Membership
Overview
The U.S.-Japan Council membership comprises Council Leaders, Associates and Friends of the Council committed to the mission of the organization.
Council Leaders are leaders who actively contribute to shaping U.S.-Japan relations through the work of the Council. Associates are young professionals ages 18 to 39 engaged in the Council’s work. Friends of the Council are individuals who support the Council’s work and initiatives, and want to affiliate with and support the organization but who for various reasons are not able to become actively engaged in the Council’s activities.
Council Leaders
Council Leaders are leaders who actively support the mission and goals of the organization, which works to engage Americans and Japanese in programs and activities by contributing time, expertise and resources. Council Leaders have high levels of professional achievement with senior leadership positions held. They have strong interests or experiences in U.S.-Japan relations, and an interest in building on the leadership role of Japanese Americans in U.S.-Japan relations, by engaging in these areas through the Council’s activities.
Associates
The Associates category was created to include delegates of the Emerging Leaders Program due to the expressed desire to keep current, past, and future delegates connected to the Council. It has grown to include young professionals between the ages of 18 and 39 as well as select alumni of USJC TOMODACHI programs.
Friends of the Council
The Friends of the Council category is a distinguished group of leaders, experts, and contributors who have demonstrated their support of the Council’s mission and goals in building U.S.-Japan relations. Friends of the Council may not be able to participate as Council Leaders due to prior commitments, time constraints or professional circumstances, limiting active involvement.
Membership FAQ
For more information on USJC’s membership criteria, please view the FAQ sheet here.
Becoming a Member
Membership is by invitation and nomination only. Council Leaders, Associates or Friends of the Council may nominate an individual for membership.
Process
1) Identify a potential member and provide information to him or her about the Council
2) Fill out the nomination form
3) Once the nomination is processed, an official invitation will be sent to the nominee
If you are a member interested in submitting a nomination, please fill out the online form here.
Membership Contribution Levels
Associates
$50 – Ages 18-24
$100 – Ages 25-39
Council Leaders
$250 – Members in the Nonprofit, Government and Education Sectors
$500 – Contributing Members
$1,000 – Contributing Benefactors
Friends of the Council
$500 – Contributing Members
$1,000 – Contributing Benefactors
*Contributing Benefactors ($1000 contributions and higher) will be recognized in our USJC Annual Report.
**Please refer to the FAQ sheet for more details about Contribution Levels.
Membership Benefits
USJC members enjoy several benefits, including access to members-only events and discount rates at the Annual Conference.
Affinity Groups
Members are invited to participate in our Affinity Groups, which offer networking opportunities centered around an industry or other theme. Learn more here.
USJC Annual Conference
USJC members can sign up for discounted rates for the Annual Conference. For more information, please view the Annual Conference webpage.
USJC Members Newsletter
New USJC members are automatically signed up for the monthly USJC e-newsletter, which includes access to members-only events and other updates pertaining to our community. If you are currently not receiving the USJC newsletter, please contact [email protected].
Hotels
Tokyu Hotels – various
Tokyu Hotels is generously providing USJC members with discount rates at two of their Japan locations. Please click on the links below to find out more.
Imperial Hotel Tokyo
The Imperial Hotel Tokyo is very graciously providing USJC members with corporate discount rates in 2025. For more information about the hotel rates, please email [email protected].
Hotel New Otani Tokyo
The Hotel New Otani Tokyo is generously offering USJC members corporate discount rates in 2025. For more information about rates and bookings, members are encouraged to contact the Hotel New Otani Tokyo’s Japan Office ([email protected]). Those based in the United States are encouraged to contact the New York reservation office ([email protected]) for more information.
Resources for Members
If you are a current member looking for various guidelines and resources, please click here.