Izumi Swarts

Izumi Swarts is the Program Manager at the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) working out of its Washington, DC office. Her primary responsibilities are to advance the mission of the USJC’s signature, regional and educational programs including the TOMODACHI Initiative and the Toshizo Watanabe Scholarship. She was born in Japan and raised in Thailand before coming to Washington, DC in 2009. 

She has spent her time in the United States focused on strengthening relations between the U.S. and Japan. Prior to joining USJC, she worked at Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA as Associate Communications Manager and Education Officer for the Japan Information Culture Center, Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC. Throughout her work in the Japanese private sector, nonprofit organizations and Japanese government, she has experience dealing with issues, leaders and organizations which are essential to promoting a stronger U.S.-Japan alliance. She holds a Master's Degree in International Relations from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from Asia University.