Members Day concluded the formal programming for Annual Conference week and started early with members gathering for Networking & Coffee with affinity groups and leadership initiative member leads and special guest Hiroshima Governor Yuzaki. Simultaneously, New Member Orientation was hosted with a warm welcome from Host Committee members and Hawaii regional co-chairs Kristin Alm (JALD ’20) and Mitch Noguchi (ALC ’24) and USJC Board Member Ann Teranishi (JALD ’25). Members Day officially kicked off with an opening performance by the Taiko Center of the Pacific.
Members Day was hosted by Master of Ceremonies Blair Suzuki (ELP ’21) and Mistress of Ceremonies Nicole Velasco (ELP ’15, ALC ’23). The morning session featured opening remarks by USJC President & CEO Audrey Yamamoto (JALD ’23). She highlighted the critical role of people-to-people connections in shaping the future of U.S.-Japan relations and praised the active engagement of members who form the strong foundation of USJC.
Members were treated to a presentation by keynote speaker and Founder and CEO of Education Incubator, Miki Tomita Okamoto, on the topic of navigating change through culture.
Miki’s keynote address was followed by lightning talks related to the past, present, and future of USJC community. These lightning talks featured USJC members Brianne Yamada Nitahara (ELP ’25), Colbert Matsumoto (JALD ’10), Donna Cole (JALD ’06), Nate Gyotoku (ELP ’13), and Steve Sakanashi (ELP ’15, ALC ’24). Following the lightning talks, Nozomi Morgan (ALC ’25) provided an introduction to the afternoon session that would follow lunch.
During lunch, members enjoyed their bento lunches while watching a special video featuring remarks from regional leaders sharing what their regional saimin may look like along with recapping 2025 events and things to look forward to in 2026. This regional video was followed by a fireside chat showcasing the Japanese American Storytelling Program which is led by Junko Tsuda who moderated the panel with JASP speakers and USJC Board of Directors members Curtiss Takada Rooks (JALD ‘04) and Miyuki Tani. Lunch was concluded with remarks from Derick Yanehiro (JALD ‘25) on Kibou for LA before showcasing a video recapping the TOMODACHI program.
The afternoon session was kicked off with remarks by Audrey on USJC strategy going forward which led into an interactive discussion on member engagement moderated by Nozomi. Members then sat amongst their regional members and took part in an energizing discussion.
Following this interactive discussion, 2025 Host Committee Chairs Susan Eichor (JALD ’07) and Tyler Tokioka (JALD ’15) came on stage to give their mahalos to this year’s host committee and their remarks concluded with a special video from University of Hawaiʻi football kicker Kansei Matsuzawa.
Audrey presented events to look forward to in 2026 including Day on the Hill, Japan-Texas Economic Summit, U40 Summit and Annual Conference to be hosted in Tokyo again. During this time, Audrey along with USJC Board of Director members Josh Morey (ELP ’16) and Mark Okada (JALD ’23) acknowledged Susan Morita’s (JALD ’11) 12 years of service to USJC. In addition, Audrey acknowledged the hard work of USJC Japan Executive Director Mark Ikeno and the dedication of USJC Program Manager Allison Murata with her 13 years of coordinating USJC’s core leadership programs ELP, ALC and JALD. Both will be leaving USJC at the end of the year. Audrey concluded her remarks with a special thank you to the host committee and the USJC staff across the US and Japan.
Members Day ended with a closing performance by Roy Sakuma Ukulele Studio and Hawaiʻi Aloha.
We want to express our sincere appreciation to our regional and program leaders for their exceptional dedication and effort. Congratulations on the outstanding achievements you’ve delivered this year—your leadership has made a remarkable impact!