{"id":1120,"date":"2019-09-03T10:24:40","date_gmt":"2019-09-03T10:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usjapancouncil.org\/?page_id=1120"},"modified":"2019-10-22T14:57:43","modified_gmt":"2019-10-22T14:57:43","slug":"2013-usjc-annual-conference","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.usjapancouncil.org\/ja\/2013-usjc-annual-conference\/","title":{"rendered":"2013 USJC Annual Conference"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Click\u00a0here<\/a>\u00a0to download the Annual Conference program.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

October 3rd-5th, 2013 in Washington, DC<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Summary<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The 2013 USJC Annual Conference, held in Washington, DC from October 3 to 5, was a resounding success. With approximately 400 attendees, this 4th Annual Conference was our largest event yet. Themed \u201cRisk, Reward and Innovation: Opportunities for the U.S. and Japan,\u201d it convened top U.S. and Japanese leaders who discussed the long-term benefits of taking risks and innovative courses of action, as well as the significance of synergy among the business, government and civil society sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Mr. Hiro Ogawa, Mrs. Betty Ogawa, Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye, Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, Ms. Kristi Yamaguchi, Ms. Jan Yanehiro, Ms. Jaclyn Zimmerman, and Mr. Thomas Iino at the 2013 Annual Conference. (Photo credit: Herman Farrer Photography)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Conference overcame the challenge posed by the government shutdown, though the Opening Reception, scheduled to be held on Capitol Hill on October 3, was unfortunately canceled. The Evening Networking Reception later that night was extended to accommodate almost two hundred guests, including Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Conference featured four Keynote Speakers from the public and private sectors of the U.S. and Japan. John Strangfeld, Chairman and CEO of Prudential Financial, Inc., discussed Prudential\u2019s journey to establish a distinctive presence in Japan. \u201cOur Japan story is one of people, relationships and selective risk taking,\u201d he said. \u201cIt began with a strategy that was very different from traditional models and emphasized long-term relationships with clients through a well-educated and specialized sales force. This strategy has produced high levels of client satisfaction and strong results.  Prudential is a better company as a result of what we have learned from Japan.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiroaki Nakanishi, President of Hitachi, Ltd., discussed U.S.-Japan industrial cooperation in the fields of energy and the environment. \u201cThe best energy policy should be based on a \u20183Es\u2019 approach, which takes \u2018Energy Security,\u2019 \u2018Environment\u2019 and \u2018Economy\u2019 into consideration,\u201d he said. \u201cI believe that the U.S.-Japan alliance can drive the \u20183Es\u2019 approach in a way that achieves global environmental objectives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deputy Secretary of State William Burns spoke about the future of U.S.-Japan relations. \u201cAll the elements of our partnership are undergoing a historic transformation. Our security ties are stronger than ever,\u201d he said. \u201cThrough Japan\u2019s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, the region\u2019s economic renewal is poised to accelerate. And the ties between our people are growing more plentiful and more meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, 2012 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine & Director, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, discussed how cooperation between the two countries would help advance the medical field. \u201cAs a scientist who manages two laboratories \u2013 one in Kyoto and the other in San Francisco \u2013I think that Japan and the U.S. have a rivalry in research,\u201d he said. \u201cAt the same time, I believe that both countries need to nurture strong ties to accelerate the speed of research, for the benefit of the many people with intractable diseases around the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the highlights of this year\u2019s Conference was the line-up of prominent Japanese Americans as featured speakers. These included celebrities Kristi Yamaguchi, Founder of Always Dream Foundation, Champion Figure Skater and winner of \u201cDancing with the Stars\u201d; Ryu Goto, International Concert Violinist; and Roy Yamaguchi, Chef & Founder of Roy\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The many dimensions of the U.S.-Japan relationship were reflected in the Conference\u2019s ten panel discussions. Topics included \u201cU.S.-Japan Bilateral Relations: New Opportunities,\u201d \u201cJapan\u2019s Presence and Influence in DC\u201d and \u201cGlobal Citizenship and Preparing Our Youth for Tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Overview<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

The 2013 Annual Conference, themed Risk, Reward and Innovation: Opportunities for the U.S. and Japan<\/em>, explored:<\/p>\n\n\n\n