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NAJAS 2025 NETWORK CONFERENCE AGENDA

About the NAJAS Network Conference >

Speaker Bios Coming Soon

This agenda will continue to be updated prior to the conference.

SOCIETY-FOCUSED PROGRAMMING

TUESDAY, AUGUST 19
JASK-HOSTED ACTIVITIES

JASK will contact attendees signed up for Tuesday activities.

SPECIAL EVENT: TOYOTA TOUR
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20

This event is fully booked

Attendees will receive information by email ahead of the tour.
For questions, please contact sanchezalvarez@us-japan.org.

11:30 - 12:15 PM Marriott Host Hotel Lobby
Lunch & Badge Pickup for Toyota Tour Attendees

Pickup for boxed lunches and conference badges. 


12:15 - 1 PM Marriott Host Hotel Lobby
Depart Lexington Marriott and Travel to Toyota Plant 

Arrive by 12:15pm to board transportation to the Toyota Plant in Georgetown.



1:00 - 3:00 PM 

TOYOTA TOUR

Q&A with Toyota executives to follow. Transportation provided back to host hotel.


MEMBER PROGRAMMING

Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center

141 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507
1 block from Marriott & Residence Inn

Closed Programming For JAS/JS Staff & Board NAJAS Members
& By Invitation Only

3:00 - 4:00 PM Entrance (1F)
Member Registration Opens

Badge pickup and informal meet-n-greet time with JAS/JS peers & NAJAS/JASK teams.

4:00 - 6:00 PM Embry (3F)
WORKSHOP: Fuel for the Mission: How Purpose-Driven Leaders Stay Powered for Impact 

Nozomi Morgan, CEO, Michiki Morgan Worldwide

6:00 - 6:15 PM 
Networking Break

6:15 - 7:45 PM Encore (1F)

JASK Welcome Reception - Co-Hosted by NAJAS

Featuring a Sake tasting from Japan-America society regions, other beverages, and light meal with conference participants. 


SPECIAL EVENT: FILM SCREENING

Open to ALL Conference Participants



 8:00 - 9:00 PM Black Box Theater (1F)

Mini Japan Film Fest Part 1
Director/Producer Yuriko Gamo Romer’s Baseball Behind Barbed Wire

Tickets included with conference attendance. Check-in at the Black Box Theater box office.

Q&A with Yuriko Gamo Romer to  follow.

Learn about Baseball Behind Barbed Wire >

This event is open to the public with tickets on sale now. Additional tickets may be purchased here.

  9:00 - 10:00 PM Lowenthal & Embry (3F)

 Guided Sake Tasting 

Film viewers are invited to sample a Fukushima sake and domestically brewed sake from our Japan-America society regions by members of the Sake Brewers Association of North America.


ThursDAY, AugUST 21
MEMBERS ONLY DAYTIME PROGRAMMING

Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center

141 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507
1 block from Marriott & Residence Inn

Closed Programming: For registered JAS / JS Staff & Board Members & by invitation only

7:30 - 5:00 PM First and Second Floor Lobbies

Society Solutions Providers Info Tables & Stamp Rally

Meet our Society Solutions Providers. Receive a stamp from each table to qualify for a prize drawing featuring grand prizes from Japanet and Air Canada, as well as prizes from other Society Solutions Providers.

7:30 AM Lowenthal & Embry (3F) 

Continental Breakfast

Mix & mingle over a light breakfast of coffee, tea & pastries. Explore our Society Solutions Providers.

8:30 - 9:00 AM Lowenthal & Embry (3F) 

Welcome Remarks

Remarks from:

Andrew Wylegala, President, NAJAS 
David Carpenter, President, JAS Kentucky
Rene DeBerdt, Chair, Board of Directors, JAS Kentucky 
Bianca Sanchez-Alvarez, Manager of Development & Member Services, NAJAS



 9:00 - 10:00 AM  Encore (1F), Embry (3F), The Studio (3F)

Workshops Round 1

Three concurrent sessions with peers and experts on topics selected by member societies. Select sessions will be recorded. A separate schedule will be provided in advance and at the conference to Members.

10:00 - 10:15 AM

Networking Break

Network and visit Society Solutions Providers. Receive stamps to enter the prize drawing.

10:15 - 11:15 AM Encore (1F), Embry (3F), The Studio (3F)

Workshops Round 2 

Three more concurrent sessions.

11:15 - 11:30 AM

Networking Break

Network and visit Society Solutions Providers. Receive stamps to enter the prize drawing. 

11:30 - 12:15 AM 

NAJAS Presentation: Capacity and Member Survey

The NAJAS team shares highlights from the Annual Member Survey and updates on NAJAS's strategic direction. 

Misha D. Clive (they/them), Senior Operations & Communications Manager, NAJAS
Andrew Wylegala, President, NAJAS
Mya Darden, Communications Specialist, NAJAS and outgoing 2025 JET

12:15 - 1:45 PM  Encore (1F)

Working Lunch with Special Guests  

Yuko Kaifu, President, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
Dr. Samuel Kidder, Author, Our First Glimpse of Japan, Trustee AFIHJ
R/ADM James Kelly (USN, Ret.), Vice President, CIE-US
Steve Pollock, Executive Director, JS Northern California


Emcee: Andrew Wylegala, President, NAJAS

1:45  - 2:45 PM Encore (1F), Embry (3F)

Workshops Round 3

Two more concurrent sessions.

1:45  - 3:45 PM The Studio (3F) 

Japan Foundation Drop-in Session

Japan Foundation Drop-in Session through 3:45 PM.

2:45 - 3:45 PM Lowenthal (3F)

NAJAS Board Meeting (Invitation Only)

Japan Foundation Drop-in Session (continued) - The Studio (3F)

3:45 - 4:00 PM 
Networking Break 

Network and visit Society Solutions Providers. Receive stamps to enter the prize drawing. 

4:00 - 5:00 PM Black Box Theatre (1F)

Japan Foundation Grant Programs Presentation

Masaki YoshikawaAssociate Program Officer, Global Partnerships, The Japan Foundation, New York 
Additional Japan Foundation Representatives

5:00 - 5:15 PM  Black Box Theatre (1F)

Thursday Concluding Remarks

Announcements for Friday & the first prize drawing.

 


OPEN PROGRAMMING

External Partner & Business Community Programming

6:00 PM (meeting time subject to change)

Thursday Night Live Outing

Meet at the Marriott lobby for no-host dinner groups and the Thursday Night Live street festival (5-8pm) in the City Center area. More information will be provided to attendees.


SPECIAL EVENT: FILM SCREENING

Open to ALL Conference Participants



7:00 - 9:30 PM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

Mini Japan Film Fest Pt. 2:
Director Marc Mariott’s Tokyo Cowboy (2024)

Tickets included with conference attendance. Check-in at the Black Box Theater box office.

Q&A with Marc Marriott led by Dr. David Janes to follow.

Learn about Tokyo Cowboy >

This event is open to the public with tickets on sale now. Additional tickets may be purchased here.

9:00 PM onwards - School Sushi (restaurant at 163 W Short St, Lexington - 5 min walk)

Karaoke Night! 

Hosted by JASK and School Sushi. Dance and sing the night away with your fellow US-Japan peers while enjoying delicious sushi and one free drink per attendee.


FRIDAY, AugUST 22
GENERAL PROGRAMMING

Open Programming for Registered Attendees


7:30 - 5:00 PM First and Second Floor Lobbies

Society Solutions Providers Info Tables & Stamp Rally

Meet our Society Solutions Providers. Receive a stamp from each table to qualify for a prize drawing featuring grand prizes from Japanet and Air Canada, as well as prizes from other Society Solutions Providers.

7:30 AM Lowenthal & Embry (3F) 

Continental Breakfast

Mix & mingle over a light breakfast of coffee, tea & pastries. Explore our Society Solutions Providers.

8:20 - 8:35 AM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

Welcome Remarks: Day Two

Andrew Wylegala, President, NAJAS
Rene DeBerdt, Chair, Board of Directors, JAS Kentucky
David Carpenter, President, JAS Kentucky

Emcee: Nozomi Morgan, Nozomi Morgan Worldwide

8:35 - 9:35 AM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

PANEL: 2025-26 Overview with NAJAS’ Program & Funding Partners
Hiroyuki Kojima, Director General, Japan Foundation New York
Teruko Wada, Executive Director, Keidanren USA
Maki Hishikawa, Vice President, International Affairs, Aflac
Tomoko Hosaka Mullaney, Executive Director, US Japan Business Council

Moderator: Andrew Wylegala, President, NAJAS

9:45 - 10:45 AM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

PANEL: What is the Trade & Investment Panorama and What Does it Mean for US-Japan?

Unpack the unfolding tariff arrangements with top practitioners from government and banking.
 


Moderator: Emma Chanlett-Avery
Vice Chair
NAJAS


Wendy Cutler
Vice President
Asia Society Policy Institute


Ambassador Kurt Tong
Chair
NAJAS



Representative from
Fifth Third Bank

10:45 - 11:15 AM
Networking Break

Network and visit Society Solutions Providers. Receive stamps to enter the prize drawing. 

11:15 - 11:25 AM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

Special Announcement with KY Commonwealth Representative Vanessa Grossl 

11:25 - 11:40 AM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

REMARKS 

U.S. Representative Andy Barr (KY) (invited), Co-chair of the U.S.-Japan Study Group

Emcee: Nozomi Morgan, CEO, Nozomi Morgan Worldwide


11:40 - 12:30 PM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

PANEL: Japan’s Inbound Tourism Boom & Meaning for Cultural Connection

Minako Zoza, Japanet Tourism, Japanet Holdings Co., Ltd.
Tracy McIntyre, Sales Manager, Air Canada


Moderator: David Carpenter, President, JAS Kentucky
 

10:45 - 11:15 AM
Networking Break

Network and visit Society Solutions Providers. Receive stamps to enter the prize drawing. 

12:45 - 1:10 PM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

PRESENTATION: All (Japan) Hands on Deck

Dr. David Janes, Vice President, North America, International House of Japan

Andrew Wylegala, President, NAJAS

Misha D. Clive, Senior Manager of Operations & Communications, NAJAS

1:10 - 1:15 PM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

Lunch Served

1:25 - 2:25 PM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

PANEL Over Lunch: One Year On: What’s Changed/Changing for the U.S.-Japan “Ecosystem”

Jessyca Livingston, Executive Director, US JET Program Alumni Association
Graham Morris, Executive Director, Japan-America Society of Oregon
Ambassador Kurt Tong, Chair, NAJAS
Paige Cottingham-Streater, Executive Director, Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission


Moderator: Dr. Joshua Walker, President & CEO, Japan Society

2:25 - 3:00 PM
Networking Break 
Make sure to collect all your Society Solutions stamps to enter the grand prize drawing!

3:00 - 3:50 PM

Continuing Panels

Concurrent Sessions

Rehearsal (2F)
Diamonds are Forever: The Timeless Binational Pastime – Education, Entertainment & Exchange

William Brooks, Founder, Japan Foreign Retired Players Association (JFRPA)
Yuriko Gamo Romer, Producer/Director, Flying Carp Productions
Amy Hever, Executive Director, Players Trust (MLBPA)

Moderator: Ryan Shaffer, President, Japan-America Society of Washington D.C.


Lowenthal (3F)
Putting the Public in Diplomacy

Yuko Kaifu, President, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles
Speaker TBD, U.S. Department of State
Dr. Ricki Garrett, President & CEO, Sister Cities International

Moderator: Margot Carrington, Board Member, NAJAS

  4:00 - 4:20 PM  Lowenthal (Long way) (3F) 

 US Department of State Remarks (Speaker TBD)

4:20 - 4:35 PM Lowenthal (Long way) (3F)

Bentenya Performance



4:35 - 4:50 PM  Lowenthal (Long way) (3F) 

Greetings & Stamp Rally Awards with Ambassador Shigeo Yamada 

The final prize drawing, with grand prizes from Japanet and Air Canada.

4:50 - 5:00 PM Lowenthal & Embry (3F)

Closing Remarks

Andrew Wylegala, President, NAJAS
Ambassador Kurt Tong, Immediate-past Chair, NAJAS

Incoming Chair, NAJAS

7:00 - 7:30 PM Foyer

Cocktails


Special Remarks by

Ambassador Shigeo Yamada 

Ambassador of Japan to the United States 


7:30 - 10:00 PM Black Box Theatre (1F) 

JASK Gala & Conference Closing Reception

Co-hosted by NAJAS, with special remarks by Ambassador Yamada and Consul General Watanabe. With introduction to the special remarks by Japanet Holdings Co., Ltd. 

SATURDAY, AUGUST 22
JASK-HOSTED ACTIVITIES

JASK will contact attendees signed up for Saturday activities.

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