On December 3rd, top U.S. and Japanese officials met in Honolulu to observe the 50th anniversary of the signing of one of the most important security treaties in the Pacific, the Mutual Cooperation and Security Treaty. The Symposium “The Road Ahead for the U.S.-Japan Collaboration in the Asia Pacific Region” drew nearly 200 business and government leaders to discuss APEC 2011 and economic initiatives in technology and renewable energy. The Symposium was presented by the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) in cooperation with the Japan-America Society of Hawaii. Symposium programming explored new initiatives in U.S.-Japan Economic collaboration, with an emphasis on Clean Energy and Hawaii-Okinawa collaboration. Hawaii’s role in U.S.-Japan relations was also highlighted, especially in the context of bridging APEC 2010 Japan to APEC 2011 USA in Hawaii.
"While we cannot take our alliance for granted, and must remain committed to adapting it for an Asia Pacific security environment that is ever-changing, I’m optimistic that both Japan and the U.S. recognize how profoundly this alliance contributes to regional security and ensuing prosperity for both of our nations. For the past 65 years, we’ve helped to create an environment in which the Asia Pacific region has advanced to become the economic heart of the world, and Japan and the U.S. are two of the world’s richest nations. Who could have imagined that the U.S. and Japan, once formidable enemies could grow together to become the alliance of the consequence in the 21st Century?"
— Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) Click here to read Admiral Willard's speech in its entirety.
"When you think about what Japan and America have to offer to the rest of the world, you know that we can still be successful. Despite the recent downturn, world GDP is reaching new highs. More people are doing well than ever before. Whether it is in China or India or Africa, hundreds of millions of citizens are leaving poverty behind. No one is a loser when that happens. Japan and America are big reasons why the world is becoming more prosperous because we continue to lead the world in research and development. We are the two most advanced nations on earth in technology."
— Ambassador Thomas Schieffer, Former Ambassador to Japan Click here to read Ambassador Shieffer's closing remarks. Click here to listen to Ambassador Schieffer's closing remarks.
"Hawaii is the best state to look at a number of issues that reflect the diversity of the Asia Pacific region, and that's why it is so fitting that we will serve as the host for the 2011 APEC Summit. This will be one of the greatest opportunities for our state and the University of Hawaii. We will showcase to the world the power of strategic collaborations and innovation."
— M.R.C. Greenwood, President, University of Hawaii Click here to view M.R.C. Greenwood's keynote speech in its entirety. Click here to listen to M.R.C. Greenwood's keynote speech.
"The Japan-U.S. relationship has been mainly a central government to central government relationship. But now, new regional relationships are opening up new and very promising opportunities. I will not say new opportunities will be captured without effort. But, I think it is worth pursuing, and I believe such efforts will really define the new competitiveness we need when facing challenges of the new world."
— Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan Click here to read Governor Yuzaki's Keynote Speech Click here to view Governor Yuzaki's presentation materials Click here to listen to Governor Yuzaki's Keynote Speech
WELCOME COLBERT MATSUMOTO, Board of Directors, U.S.-Japan Council THE HONORABLE GEORGE ARIYOSHI, Board of Councilors, U.S.-Japan Council ALLEN UYEDA, Chairman, Japan-America Society of Hawaii and President & CEO, First Insurance Company of Hawaii, Ltd.
AGENDA OVERVIEW & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IRENE HIRANO INOUYE, President, U.S.-Japan Council
KEYNOTE SPEAKER M.R.C. GREENWOOD, President, University of Hawaii
SESSION OVERVIEW SHARON R. WEINER, Chairman-elect, Japan-America Society of Hawaii and Vice President of Global Communications & Government Relations, DFS Group L.P.
PANEL: BRIDGING FROM APEC 2010 JAPAN TO APEC 2011 USA IN HAWAII
TAKUYA SASAYAMA, Director, APEC Division, Economic Affairs Bureau, Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs JAMES STEELE, Director of the Office of Economic Policy, U.S. Department of State PETER HO, Chairman, APEC Hawaii Host Committee and Chairman, President & CEO, Bank of Hawaii
SESSION III: WHAT U.S.-JAPAN MUTUAL SECURITY MEANS TODAY INTRODUCTION HIDEKI HAMAMOTO, President, HHTransPac Corporation
REMARKS ADMIRAL ROBERT WILLARD, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Navy
PANEL OVERVIEW EDWIN HAWKINS, President, Japan-America Society of Hawaii
PANEL: SECURITY DEFENSE
MODERATOR: ADMIRAL THOMAS FARGO, former Commander, U.S. Pacific Command DANIEL PICCUTA, Foreign Policy Advisor, U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) KIYOSHI SERIZAWA, Director, Equipment Policy Division, Japan Ministry of Defense KAZUYOSHI UMEMOTO, Director-General, North American Affairs Bureau, Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs
SESSION IV: BUSINESS INNOVATION IN FUTURE U.S.-JAPAN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES
REMARKS HONORABLE HIDEHIKO YUZAKI, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan
PANEL: OVERVIEW – US-JAPAN INNOVATIONS
MODERATOR: PROFESSOR DANIEL OKIMOTO, Professor Emeritus, Stanford University DARREN KIMURA, President & CEO, Sopogy, Inc. TOHRU NISHIKAWA, Managing Director, Energy & Environment Investment, Inc. (Invited) OSAMU ONODERA, Chief Representative, Silicon Valley Office, NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization) JUN-ICHIRO TSUTSUMI, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, University of the Ryukyus HANK WUH, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Cellular Bioengineering, Inc. and Skai Ventures, LLC
PANEL: HAWAII – OKINAWA ENERGY COLLABORATION
MODERATOR: ROBERT ALM, Executive Vice President, Hawaii Electric Company, Inc. YASUSHI AKAHOSHI, Director, Americas Division, Trade Policy Bureau, METI SHINICHI HOSONO, Director, Second North American Affairs Division, North American Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs STEVE LINDENBERG, Senior Advisor, Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy MARIA TOME, Renewable Energy Program Manager, Strategic Industries Division, Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT), State of Hawaii CHIHIRO TOMINAGA, Deputy Councilor, Department of Tourism, Commerce & Industry, Okinawa Prefecture
SESSION V: CLOSING REMARKS
AMBASSADOR THOMAS SCHIEFFER, former Ambassador to Japan and Board of Councilors, U.S.-Japan Council
December 3rd, 2010
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