The U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan) held the 13th U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference in Tokyo on October 31, bringing together over 700 people from the United States and Japan. This conference featured prominent leaders across politics, business and the nonprofit sectors, who engaged in discussions and shared diverse ideas on how the United States and Japan, standing at the forefront of global transformation, can work together to navigate the shifting geopolitical, economic and social landscape and build a stronger, more sustainable future.
The conference’s theme, “Forging Our Future Together: The New Era of U.S.-Japan Relations,” emphasized the critical role of U.S.-Japan leadership in addressing pressing challenges and opportunities in areas such as security, sustainability, innovation, space cooperation, women’s empowerment and the development of a global workforce.
In the “Business Visionaries: Navigating the New Era of U.S.-Japan Relations” session, Takeshi “Tak” Niinami (Representative Director, President & Chief Executive Officer of Suntory Holdings Limited) and Jun Sawada (Executive Chairman of NTT Corporation) shared a discussion moderated by Audrey Yamamoto (President & CEO of the U.S.-Japan Council). Ms. Yamamoto stated, “For U.S.-Japan relations to continue standing as a pillar of stability, peace and progress more than ever before, the U.S.-Japan Council will continue to cultivate and connect leaders who contribute to the global partnership between our two countries.”
In the session “Charting a New Era: Reflections and Aspirations for the U.S.-Japan Partnership,” Rahm Emanuel, United States Ambassador to Japan, spoke about the future of U.S.-Japan relations. He stated, “The relationship between the United States and Japan is firm, as the relationship between both peoples are firm, and by supporting people-to-people and university-to-university connections at the government level, we can make this relationship even stronger.”
Regarding U.S.-Japan security, Lt. Gen. Stephen F. Jost, Commander (U.S. Forces, Japan and Fifth Air Force) stated, “We need to further develop U.S.-Japan security measures and create an even closer partnership to address regional challenges.”
In a special presentation on DX and AI, Member of the House of Representatives Taro Kono spoke about innovations in government procedures, the role of politics in digital technology and AI, and the future strengthening of cybersecurity within the Japanese government. Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike outlined her vision for the future of the city, emphasizing continued investment in innovation, including AI, to build a more connected metropolis. Regarding U.S.-Japan relations, she expressed her hopes, stating, “I look forward to continued knowledge-sharing and collaboration between the United States and Japan.”
Lively discussions took place in the fields of digital innovation and AI, and in the session “Pioneering Pathways: Charting the Future with Generative AI,” Miki Tsusaka (Representative Director and President, Microsoft Japan), Toshifumi Yoshizaki (CDO, Corporate Senior Executive Vice President, President of Digital Platform Business Unit, NEC Corporation) and Yutaka Matsuo (Professor, University of Tokyo, Graduate School of Engineering, Department of Technology Management for Innovation) took the stage. They explored the latest technology trends in the development of both nations, extending the discussion to how these innovations should be expanded and utilized.
In the session “Star Alliance: The Future of U.S.-Japan Space Cooperation”, Chris Blackerby (Chief Operating Officer, Astroscale Holdings), Ananda Martin (General Counsel, ispace technologies U.S., inc.), Hiroshi Yamakawa (President, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA)), Naoko Yamazak (Astronaut, Representative Director, Space Port Japan Association) and Mihoko Shintani (Partner, TMI Associates) took the stage. Discussions were held on how to address challenges in space and on the respective roles of the private sector and government agencies. Additionally, recent trends were highlighted, including the shift from government agencies to the private sector in activities like rocket launches and development, as well as the transition in transactions from physical items such as spacecraft and satellites to services and software.
Robert Campbell (Professor, Waseda University), Aya Noguchi (Lecturer, Deputy Director of International Research Center for Sport and Gender Equality, Seijo University), Shoko Suzuki (Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, Salesforce Japan Co., Ltd.), and Moriaki Kida (Chairperson & CEO, EY Japan) led the session “Bridging Cultures: LGBTQ+ Inclusion in Japan and the U.S.-Japan Alliance.” They discussed what kind of cooperation the United States and Japan should pursue to envision a connected and inclusive future, what practical initiatives are necessary, and how companies can contribute to these efforts.
“Sustainability in Action: Visionary Approaches in the United States and Japan” explored the initiatives and success stories of companies’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), featuring Kenji Hasuwa (Director, President and CEO, OBAYASHI Corporation; Tomohiro Ishikawa, Chief Regulatory Engagement Officer, MUFG), Michael Kobori (Chief Sustainability Officer, Starbucks), Swetha Ramdas (Sustainability Leader, Asia Pacific Region, Amazon), and Lori Teranishi (Founder & CEO, iQ 360).
Team Japan Athlete & Flag Bearer of the Paris 2024 Olympics Shigekix (Dai-ichi Life Group), took the stage for the closing plenary. He commented that dancers can connect through dance without words, which he believes helps build relationships across borders and performed a breakdance.
In addition to these sessions, workshops and activities were held to support young leaders, including participants from the TOMODACHI Initiative programs, scholars from the Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program, and current and alumni members of the Emerging Leaders Program (ELP). Many leaders from the United States representing politics, business and the nonprofit sector, also came to Japan, enjoying opportunities to connect with leaders from Japan’s political and business sectors.