The U.S.-Japan Council had the honor of featuring U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) in its latest Government Briefing event, moderated by USJC Board of Councilor Glen S. Fukushima, focused on the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Japan economic, technology, and security relations amid growing geopolitical uncertainty. Rep. Khanna represents the heart of Silicon Valley and serves on the House Armed Services Committee, including the Cyber, Innovative Technologies, and Information Systems Subcommittee, and he is a member of the House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. Drawing on this vantage point, he underscored the strategic importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance in advancing technology leadership, strengthening supply chain resilience, and maintaining deterrence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Throughout the discussion, Rep. Khanna emphasized the need for a more coherent, allied-focused trade and industrial strategy that supports broad-based economic growth. He highlighted opportunities for deeper U.S.-Japan collaboration in advanced technology, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, workforce development, and critical mineral supply chains, while stressing that future investment must extend beyond coastal innovation hubs. Central to his vision for American progress is the democratization of technology, ensuring that the benefits of innovation, including AI, contribute to job creation, workforce opportunity, and economic mobility across communities throughout the United States. Rep. Khanna reaffirmed that partnership with Japan is essential not only for economic competitiveness, but also for sustaining democratic values, regional stability, and a shared commitment to inclusive growth.
The U.S.-Japan Council is grateful to Toyota Motor North America for co-hosting the event at its Washington D.C. office.