U.S.-Japan Council Newsletter (May 29th, 2014)

JAPAN WEEK 2014 CELEBRATES USJC ACTIVITIES IN TOKYO

USJC Japan Week, a series of events and meetings meant to boost USJC’s　presence in Japan and thank the organization’s many Japan-based supporters, is currently taking place in Tokyo during the last week of May.

Around twenty U.S.-based USJC Members are in Tokyo to join their counterparts in Japan and attend various events and meetings. The largest event is the USJC-ACCJ Women in Business Summit, which was held on May 27 and co-hosted by USJC and the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ). (See article below.)

Other Japan Week events thus far have included meetings with corporate leaders hosted by USJC Board of Councilors Vice-Chair Masaaki Tanaka and USJC (Japan) Board of Councilors Member Scott Sato, among others; get-togethers with Keizai Doyukai, as well as between female Diet Members and women leaders of USJC (pictured below); and a meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

More information and photos will follow in our next newsletter in June!

HUNDREDS GATHER FOR USJC-ACCJ WOMEN IN BUSINESS SUMMIT

One of the main components of USJC Japan Week 2014 is the Women in Business Summit, co-hosted by USJC and the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ). More than 700 attendees and dozens of journalists gathered for this sold-out event.

The day-long Summit kicked off with a star-studded special program featuring Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy (pictured above), USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye, ACCJ President Jay Ponazecki, USJC Member and pioneer of the Womenomics movement Kathy Matsui, and four revolutionary women leaders. Ms. Deborah Gillis, President & CEO of Catalyst and herself a Keynote Speaker, presented a special commendation to Prime Minister Abe for making the advancement of women a priority in Japan. (See the Catalyst press release here). Minister of State for Gender Equality Masako Mori also represented the Government of Japan, discussing specific measures and goals. Irene Hirano Inouye and the other speakers emphasized the importance of shifting the mindset of both genders and all generations, in order to instigate change.

Several female USJC Members, each leaders in their fields, also moderated some of the twelve breakout sessions: Donna Cole, Janelle Sasaki, Toko Serita and Jan Yanehiro (pictured below). These sessions talked about various aspects of women in leadership, including leveraging diversity, having role models and returning to work after leaving for family. Three alumni of the TOMODACHI MetLife Women’s Leadership Program attended the Summit, and actively engaged with USJC Members and other leaders throughout the Conference.

Corporate leaders, including Mr. Paul S. Amos II, President of Aflac; Mr. Tim Brett, Representative Director & President, Coca-Cola (Japan) Co. Ltd.; Ms. Sarah Casanova, President & CEO of McDonald’s Japan; and Mr. Sachin N. Shah, Chairman, President and CEO of MetLife Alico Life Insurance K.K., also spoke at the breakout sessions, drawing upon their experience as executives and family members.

Special thanks to USJC Board of Directors Member Royanne K. Doi for organizing this event and tackling an important and timely issue from all angles! For more information on the Summit, see://usjcaccjwibsummit.com/

TOMODACHI EMERGING LEADERS PROGRAM –  APPLICATION DEADLINE JUNE 15!

Time is running out to apply 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.

EVENT

LOS ANGELES: ASIA-PACIFIC ECONOMIC INTEGRATION CONFERENCE – JUNE 12

USJC Members and friends are invited to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Integration Conference on June 12th, co-organized by JETRO and the City of Los Angeles and supported by USJC. Keynote speaker Mr. Hiroyuki Ishige, Chairman of JETRO, and panel members will provide an overview and insight into the regional economic integration of Asian economies and Japan’s role as gateway to these markets.

  • Date and Venue:
    Thursday, June 12th 2014
    1:00 – Seminar
    4:00 – Networking Reception
  • The Millenium Biltmore Hotel
    506 S Grand Ave.
    Los Angeles, CA 90071

For more details and to register, visit laapeic.eventbrite.com.
This event is free but online registration is required.

OPPORTUNITIES

SEEKING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR THE TOMODACHI INITIATIVE (FULL-TIME, TOKYO-BASED)

Working under the direction of the Executive Director of TOMODACHI, the Administrative Assistant is responsible for organizing and managing the day-to-day administration of TOMODACHI, including office administration and bookkeeping.  The Administrative Assistant will work closely with teams from the U.S.-Japan Council and the U.S. Embassy in the implementation of this mission, and may work out of both the U.S. Embassy and the U.S.-Japan Council’s office in the Akasaka Park Building, Tokyo.  Application Deadline: June 15

See the TOMODACHI website for more information.

CATALYST JAPAN SEEKING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Catalyst, an organization dedicated to expanding opportunities for women and business, is currently searching for an Executive Director in its Tokyo, Japan office. More information is available via the Catalyst website:

//www.catalyst.org/executive-director-japan

U.S. & JAPAN IN THE NEWS

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