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Japan Currents 

In 2019, NAJAS inaugurated the "Japan Currents" public affairs series, with support from the Embassy of Japan in Washington DC. The series involved events in fourteen different cities, each hosted by local Japan-America Society, and composed of speakers from Japan, the U.S. and the local community. Public affairs topics of interest relating to Japan vary by location. Each host selected the theme and the reports of the events demonstrate the depth and variety of interest in Japan across the country. As the only national public affairs program series focusing on the US-Japan relationship, we believe Japan Currents serves an important part of the mission of Japan-America Society network. We are grateful for the support of the Embassy of Japan for this program.

FY2023 Japan Currents:


Japan-America Society of the State of Washington

Date: January 30, 2024

Title: The Future of Clean Energy: The U.S.-Japan Cooperation on Nuclear Fusion Energy

JP speaker: Nobuo Tanaka, Tanaka Global, Inc.

US speakers: Mel Clark, CleanTech Alliance

Ryan Umstattd, ZAP Energy

Jackie Siebens, Helion Energy

 

Japan-America Society of Central Ohio

Date: February 7, 2024

Title: Mobility for All: Ideas from the US & Japan

JP speaker: Dr. Hiroko Akiyama, Kamakura Living Lab

US speakers: Duane Detwiler, Honda Research Institute

             Jordan Davis, Smart Columbus

 

Japan America Society of Houston

Date: February 23, 2024

Title: 2023 JAPAN CURRENTS HOUSTON CONFERENCE

JP speaker: Naomi Hirose, World Energy Council

US speakers: Jane Nakano, Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)

     Jane Stricker, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI)

 

Japan Society of Northern California

Date: February 26, 2024

Title: The Journey to LGBTQ Rights in Japan and the US: Trans-Pacific Cooperation and Community

JP speaker: Akira Nishiyama, Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation (J-ALL)

US speakers: Larry Bates, General Counsel and Business Advocate

   Aaron Belkin, San Francisco State University


Japan America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth

Date: March 1, 2024

Title: Future Growth in US & Japan Business Relations: Sustainability and Urban Development

JP speaker: Atsushi Nakayama, Nikkei Inc.

US speakers: Jennifer Johnson, Canyon Snow Consulting

         Cullum Clark, George W. Bush Institute
              Harry Whalen, Frisco EDC

Moderator: Dr. Hiroki Takeuchi, SMU Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affair


 

FY2022 Japan Currents:


Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania

Date: March 23, 2023

Title: Innovation And Women’s Entrepreneurship In Japan And The U.S.

JP speaker: Dr. Asako Uchiyama, Celaid Therapeutics

US speakers: Dr. Kay Shimizu, University of Pittsburgh

Dr. Jessy LeClair, Cambridge Innovation Center

Annia Aleman, Pittsburgh hub

 

Japan-America Society of North Carolina

Date: March 23, 2023

Title: 2023 JASNC Annual Conference

JP speaker: Masaru YoshiakiJapan Fuel Cell Development Information Center

US speakers: Bernard Swiecki, Center for Automotive Research

             Sean Sruggs, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina

 

Japan America Society of Indiana

Date: March 15, 2023

Title: Japan Currents Symposium 2023

JP speaker: Hiroyuki Oshida, Nomura Research Institute Holdings

US speakers: Thomas Shiekman, Intralink Group

     Shuji Onizawa, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America

 

Japan America Society of Southern California

Date: March 10, 2023

Title: Smart Cities for a Better Future: Perspectives from the U.S. and Japan

JP speaker: Hisakazu Okamura, Asia University

US speakers: Eric Phillips, City of Marysville, Ohio

   Ted Ross, Los Angeles ITA

Moderator: Jane Macfarlane, UC Berkeley


The Japan-America Society of Georgia

Date: March 9, 2023

Title: US-Japan Now: Impacts of Sustainability Initiatives

JP speaker: Eri Saikawa, Emory University

US speakers: Miho Tabaru, Sustainability Consultant

         Toni Braun, FRB Atlanta
              William Strang, TOTO USA


Japan-America Society of Houston

Date: February 24, 2023

Title: U.S.-Japan Cooperation and the Case for Ammonia

JP speaker: Shigeru Muraki, World Energy Council

US speakers: Tony Will, CF Industries Holdings

    Sayu Ueno, Mitsui & Co USA
 
 

Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth 

Date: February 17, 2023

Title: 2023 Japan Currents Symposium: The Role of SMEs in U.S.-Japan Economic Exchange and Trade

JP speaker: Iichiro Uesugi, Hitotsubashi University

US speakers: Richard Katz, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

Moderator: Hiroki Takeuchi, SMU
 

Japan-America Society of Oregon 

Date: February 9, 2023

Title: Women in Leadership

JP speaker: Yumiko Murakami, mPOWER

US speakers: Chigusa Hara, Morgan Stanley

Moderator: Cydelle Higa-Johnston, Mark Spencer Hotel


Japan-America Society of Washington DC

Date: January 24, 2023

Title: Japan in the Year 2023

JP speaker: Ambassador Koji Tomita, Embassy of Japan in US

US speakers: Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, US Embassy in Japan

Moderator: Mireya Solis, Brookings Institution

 

Japan-America Society of the State of Washington

Date: January 12, 2023

Title: The New Face of the 10,000-yen Bill, Eiichi Shibusawa Then and Now

JP speaker: Masato Kimura, Author of “Shibusawa Eiichi”

US speakers: Ryoichi Oda, NYK Group America Inc.

                                Dan Fulton, Weyerhaeuser
                                Tomio Moriguchi, North American Post Publishing
                                John Sagers, Linfield University


Japan Society, Inc.

Date:                    November 16, 2022

Title:                     U.S. Midterm Elections: Key Takeaways & Impact on U.S.-Japan Relations

JP speaker:       Dr. Mieko Nakabayashi, Waseda University

US speakers:   Glenn Nye, Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress

                                Jacob Schlesinger, Wall Street Journal

Moderator: Dr. Joshua Walker, Japan Society



FY2021 Japan Currents:


Japan-America Society of Houston

Date:                  March 22, 2022

Title:                   2022 Japan Currents Houston Conference

JP speaker:     Eiji OHIRA, NEDO (The New Energy & Industrial Technology Development Organization)

US speakers:  Joe CAPPELLO, Iwatani Corporation of America

                               Dr. Alan ROSSITER, University of Houston

 

Japan America Society of Chicago

Date:                 March 17, 2022

Title:                  2022 Annual Update on U.S.-Japan Relations and Post Pandemic

JP speaker:    Hiroyuki Akita, Nikkei

US speakers: Emma Chanlett-Avery, Congressional Research Service

                              David Johnson, Japan America Society of Chicago

 

Japan-America Society of Hawaii

Date:                  March 16, 2022

Title:                   Political and Economic Challenges in the U.S.-Japan Relationship

JP speaker:     Dr. Mieko Nakabayashi, Waseda University

US speakers:  Dr. Joshua Walker, Japan Society

                               Ms. Barbara Tanabe, Ho?akea Communications, LLC

 

Japan-America Society of Oregon

Date:                  March 14, 2022

Title:                   Women in Leadership

JP speaker:     Kaori Sasaki, Founder & CEO, ewoman; UNICUL; founder International Conference for Women in Business; Outside Director,

                               Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, Japan Post, AGP

US speakers:  Katrina Lake, Founder & CEO, Stitch Fix; Board Member GrubHub, Glossier

                               Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the US President; Senior Liaison for Native American, Hawaiian, Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs

 

Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth

Date:                  March 9, 2022

Title:                   Logistics and Supply Chains in U.S.-Japan Business and Trade

JP speaker:     Kantaro Takenaka, Mitsui & Co. (USA), Inc.

US speakers:  Catherine Mellor, UPS Global Public Affairs Division

                               Mollie Haney Bailey, Transplace
                               Tim Feemster, Foremost Quality Logistics
                               Masaru Uchida, Japan Airlines
                               Dr. Hiroki Takeuchi, Southern Methodist University

 

Japan America Society of Colorado

Date:                  March 7, 2022

Title:                   Japan Currents: 2022 Economic Outlook for Japan, US, and Colorado

JP speaker:     Secretary Noriyuki Shikata

US speakers:  Ambassador Kurt Tong

                               Dean Sharon Matusik
                               Stephanie Garnica

 

Japan Society of Northern California 

Date:                  March 2, 2022

Title:                   Impact of US-Japan Cooperation in Advanced Technologies – What can we expect from the US-Japan CoRe Partnership

JP speaker:     Kazumi Nishikawa, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry

US speakers:  Matthew P. Goodman, Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)

                               Kenichiro Mizoguchi, Hitachi, Ltd.
                               Larry Greenwood, BowerGroupAsia

 

Japan-America Society of the State of Washington

Date:                  February 24, 2022

Title:                   Empowering Women in Japan and the USA – Personal Stories on Building Resiliency and Activating Your Career

JP speaker:    Misa Yamashita, JERA Co., Ltd.

US speakers:  Paige Cottingham-Streater, Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission

                               Kendee Yamaguchi, Deputy Mayor of Seattle

 

The Japan-America Society of Washington DC

Date:                   January 18 , 2022

Title:                    Japan in 2022

JP speakers:    Amb. Koji Tomita, Embassy of Japan

                                Mieko Nakabayashi, Waseda University
                                Madoka Fukuda, Hosei University

US speakers:   Raymond Greene, US Embassy Tokyo

                                Mireya Solís, Brookings
                                Kristi Govella, German Marshall Fund
                                Yves Tiberghien, University of British Columbia
                                Demetri Sevastopulo, Financial Times
                                Jeffrey Hornung, RAND
                                James Schoff, SPFUSA
                                Kay Shimizu, University of Pittsburgh


Japan-America Society of Tennessee

Date:                    December 3, 2021

Title:                     The Seventh Annual Women’s Leadership Forum & Networking Luncheon 

JP speaker:       Consul-General Kayoko Fukushima, Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville

US speakers:   Jennifer Butler, Ashinaga Foundation (Tokyo)

                                 Masami Tyson, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
                                 Peter Kelley, National Association of Japan-America Societies


FY2020 Japan Currents:


Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia

Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Title: Women’s History Month Lecture - Tsuda Umeko: Philadelphia to Japan, Pioneering Women’s Education
JP speaker: Masako Iino
US speaker: Linda H. Chance, Kim Andrews


Japan America Society of Southern California

Date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021
Title: Fukushima 10 Years Later-How Decades of Friendship and Cooperation Lead to the Success of Operation Tomodachi
JP speaker: Vice Admiral Hiromi Takashima
US speakers: Admiral Patrick Walsh, Frank Buckley


Japan-America Society of Chicago

Date: Thursday, March 11, 2021
Title: A New Presidential Year : An Update on U.S.-Japan Relations during Pandemic
JP speaker: Fumiaki Kubo, University of Tokyo
US speakers: Cecile Shea, Glen Fukushima


Japan-America Society of Tennessee, Inc.

Date: Thursday, March 11, 2021
Title: US-Japan bilateral relationship
JP speaker: Terry Terasawa
US speakers: Governor Bill Lee, Consul General Kayoko Fukushima, Masami Tyson


Japan-America Society of Houston

Date: Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Title: A Sustainable Fuel for a Sustainable Future? Japan’s Net-Zero Pledge & LNG’s Potential to Drive Greening
JP speaker: Jun Arima
US speakers: Jane Nakano, Shell; Cheniere, Tokyo Gas


Japan-America Society of Indiana

Date: Thursday, March 4, 2021
Title: US-Japan Relationship and Indiana
JP speaker: Mieko Nakabayashi
US speakers: Indiana automobile manufacturers


Japan-America Society of Hawaii

Date: Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Title: “COVID-19 Recovery-Public Health and Resumption of Travel”
JP speaker: Dr. Norio Ohmagari
US speakers: Dr. Josh Green, Eric Takahata


Japan America Society of Colorado

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2021
Title: Smart Mobility in Japan and Colorado
JP speaker: Panasonic Smart Mobility
US speakers: CO Smart Cities


Japan-America Society of Oregon

Date: Thursday, February 11, 2021
Title: Women in Leadership: Pathways to Success
JP speakers: Sakie Fukushima
US speakers: Claire Chino, Linda Akutagawa


Japan-America Societyof the State of Washington

Date: Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Title: Empowering Women in Japan and the U.S.  
JP speaker: Seiji Yasubuchi
US speakers: Colleen Fukui-Sketchle


Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth

Date: Monday, February 10, 2020
Title: U.S.-Japan relations in the Biden Administration or the Trump II Administration
JP speaker: Yoshihide Soeya
US speakers: Michael Green, Aiko Lane


The Japan-America Society of Washington DC

Date: January 13-14, 2021
Title: Japan Currents proposal: Japan in 2021
JP speaker: Tamaki Tsukada, Keiko Izuka
US speakers: Jim Schoff, Marie Anchordoguy, John Roos, Kenichiro Sasae, Sheila Smith, Glen Fukushima, Gordon Flake



FY2019 Japan Currents:

Japan Society of Northern California 

Date:    December 8, 2020
Title:    To Infinity and Beyond: The Future of US-Japan Space Technology Cooperation
JP speaker:    Hiroshi Nakayama, JAXA
US speaker:

   Ron Lopez, Astroscale U.S., Inc.

The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania

Date:    March 11, 2020
Title:    Healthcare Connections Between Western PA & Japan
JP speaker:    Kentaro Onishi, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center
US speakers:

   Mark W. Meyer, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

   Christian Manders, Promethean LifeSciences, Inc.


Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati

Date:    March 4, 2020
Title:    Why Good People Do Bad Things: Ethics & Compliance in the Global Economy
JP speaker:    Nicholas Benes, Training Institute of Japan
US speakers:

   Paul Fiorelli, Xavier University

   Susan Renda, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc.
  Tara Burcham, Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.

  Joe Dehner, Frost Brown Todd

The Japan-America Society of Georgia

Date:    March 2, 2020
Title:    US-Japan Now Luncheon: Economic Impacts of Trade Partnerships
JP speaker:    Motoshige Ito, Gakushuin University
US speakers:

   Eric Reinhardt, Emory University

   R. Anton Braun, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
   Federico Mandelman, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta
   Yutaka Nakamura, Consul General of Japan in Atlanta
   Albert Hodge, Hodge Consulting Services

Japan-America Society of Houston

Date:    February 28, 2020
Title:    Japan Currents Houston Conference 2020
JP speaker:    Ken Koyama, The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan
US speakers:

   Hiroyuki "Bob" Takai, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas

   Seijiro Tamada,Osaka Gas USA Corporation

Japan-America Society of Indiana

Date:    February 26, 2020
Title:    Japan Currents Symposium 2020
JP speaker:    Daiko Matsuyama, Taizo-In Temple, Kyoto
US speakers:

   Stephen J. Akard, U.S. Department of State

  Leah Curry, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana
  Mark Elwood, Elwood Staffing
  Larry Ingraham, Ingraham & Associates
  Cindy Madrick, Cornerstone Environmental, Health & Safety
  Shuichiro Miyagawa, Aisin Holdings of America
  Tomofumi Nishizawa, JETRO Chicago
  Kenichi Okada, Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago
  Andrea Richter-Garry, Indiana Economic Development Corporation
  Jim Riggs, NTN Driveshaft
  Brad Rhorer, Conexus Indiana

 Bernard Swiecki, Center for Automotive Research

Japan-America Society of the State of Washington

Date:    February 25, 2020
Title:    Empowering Women in Japan and the USA
JP speaker:    Aiko Doden, NHK World TV
US speakers:

  Courtney Gregoire, Microsoft Corporation

  Lori Matsukawa, Emmy award winning broadcast journalist

  Yoichiro Yamada, Consul General of Japan in Seattle

Japan America Society of St. Louis

Date:    February 20, 2020
Title:    Global Impact of Anime & Manga
JP speakers:

   Hiroko Yoda, AltJapan Co., Ltd

  Matt Alt, AltJapan Co., Ltd

US speakers:

  Susan Napier, Tufts University

  Tony Oliver, voice actor, producer & director

Japan-America Society of Oregon

Date:    February 19, 2020
Title:    Women in Leadership: Breaking Barriers
JP speaker:

   Miki Ebara, NHK World

US speakers:

  Julia Wada, Toyota Financial Services

  Melanie Strong, Nike Skateboarding

Japan America Society of Southern California

Date:    February 18, 2020
Title:    JAPAN CURRENTS with Tak Niinami, CEO, Suntory Holdings, Ltd.
JP speaker:

  Tak Niinami, Suntory Holdings Limited

US speakers:

  Akira Muto, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles

  Kiichi Nakajima, Japan Airlines

  Brian Peck, Center for Transnational Law and Business

Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth

Date:    February 13, 2020
Title:    2020 Japan Currents Symposium
JP speaker:

   Ryozo Kato, former Nippon Professional Baseball Commissioner

US speakers:

  Robert Fitts, baseball historian and awardwinning writer

  Kazuhiro Gomi, NTT Research, Inc.
  Karin Morris, Texas Rangers Baseball Club
  Matt Murton, Chicago Cubs Baseball Club
  Dale Petroskey, former National Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum President 
  J. Thomas Schieffer, former Texas Rangers Baseball Club President

  Hiroki Takeuchi, Southern Methodist University

Japan America Society of Colorado

Date:    January 29, 2020
Title:    Outdoor Rec 2020: From Japan to Colorado
JP speaker:

   Shiro Takeyama, Montbell Japan

US speakers:

  Mark Hansen, Topo Designs 

  Lucy Diaz, Colorado Classic 
  Nathan Fey, Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry

  Eric Hiraga, City & County of Denver

The Japan-America Society of Washington DC

Date:    January 24, 2020
Title:    Japan in 2020: A Look at the Year Ahead
JP speaker:

  Hiroyuki Akita, Nikkei

US speakers:

  James L. Schoff, The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

  David R. Stilwell, U.S. Department of State
  Tobias Harris, Teneo Intelligence
  Dai Mochinaga, Keio Research Institute
  Sheila A. Smith, Council on Foreign Relations
  Patricia Kim, US Institute of Peace
  Masashi Murano, Hudson Institute
  Scott A. Snyder, Council on Foreign Relations

  Kristin Vekasi, University of Maine

 

NAJAS and our members are deeply grateful to the Embassy of Japan in Washington DC.



National Association of Japan-America Societies, Inc.

1819 L Street NW, Suite 200

Washington, DC 20036

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