U.S.-Japan-Korea Trilateral Symposium

In many ways, 2017 ushers in a new era for US-Japan-Korea relations. The whirlwind election of 2016 for the United States and the recent impeachment of South Korean President Park Geun-hye put all three countries in a position where cooperation has rarely been more important. For this new paradigm, new ideas are needed from new places.

Far from being inexperienced, today’s young generation is perhaps better prepared than any to carry the torch of US-Asia relations and policy. Thanks to cultural and academic exchange programs, the Internet, and immigration trends, young leaders of today are more knowledgeable about world affairs than ever.

On January 5, 2017 Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA) partnered with International Student Conferences (ISC) and the Korea Foundation to provide the voice of future leaders for U.S.-Japan-Korea cooperation. Student leaders came together with senior experts to discuss important, topical issues affecting the three countries. The fourth annual Symposium demonstrated the ability of the younger generation to engage in a productive dialogue on U.S.-Japan-Korea relations, including ideas for improving trilateral cooperation.

In the week leading up to the symposium, ISC brought together Japanese, American, and Korean university students for a joint program between Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) and Korea-America Student Conference (KASC) in Washington, D.C. The program facilitates discussion on different perspectives of historic events and provides a forum to explore opportunities to move forward with future trilateral cooperation. Sasakawa USA is proud to have sponsored the eight Japanese students who attended the conference, as well as to co-sponsor the symposium.

Click here for a summary of the event, or here for more information on Sasakawa USA’s partnership with International Student Conferences.

Panel Topics

9:00 a.m. | Welcome and Introduction
9:20 a.m. | North Korea Security / Human Rights
10:40 a.m. | Women and Leadership
12:45 p.m. | Recommendations for Future Administrations

Speakers

• Admiral Dennis Blair, Chairman of Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
• Linda Butcher, Executive Director of International Student Conferences
• Ambassador Young-jin Choi, Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the United States
• Jon Foissotte, Johns Hopkins SAIS, Japan-America Student Conference US Chair (Student Panelist)
• Avelino Fujimoto, Gunma University, Japan-America Student Conference Japan Chair (Student Panelist)
• Minji Huh, Ewha Womens University, Korea-America Student Conference Korea Chair (Student Panelist)
• Danny Jeon, Johns Hopkins SAIS 2016 Japan-America Student Conference US Chair
• Alex Kim, American University, Korea-America Student Conference US Chair (Student Panelist)
• Bruce Klingner, Senior Research Fellow at The Heritage Foundation
• Erin Norris, Northeastern University, Japan-America Student Conference US Chair (Student Panelist)
• Sophie Osborn, UC San Diego, Korea-America Student Conference KASC US Chair (Student Panelist)
• Eileen Pennington, Associate Director, Women’s Empowerment Program at the Asian Foundation
• Pamela Reeves, Senior Fellow at Brown University and Advisor to the Office of Melinda Gates
• Greg Scarlatoiu, Executive Director of The Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK)
• Randy Schriver, Partner at Armitage International and CEO and President of Project 2049 Institute
• Troy Stangarone, ISC National Advisory Committee Member, Senior Director at Korea Economic Institute of America
• Kumi Yoshikawa, Keio University, Japan-America Student Conference Japan Chair (Student Panelist)
• Kaede Yoshioka, UC Berkeley Japan-America Student Conference US Chair