U.S.-Japan Council Newsletter (January 23rd, 2014)

EVENTS

JAPAN SOCIETY LOOKS AT “COOL JAPAN”

In 2012, the newly elected Abe administration appointed Tomomi Inada as the first Minister in charge of “Cool Japan” Strategy. The strategy’s aim is to share Japan’s unique food, fashion, and traditional culture with the rest of the world while also highlighting the country’s hospitality culture and sightseeing opportunities. By promoting these cultural offerings, Japan believes it can revitalize its economy, encourage tourism, and strengthen the country’s cultural and diplomatic ties abroad. On January 13, New York’s Japan Society hosted Minister Inada as she introduced the government’s plan to increase Japan’s economic and cultural standing in the world. Watch the event here!

The U.S.-Japan Council served as an outreach partner for the discussion, which was presided over by USJC Board of Directors Member Frederick H. Katayama.

DANIEL K. INOUYE HONORED IN ISRAEL

The late Sen. Daniel K. Inouye was honored by the Government of Israel with the naming of a defense facility this month. A Jerusalem high school has also started a scholarship in Sen. Inouye’s name, recognizing the Japanese American leader’s role in strengthening U.S.-Israel relations.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2013 INTEREST SURVEY

This year, the U.S.-Japan Council’s 5th Annual Conference will be held in Honolulu, HawaiiOctober 9 – 10. The U.S.-Japan Council Annual Members’ Day will be held on Saturday, October 11. This will be the first Annual Conference held in Hawaii, and we are excited to see you there!

Given the historical, cultural and strategic significance of Hawaii and the Asia Pacific region, the Conference will highlight themes that build a strong relationship and promote international and cross-cultural cooperation and success.

Topical discussions planned for the Conference include:

  • Regional defense and security cooperation
  • Culinary diplomacy
  • Clean energy and technology
  • Sustainable development and economic revitalization
  • Local government exchange
  • TOMODACHI and youth development
  • …and many more

The USJC Annual Conference is a public conference that brings together leaders from government, business, academic and non-profit sectors to discuss current issues and opportunities impacting U.S.-Japan relations.

We hope you will join hundreds of attendees from throughout the United States and Japan as we explore new ways to increase the close relationship between our two countries!

TOMODACHI NEWS CORNER

The 66th Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) will take place from July 28th to August 24th 2014, and bring together 72 Japanese and  American students of diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The two delegations will study, work, live and travel together as a group, visiting four regions in the United States.   

Established in 1934, JASC is one of the most prominent U.S.-Japan programs. JASC’s long alumni list houses many leaders in government, business and academia, including former Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa, former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and U.S.-Japan Council Board of Councillor Member Glen S. Fukushima.

This year’s early deadline is January 31 and the final deadline is March 1. For more information and to apply, please visit //iscdc.org/jasc/2014/.

TOMODACHI is supporting the 2014 Japan-America Student Conference, which will take place in Des Moines, San Francisco, New York City and Washington, DC. Applications for the 66th Japan America Student Conference (July 28th-August 24th, 2014) are now available here. Full-time university students are strongly encouraged to apply. This year’s conference will visit Des Moine, The deadline to apply is March 1, 2014. 

NOW HIRING: TOMODACHI ALUMNI COORDINATOR

Join Team TOMODACHI! The U.S.-Japan Council is seeking a talented, dynamic, bilingual individual for the position of TOMODACHI Alumni Coordinator in our Tokyo offices. The Coordinator will be responsible for the development and oversight of TOMODACHI alumni programming throughout Japan and, in coordination with U.S.-based staff, on programs in the United States, with the goal of building upon short-term exchange experiences to promote continued alumni engagement with the United States (or Japan, in the case of American alumni). For more information, visit //usjapantomodachi.org/get-involved/opportunities/. Applications will close on February 15.

REMINDER: The next TOMODACHI Grant Application Deadline is fast approaching. All materials are due by Feb. 1. More information on how to apply is available here.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AMBASSADOR RYOZO KATO AWARD FOR SERVICE TO THE U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONSHIP

Ambassador Ryozo Kato’s legacy continues to be recognized through a namesake prize to “gardeners” of the U.S.-Japan relationship. Ambassador Kato, a Member of the U.S.-Japan Council Board of Councilors, was joined by U.S. Secretary of Defense Charles Hagel at a ceremony this month to award this year’s award to Chris Johnstone of the United States Department of Defense. The Kato Prize was first awarded in 2008, upon Ambassador Kato’s departure from his post. Kato was recognized for inspiring a generation of Japanese and American officials with his persistent and patriotic commitment to building a stronger alliance. Read more about the award and this year’s ceremony here.

WASHINGTON, DC – REGISTRATION FOR JCAW MATSURI EVENT ON JAN 26

Join “The Japanese New Year Celebration in Washington”, from 11:00am
to 3:00pm on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at the Washington Plaza Hotel, 10
Thomas Circle, N.W. Washington, D.C.

Admission: $8 (advanced on-line purchase ) / $10 (on site purchase)

Advance on-line ticket purchase is available until 5:00pm Friday, Jan. 24. Please visit the site below to find the performance program, food menu and guides on selected performances.

Website URL: //jcaw.org/main/2014shinshunmatsuri/

SASAKAWA PEACE FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY – PACIFIC FORUM CSIS

Mid-career academics or professionals interested in U.S.-Japan relations are encouraged to apply to the six-month Sasakawa Peace Foundation Fellowship at Pacific Forum CSIS. Applications, available here, must be submitted by March 1.

This prestigious fellowship opportunity supports a mid-career academic or professional by providing the cost-of-living and institutional support to allow him or her to explore a security-related issue that concerns the alliance. Fellows are provided with the following:

  • A $3,000 stipend per month for six months
  • A four-week research and interview trip to either Washington, DC (for the Japanese fellow) or Tokyo (for the U.S. fellow)
  • The ability to participate in relevant U.S.-Japan dialogues under the auspices of the Pacific Forum Young Leaders Program
  • Access to Pacific Forum’s global network of senior security specialists

To be considered, candidates must meet the following criteria:

  • PhD or master’s degree with relevant work experience
  • Fluency in spoken and written English
  • Late 20s to 30s
  • Be a U.S. or Japanese citizen

Applicants should be available for a six-month fellowship in Honolulu between May 2014 and April 2015. For any questions regarding the program or the application process, please contact Brooke Mizuno, Director of Grants Management and Institutional Support, at [email protected].

EAST-WEST CENTER FELLOWSHIP ON U.S.-JAPAN PARTNERSHIP

The East-West Center is now accepting applications from scholars and analysts who wish to undertake policy-relevant research and writing on issues of key relevance to the U.S.-Japan partnership, including diplomatic, politico-security, economic, social and international fields.

Funded by the Center for Global Partnership (CGP) at the Japan Foundation, the fellowship finances a three-month OR six-month residence at the East-West Center in Washington, D.C. While in residence, the fellows will complete articles or a monograph to be considered for publication, such as the East-West Center’s Asia Pacific Bulletin series, the Asia Pacific Issues series, or the Policy Studies series. The first full draft of longer publications should be completed before the end of the residency period. Fellows must also give a seminar on their topic.

The fellowship includes a monthly stipend of US$2,500 to $4,500 (dependent upon experience) while in residence at EWC in Washington, round trip economy airfare to Washington, D.C. and a ten-day research trip to Japan. Residency at the Center’s Washington, D.C., office may begin as early as May 2014 and extend until January 2015.

More information is available here. The application deadline is Feb 1.

U.S. & JAPAN IN THE NEWS