The latest in our series of Government Briefings brought USJC sponsors and special guests together in Washington, DC on December 9 for a fireside chat with U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE). The candid, off-the-record discussion provided in-person and virtual attendees with insights into the future of U.S.-Japan relations in the aftermath of the elections of President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. Sponsors flew in from afar as Denver, Detroit, New York, Miami and Los Angeles to hear the views of the congressman who chairs the U.S.-Japan Congressional Caucus as well as the trade subcommittee on the influential House Ways and Means Committee.
Moderated by USJC Council Leader Yuka Hayashi, a senior fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute, the briefing touched upon tariffs and trade, economic and technological cooperation and global leadership among other topics. Afterward, attendees networked with Rep. Smith and other participants. The U.S.-Japan Council thanks event co-host Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc. for generously providing the venue and the refreshments.