Speaker Series Overview

The Speaker Series leverages Sasakawa USA’s and USJETAA’s network of high-level US-Japan specialists, comprised of both JET-alumni and non-JETs, to bring speakers to major events and conferences across the United States. These U.S.-Japan experts provide updates on current U.S.-Japan relations politics, as well as share their own knowledge and experiences to JET alumni and partner audiences. These events keep the JET alumni community informed on current U.S.-Japan developments, that they may continue to stay engaged with Japan, and thus strengthen bilateral relations following their return to the States. Attendees can also apply insights gained from these presentations to their own professional and personal development, as well as apply them to their own local community.

The Speaker Series supports both local and national level events, in order to stimulate dialogue, networking, and  exchange to contribute to the understanding and strengthening of U.S-Japan relations.

• For regional events, USJETAA works closely with local chapters and subchapters, which may have limited capacity to host impactful events, to identify and secure relevant speakers for the specific event topic. Local chapters handle on-the-ground logistics with USJETAA providing support in other areas. This approach allows Sasakawa USA and USJETAA to better reach underrepresented geographical regions.
• For national events, USJETAA will select speakers in consultation with Sasakawa USA, to host virtual programming accessible to JET alumni and chapters across the U.S.

In addition to the above, the Speaker Series also supports the keynote for the JETAA USA National Convention (NatCon).  NatCon is organized by the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of the United States of America (JETAA USA), and conducted with the support of USJETAA, Sasakawa USA, a local chapter, and other partners. The assisting local chapter, and thus the location of NatCon, changes each year. NatCon is attended by representatives from all 19 JETAA Chapters in the U.S., though often welcomes alumni from Canada and the Caribbean as well.

Please see below for a chronological list of Speaker Series events.

Speaker Series Events

2025-2026

• “JETAA Florida: Career Compass” (Traveling Program Pilot)
  • – On January 31, 2026, at Florida International University in Miami, Florida by The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program of Florida (Florida JETAA).
  • – Check-out the event flyer on the USJETAA website
• “2025 JETAA USA NatCon Keynote”
  • – On October 3, 2025, in Washington, DC, at the Old Ambassador’s Residence (Embassy of Japan) as a part of the JETAA National Conference (NatCon), held by The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of the United States of America (JETAA USA), and hosted by The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of Washington, DC (JETAADC).
  • – Read more about the event on the JETAA USA website
• “JETAASE: Kakehashi Careers”
  • – On August 13, 2025, in Atlanta, GA with The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of the Southeast (JETAASE).
  • – Check out the flyer for the event here.
  • – Watch the event on YouTube here.

2024-2025

• “JETAANC: Career Cartography”
  • – On February 22, 2025, in Sunnyvale, CA with The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of Northern California & Nevada (JETAANC).
  • – See the social media post on the event here.
• “After JET: Turning Your Professional Page”
  • – On December 5, 2024, via webinar, by USJETAA and Sasakawa USA.
  • – Check out the event flyer on the USJETAA website
• “2024 JETAA USA NatCon Keynote”
  • – On September 27, 2024, in St. Paul, MN as a part of the JETAA National Conference (NatCon), with The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of the United States of America (JETAA USA) and hosted by The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of Minnesota (JETAAMN).
  • – Read more about the event on the JETAA USA website

2023-2024

• “2023 JETAA USA NatCon Keynote”
  • – On September 9, 2023, in Monterey, CA at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, with The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of the United States of America (JETAA USA) and hosted by The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of Northern California & Nevada (JETAANC).
  • – Read more on the JETAANC and JETAA USA websites
  • – Watch the keynote on YouTube here.

2022-2023

• “2022 JETAA USA National Conference Keynote”
  • – On October 14, 2022, online, with The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of the United States of America (JETAA USA).
  • – Read more about the event on the JETAA USA website
  • – Watch the keynote on YouTube here.
• “The 35 Year Experiment: Reflecting on the JET Program and the Bridges it Builds”
  • – In June 2022, in Seattle, WA, as a part of the three-day JET 35 Reunion & Conference, organized by USJETAA with the Pacific Northwest Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (PNWJETAA).
  • – Read more about the event on the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle website

2021-2022

• “Transitions: Opportunities Forum & Networking Expo”
  • – February 05, 2022, online with USJETAA and the Pacific Northwest Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (PNWJETAA).
  • – Read more on the USJETAA and PNWJETAA websites

2020-2021

• “2021 JETAA USA National Conference Keynote”
  • – On November 17, 2021, online via ZOOM, with The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of the United States of America (JETAA USA) and The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of Northern California & Nevada (JETAANC).
  • – Read more about the event on the JETAA USA website
• “Transitions: Opportunities Forum & Networking Expo”
  • – On September 20-26, 2020, online, with the Seattle, WA based Pacific Northwest Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (PNWJETAA).
  • – Read more about the event on the USJETAA website

2019-2020

• “U.S.-Japan Town Hall”
  • – On January 21, 2020, hybrid – webinar and at Florida International University in Washington, DC, with USJETAA.
• “2019 JETAA USA National Conference Keynote”
  • – On September 26, 2019, in Chicago, IL, with The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of the United States of America (JETAA USA) and The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program Alumni Association of Chicago (JETAA Chicago).
  • – Read more on the USJETAA and JETAA USA websites