WASHINGTON, DC – Ten Japanese American leaders will travel to Japan from February 28 to March 7 as part of the Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD). They will engage with a wide range of Japanese leaders and intellectuals from the political, public, and private sectors.
Sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and organized by the U.S.-Japan Council, JALD cultivates a network for Japanese American and Japanese leaders at the regional, national, and international levels. The program also gives Japanese leaders across the business, government, academic, non-profit and cultural sectors the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the multicultural nature of the United States through the experiences of a diverse group of Japanese Americans. 247 individuals have participated in the program since its inception in 2000.
The 2025 delegates are:
- Ellen Kamei (Mountain View, CA), Mayor, City of Mountain View, CA
- Jason Miyashita (Tamuning, Guam), Managing Director, Raymond James
- Roger Nozaki (Providence, RI), Vice President for Strategy & Programs, Barr Foundation
- Elisabeth Tamiko Ooka (Bloomfield, NJ), President & COO, Furumoto Realty Inc.
- Ann Teranishi (Honolulu, HI), President and CEO, American Savings Bank
- Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong (Portland, OR), Executive Director, Japanese American Museum of Oregon
- Kendee Yamaguchi (Seattle, WA), Former Deputy Assistant Secretary, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Akira Yamamoto (Bloomfield Hills, MI), US Japanese Services Group National Leader, Deloitte LLP
- Dawn Yamane Hewett (Washington, DC), Partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP
- Derick Yanehiro (Los Angeles, CA), Producer, ABC Network News
Press representatives are invited to the 2025 Japanese American Leadership Symposium “From Hiroshima to Hope: Japanese American Perspectives on Global Peace and Security,” which will be held in Hiroshima City on March 3. The symposium, made possible by a wide range of supporters, aims to strengthen the relationship between Japanese and American communities, promote people-to-people relationships, and advance U.S.-Japan dialogue. Featured speakers include Hidehiko Yuzaki, Governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, as well as a panel of Japanese American leaders from California, Hawaii, and Washington, DC — TV producer Derick Yanehiro, City of Mountain View Mayor Ellen Kamei, American Savings Bank President and CEO Ann Teranishi, and lawyer Dawn Yamane Hewett.
About the U.S.-Japan Council
Founded by Japanese Americans, the U.S.-Japan Council is the premier organization dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people connections. From high school classrooms to corporate boardrooms, from college lecture halls to the halls of government, we develop and connect leaders from every sector committed to a strong and enduring global partnership. Through our transformative leadership initiatives, innovative exchange programs, and impactful in-person and virtual events we bring together leaders at every level to address key bilateral issues. Our community of members across the United States and Japan is a vibrant and diverse professional and personal network. It fosters deep connections and opportunities to make meaningful contributions.
General inquiries: [email protected]