Shanti Shoji, Director of Programs at Sasakawa USA, manages the organization’s portfolio of grants and initiatives which are focused on U.S.-Japan security and diplomacy. Her career has included six years in Japan and nearly two decades in Washington, DC, working across U.S.-Japan grassroots diplomacy, cultural affairs, and foreign policy. At Sasakawa USA, Shanti has led policy-relevant research exchanges and bilateral dialogues that bring together officials, experts, and civil society to generate concrete recommendations for the U.S.-Japan alliance. She has developed and led initiatives that integrate Women, Peace and Security (WPS) into alliance strategy, establishing herself as a key voice on WPS in U.S.-Japan policy discussions. Previously, she taught English in Japan on the JET Program and co-founded the educational non-profit Kizuna Across Cultures. She holds a master’s degree in international communication from American University and bachelor’s degrees in Japanese and international studies from the University of Oregon.
