{"id":33262,"date":"2022-06-07T16:42:57","date_gmt":"2022-06-07T16:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.usjapancouncil.org\/?page_id=33262"},"modified":"2026-04-14T21:09:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-14T21:09:26","slug":"affinity-groups","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.usjapancouncil.org\/ja\/affinity-groups\/","title":{"rendered":"Affinity Groups"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Current Affinity Groups<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Affinity Groups are member-led initiatives that bring together individuals around a shared interest. To join an Affinity Group, please email\u202f membership@usjapancouncil.org<\/a>. Participation is limited to USJC members only<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Golf <\/p>\n\t\t\t

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The Golf Affinity Group connects USJC members through the universal language of golf. Focused for now in Japan, we organize periodic golf events for members and encourage USJC members from all regions to participate while in Japan. In the future, we hope that other regions will do the same.

Member Lead: <\/strong>John Sasaki<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

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Medicine, Health, and Well-Being<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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Healthcare and advanced medicine professionals in both Japan and the United States can learn much from one another. This group is open to all interested individuals including physicians, academics, policymakers, caregivers, patients and those who work to develop medical devices and digital health apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Member Leads:<\/strong> Chiyo Kobayashi, Jared Maeda, Kirk Zeller<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

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Investors <\/p>\n\t\t\t

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The Investor Affinity Group is a collective of venture capitalists, angel investors and other finance professionals\u00a0with focus on startups. We host virtual speaker sessions and founder pitch events aimed at fostering collaboration and mutual learning.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Member Lead:<\/strong>\u00a0Ryota Sekine<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

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Mental Wellness <\/p>\n\t\t\t

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The Mental Wellness Affinity Group (MWAG) has been formed to help strengthen communication between the United States and Japan on mental wellness issues, to expand awareness and education, reduce stigma, share insights and research, engage in policy dialogues, and contribute to the dialogue on the importance of mental wellness in both countries.

Member Lead<\/strong>: Sam Ushio and Haruka Kokaze<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n

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Shin-Issei <\/p>\n\t\t\t

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The\u00a0Shin-Issei\u00a0Affinity Group serves as a resource to USJC by bringing together members of\u00a0the new generation of\u00a0Japanese immigrants who arrived in the United States post-war\u00a0to help strengthen\u00a0the U.S.\u2013Japan relationship. We provide a forum that builds friendship among\u00a0Shin-Issei\u00a0leaders with bilingual and bicultural backgrounds and generates diverse programming for the betterment of our communities.

Member Lead<\/strong>: Yumi Higashi-Ho and Ichiro Sekimitsu
Email:<\/strong>\u00a0shinisseigroup@gmail.com<\/a>
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Nonprofit Affinity Group<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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The USJC Nonprofit Affinity Group is a community for nonprofit and philanthropy staff, volunteers, board members, and emerging leaders to share ideas, resources, and practical strategies to drive social impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group serves as a forum for exploring social sector and nonprofit operations, governance, funding models, strategies, and program impact between the US and Japan. Key discussion areas include sustainable models, talent development, capacity building, volunteer engagement, corporate partnerships and fundraising, and operating effectively within diverse cultural and regulatory environments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Members are encouraged to collaborate, exchange best practices, and explore initiatives that advance cultural, educational, environmental, and community-based programs at both local and global levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leads:<\/strong> Kelli-Ann Nakayama, Michael Sera<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Current Affinity Groups Affinity Groups are member-led initiatives that bring together individuals around a shared interest. To join an Affinity Group, please email\u202f membership@usjapancouncil.org. 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