Applications are now open for the 2025 Emerging Leaders Program. The deadline to apply is June 29, 2025, 11:59 PM PT.

Overview

The U.S.-Japan Council’s Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) cultivates and empowers the next generation of Japanese American leaders. Participants engage in leadership development, form meaningful professional connections, and build lasting personal friendships. Each year, a new cohort of individuals aged 24-35 is selected to attend the U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference, become USJC Associate Members, and join a growing network of alumni committed to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations. Through access to our broad network and exposure to timely and relevant topics, the program inspires participants to champion strong and positive U.S.-Japan ties in both their personal and professional lives.

United by a commitment to community and connection across the Pacific, ELP members draw strength from their diversity and shared vision, fueling lasting impact and inspiration.

Inception

Founded in 2010 with support from ITO EN and Island Insurance, the Emerging Leaders Program was envisioned by USJC’s founding President, Irene Hirano Inouye, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, and other prominent Japanese American leaders. Their goal was to empower a new generation of Japanese Americans to engage meaningfully and lead in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations. The inaugural cohort of eight individuals from across the United States attended the first USJC Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Since then, a new class has been selected each year, growing the alumni network to 178 members across 15 cohorts. ELP alumni remain actively involved and continue to make meaningful contributions to USJC and the broader U.S.-Japan community.

2025 Program & Application

Now in its sixteenth year, the Emerging Leaders Program will welcome 10 to 12 exceptional Japanese American professionals to participate in the U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference and Members Day in Honolulu. This prestigious gathering brings together regional, national, and international leaders from government, business, academia, and nonprofit sectors to explore the current state and future of the U.S.-Japan partnership across a wide range of timely and relevant topics. Through direct access to senior leaders and exposure to these critical discussions, the program encourages participants to become active champions of strong and enduring U.S.-Japan relations.

Selected participants will become Associate Members of the U.S.-Japan Council, with their first year’s membership dues waived (membership is typically by invitation or nomination). All travel and program-related expenses for the Conference are fully covered.

ELP Alumni

ELP participants have created a vibrant alumni network deeply engaged with the work of the Council. Alumni have supported and developed key initiatives and flagship programs for USJC, and they hold leadership roles in all areas of the organization. ELP represents a network of Japanese Americans empowering one another to support the growth of USJC and our communities.

Held in Tokyo, ELP50 provided a powerful platform for dialogue, collaboration, and relationship-building across borders.
Meet the ELP50 cohort
Read the full program recap

The U40 Summit

In 2016, ELP alumni launched the inaugural U40 Summit to create a dedicated space for young professionals across sectors to connect, learn from one another, and deepen their engagement in U.S.-Japan relations. The Summit was designed to harness the diverse experiences of each participant, fostering cross-sector collaboration and a more connected community of next-generation leaders.

To date, five successful U40 Summits have been held in Los Angeles, Honolulu, Denver, and Seattle, bringing together over 200 professionals from the U.S. and Japan. Each Summit is shaped by the distinctive character of its host city, drawing strength from the local community’s culture, leadership, and rich Japanese American history. Through interactive programming and meaningful dialogue with USJC leaders, local partners, and U40 members who now help lead and organize the Summit, U40 continues to serve as a vibrant platform for idea exchange, relationship-building, and community engagement. These gatherings have become a powerful catalyst for deeper involvement, both within the USJC network and beyond.

ELP 50

The ELP50 Initiative was a landmark program launched in 2022, bringing together 50 next-generation Japanese American leaders for a transformative experience in Japan. Designed to foster meaningful connections with their Japanese counterparts, the program aimed to strengthen political, cultural, economic, and personal ties between the two communities.

Program Supporters

The Emerging Leaders Program is supported by the generous sponsorship extended to the U.S.-Japan Council by companies, foundations and individuals. Our full list of sponsors can be found here. If you would like to make a donation to the Council, please email [email protected] or click the Donate button below.

USJC offers special acknowledgement to Founding Corporate Sponsor for its anchor contribution and sustained support:

We also thank the many generous donors who have contributed to USJC’s ELP50 Initiative, the U40 Summit, and other ELP alumni activities with special acknowledgement to the following:

Archives & Photos

A Word from ELP Alumni

“This was one of the most impactful leadership and personal initiatives I have been a part of. USJC has created an incredible community with ELP, one that I am really proud to be a part of and invested in advancing over the years…. I consider it a privilege of a lifetime to be a part of this Japanese American community!”

~Risa Pieters (ELP ‘24)

“I’m so grateful for my experience with the ELP family at USJC this year. From applying to nervously meeting each other for the first time, our journey was full of curiosity and a bit of anxiety. But any fear quickly disappeared thanks to the amazing support, thoughtful programming, and warm welcome from the ELP coordinators, steering committee, and alumni. It’s been awesome to see ELP grow and blend seamlessly with the broader USJC membership.”

~Darien Moriguchi, ELP ’23

“My ELP experience was everything I imagined it would be and more….This began with my cohort, who started as classmates but quickly turned to family, and extended to the wider ELP alumni and USJC members.”

~Melynie Yoneda, ELP ’23

“My experience far exceeded my expectations, and I truly feel that the USJC community is the most expansive, accepting space I’ve been fortunate enough to move within the Japanese American community. The diversity of experiences, and the varied and nuanced identities in how each member relates to both Japan and America, serve to make each interaction richer and more expansive. I’m also so grateful for the close ties that the organization builds between the U.S. and Japan, and the ways in which we as members are able to play a part in bridging the relationship of our nations through individual relationships.”

-Mia Russell, ELP ’22

“ELP has been a community I didn’t know was missing in my life! Thank you for this life-changing experience. I look forward to staying engaged with USJC for many, many years to come.” 

~Meredith Maimoni, ELP ’20

“ELP provides the space to build meaningful relationships with the ‘next generation’ of thought leaders, decision makers and movers and shakers. The ELP program is unique in that it offers the platform to challenge individuals to grow in their leadership and engage with prominent, distinguished leaders in U.S.-Japan relations.”

~Amy Watanabe, ELP ’18

“The USJC Emerging Leaders Program was a truly unforgettable experience and it opened a door to an entire network that I never thought existed. This is one of the most memorable experiences I will carry with me throughout my life.”

~Danielle Higa, ELP ’17