USJC Board of Directors
The U.S.-Japan Council’s organizing Board of Directors consists of Japanese American leaders from across the United States and in Japan who provide their expertise and guidance in establishing and guiding the Council’s mission and activities.
BOARD OFFICERS
THOMAS IINO Chairman of the Board, U.S.-Japan Council & Chairman of the Board, Pacific Commerce Bank
Mr. Iino is the Chairman of the Board at Pacific Commerce Bank, the only Japanese American-owned bank in the continental United States, focused on serving the Japanese American community. He is also a Board Member at Southwest Water Co. Prior to these positions, Mr. Iino was Partner-in-Charge at Deloitte & Touche’s International Practice in southern California, a group focused on meeting the local needs of its Japan-based clients. He is the former president of both the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy and the California State Board of Accountancy, receiving “Distinguished Service Awards” from both organizations. Mr. Iino is the past Chairman of the Japanese American Cultural Community Center, and past Chair of the International Advisory Committee for Los Angeles County Supervisor, Don Knabe. He currently serves on the Mayor’s Trade Advisory Council and the boards of the Japanese American National Museum and Keiro Retirement Home. He holds a B.S. in Accounting from UCLA, with a California certification as a CPA.
IRENE HIRANO INOUYE President, U.S.-Japan Council
Ms. Hirano Inouye is President of the U.S.-Japan Council, appointed in April 2009. She is the former President and founding CEO of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. After 20 years, she stepped down from her CEO position in spring 2008 with her marriage to U.S. Senator Daniel K. Inouye. A recipient of a B.A. and an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, Ms. Hirano Inouye has more than 35 years of experience in nonprofit administration, community education, and public affairs with culturally diverse communities nationwide. Her professional and community activities include serving as the Chair of the Ford Foundation Board of Trustees; trustee and immediate past chair of the Kresge Foundation; trustee of the Independent Sector; National Trust for Historic Preservation; The Washington Center, and the National Children’s Museum. She is a past Chair of the American Association of Museums and former member of the Business Advisory Board of Sodexho Corporation and the Toyota Diversity Advisory Board. Ms. Hirano Inouye has led the ten Japanese American Leadership Delegations to Japan and served as co-chair of the Annual Consuls General and Japanese American Leaders Meeting since its inception.
COLBERT M. MATSUMOTO Vice Chair, U.S.-Japan Council & Chairman & CEO, Island Insurance Company, Ltd.
Mr. Matsumoto is the Chairman and CEO of Island Insurance Company, Ltd., a regional property and casualty insurance company established in 1939. Mr. Matsumoto also serves as a director on corporate boards throughout Hawaii. An active volunteer with community non-profit organizations for over 30 years, Mr. Matsumoto serves as a director of both the Urasenke Foundation of Hawaii and the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation. He is a member of Konnichi-kai (Hawaii Branch), the Board of Advisors of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Honolulu Chapter, and the Board of Governors of the Japanese American National Museum. In 1994, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association awarded him its Trailblazer Award for his leadership in the Asian-American legal community. In 2004, Mr. Matsumoto was recognized with the JACL–National President’s Outstanding Community Service Award at the JACL’s Biennial Convention, and in 2006, the Honolulu Chapter of JACL awarded him its Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his community leadership. Mr. Matsumoto attended the University of San Francisco, where he graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in 1974; in 1978, he received his J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law.
HENRY Y. OTA Vice Chair, U.S.-Japan Council & Attorney at Law
Mr. Ota was until January 31, 2011 the Chair and founder of the Japan Business Team at Reed Smith LLP, one of the top 15 global law firms. Since that date, Mr. Ota has continued to practice law by working for a few select longstanding clients. Mr. Ota has represented Japanese clients in the United States and worldwide for over 40 years, with a focus in the areas of international business transactions, corporate law, M&A, and strategic alliances. He served as the Chairman of the Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and was a JANM trustee for 20 years. He is also a Board member of the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, a nationally recognized sponsor of traditional Japanese programs. He currently serves as the Vice-Chairman of Pacific Commerce Bank, the only Japanese American community bank in the continental United States. He was a member of the Asian International Advisory Council to an LA County Supervisor, and an International trade advisor to a Los Angeles Mayor. As the Legal Advisor to the Japan Business Association of Southern California he assisted this association by founding a California state government affairs program and guiding the association in reforming the California unitary method of taxation. He has a B.A. from Dartmouth College and a J.D. from the University of Southern California.
MICHAEL K. HIRAI Board Treasurer, U.S.-Japan Council & President & CIO, Bishop Street Capital Management, Inc.
Mr. Hirai is President and Chief Investment Officer of Bishop Street Capital Management, the registered investment advisor and wholly-owned subsidiary of First Hawaiian Bank responsible for $2.5 billion in equity and fixed income investments. He has an extensive career in the investment advisory industry, serving in senior management roles with several Los Angeles and Honolulu-based investment firms. Mr. Hirai is a CPA and a Chartered Financial Analyst and has also worked with two large national public accounting firms. He is currently President and Director of CFA Hawaii, chairs the Waialae Country Club Investment Committee, and serves as a member of the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawaii Investment Advisory Committee and the Chaminade University of Honolulu Finance Committee. He is a former member of the State of Hawaii Council on Revenues. Mr. Hirai holds an M.B.A. from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
SUSAN J. ONUMA Secretary, U.S.-Japan Council & Partner, Kelley Drye & Warren, LLP
Ms. Onuma is a Partner in her law firm's New York office and Co-Chair of the Asia Practice Group. She has represented the business and legal interests of Japanese corporations in the United States for over 25 years. A resident of Maplewood, New Jersey, she was recently selected one of the top 50 Women in Business by NJBiz Magazine. Ms. Onuma was the first female President of the Japanese American Association of New York and led the organization during its centennial celebration. She serves on the Board of Trustees of the Japanese American National Museum and is Corporate Secretary and counsel to the Japan Society in New York. Ms. Onuma has participated in the annual meeting of Consulate Generals and co-chaired the 2007 meeting in New York with then-Ambassador Motoatsu Sakurai. She has also served on the ad hoc Delegate Selection Committee for the Japanese American Leadership Delegation program since the program was extended to New York. In her spare time, she enjoys operating her gift shop, KOKORO. She is a graduate of Barnard College at Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
BOARD MEMBERS
PHYLLIS CAMPBELL Chair, JP Morgan Chase & Co., Pacific Northwest (Effective 4/1)
Ms. Campbell is the Chairman of JP Morgan Chase & Co., Pacific Northwest. She also serves on the Executive Committee and is the firm’s senior executive in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho representing JP Morgan Chase & Co. at the most senior level. She previously served as CEO of the Seattle Foundation and the U.S. Bank of Washington. She sits on the Diversity Advisory Board of Toyota North America, and serves as a Director on the boards of Nordstrom Inc., and Alaska Air Group. She is the immediate past Chair and Trustee of Seattle University. She holds an MBA from the University of Washington’s Executive MBA Program and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington, as well as Stanford University’s Executive Management Program.
ROYANNE K. DOI Chief Legal Officer, The Prudential Life Insurance Company, Ltd. in Japan & International Counsel, Prudential Holdings of Japan, Inc.
Ms. Doi is Chief Legal Officer at the Prudential Life Insurance Company, Ltd. in Japan and also serves as International Counsel to Prudential Holdings of Japan, Inc., a Japanese insurance holding company. She has spent more than 17 years in Japan. Previously she was Senior Regional Counsel for Asia Pacific for State Street Bank and Trust Company, covering banking, asset management, foreign exchange and securities and before that, she served as Regional Director, ASIA for Legal/Government Affairs for CIGNA Songai/ACE Insurance, handling legal, regulatory, and trade issues with a variety of industry and government officials. She graduated Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, and received her law degree from UCLA School of Law.
SHO DOZONO President & CEO, Azumano Travel
Mr. Dozono is President and CEO of Azumano Travel/ American Express. He is Chair Emeritus of the Portland Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, elected in 2001 as the first minority American to chair the Chamber in its 110-year history. He has served on the board of Japan America Society of Oregon for more than 20 years and was the Chair of the Board from 1992 to 1994. Mr. Dozono was named Citizen of the World by the Japan America Society of Oregon in 2003 and in 2007 he received the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Award. In 1984, he partnered with the Fuji Television Network of Japan to produce a television series entitled, “From Oregon with Love,” which sparked considerable Japanese interest in travel to Oregon. Since then, Azumano has hosted more than 25,000 high school and college students in home stays in Oregon and Washington. Mr. Dozono has served on numerous boards, including the Board of Governors of the Japanese American National Museum, the Portland Art Museum, the Portland Japanese Garden Society, the YMCA, and the Salvation Army. He is a past Board Chair of the regional United Way and chaired the UW Campaign, raising more than $16 million in 2005. Mr. Dozono is a third generation Oregonian, though he was born in Japan. He holds a B.A. and an M.A. in Education from the University of Washington and Portland State University, respectively.
ERNEST M. HIGA
Chairman & CEO, Higa Industries Co., Ltd.; Galahad Investments & Director of JC Comsa Corporation
Mr. Higa is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Higa Industries Co., Ltd, & Galahad Investments & Wendy’s Japan LLC & Director of JC Comsa Corporation. He is a member of Keizai Doyukai, member of Trilateral Commission and has served as a Board Member for Young Presidents’ Organization, Chief Executive Organization, New Business Conference, Jermyn Street Capital Ltd., Japan Telecom, Ripplewood Holdings Japan Board of Advisors and Columbia Business School Board of Oversees. In 1985, Mr. Higa obtained the exclusive license from Domino’s Pizza LLC and created a whole new home delivery pizza industry in Japan, for which he was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the New Business Conference, a Japanese semi-government organization. Mr. Higa has been awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture for “innovation in the food industry” and recognized by Toyo Keizai as one of the top 50 entrepreneurs in Japan. Mr. Higa earned his MBA from Columbia University and his B.S. from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania.
ERNEST M. HIGA Chairman & CEO, Higa Industries Co., Ltd.; Wendy’s Japan LLC; K.K. Higa Investments & Director, JC Comsa Corporation
Mr. Higa is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Higa Industries Co., Ltd., & K.K. Higa Investments & Wendy’s Japan LLC & Director of JC Comsa Corporation. He is a member of Keizai Doyukai, member of Trilateral Commission and has served as a Board Member for Young Presidents’ Organization, Chief Executive Organization, New Business Conference, Jermyn Street Capital Ltd., Japan Telecom, Ripplewood Holdings Japan Board of Advisors and Columbia Business School Board of Oversees. In 1985, Mr. Higa obtained the exclusive license from Domino’s Pizza LLC and created a whole new home delivery pizza industry in Japan, for which he was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the New Business Conference, a Japanese semi-government organization. Mr. Higa has been awarded by the Ministry of Agriculture for “innovation in the food industry” and recognized by Toyo Keizai as one of the top 50 entrepreneurs in Japan. Mr. Higa earned his MBA from Columbia University and his B.S. from the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce at the University of Pennsylvania.
ROBERT K. ICHIKAWA Senior Partner, Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda, Honolulu, Hawaii
Mr. Ichikawa is Senior Partner for the law firm of Kobayashi, Sugita & Goda in Honolulu, Hawaii. His practice concentrates in the areas of corporate, real estate and government affairs, with a specialty in immigration law. Mr. Ichikawa is the past President of the Hawaii Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and Honolulu Magazine’s “Hawaii’s Top Lawyers” in the areas of immigration law and government relations law. He is active in community service activities and coaches for several community youth baseball and basketball leagues. He also serves on the boards of Atlas Insurance Agency, Big City Diner, Inc., KYA Design Group and the Japan-America Society of Hawaii. Since participating as a JALD delegate in 2006, he has taken a leadership role in numerous events between Japanese American leaders and Japan business leaders in Hawaii, including serving as JALD reunion chair in Hawaii in 2007. He took a team of young Japanese American baseball players to Japan, where they participated in goodwill baseball games in Okayama and Hiroshima, giving Yonsei and Gosei players and their families an opportunity to explore their heritage and reconnect with Japan.
FREDERICK H. KATAYAMA Anchor, Reuters Insider, Thomson Reuters
Mr. Katayama is an award-winning anchor at Reuters based in New York. He hosts foreign exchange shows for the multimedia financial news service, Reuters Insider. He previously anchored “Reuters World Update” and “Reuters Technology Week” at Reuters Television. Prior to Reuters, he served as a business news anchor and correspondent at CNN. He received an honorable mention in 1997 from the Asian American Journalists Association for his special report on the Asian American campaign financing scandal. Before joining CNN in 1995, Mr. Katayama was a business and general news reporter for CBS's Seattle affiliate, KIRO-TV. Prior to that, he was a correspondent for four years at “Japan Business Today,” an NHK production that aired daily on CNBC. While reporting for NHK, he won the Asian American Journalists Association's National Award in 1994 for a humorous piece on executives competing in the food industry. Before beginning his career in television news, Mr. Katayama was a reporter for Fortune magazine in Tokyo and New York for seven years. In addition to his professional career, he serves on the Board of Directors at the Japan Society in New York and the U.S.-Japan Council. A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Katayama holds a B.A. in East Asian Studies from Columbia University and an M.S. from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, with a concentration in business reporting.
DAYNE KONO Principal, Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd.
Mr. Kono is a Principal at Masuda, Funai, Eifert & Mitchell, Ltd., a law firm founded in Seattle, Washington in 1929 by Nisei attorney, Thomas Masuda. Prior to 2010, Mr. Kono was the President and Managing Director at Masuda Funai for 10 years, acting as the firm’s chief spokesperson in charge of strategic planning and client development and serving as a member of the management committee overseeing the firm’s operations in Chicago, Schaumburg and Los Angeles. He practices primarily in the areas of corporate entity formation and restructuring, including joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and counsels clients with respect to commercial transactions, employment law and business immigration. His affiliations include the Japan America Society of Chicago, Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago, the Midwest-U.S. Japan Association and the International Network of Boutique Law Firms. He has also been involved with the Friends of the Japanese Garden, Chicago Voluntary Legal Services and the Asian American Bar Association. Mr. Kono earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan and law degree from Fordham University School of Law.
KAZ MANIWA Attorney-at-Law
Mr. Maniwa is an attorney-at-law with a private practice that has been serving the San Francisco Bay area for over thirty years. In addition to his law practice, Mr. Maniwa plays an active role in Japanese American and Asian Pacific American community affairs, currently serving as Chairman of the Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, Chairman of the California Japanese American Community Leadership Council, and Chairman of Nihonmachi Parking Corporation. In addition to his contributions to many organizations, Mr. Maniwa serves as a Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) interviewer and co-chaired the July 2009 Japanese American Leadership Delegation Summit in San Francisco. He holds a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of Law.
MONI MIYASHITA External Advisor, McKinsey & Co.
Ms. Miyashita is an External Advisor at McKinsey & Co. She began her career as a college intern at IBM and held various roles in Finance Management. In 1999, she was appointed Director of IBM Corporate Development Asia Pacific in Japan, where she was responsible for all M&A initiatives and deal transactions in China, India, Japan, Korea, Australia/New Zealand, and Southeast Asia. While in Japan, she served as an elected Governor on the American Chamber of Commerce Japan Board. Upon returning to the U.S., she was promoted to Managing Director of IBM M&A Integration where she built and led the Global Center of Competency in support of integrating newly acquired companies into IBM. During her tenure, IBM spent over $16 billion acquiring 80 companies. Ms. Miyashita serves in leadership positions for several organizations, including McKinsey's Integration Advisory Council, the Conference Board’s M&A Council, Ridgefield Young Life Board, the Navigators International Executive Advisory Council, IBM's Asian Constituency Council and Multicultural Women’s Leadership Program. She is an active speaker on M&A and her experiences as an American female executive working in Japan. Ms. Miyashita received her B.S. from the University of Colorado, Boulder and her M.B.A. from the University of Denver. She participated in Harvard Business School's Executive Women's Leadership Forum and the Forum of Executive Women.
SUSAN MORITA Partner, Arnold & Porter LLP
Ms. Morita is a Partner at the law firm of Arnold & Porter LLP in Washington, DC. She specializes in domestic and international mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures, and frequently works with Japanese companies as clients. Her firm is a full service law firm and has significant expertise in matters involving clean and green technology. Ms. Morita lived in Japan for six years and has studied at the Inter-University Center for Japanese Language Studies. She is an active leader of the Japanese American Network (JA-NET), serves on the Board of Governors for the Japanese American National Museum and is a member of the Japanese American Citizens League. She holds an MPA in International Relations from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, received her JD from Harvard Law School, and her BA from Stanford University.
GARY MORIWAKI Partner, Fox Rothschild LLP
Mr. Moriwaki has more than 25 years of experience in estate planning and administration. His clients include domestic and foreign business owners, professionals and executives from a spectrum of industries. Mr. Moriwaki is well-versed in advising clients who have complex, multinational issues involving ownership of assets in multiple jurisdictions, domestic and foreign estate and inheritance taxes, choice of laws and succession concerns. As a member of various charitable organizations, Mr. Moriwaki is experienced in charitable giving techniques and the formation and operation of private foundations. He is currently President of the Japanese American Association of New York, a Trustee of the Japanese American National Museum, Vice Chair of the Asian American Federation, a Board Member of the U.S.-Japan Council and a member of the Japan Society, in addition to numerous other NPOs. He received his BA from Columbia University and JD from Brooklyn Law School.
PAUL NIWA Professor of Journalism, Emerson College
Professor Niwa is a professor of journalism at Emerson College in Boston. He has received national awards for his innovative teaching, scholarly research and creative work. Professor Niwa studies journalistic quality by analyzing the sources journalists quote. His creative portfolio includes bostonchinatown.org, a social networking mapping site, and documentaries that have been shown nationally at film festivals, academic conferences, and on public radio and television. He is a frequent commentator on the business of journalism and the treatment of Asian Americans in the news for media outlets worldwide. During his professional career, Professor Niwa launched two international television networks in Asia, six newscasts and a streaming media news program for NBC, the Gannett Company and Stockhouse Media. He produced “Today’s Business,” CNBC’s international finance program; co-created “NBC Asia Evening News;” and launched the nationally broadcasted “Early Today” program. He Niwa holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of California, Riverside and an M.A. from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.
ALLEN M. OKAMOTO Owner-Broker, T. Okamoto & Co.
Mr. Okamoto is Owner-Broker of T. Okamoto & Co., the oldest and largest Japanese American real estate and insurance agency in the San Francisco Bay Area. Originally founded in 1946 by Allen’s father, Takeo Okamoto, T. Okamoto & Co. has grown into the preeminent source of information on real estate and insurance needs for the Japanese American community. The firm serves the Bay Area Counties of San Francisco, Marin, Alameda, and San Mateo. Mr. Okamoto is active in the community and his civic responsibilities include: Chairman of the Asian Real Estate Association of America in 2006 and 2007 and founding Director; Co-Chairman of the San Francisco-Osaka Sister City Association; Vice President of the Nihonmachi Parking Corporation; President of Sakura Matsuri Inc.; Chairman of the 100th Anniversary of Japantown Committee; Co-Chairman of the 150th Anniversary of the Kanrin Maru; Board member of the California Association of Realtors, the National Association of Realtors, the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Northern California, the Chinese Real Estate Association of America; and a member of the Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Japantown Foundation. Mr. Okamoto earned his B.A. from San Francisco State University. He obtained his real estate and general insurance broker’s licenses in 1965 to become the youngest broker to have earned those licenses at the time.
WALLACE K. TSUHA Chairman & CEO, Saturn Electronics & Engineering, Inc.
Mr. Tsuha founded Saturn in late 1985 to provide engineering design and electronics assembly to the automotive, commercial, and military markets. Prior to starting Saturn, Mr. Tsuha played major roles in two successful start-ups: Rockwell Automotive Electronics and TRW Transportation Electronics, where he held various key management positions over seven years. Mr. Tsuha began his career in the U.S. Army, where he was instrumental in developing their global communications infrastructure. He then went on to work at General Motors' Advance Electronics Research Laboratory for 10 years. Mr. Tsuha brings with him 40 years of electronics operations, design, and manufacturing experience - specifically in the automotive component industry. He is a board member of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), board member of Gentex Corporation, director at the National Minority Supplier Development Council, and Chairman and founder of the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC). Mr. Tsuha was recognized by Inc. 500 Magazine as one of the “Fastest Growing Companies,” six years consecutively. He has also received numerous awards for excellence as a minority businessperson and small business entrepreneur.
JAN YANEHIRO President, Jan Yanehiro, Inc.
Ms. Yanehiro is President of Jan Yanehiro, Inc., a media and marketing strategic planning firm. She is also a Founding Director of the School of Multi Media Communications at the Academy of Art University, San Francisco and Board Member of the Bank of Marin. Previously, Ms. Yanehiro co-hosted “Evening Magazine,” a pioneering nightly program on KPIX TV (CBS). She has won many awards for the program, including an Emmy from the National Association of Television and Radio Artists, the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award from the United Nations of San Francisco, and the Silver Circle Inductee from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. She has also hosted several documentaries on the Japanese American experience during WWII. Ms. Yanehiro the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Asian Pacific American Heritage Award, San Francisco. She is very active in the Japanese American community, serving on the boards of Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream Foundation, and Osaka-San Francisco Sister City Association. She received her B.A. from California State University, Fresno.
PAUL YONAMINE General Manager, IBM Japan, Ltd.
Mr. Yonamine is a General Manager of IBM Japan, Ltd. He previously served as President of Hitachi Consulting Co., Ltd. Japan from 2006 to 2010. Prior to that, he was Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii. Mr. Yonamine has also served as Chairman of BearingPoint Asia Pacific; President of KPMG Consulting Japan; and National Partner-in-Charge of Japanese Practice Consulting and Managing Partner of Hawaii Operations for KPMG LLP. He is a member of Keizai Doyukai, an association of Japanese Corporate Executives, where he serves as the Vice Chair of the U.S.-Japan Sub-Committee. Mr. Yonamine is also a Board Member of the American School in Japan and a Member of the World Presidents Organization of Japan. He is a graduate of the University of San Francisco, holding a B.S. in Accounting.
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