U.S.-Japan Council Newsletter (May 15th, 2014)

U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL; WOMENOMICS FEATURED ON PBS

Last week, “Delivering on the Promise of Womenomics,” a USJC seminar held in Washington, DC on the role of women in the Japanese workforce, was featured on an American public television program. This is America & the World with Dennis Wholey took a look at Womenomics as part of its visit to Japan, and USJC’s March seminar plays a key role.

Ms. Kaoriko Kuge, Senior Anchor and Correspondent, Fujisankei Communications International, Inc. is featured, speaking on how she dealt with pregnancy as a working professional.

You can view the whole program online here.

DOCUMENTARY CREATED BY USJC MEMBERS SHOWN ON TELEVISION

Stories from Tohoku, a documentary created by USJC Members Dianne Fukami and Debra Nakatomi, shows the roles some Japanese Americans played in the relief and recovery efforts following the Great East Japan Earthquake. The film is supported in part by the U.S.-Japan Council’s Earthquake Relief Fund. Olympic Gold Medalist and Member of the USJC Board of Councilors Kristi Yamaguchi is part of the film, which was an official selection of the CAAM Fest (presented by the Center for Asian American Media) and the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival this year.

Stories from Tohoku will be shown on television this weekend. Los Angeles area residents will be able to see it on KCETLink this Sunday, May 18 at 6am and 2pm Pacific, as well as on Friday, May 23 at 9pm on KCET-HD (//www.kcet.org/shows/japanese_american_lives/stories-from-tohuku.html). Dish Network and DirecTV subscribers can watch it tomorrow, May 16 at 7pm Pacific (DirecTV channel 375, DISH Network channel 9410).

The documentary is part of the KCET series Japanese American Lives (//www.kcet.org/shows/japanese_american_lives/), which showcases the richness of the Japanese American experience, including a 99-year-old judo master and founders of the Asian American jazz movement. 

For more information about the film, see: //storiesfromtohoku.com/

TOMODACHI EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM –  APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN; DEADLINE JUNE 15!

We’re pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2014 TOMODACHI Emerging Leaders Program (ELP).

This three-day program has been described by program alumni as life-changing and transformative and we hope you will share this opportunity with your networks.

Young Japanese American professionals 24-35 years of age are encouraged to apply. Applicants reside in the United States or Japan, and must be available to travel to Honolulu for the U.S.-Japan Council Annual Conference October 8-12, 2014.

For more information about ELP, see the flyer here.

SAVE THE DATE! LEGISLATIVE EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ON JULY 9TH(WASHINGTON, DC)

When: Wednesday July 9th, 2014
Where: Washington, DC

Public Policy Program on U.S.-Japan Legislative Exchanges: 4:00-6:00PM

U.S.-Japan Council Summer Reception: 6:00-7:30PM

More information to come in the weeks ahead!

These programs are being presented in partnership with the U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON).

TOMODACHI NEWS CORNER

ANNOUNCING THE TOMODACHI INOUYE SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The TOMODACHI INOUYE SCHOLARS Program provides 100 American and 100 Japanese university students with a unique 10-day international travel opportunity.  USJC Members representing four universities across the U.S. will be leading a group of students from their university to Japan this summer. They are:

  • DePaul Univeristy – Ritsumeikan University, June 16-26 (Dr. Kathryn Ibata-Arens)
  • Loyola Marymount University – Sophia University, June 23-July 3 (Dr. Curtiss Takada Rooks)
  • University of Hawaii, Manoa – Matsuyama University, July 28-August 7 (Dr. Dennis Ogawa)
  • University of Massachusetts Boston – Tsuda College, July 28-August 7 (Dr. Paul Watanabe)

To honor the life and legacy of Senator Daniel K. Inouye, the TOMODACHI INOUYE SCHOLARS exchanges were announced on May 28, 2013 by Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida at the U.S.-Japan Council’s Symposium in Tokyo. A unique feature of the TOMODACHI INOUYE SCHOLARS Program is that it offers participants opportunity to learn about Senator Inouye. A portion of the activities during the exchange will introduce scholars to Senator Inouye’s contributions to his state, country, heritage and the U.S.-Japan relationship. They are expected to return to their schools inspired by his commitment to public service, justice and U.S.-Japan cooperation. Many USJC Members are supporting these exchanges with their time and expertise.

These exchanges are part of the broader Government of Japan’s KAKEHASHI Project which seeks to promote deeper mutual understanding among the people of Japan and the United States, enable future leaders of U.S.-Japan exchanges to form networks and help young people develop wider perspectives to encourage active roles at the global level in the future.

Each group will be matched with Japanese partner institutions that will send their students to the United States for the reciprocal portion of the program. The Japanese students will be visiting the United States during the 2014-2015 academic year. They will visit Los Angeles, Washington, DC and the local city of their partner university. The students will give presentations about Japan on campus as well as in the local community. They will also learn about the Senator’s contributions in politics and to the Japanese-American community through visits to historic and cultural U. S. sites, particularly those related to Japanese Americans.

For more information, visit www.usjapantomodachi.org/programs-activities/tomodachi-inouye-scholars-program/

TOMODACHI SUMMER PROGRAMS IN NEED OF HOST FAMILIES!

TOMODACHI will be bringing a number of Japanese young people to communities across the United States for short-term exchange programs this summer. We are looking for individuals or families to serve as host families. It is an opportunity to meet young Japanese and introduce them to your town and community. Please share these opportunities to those you know who might be interested in hosting. 

Descriptions of the programs are available by following the links to the TOMODACHI website.

As always, thank you for your support of the U.S.-Japan Council and TOMODACHI!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2014 ANNUAL CONFERENCE

We hope you’ll join us for our fifth Annual Conference in Honolulu on October 9-10. Register early for our lowest rates (and book your tickets and hotel room soon!).

For more information and to register today, please visit our website.

USJC SEEKING DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

The U.S.-Japan Council is accepting applications for a Director of Development with extensive development and external relations experience. As the Council has grown significantly in the past five years, including our work on TOMODACHI, we are looking to add someone to our staff who will substantially grow our Development activities in this next phase of our growth. A listing of qualifications and responsibilities is available on the USJC website. .

U.S. & JAPAN IN THE NEWS

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