Tokyo, Japan – The U.S.-Japan Council is proud to announce its highly anticipated 2024 Annual Conference, set to take place on October 31 at Tokyo’s Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel. This year’s theme, “Forging Our Future Together: The New Era of U.S.-Japan Relations,” highlights the pivotal role of U.S.-Japan leadership in addressing the critical challenges and unprecedented opportunities that will shape the future of this vital bilateral partnership.
The conference will gather top leaders, influential changemakers and emerging talent from across government, business, and the nonprofit sectors for a dynamic day of thought-provoking discussions and actionable insights. A key focus will be the evolving geopolitical, economic and social landscape that demands innovative collaboration between the two nations. With Japan and the U.S. at the forefront of global change, this event will explore how bilateral cooperation can drive forward solutions in these areas and foster a stronger, more resilient future.
Confirmed Notable Speakers Include:
Government:
- Richard Bissen, Mayor of Maui, County of Maui
- Rahm Emanuel, United States Ambassador to Japan
- FUKUNAGA Tetsuro, Director-General, Trade and Economic Security Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
- Troy (Noboru) Hashimoto, State Senator, Maui District 5, Hawaii State Legislature
- Stephen F. Jost, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force
Business:
- Kenji Hasuwa, Director, President and CEO, OBAYASHI Corporation
- Teiko Kudo, Director and Deputy President, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp.
- Katrina Masumi Lake, Founder & Chairperson, Stitch Fix
- Takeshi “Tak” Niinami, Representative Director, President & Chief Executive Officer, Suntory Holdings Limited
- Jun Sawada, Executive Chairman, NTT Corporation
- Miki Tsusaka, Representative Director and President, Microsoft Japan
- Junko Watanabe, Board Member, Deloitte GlobalDeputy Chair, Deloitte Asia Pacific
- Toshifumi Yoshizaki, CDO, Corporate Senior Executive Vice President, President of Digital Platform Business Unit, NEC Corporation
Nonprofit & Academic:
- Robert Campbell, Professor, Waseda University
- The Honorable Glenn Nye III, President & CEO, Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress (CSPC)
- Yutaka Matsuo, Professor, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Technology Management for Innovation
- Kathleen M. Pike, CEO, One Mind, Professor, Columbia University
- Hiroshi Yamakawa, President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)
- Shigekix, Team Japan Athlete & Flag Bearer, Paris 2024 Olympic | Dai-ichi Life Group
Key Topics and Panels:
- Business Visionaries: Navigating the New Era of U.S.-Japan Relations
- The U.S. Presidential Election: Potential Outcomes and Implications for Japan
- Sustainability in Action: Collaborative Innovations in the U.S. and Japan
- Bridging Cultures: Advancing LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Japan and the U.S.-Japan Alliance
- Star Alliance: The Future of U.S.-Japan Cooperation in Space Exploration
- Economic Security: Overcoming Geopolitical Tensions to Strengthen Bilateral Partnerships
The full list of speakers and panels is available [here], with additional names to be announced as the event draws closer.
The conference also marks the 15th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Council, which was founded by visionary leaders including the late Irene Hirano Inouye and the late Senator Daniel K. Inouye.
Event Details:
- Date: October 31, 2024
- Time: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Location: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel, Tokyo
- Media Registration: Complimentary. Register [here].
Join us in Tokyo as we forge the future together, building on the enduring strength of the U.S.-Japan partnership and tackling the world’s most pressing challenges.
About the U.S.-Japan Council
The U.S.-Japan Council develops and connects global leaders to strengthen the U.S.-Japan partnership, fostering collaboration to address shared challenges. Founded by Japanese American leaders in 2009, the Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an office in Washington, DC. The U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) was established as a Public Interest Corporation in 2013.