The first Japan-based NEXT Alliance Conference (NAC) was held in Tokyo from March 10-13, 2023.
It is one of two offsite “retreats” convened each year by Sasakawa USA focused on a priority issue area for the US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative.
The Spring 2023 NAC explored useful adjustments to future US-Japan command and control (C2) relationships, in light of three evolving trends: 1) a shifting regional military balance that makes integration of allied forces more vital to sustaining deterrence or repelling any attack; 2) a combination of technological advances and operational needs that are driving toward more integrated and combined force concepts; and 3) Japan efforts to expand its defense capabilities and improve military “jointness,” such as beginning to develop a counterstrike capability and introducing a permanent joint headquarters for the Self-Defense Forces (SDF).
The objective of this NAC was to foster substantive bilateral expert dialogue on complex issues surrounding command and control relationships within the alliance, and to support greater mutual understanding and broader public awareness of these issues. Specifically, we focused on 1) the C2 structure we have, 2) models of alliance C2, 3) political, legal & institutional considerations, and 4) C2 needs for the future.
Japan Government Briefings:
Briefing 1: National Defense Strategy (and Information and Cybersecurity)
The first Japanese Government briefing by Mr. Kouji UEDA, Defense Councilor for Cyber Security and Information Technology Management, Ministry of Defense and Mr. Hidetoshi IIJIMA, Director, Defense Policy Division, Ministry of Defense on the topic of Japan’s new national defense strategy.
Briefing 2: National Security Strategy (and Cybersecurity)
The second government briefing by Mr. Masataka OKANO, Assistant Chief Cabinet Secretary of the National Security Secretariat (NSS) covered Japan’s new national security strategy and cybersecurity issues.
Briefing 3: Japan’s Defense Buildup Plan
The third government briefing by Mr. Shinya ITO, Director at the Defense Planning and Programming Division, Ministry of Defense and Mr. Hidetoshi IIJIMA explained Japan’s new defense buildup plan.
Keynote Speakers:
Amb. Kenichiro SASAE, President, Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA)
The first speaker of the conference was former Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae, President of the Japan Institute of International Affairs (JIIA) during the “Kick-Off” dinner on March 10. Following his opening remarks, on the “Challenge for Japan and US Alliance” Amb. Sasae spoke with NEXT Alliance Initiative Senior Director Jim Schoff for a fireside chat style of question and answer that encompassed issues pertaining to the US-Japan alliance today.
Gen. Ryoichi ORIKI (Ret.), Chief of Staff, Joint Staff
The second speaker of the conference was former Chief of Staff, Joint Staff General Ryoichi Oriki, Ground Self-Defense Forces (Ret.). His remarks “Reflection on Operation Tomodachi” covered US-Japan cooperation and coordination lessons learned during Operation Tomodachi, following the disaster of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami in 2011, exactly 12 years later to the day.
Workshop Sessions:
Session 1: The C2 Structure We Have
The first session began with remarks and presentations by Lt. Gen. Lawrence “Larry” Nicholson, US Marine Corps (Ret.) and Lt. Gen. Junichi ARAKI, Air Self-Defense Forces (Ret.) on the topic of current C2 structures in place.
Publications:
Lt. Gen. Lawrence Nicholson, US Marine Corps (Ret.): The Clock is Running
Session 2: Models of Alliance C2
The second session began with remarks and presentations by Adm. Scott Swift, US Navy (Ret.) and Adm. Tomohisa TAKEI, Maritime Self-Defense Forces (Ret.) on the topic of models of alliance C2 that could be adapted/serve as a model to modernize US-Japan command and control frameworks.
Session 3: Political, Legal & Institutional Considerations
The third session began with remarks and presentations by Nobushige TAKAMIZAWA, Visiting Professor, University of Tokyo and John Bradford, Executive Director, Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS) on the topic of political, legal & institutional considerations for C2 structures.
Publications:
John Bradford, Executive Director, Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS): Political and Legal Considerations Regarding the Upgrade of US-Japan Alliance Command and Control Arrangements
Session 4: C2 Needs for the Future
The fourth session was moderated by Chris Johnstone, Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and began with remarks and presentations by Lt. Gen. Koichi ISOBE, Ground Self-Defense Forces (Ret.) and Lt. Gen. Chip Gregson, US Marine Corps (Ret.) on the topic of C2 needs for the future.
Publications:
Lt. Gen. Wallace “Chip” Gregson, US Marine Corps (Ret.): Command Relationships for New Collective Defense Challenges
Session 5: Conference review and recommendation
Prior to the conclusion of the workshop, participants took time to reflect on the weekend’s discussions and consider overall policy recommendations. Senior Director Schoff led an interactive dialogue where participants worked to outline the strengths of US-Japan policy coordination and areas that need improvement.
Media Briefing:
On March 13, the final day of the conference, a subset of conference participants including: Satohiro Akimoto, Jim Schoff, Chris Johnstone, Scott Swift, Koichi Isobe, Nobukatsu Kanehara, and Nobushige Takamizawa, Tsuneo Watanabe gave a media briefing at Sasakawa Peace Foundation offices on the progress and consensus made over the weekend conference to print journalists from various media outlets including The Economist, Wall Street Journal, Nikkei and Yomiuri Shinbun.
Site Visit:
The final event of the conference was a site visit to Yokota Air Base in western Tokyo for a briefing with US Forces Japan and a review of ballistic missile defense (BMD) cooperation.
Photo credit (above): US Forces Japan
Photos:
Each year, Sasakawa USA’s US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative will convene two offsite “retreats” dedicated to emerging priority issues for the alliance, one in the area of technology and innovation and the other related to foreign and security policy challenges. Participants include relevant scholars, private sector representatives, and current and former government officials from both countries. The NEXT Alliance Conference (NAC) itinerary involves a series of government briefings to provide background information for delegation, and then a two-day private workshop followed by a public event to share key takeaways from the bilateral dialogue. Our goal is to foster substantive expert discussion on complex issues facing the alliance, develop some practical policy recommendations, and support greater mutual understanding and broader public awareness of these challenges.
The inaugural NEXT Alliance Conference (NAC) was held in Washington, D.C. and Annapolis, MD from November 4 to 7, 2022. It is one of two offsite “retreats” convened each year by Sasakawa USA focused on a priority issue area for the US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative. The Fall 2022 NAC explored US-Japan economic security policy coordination.
The US and Japanese delegations carried out a series of discussions over the long weekend with briefings from US government officials on different economic security topics including cyber security, export controls, and fostering technology innovation, followed by travel to Annapolis, MD for a two-day bilateral workshop that dove deeper into each policy area.
The objective of this NAC was to foster substantive bilateral expert dialogue on complex issues surrounding economic security policy coordination within the alliance, and to support greater mutual understanding and broader public awareness of these issues. Specifically, we focused on 1) perceptions of economic security, 2) data and cyber security, 3) export controls, and 4) fostering innovation.
Economic security has become a top concern for policy makers in both countries, as national vulnerabilities to unbalanced supply chains, energy market disruption, cyber security threats, and intense technology competition are pushing governments to adopt countermeasures in pursuit of stability and long-term economic and military competitiveness. However, these countermeasures—be the new export controls, investment restrictions, data governance rules, reshoring subsidies, or innovation initiatives—will be less effective if poorly coordinated among allies. Our focus, therefore, was to examine how economic security policy coordination is carried out within the alliance and explore options for improvement, when appropriate.
For the inaugural NEXT Alliance Conference’s (NAC) agenda and participant list, click here.
US Government Briefings
Briefing 1: Science & Innovation Strategies
The first US Government briefing by Mr. Jason Donavan of the Office of Science and Technology Cooperation (STC) covered science & innovation strategies. The group discussed US-Japan coordination on science collaboration policy, research integrity, emerging technologies, and other related issues.
Briefing 2: Economic 2+2
The second briefing was an update on the US-Japan Economic Policy Consultative Committee (or “Economic 2+2”) by Ms. Pamela Phan (Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia, Global Markets, Department of Commerce); Ms. Kemy Monahan (Director for East Asia, National Security Council); and Mr. Joel Ehrendreich (Director, Office of Japanese Affairs, Department of State). Participants discussed progress made by the US & Japan in building stronger economic bonds, coordinating economic security policies, and engaging with like-minded nations on this strategic agenda.
Briefing 3: Semiconductor Issues/Export Controls
The third briefing by Mr. Tarun Chhabra (Senior Director for Technology and National Security, National Security Council) covered semiconductor issues and export controls. A major topic of discussion was the October US announcement of new export controls on advanced computing and semiconductor manufacturing items to China.
Keynote Speakers
Mr. Naoshi Hirose: Economic Security
The first speaker of the conference was Mr. Naoshi Hirose, Special Adviser to the METI Minister, who provided a keynote address on economic security and next steps for the US-Japan alliance.
Dr. Michael Nelson: What’s Shaping the Digital Transformation
The second conference speaker was Dr. Michael Nelson, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, who gave a keynote address at lunch on Saturday following the morning workshops. His remarks were entitled “What’s Shaping the Digital Transformation.”
Dr. Patricia Falcone: Strategic Science & Technology Cooperation with Allies
The third conference speaker was Dr. Patricia Falcone, Deputy Director for Science and Technology at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Her keynote address was entitled “Strategic Science & Technology Cooperation with Allies.”
Sessions
Session 1: Alliance Perceptive on Economic Security
The first weekend session began Saturday morning with presentations by Mr. Akira Igata of the University of Tokyo and Dr. Mireya Solís of the Brookings Institution, kicking off group discussion about alliance perceptions on economic security.
Publications:
Dr. Mireya Solís: Economic Security: Boon or Bane for the US-Japan Alliance?
経済安全保障: 日米同盟の追い風となるか向かい風となるか (Solís, Japanese version)
Session 2: Data and Cybersecurity Issues
The second session began with presentations from Ms. Mihoko Matsubara, Chief Cybersecurity Strategist at NTT and Dr. Barbara Grewe, Director for International Strategy and Policy at MITRE on the topic of data and cybersecurity issues.
Publications:
Ms. Mihoko Matsubara: Why Japan and the US Need Cyber and Data Security Cooperation for Their Economic Security
サイバーセキュリティとデータセキュリティの日米協力がなぜ両国の経済安全保障に不可欠か (Matsubara, Japanese version)
Ms. Barbara Grewe: Effectively Integrating Cybersecurity into National and Economic Security to Improve Outcomes in Both Spheres
Session 3: Coordination on Export Controls
The third session began with a presentation by Professor Kazuto Suzuki, the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Tokyo on US-Japan coordination on export controls. Sasakawa USA Senior director James Schoff presented slides prepared by Mr. Kevin Wolf, Non-Resident Senior Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology, who was unable to attend the workshop at the last minute.
Session 4: Pursuing a Technology Alliance
The final issue-specific session of the conference featured presentations from Mr. Jun Kazeki, of the National Graduate Research Institute for Policy Studies and Mr. Martijn Rasser, Senior Fellow/Director of the Technology and National Security Program at CNAS, who spoke about the US and Japan pursuing a technology alliance.
Publications:
Mr. Jun Kazeki: Economic Security and Emerging Technology: Japan’s Perspective for Pursuing a Technology Alliance
経済安全保障と先端技術 技術アライアンスに向けて日本の視点 (Kazeki, Japanese version)
Mr. Martijn Rasser: Pursuing a Technology Alliance: The T-14
Wrap-up Session: Review/recommendation
Prior to the conclusion of the workshop, participants took time to reflect on the weekend’s discussions and consider overall policy recommendations. Senior Director Schoff led an interactive dialogue where participants worked to outline the strengths of US-Japan policy coordination and areas that need improvement.
Public Event
After the weekend workshop, some participants from the conference joined a public symposium convened by Mireya Solis of the Brookings Institution on “Economic security in the Indo-Pacific: Implications for US-Japan relations.” Dr. Solis (left) moderated the panel discussion featuring (from left to right) Mr. James Schoff, Ms. Mihoko Matsubara, Mr. Jun Kazeki, and Dr. Scott Kennedy. The video of this event is available here.
Photos
Portland, Oregon is a renowned hub for sustainable and equity-based innovation where leaders in trade, marketing, design, and clean technology are working to solve the pressing challenges of our time, including climate change, resource scarcity, and preserving free trade and investment in an increasingly complex international geopolitical landscape. Home to numerous iconic multinational brands which are driving intelligent product design and marketing, the city offers fertile ground for cultivating creative partnerships on a local and global scale.
Oregon also benefits from strong economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties with Japan. In 2021, Japan’s exports to Oregon were valued at $2.1 billion while Oregon’s export value to Japan amounted to $1.5 billion, and there are over 150 Japanese companies operating in the region.[1] Portland maintains an over 60-year-old sister city relationship with Sapporo, one of the oldest sister city partnerships in the country, and is home to the Portland Japanese Garden, one of the most highly acclaimed Japanese gardens found outside of Japan as well as one of the foremost Japanese cultural organizations in North America.
With this context in mind, Sasakawa USA partnered with the Portland Japanese Garden’s newly launched Japan Institute to host the latest installment of its TAWA series, “The Alliance Working in America: Forum for Reimagining the Oregon-Japan Alliance (TAWA PDX 2022).” The program was convened on the Garden’s grounds on July 19, 2022 and featured two panel discussions on opportunities for increased U.S.-Japan cooperation in trade, innovation, and creative enterprises in Portland and the Pacific Northwest.
[1] https://www.portland.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/business.html#:~:text=Japan’s%20total%20export%20value%20to,million%20and%20%24209%20million%20respectively.
July 19, 2022 | Portland, OR | Forum for Reimagining the Oregon-Japan Alliance
On the evening before the TAWA PDX program took place, program panelists, speakers, and honored guests gathered at the home of Mr. Robert Zagunis, immediate past Board President of the Portland Japanese Garden (2019-2022), for dinner and discussion on the themes of the upcoming program. Attendees included Senator Elizabeth Steiner Hayward (Oregon State Senator, NW Portland/Beaverton), Consul-General Masaki Shiga of the Consular Office of Japan in Portland, and representatives from the Japan-America Society of Oregon, the City of Portland Mayor’s Office, Business Oregon, Prosper Portland, Port of Portland, and other local businesses.
Plenary Session
The event began with opening remarks by Mr. Steve Bloom, CEO of the Portland Japanese Garden, who highlighted how organizations at the intersection of culture, art, and nature can facilitate more open and meaningful dialogue between Japan and the United States. Mr. Bloom’s introduction was followed by welcome remarks from Ms. Shanti Shoji, Director of Programs at Sasakawa USA, who emphasized the great potential for Japan and the United States to collaborate on shared challenges in our pursuit of a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous society for all. Congratulatory remarks were also provided by the Honorable Kate Brown, Governor of Oregon, and Consul General Masaki Shiga of the Consular Office of Japan in Portland, who recognized Oregon’s deep and lasting ties with Japan and expressed enthusiasm for programs such as TAWA PDX which provide a venue for exploring how to further enrich U.S.-Japan relations.
A virtual keynote speech was provided by Ms. Katherine Monahan, East Asia Director at the National Security Council, who spoke to the state of the U.S.-Japan relationship following President Biden’s first trip to Japan as president. She reiterated that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains critical to ensuring global peace, security, and prosperity. The alliance is built on a foundation of shared values, including the preservation of a rules-based order as laid out by Japan’s Free and Open Indo-Pacific strategy. Ms. Monahan affirmed that we must continue seeking opportunities to deepen and expand cooperation on all fronts, including innovating clean energy solutions, seeking partnerships in trade and investment, and exploring creative partnerships and grassroots people-to-people exchanges.
Session 1: Agricultural Innovation and Trade in the Age of Climate Disruption
The first session was moderated by Ms. Marianna Grossman, Founder and Managing Partner of Minerva Ventures, whose company provides business development support to start-ups in the clean tech sector and works with established companies to help them better identify opportunities for innovation in addressing the realities of climate change. Ms. Grossman set the stage by pointing to the exponential global temperature rise in recent years, which threatens human lives and livelihoods with drought, severe weather events, and unpredictable weather patterns and seasons. In addition to the physical ravages of climate change, there will also be economic and social challenges such as mass migration, market instability, and capital being redirected to recovery rather than being put toward innovation.
Next, Mr. Ron Pernick, Managing Director of Clean Edge, Inc., spoke on the necessity of shifting to clean energy options and how to minimize negative economic and social impacts while navigating this transition. He identified some of the key drivers of the shift to clean energy, which include declining costs of clean tech, low carbon policies that encourage clean energy use and innovation, shifts in investment away from fossil fuels, trends towards smart grids and electrification, and increased public support for clean energy. He noted that many Japanese companies are investing in clean technology development in the United States, and there are opportunities for more bidirectional investment and exchange of ideas. He closed by identifying seven recommendations for smoothly transitioning to clean energy:
Mr. Pernick’s presentation was followed by remarks from Mr. Darren Padget, recent former Chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates. In conversation with Ms. Grossman, Mr. Padget explained the strong wheat export relationship Oregon shares with Japan, which has benefited from a long history of people-to-people exchange facilitated by trade organizations such as U.S. Wheat Associates. He emphasized that these grassroots exchanges help cultivate a more nuanced and meaningful relationship between wheat suppliers and consumers, which is more important than ever considering the scale of the United States’ global wheat exports and the potential for supply chain disruptions brought about by global events like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine this past year.
Session 2: Weaving the Common Threads: New Creative Dynamics in U.S.-Japan Partnership
The second panel was moderated Ms. Zeljka Carol Kekez, Founder and Principal of the innovative design studio PLACE. She began by introducing Japan as a world leader in education, commerce, and technology, as well as an international hub for arts and culture. Similarly, Portland is permeated by an ethos of individualism which embraces creative, unconventional entrepreneurship. PLACE embodies the synergies between the creative cultures of Portland and Japan with its multinational team of designers working to make environmentally and socially conscious installations, structures, and landscapes. PLACE also models how Japan and Portland can concretely engage with one another on creative ventures; for example, PLACE will be bringing Japanese talent to Portland through an upcoming installation at their headquarters featuring the intricate salt designs of artist Motoi Yamamoto.
Continuing the theme of creative partnerships between the U.S. and Japan, Mr. Takeshi “Ted” Homma, Founder & CEO of Homma Group Inc., presented on how Japan’s model of home design and construction can be applied in the United States to make the process more efficient, intuitive, and environmentally conscious. He noted that in Japan, homes are frequently assembled from prefabricated sets (such as for bathrooms and kitchens), as opposed to in the U.S. where homes are commonly built on-site. As a result, custom-built homes in Japan can be assembled more quickly (in less than 12 months, compared to an average of 2-3 years in the U.S.), and are much more commonplace compared to in the United States (53% of homes in Japan are custom, versus a mere 2% in the U.S.). Because the demand for new homes in the United States is on the rise, there is an opportunity here to introduce Japanese innovation into American home construction. Furthermore, increased customization in home design means increased opportunities to transition towards smart home technologies that not only improve the homeowner’s living experience, but also improve energy efficiency. Homma Group’s latest project located in Mount Tabor, Oregon (dubbed the “Homma Haus”) exemplifies how smart technologies can be integrated seamlessly into home design and construction.
Next came remarks from Mr. John C. Jay, President and Executive Creative Director of GX and President of Global Creative, UNIQLO. Mr. Jay began by highlighting the creative talent present in both Portland and Japan. He referenced Ace Hotel’s collaboration with renowned Japanese architect Kengo Kuma on the hotel’s Kyoto location as an example of a successful partnership that tapped into the talents of American and Japanese creatives. The concept of collaboration is a powerful tool in advertising as well; surprisingly, many competing brands in Japan have achieved mutually beneficial outcomes by collaborating on the creation of new products and brands. Mr. Jay also drew from his experience working on brand imaging for UNIQLO and Nike to demonstrate how intuitive and intelligent advertising can create opportunities for brands to expand their audience, challenge consumer expectations, and generate new demand for products.
Conclusion
Mr. Bloom concluded the event by thanking the panelists and speakers, as well as the Portland Japanese Garden staff members and Sasakawa USA staff who supported the event preparations. He reiterated the importance of continuing collaboration between the innovators, creatives, investors, and leaders in Portland and Japan who are united by their shared interest in building a more peaceful, prosperous, equitable, and sustainable world for future generations.
*All times indicated in Pacific Time.
2:00 pm – 2:40 pm | Plenary Remarks
2:45 pm – 4:00 pm |Session 1 “Agricultural Innovation and Trade in the Age of Climate Disruption”
4:15 pm – 5:30 pm | Session 2 “Weaving the Common Threads: New Creative Dynamics in U.S.-Japan Partnership”
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm | Networking Opportunity
Japanese economic investments in Alabama continue to play a pivotal role in moving Alabama forward. With over 174 Japanese owned or affiliated firms already in Alabama, Japanese companies are continuing to invest in Alabama. In addition to the investments Japanese companies have made in Alabama in terms of establishing new business operations, they have also invested heavily in the communities they now call home. Honorary Consul General of Japan Mark Jackson explains it best, the single largest one-time Japanese investment in the U.S. occurred when Daichi purchased a Birmingham life insurance company for $5.7 billion and more companies have followed suit including Mazda-Toyota which recently completed a $1.6 billion investment in Huntsville, AL.
The East-West Center in Washington’s Japan Matters for America publication details the many ways that the Alabama-Japan relationship continues to grow in other sectors as well, as five Alabama cities enjoy sister city relationships with Japanese cities, including the Tuscaloosa-Narashino relationship which began in 1954, Japanese gardens are maintained in eight locales, and the Japan-America of Alabama provides opportunities throughout the state for enriching the Alabama-Japan relationship.
As Alabama continues to be the destination for Japanese businesses to establish their headquarters, Sasakawa USA traveled to the Huntsville, AL, the Silicon Valley of the South, from April 25-26, 2022, to hold a public panel discussion on the importance of the U.S.-Japan relationship on U.S. and Alabama economic interests and the opportunities for increased Japanese investment throughout Alabama.
April 26, 2022 | Huntsville, AL | U.S. Japan Cooperation and Economic Legacy
Sasakawa USA co-sponsored a public panel discussion at the Redstone Federal Credit Union Atrium in Huntsville, AL, in partnership with Global Ties Alabama. The featured panelists included Mr. Mark Brazeal, Vice President of Administration, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA, Inc; Ms. Emma Chanlett-Avery, Specialist in Asian Affairs, Congressional Research Service; The Hon. Paul Finley, Mayor of the City of Madison, AL; and Mr. Kenji Kunimoto, Treasurer, Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama. Ms. Shanti Shoji, Director of Programs, Sasakawa USA, moderated the discussion. Panelists discussed why Northern Alabama continues to attract Japanese businesses to establish operations in the area, what their presence means for the community, and the wider U.S.-Japan relationship. This event was held as part of The Alliance Working in America (TAWA) series.
The event began with a welcome address by Ms. Jacquelyn Shipe, CEO of Global Ties Alabama. Ms. Shipe draws on her wealth of experience in a variety of sectors including work for the World Bank Group to lead Global Ties Alabama by coordinating international exchange programs that bring people from all over the world to Alabama. The Hon. Mark Jackson, Honorary Consul General of Japan for Alabama then presented introductory remarks on Alabama-Japan relations, including the deep impact Japanese FDI provides to the people of Alabama, and efforts throughout the state to enrich the relationship further.
Ms. Shoji then began the discussion by briefly introducing the panelists and having Ms. Chanlett-Avery provide information on current U.S.-Japan topics and future outlook for cooperation. Mayor Finley then explained the impact of Japanese investment in Northern Alabama, particularly in Madison and Huntsville and his role as Mayor in facilitating greater opportunities for Japanese companies. Mr. Brazeal and Mr. Kunimoto took turns discussing their respective organizations, Mazda Toyota and Toyota, and how they have impacted the community as well as opportunities for growth. During Q&A, one audience member asked about increasing Japanese investment in Alabama’s more impoverished areas, specifically the “Black Belt” region which has seen limited investment. Panelists then had a discussion on what brings companies to Northern Alabama, and that the presence of Redstone Arsenal and NASA have really driven increased investment. In order to increase investment in other areas, they explained that the State of Alabama needed to take a bigger role in increasing investment in the Black Belt region. Other topics of discussion in the Q&A included future investment in Alabama and Huntsville/Madison community specific questions.
Please see the below for photos of the event.
*All times indicated in Central Time.
11:15 am – 11:30 am | Registration and Reception
11:30 am – 12:00 pm | Welcome Remarks and Lunch is served
12:00 pm – 1:15 pm | Panel Discussion
1:15 pm – 1:30 pm | Closing Remarks and Conclusion of Event
Sasakawa USA’s In-Depth Research Trip provides selected participants with an opportunity to visit Japan for a deeper understanding of common challenges and opportunities for growth in the U.S.-Japan relationship. Each participant will decide the research topic in consultation with Sasakawa USA, and build their own itinerary for a short trip to Japan to conduct independent research and interviews on the selected topic. Upon completion of the trip, participants are required to submit a research paper based on their research findings. These deliverables will be featured in Sasakawa USA’s on-line publications, and participants will have the opportunity to present their findings to the DC policy community at an event hosted by Sasakawa USA.
At the inter-section of diplomacy, security cooperation, & technology policy coordination, our dialogue and research activities focus on two overlapping lines of effort: 1) Technology & Innovation Connections; and Changing Foreign & Security Policy Challenges. Current NEXT Alliance areas of interest include:
Our NEXT Alliance Bilateral Dialogue Series aims to become a trusted, valued, and well-recognized forum for sustained dialogue involving new bilateral networks and talents, as the alliance adapts to fast changing global developments. It supplements the work of policy makers and business leaders in both countries who are working to keep the alliance relevant to each nation’s strategy for security and prosperity.
Texas’ economic relationship with Japan continues to grow. With over 400 Japanese companies operating in Texas, and more setting up shop in the Lone Star state every year, Japan has become a valuable partner for economic growth. Additionally, in 2020, Japan was Texas’ third highest import partner and source of greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, rising from being respectively the eighth and fifth highest in 2016.
The East-West Center in Washington’s Japan Matters for America publication details the many ways that the Texas-Japan relationship continues to grow in other sectors as well, as 11 Texas cities enjoy sister city relationships with Japanese cities, Japanese gardens are maintained in 11 locales, and four separate Japan-America societies serve to improve Texas’ relationship with Japan throughout the state. Additionally, in September 2019, Texas Governor Greg Abbott led an economic development trip to Japan, accompanied by several major companies in Texas, economic development organizations from across the state, and other financial corporations.
As Texas continues to be the destination for Japanese businesses to establish their headquarters, Sasakawa USA traveled to the greater Dallas area between November 29 to December 1, 2021, to hold a public panel discussion on the importance of the U.S.-Japan relationship on U.S. and Texas economic interests and the opportunities for increased Japanese investment in the “Lone Star” State.
November 30, 2021 | Addison, TX | The U.S.-Japan Alliance: Economic Impact on North Texas
Sasakawa USA co-sponsored a public panel discussion at the Renaissance Dallas Addison Hotel in Addison, Texas, with the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth and the World Affairs Councils of America. The featured panelists included Mr. Mark Ikeno, President and CEO, NEC Corporation of America; Mr. Yoichiro Suzuki, Senior Vice President of Corporate Collaboration, NTT DATA Services; and Mr. Yasuhiro Uozumi, Executive Director, Keidanren USA. Ms. Shanti Shoji, Director of Programs, Sasakawa USA, moderated the discussion. Panelists discussed why Dallas-Fort Worth has become the perfect location for many Japanese businesses to establish their North American headquarters, what Japanese businesses are doing for the community outside of the direct economic impact, and the wider U.S.-Japan relationship. This event was held as part of The Alliance Working in America (TAWA) series.
The event began with a welcome address by the Mayor of Addison, Mr. Joe Chow. As a local business owner and entrepreneur, Mayor Chow shared his firsthand experience in business in North Texas, before handing it off to Ms. Liz Brailsford, President and CEO of World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth to share a few words on her organization. Ms. Brailsford then welcomed Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, who provided introductory remarks on Sasakawa USA and the origins of TAWA.
Ms. Shoji then began the discussion by introducing the panelists and having Mr. Uozumi provide the first opening remarks. Mr. Uozumi explained the role of Keidanren USA and discussed the impact that Japanese businesses have throughout the United States before focusing directly on Japanese businesses in Texas. In addition to the direct economic benefits that Japanese companies have on Texas, Mr. Uozumi presented information on how they also work to support the communities they serve directly through community service initiatives and civic engagement. Mr. Ikeno and Mr. Suzuki then discussed what led their companies to establish headquarters in Texas as well as specific examples of community engagement. The Q&A session covered topics such as how the political environment of the U.S. is impacting Japanese businesses and their panelist hopes for future investment in Texas.
Please see the below for photos and a full recording of the event.
*All times indicated in Central Time.
6:00 pm – 6:30 pm | Registration and Reception
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm | Welcome and Panel Discussion
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Networking Opportunity
Networking & Presentations is to facilitate meetings between Japanese and American leaders in the D.C. policy community for timely discussions of relevant issues in U.S.-Japan relations. It also serves to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance in the long-term by creating opportunities for leaders from both countries to build networks, and discover areas of common interest.
Among the many island nations in the Pacific, the United States and Japan hold close relationships with three in particular. The Freely Associated States (FAS) of the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau, are critically important allies of both the U.S. and Japan to ensure a regional liberal order (freedom, democracy, rule of law) in the North Pacific.
The Pacific Islands Maritime Domain Awareness Program aims to make policy recommendations to the U.S. and Japan on Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and related issues vis-à-vis the FAS considering the following five major topic areas.
1. MDA Data Collection
2. Ecological Impacts of Climate Change on the Marine Environment
3. Data Fusion, Analysis, and Sharing
4. Maritime Enforcement
5. U.S.-Japan Cooperation in the North Pacific to facilitate a Free and Open Indo-Pacific
Sasakawa USA’s Policy Briefing Series engages the Washington, D.C. policy, academic, and business communities by holding timely discussions on Japan and the U.S.-Japan alliance. The goals of the Policy Briefing Series are to foster a better understanding of the bilateral relationship and to allow candid exchange between speakers and invited guests. Discussions may be held on or off-the-record, and in general, events are by invitation-only. Recaps are posted on this page following the discussions.
Sasakawa USA
1819 L Street NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 296-6694
Email: info@spfusa.org
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