI programs and other young
professionals from both countries joined them for dynamic
discussions on how to contribute to their community,
tours of businesses operated by Japanese American owners(Hawaiian Host and Kings Hawaiian), and a reception at
Loyola Marymount University.

22

empowering the next generation“We really think that the friendships forged here today will enablepeople to have authentic, clear conversations [on how to have] more
impact in U.S.-Japan relations.”—Summit Co-Chair and 2011 ELPAlumna Kei Ashizawa

Leadership and Support:
USJC boards
USJC MANAGEMENT & STAFF
Sponsorship & support
Membership2016

U.S.-japan council

U.S. Board of Directors(As of December 2016)
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 Officers
Dennis Teranishi, Chair;
President & CEO, Pacific International
Center for High Technology Research

Gary S. Moriwaki, Vice-Chair &Development Committee Chair; Partner,
Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP

Irene Hirano Inouye, President,
U.S.-Japan Council

Susan Morita, Secretary; Partner,
Arnold & Porter, LLP

Phyllis Campbell, Vice-Chair;
Chair, JPMorgan Chase & Co., PacificNorthwest

Wallace K. Tsuha, Treasurer &Finance Committee Chair; President,
Tsuha Foundation

Royanne K. Doi, Vice-Chair;
Corporate Chief Ethics Officer,
Prudential Financial Inc.

Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye, Ms. Phyllis Campbell
and Mr. Dennis Teranishi with Consul General
Jun Yamada, at his residence in San Francisco.

We would like to thank theBoard Members
Donna Fujimoto Cole,
President & CEO, Cole Chemical &Distributing, Inc.
Tracey Doi, Group Vice President& Chief Financial Officer, Toyota
Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Susan Eichor, President & COO,
aio
Atsuko Toko Fish, Trustee, Fish
Family Foundation
Ernest M. Higa, Chairman,
President & CEO, Higa Industries
Co., Ltd.; Wendy’s Japan LLC; K.K.
Higa Investments; Director, JC Comsa
Corporation; Director, Shinsei Bank,
LimitedJames Higa, Executive Director,
Philanthropic Ventures Foundation
Leona Hiraoka, Communications
Committee Chair; Principal Partner,
Integrated Media; Vice-President,
Communications, Points of Light

Yosuke Jay O. Honjo, CEO, ITO
EN US Group
Tomoko Kizawa, Audit
Committee Chair; Partner, Deloitte &Touche LLP
Dayne Kono, Membership
Committee Chair; Principal, Masuda,
Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd.
Jill Nishi, Program Development
Committee Chair; Director of the Officeof the President and Chief of Staff,
U.S. Programs, Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation
Allen M. Okamoto, OwnerBroker, T. Okamoto & Co.
Henry Y. Ota, Attorney at Law
Dennis R. Sugino, Investment
Committee Chair; Senior Advisor,
Aristotle Capital Management, LLC
Jan Yanehiro, Nominating &Governance Committee Chair; President,
Jan Yanehiro, Inc.
Board members at the2016 Annual Conference.

24

Members of the Board of Directors whocompleted their terms in December 2016:
Mr. Henry Ota, Ms. Jan Yanehiro and Mr.
Ernie Higa. Mr. Higa will remain Chair of
the USJC (Japan) Board of Directors.

empowering the next generation

Mr. Gary Moriwaki, Mr. Yosuke Honjo and
Ms. Tomoko Kizawa.

2016

U.S.-japan council

U.S. Board of Councilors(As of December 2016)
The U.S.-Japan Council’s distinguished Board of Councilors consists ofleaders 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. Mr. Masaaki Tanaka (foreground) with
Ms. Kathy Matsui and Mr. Scott Sato.

Board Officers
Paul Yonamine , Chair; Country
General Manager and President, IBM Japan,
Ltd.
Honorable Norman Y. Mineta,
Vice Chair; President & CEO, Mineta &Associates, LLC; Former U.S. Secretaryof Commerce; Former U.S. Secretary ofTransportation

Government of Japan for the Middle East andEurope; Special Envoy of the Government ofJapan for the Middle East Peace
Yorihiko Kojima, Chairman of theBoard, Mitsubishi Corporation
Hiroko Kuniya, Journalist
Honorable Doris Matsui, U.S.
House of Representatives, State of California

Masaaki Tanaka, Vice Chair; Senior
Global Advisor, PwC International

Hiroaki Nakanishi, Chairman of
the Board, Representative Executive Officer,
Hitachi, Ltd.

Board Members

Takeshi Niinami, President & CEO,Suntory Holdings Limited

Naoyuki 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, Chairman of
the Board, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
Ltd.

Hiromitsu Ogawa, Chairman, CAI
International
Dr. Daniel Okimoto, Ph.D., DirectorEmeritus, Shorenstein APARC; FSI Senior
Fellow and Professor Emeritus of Political
Science, Stanford University
John Onoda, Senior Consultant,FleishmanHillard International
Communications
W. Douglas Parker, Chairman &CEO, American Airlines
Susan H. Roos, Chief Administrative
Officer, Geodesic Capital
His Excellency Motoatsu
Sakurai, President, Japan Society; Former
Ambassador and Consul General of Japan in
New York
Honorable John Thomas
Schieffer, President & CEO of Envoy
International, LLC; Former Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the
U.S. to Japan
George Takei, Actor, Hosato
Enterprises, Inc.

Honorable Mazie Hirono, U.S.
Senate, State of Hawaii

Toshizo Watanabe, President,
Toshizo Watanabe Foundation

Masami Iijima, Chairman & Director,
Mitsui & Co., LTD.

Kristi Yamaguchi, Founder, Always
Dream Foundation

His Excellency Ryozo Kato,
Former Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary of Japan to the U.S.

Roy Yamaguchi, Chef andRestaurateur, Roy’s

His Excellency Masaharu
Kohno, Special Representative of the

Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, 2012 Nobel
Laureate; Director, Center for iPS Cell
Research and Application, Kyoto University

The USJC community wassaddened to lose two members of theBoard of Councilors in 2016. Dr. PaulTerasaki, Chairman, Terasaki Foundation,
was one of USJC’s co-founders andearliest benefactors, and continued togive the Council generous support over
the years. In 2014, USJC presented him
with a Lifetime Achievement Award forhis contributions to U.S.-Japan relations.
U.S. Representative Mark Takai of Hawaii
was very active in the USJC community,
and attended events such as our 2014
Annual Conference in Honolulu andthe 2015 Business Networking Initiativein Washington, DC. We will miss these
two leaders, and extend our deepest
condolences to 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 Japan
His Excellency Yoshio
Okawara, Special Adviser, Institutefor International Policy Studies; Former
Ambassador Extraordinary andPlenipotentiary of Japan to the U.S.
His Excellency Kunihiko
Saito, Former Ambassador
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japanto 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.

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U.S.-Japan Council (Japan)
Board of Directors and Board of Councilors(As of December 2016)

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

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.

Ryuichi Katayama, Internal Auditor

Royanne K. Doi, Corporate Chief Ethics Officer, Prudential
Financial Inc.

Todd Guild, Senior Advisor, McKinsey & Company, Inc.

Daniel Fujii, President, Trust Capital Co., Ltd.

Russell K. Kawahara, Partner, Atsumi & Sakai

William Ireton, Representative Director, Ireton
Entertainment Inc.

Stan Koyanagi, Chief Legal Officer, Global Business HQ,
ORIX Corporation, Japan

Scott Sato, President & COO, Pasona, Inc.

Management & Staff
Washington, DC Headquarters:

Deborah Grant, Director ofDevelopment

Dana Fager, Development
Coordinator

Shane Graves, Director of Program
Development

Aya Maher, Digital Communications
Specialist

Shiori Okazaki, Communications
Manager

Lauren Mosely, Membership
Coordinator

Sonoko Plummer, Executive
Assistant and Office Manager

Gary Zottoli, Financial Coordinator

Kaz Maniwa, Senior Vice President

Yumi Hiroshima, Executive Assistant& Program Manager, Silicon ValleyJapan Platform

Allison Murata, Program Specialist

hawaii:Tokyo:

Wendy Abe, Director of External
RelationsJunko Tsuda, Executive Director, U.S.Japan Council (Japan)

Irene Hirano Inouye, President
Suzanne Basalla, Executive Vice
President & Chief Operating Officer
Tess Esposito, Chief Financial
Officer and Director of Finance andAdministration
Mya Fisher, Director of Education
california:

Michiyo Horita, Director of ExternalCommunications & Program Manager,
TOMODACHI Initiative
Aya Hashimoto, Program Manager,
TOMODACHI Initiative
Hiromi Kato, Administrative & Office
Manager, TOMODACHI Initiative
26

empowering the next generation

Andrea Miller, Marketing andCommunications Manager,
TOMODACHI Initiative
Kaoru Utada Furuya, Alumni
Manager, TOMODACHI Initiative
Kevin McCarthy, Women’s
Leadership Program Manager,
TOMODACHI Initiative
Kana Takagi, Administrative Assistant

2016

U.S.-japan council

SPONSORSHIP & 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 Annual Conference, Regional
Programs, Corporate Membership and Foundation Grants.

platinum SPONSORSTITLE SPONSORSSIGNATURE SPONSORS
anonymous

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SIGNATURE SPONSORS

MR. HIRO OGAWA

Premier Sponsors

ms. atsuko toko fish

Ms. Irene hirano
inouyeJ.C.C. Fund

Mr. and Mrs. Fumon
Otsuka28

empowering the next generation

2016

U.S.-japan council

Premier Sponsors (Continued)
Ambassador John Roosand Ms. Susan Roos

Mr. dennis Y.
Teranishigold sponsors

2016 Corporate Members

Accenture Japan Ltd

KPMG Japan

Anonymous

KTA Super StoresApple, Inc.

Mr. Colbert Matsumoto

Asian University for Women

Minebea Co., Ltd.

Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney& Strauss, LLC

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

John & Suzanne Basalla

NeoPhotonics Corporation

Cole Chemical andDistributing, Inc.
Dow Chemical Japan Ltd.
GCA Corporation
Mr. Buck Gee
Grove Farm Company, Inc.
Mr. Ernest M. Higa
Hitachi High-Technologies
Corporation
Mr. Thomas Iino
Japan Airlines Co., Ltd.
JC Comsa Corporation
JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JTB USA, Inc.
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods,
Inc.

Satoru & Hiroko Murase
Palo Alto Networks K.K.
Quality Electrodynamics(QED)
RedSeal
ROKI GROUP CO., LTD.
Mr. Dennis R. Sugino
Shop JapanSun Noodle North America
Tokio Marine Management,
Inc.
USJC ELP Class of 2015

American Airlines, Inc.
American Honda Motor Co., Inc.
Amway Japan G.K.
Anonymous
Astellas Pharma US, Inc.
Audible, Inc.
Brother International
Corporation, USA
Central Japan Railway Company
Deloitte LLP
East Japan Railway Company
Henry Schein
Hitachi, Ltd.
IBM Japan, Ltd.
ITOCHU International Inc.
ITO EN (North America) INC.
J.C.C. FundJapan Airport Terminal Co., Ltd.
Johnson & Johnson
Kawasaki Heavy Industries(USA) Inc.
Marubeni America Corporation
Microsoft

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
America, Inc.
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation
MITSUI & CO., LTD./Mitsui &Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.
MUFG Union Bank, N.A.
Nippon Express USA, Inc.
Nomura Holdings, Inc.
NTT Group
Mr. Hiro Ogawa
PasonaPwC Japan Group
Rakuten, Inc.
Salesforce
Sojitz Corporation of America
Sumitomo Corporation ofAmericas
Terasaki Family Foundation
TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.
Toshiba Corporation
Toyota Motor North America,
Inc.
Tsuha Foundation

We would like to thank all donors for their generous support.
A copy of the U.S.-Japan Council’s audited financial statement is available on our website at: www.usjapancouncil.org/operations

U.S.-Japan council 2 0 1 6 A nn ual R e p ort

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contributing benefactors
Dr. Satohiro Akimoto
Mr. Hal Amano
Mr. Archibald Eiichiro Asawa
Mr. Stephen Bloom
Ms. Donna Fujimoto ColeMs. Phyllis Campbell
Mr. Richard B. Dasher
Mr. Ernest Doizaki
Mr. Mark Fukunaga
Ms. Bernice Kiyo Glenn
Mr. Glen Gondo
Mr. John Gotanda
Mr. Todd Guild
Ms. Brenda Handley
Ms. Lynn Hashimoto

Mr. Russell Hata
Mr. James Higa
Mr. Harry A. Hill
Ms. Deva Hirsch
Dr. Fumiaki Ikeno
Mr. Marc Iyeki
Ms. Atsuko Jenks
Mr. Stephen Kagawa
Mr. Lane M. Kakimoto
Mr. Frederick H. Katayama
Dr. Heita Kawakatsu
Mr. Tom Kelley
Konica Minolta Laboratory
U.S.A., Inc.
Mr. Eiichiro Kuwana

Mr. Michael Lerch
Mr. Verne Naito
Ms. Jill Nishi
Mr. Marcus Ogawa
Mr. Mark Okada
Ms. Merle Okawara
Mr. Henry Ota
Mr. Shane Predeek
Mr. Keith Sakamoto
Ms. Akemi Saitoh
Honorable J. Thomas Schieffer
Mr. Lance Stuart
Mr. Yoshiteru “Terry” Suzuki
Mr. Craig Takiguchi
Ms. Eriko Talley

Mr. George Tanaka
Mr. Dennis Teranishi
Ms. Nozomi Terao
Mr. and Mrs. Steven andMarsha Teraoka
Mr. Tyler Tokioka
Mr. Roy Yamaguchi
Mr. Gregg Yamanaka
Ms. Jan Yanehiro
Ms. Lynda Yonamine
Mr. Toshi Yoshida
Dr. Mariko Yoshihara Yang
Gov. Hidehiko Yuzaki

In-kind sponsors
American Airlines, Inc.

Hawaiian Host, Inc.

Terasaki Family Foundation

American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

ITO EN (North America) INC.

TOPPAN PRINTING CO., LTD.

Blue Bottle Coffee

OmniTrak Group, Inc.

Trust Capital Co., Ltd.

Cole Chemical and Distributing, Inc.

T. Okamoto & Co.

Ms. Jan Yanehiro

Evolution Financial GroupMs. Eriko Talley

grants & contracts
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan

Contribution Levels
Platinum Sponsors($100,000+)

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

silicon valley japan platform

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

FAST RETAILING CO., LTD.

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

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

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

Sasakawa Peace Foundation

Marubeni Corporation
NEC Corporation

TOMODACHI Initiative
Please refer to the 2016 TOMODACHI Annual Report or the
TOMODACHI website for a list of TOMODACHI StrategicPartners, Sponsors and Supporters.

The Council would like to thank Mr. Toshizo Watanabe and The Toshizo Watanabe Foundation for his generous gift,which allows for a greater number of scholarships in 2017. The gift also enables the 2016-17 Watanabe Scholars to meet
one another and further expand their network in 2017, including at the USJC Annual Conference.

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empowering the next generation

membership(As of December 2016)

A full listing of Council Leaders, Associates, Friends of the Council and Corporate
Members are available on our website, www.usjapancouncil.org.

The U.S.-Japan Council
comprises members and supporters
who are committed to the mission of theorganization. Included in these ranks are top
leaders from major corporations, academia
and research, politics and law, as well as
entrepreneurs and thought leaders. Council
Leaders are leaders who actively contributeto shaping U.S.-Japan relations through thework 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 theorganization but for various reasons are
not able to become actively engaged in theCouncil’s activities. Corporate Members aredesignated individuals from companies that
financially contribute to the Council’s general
mission and programs on an annual basis at
the level of $10,000 or more.

COUNCIL LEADERS

380—Mr. Masaaki Tanaka,
Senior Global Advisor,
PwC International

ASSOCIATEs

159
FRIENDS OF THE
COUNCIL

61

MEMBERSHIP BREAKDOWN BY country
USA

512

japan

82

There are 6 members
in other countries
throughout the world.

MEMBERSHIP growth (2009–2016)

600
526

87
2009

137
2010

178
2011

2012

316

2013

2014

2015

“As an educator who specializes in Multicultural
Education, I knew in my head that it isimportant for children to identify with people
they admire who look like them. I neverunderstood this in my heart until I attended the
USJC Annual Conference and heard Admiral
Harry Harris tell his story. When I learned that
he was born in Japan to a Japanese mother andan American father in the U.S. Navy, I thought
to myself ‘Just like me!’ . . . At that time, I was theprincipal of an elementary school with a numberof students who are biracial and bicultural. I
realized that they, too, need to hear the stories
of people who they can look to and say ‘Just likeme!’ This is why I started to share my story withthem. Being part of USJC has given me manythings, most significantly a seat at the tablesurrounded by role models and people who sharea similar vision for the relationship between the
U.S. and Japan. It has also inspired me to giveback and work towards a future where everyone
has a seat at the table.”—Ms. Marion Friebus-Flaman,
Director of Language
Acquisition Services, Naperville
School District 203

403
249

“Rarely do I find an organization that achieves
true cross-sector and cross-generational dialogues
like USJC has done today.”

2016

Membership Breakdown By Sector[ Business ]350[ government ]$80[ education ]67[ nonprofit ][ law ]

57

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www.usjapancouncil.org
contact@usjapancouncil.org
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