New Years Networking and Welcoming Reception - January 2012

On January 18, 2012, the U.S.-Japan Council hosted a reception honoring five visiting members of the Japanese Diet. The event, held at Washington, DC's Firefly Restaurant, allowed Washington-area professionals to meet with Mr. Tetsuo Fukuyama of the House of Councilors, as well as Mr. Hitoshi Hagihara, Mr. Rintaro Ogata, Mr. Junya Ogawa and Mr. Hidenori Tachibana of the House of Representatives. The four House members were in Washington participating in the U.S. Department of State's International Visitor Leadership Program. USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye presided over the reception, which was attended by USJC Board Members and Members, Japanese American Leadership Delegation Alumni and representatives from the State Department and Embassy of Japan, in addition to leaders in the business and academic communities. Click here to see photos.

International Trade Reception - APEC 2011

The U.S.-Japan Council and the APEC 2011 Hawai’i Host Committee co-hosted an international trade reception at the Bishop Museum on Friday to celebrate the continued strength of the U.S.-Japan relationship. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba, U.S. Secretary of Commerce John Bryson, U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Ron Kirk and U.S. Senate President Pro Tempore Daniel K. Inouye all made remarks. Additionally, more than 600 leaders attended the reception including Minister Yukio Edano from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, Congresswomen Mazie Hirono and Colleen Hanabusa, Hawaii Governor Neil Abercrombie, Honolulu Mayor Peter Carlisle and other officials. "Under President Obama, the U.S. has an increasingly stronger presence in the Asia Pacific region and I am extremely encouraged by that," said Noda at the reception. "Japan and the U.S. must partner in order to play a major role in the Asia Pacific Region." Click here to see photos. Click here to download the report.

Seattle Community Leaders Reception

On July 12, 2011, the U.S.-Japan Council and the Seattle Host Committee held a Community Leaders Reception at Nisei Veterans Hall. The event was a coming out party for the Council in Seattle, the location of the 2012 Annual Conference. The reception was attended by more than 60 people, many of whom are prominent Japanese American leaders from the Seattle community. U.S.-Japan Council Vice-Chair Henry Ota provided an overview about the organization and Consul General Ota shared his support and enthusiasm for next year's conference. Council Members Jill Nishi and John Okamoto, who serve on the Seattle Host Committee, also made remarks.

Diet Member Exhange May 2011

During Golden Week, the U.S.-Japan Council hosted a delegation of four Japanese Diet members: Takako Ebata of DPJ, Kotaro Nogami of LDP, Toshiko Takeya of the New Komei Party and Shinji Oguma of the Your Party.  The members spent the week visiting with a number of Congressmen and Senators, federal agency representatives and think-tank experts. The meetings allowed for the delegates to hear first-hand about the U.S. approach to disaster relief and recovery and nuclear policy, as well as the importance of U.S.-Japan security and economic relations. A highlight of the week included a dinner with Washington, DC area Japanese Americans and others involved in the earthquake relief efforts.  The delegates agreed that the week’s meeting were beneficial and they expressed their heartfelt appreciation for the support of Americans in the wake of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

The Road Ahead to U.S.-Japan Collaboration in the Asia Pacific Region

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 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. CLICK HERE to visit the Hawaii Symposium media page.

THE ROAD AHEAD FOR U.S.-JAPAN COLLABORATION 

IN THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION SYMPOSIUM

Inaugural  U.S.-Japan Council Hawaii Reception

Nearly 100 supporters of the U.S.-Japan Council attended the inaugural “Tsunageru” Hawaii Reception in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 25, 2010. The event was hosted by the First Hawaiian Bank. Attendees enjoyed delicious food and premium Japanese sake and beer at The Bankers Club in the First Hawaiian Center as they learned about the USJC’s vision and mission as well as important issues facing U.S.-Japan relations. The program featured Don Horner, Chairman/CEO of First Hawaiian Bank, USJC President Irene Hirano, and Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who delivered the keynote message underscoring the importance of building and strengthening U.S.-Japan relations.

In attendance were Consul General of Japan Yoshihiko Kamo and his wife, Etsuko, along with the Honorable Mazie Hirono, USJC Board members Hideki Hamamoto, Michael Hirai, Stephen Kagawa, and Colbert Matsumoto and a host of prominent AJA business leaders in Hawaii. Peter Ho, APEC 2011 Hawaii Host Committee Chair, Gregg Yamanaka, CEO, and Host Committee member, Randy Perreira were also in attendance.

USJC Board member and JALD alumni, Michael Hirai, led the Hawaii Reception Planning Committee supported by fellow JALD alumni Wendy Abe, Susan Eichor, and Mark Yamakawa. The event raised funds to support USJC activities.