【Guide Line】 2025 JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DELEGATION TO JAPAN 22nd DELEGATION
2024/8/28
February 28 to March 8, 2025
Sponsored by: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Organized by: U.S.-Japan Council
OVERVIEW
The Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) program provides the opportunity for a select group of Japanese American leaders from across the U.S. to travel to Japan to engage with Japanese leaders in the business, government, academic, non-profit and cultural sectors. The trip also allows Japanese leaders to gain a greater understanding of multicultural America through the experiences of a diverse group of Japanese Americans. Upon their return, delegates collaborate with JALD alumni, the local consulates, the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) and local and national community organizations to continue strengthening ties between the U.S. and Japan.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) represented in the United States by the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. and seventeen consulate general/consular offices is the sponsor of the program. The U.S.-Japan Council provides administration and organization for this program. The program began in 2000 and 237 delegates have participated to date.
2025 PROGRAM
The 2025 Delegation will include senior Japanese Americans who are top leaders in their professions, have had moderate to extensive experience in U.S.-Japan relations, and will be committed to furthering the U.S.-Japan relationship upon their return. The 2025 program seeks senior leaders in the field of business, trade and investment as well as people-to-people exchanges with the Asia-Pacific region, and climate change, sustainability, and energy, and from government (both elected and appointed), finance, nonprofit, philanthropy and public relations, communications, cross-cultural exchanges, and media. Priority will be given to candidates from areas not represented in previous delegations, with a strong commitment to collaborate with Japanese Americans nationwide. The 2025 Delegation seeks to select a diverse delegation of prominent Japanese American leaders nationally.
GOALS OF THE DELEGATION PROGRAM
3. Develop a network of Japanese American leaders that will continue to advance long term U.S.-Japan relations at the regional, national and international levels.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between the U.S. and Japan is considered by many as the most important bilateral relationship in the world, and Japanese Americans are uniquely positioned to help shape it. The connections between Japanese and Japanese Americans are complex. While World War II played a major role in severing ties between Japanese Americans and Japan, today’s opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit are great and demand a renewed commitment to involving Japanese Americans in U.S.-Japan relations. In their April 2024 Joint Leaders’ Statement, Prime Minister Kishida and President Biden shared, “we praise the efforts of Japanese American leaders to build a bridge between the two countries and to address common community issues.” (United States – Japan Joint Leaders’ Statement)
The Japanese American Leadership Delegation provides Japanese American leaders with the opportunity to become acquainted or further engaged with Japan and participate in discussions related to the role that Japanese Americans can play in addressing key issues that face both countries, now and in the future.
The first delegation was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit Japan in 2000. It included third and fourth generation Japanese Americans selected from various professional fields including the educational, cultural, philanthropic, legal and political sectors. Since the initial trip, delegations of Japanese American leaders from throughout the United States have visited Japan every year since 2002, except during the pandemic years (2020-2022).
Participants in this program have created an alumni network to ensure that the commitment to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations is maintained. A commitment to engagement after the trip is a program requirement.
As a rule, delegates are not permitted to extend their stay. In exceptional cases, however, they may extend their stays by up to five nights at the conclusion of the official program at their own expense and at the approval of MOFA. Requests will be considered only if the extension supports the general goals of the program. As a rule, spouses and family members are not permitted to accompany delegates during the official trip.
CRITERIA & SELECTION OF THE 2025 DELEGATION
For the 2025 delegation, members will include senior leaders and executives with moderate to extensive experience in U.S.-Japan relations. MOFA will approve the final ten Japanese American leaders for the 2025 delegation. Decisions will be based upon recommendations from the local Japanese consulates and Japanese embassy and recommendations from an advisory committee of selected former delegates.
MOFA has placed priority on selecting leaders from geographic areas of the country with little or no representation in prior delegations. The 2025 delegation will include leaders who have a demonstrated interest and commitment to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations, have interest or experience in the Japanese American community, and will be committed to future efforts to strengthen linkages between the United States and Japan.
Candidates must hold U.S. citizenship to be eligible (Japanese nationals and dual U.S.-Japan citizens are not eligible for selection).
Selection for the 2025 delegation will give greater consideration to individuals with extensive experience in the following sectors:
Selection Criteria will include:
In making the final recommendations for the delegation, criteria will also include:
Notwithstanding, candidates who do not meet all of the above criteria may still be considered if they demonstrate extraordinary qualifications.
Questions on criteria and eligibility should be directed to the applicant’s local Consulate General office/Embassy.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS/NOMINATIONS
Deadline for receipt of applications: September 9, 2024
1. Applications should be submitted by email to the local consulate office based upon the applicant’s residence. For residents of Washington, D.C., applications should be submitted to the Embassy of Japan.
A list of consulate offices may be found at https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/consulate-guide.html. When sending the application materials to your Consulate/Embassy, please contact the office to verify the email address materials should be sent to.
2. A duplicate copy should also be emailed to Allison Murata at the U.S.-Japan Council at amurata@usjapancouncil.org.
Consul Aya Ishii, aya.ishii-2@mofa.go.jp, (213) 617-6700 x303
Ms. Allison Murata, amurata@usjapancouncil.org, (202) 750-4030
OVERVIEW OF SPONSOR & PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is one of the eleven ministries of the Government of Japan’s Executive Branch, the Prime Minister’s Cabinet. The Ministry oversees a network of embassies and consulates throughout the world, managing Japan’s foreign relations. The North American Affairs Bureau sponsors several programs which facilitate the strengthening of Japan-U.S. relations, with the First North America Division overseeing Japanese American affairs.
U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL
The U.S.-Japan Council is a 501(c) 3 non-profit educational organization that contributes to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations by bringing together diverse leadership, engaging stakeholders and exploring issues that benefit communities, businesses and government entities on both sides of the Pacific. By promoting people-to-people relationships, the Japanese American-led organization cultivates an international network, and collaborates with other organizations and institutions to develop programs that allow leaders to engage with their counterparts in the United States and Japan. The Council also develops the next generation of leaders committed to a vibrant and dynamic U.S.-Japan relationship.
Sponsored by: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Organized by: U.S.-Japan Council
OVERVIEW
The Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) program provides the opportunity for a select group of Japanese American leaders from across the U.S. to travel to Japan to engage with Japanese leaders in the business, government, academic, non-profit and cultural sectors. The trip also allows Japanese leaders to gain a greater understanding of multicultural America through the experiences of a diverse group of Japanese Americans. Upon their return, delegates collaborate with JALD alumni, the local consulates, the U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) and local and national community organizations to continue strengthening ties between the U.S. and Japan.
The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) represented in the United States by the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C. and seventeen consulate general/consular offices is the sponsor of the program. The U.S.-Japan Council provides administration and organization for this program. The program began in 2000 and 237 delegates have participated to date.
2025 PROGRAM
The 2025 Delegation will include senior Japanese Americans who are top leaders in their professions, have had moderate to extensive experience in U.S.-Japan relations, and will be committed to furthering the U.S.-Japan relationship upon their return. The 2025 program seeks senior leaders in the field of business, trade and investment as well as people-to-people exchanges with the Asia-Pacific region, and climate change, sustainability, and energy, and from government (both elected and appointed), finance, nonprofit, philanthropy and public relations, communications, cross-cultural exchanges, and media. Priority will be given to candidates from areas not represented in previous delegations, with a strong commitment to collaborate with Japanese Americans nationwide. The 2025 Delegation seeks to select a diverse delegation of prominent Japanese American leaders nationally.
GOALS OF THE DELEGATION PROGRAM
- Improve understanding and strengthen long term relations between Japanese Americans and Japan.
- Develop and implement ongoing strategies to expand the role of Japanese Americans in advancing U.S.-Japan relations.
3. Develop a network of Japanese American leaders that will continue to advance long term U.S.-Japan relations at the regional, national and international levels.
BACKGROUND
The relationship between the U.S. and Japan is considered by many as the most important bilateral relationship in the world, and Japanese Americans are uniquely positioned to help shape it. The connections between Japanese and Japanese Americans are complex. While World War II played a major role in severing ties between Japanese Americans and Japan, today’s opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit are great and demand a renewed commitment to involving Japanese Americans in U.S.-Japan relations. In their April 2024 Joint Leaders’ Statement, Prime Minister Kishida and President Biden shared, “we praise the efforts of Japanese American leaders to build a bridge between the two countries and to address common community issues.” (United States – Japan Joint Leaders’ Statement)
The Japanese American Leadership Delegation provides Japanese American leaders with the opportunity to become acquainted or further engaged with Japan and participate in discussions related to the role that Japanese Americans can play in addressing key issues that face both countries, now and in the future.
The first delegation was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit Japan in 2000. It included third and fourth generation Japanese Americans selected from various professional fields including the educational, cultural, philanthropic, legal and political sectors. Since the initial trip, delegations of Japanese American leaders from throughout the United States have visited Japan every year since 2002, except during the pandemic years (2020-2022).
Participants in this program have created an alumni network to ensure that the commitment to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations is maintained. A commitment to engagement after the trip is a program requirement.
2025 SCHEDULE
- The trip to Japan including travel will be from February 28 (Fri) to March 8 (Sat), 2025 (except Guam: departing March 1).
- Orientation – January 31 (Fri) – February 1 (Sat), 2025 in Los Angeles. This is mandatory for all delegates. Non-participation in the orientation will disqualify an individual from traveling with the delegation.
- The itinerary will include travel to Tokyo and Hiroshima.
- Transportation, hotel and meals will be provided.
- Delegates are required to attend all meetings and events during the trip.
As a rule, delegates are not permitted to extend their stay. In exceptional cases, however, they may extend their stays by up to five nights at the conclusion of the official program at their own expense and at the approval of MOFA. Requests will be considered only if the extension supports the general goals of the program. As a rule, spouses and family members are not permitted to accompany delegates during the official trip.
CRITERIA & SELECTION OF THE 2025 DELEGATION
For the 2025 delegation, members will include senior leaders and executives with moderate to extensive experience in U.S.-Japan relations. MOFA will approve the final ten Japanese American leaders for the 2025 delegation. Decisions will be based upon recommendations from the local Japanese consulates and Japanese embassy and recommendations from an advisory committee of selected former delegates.
MOFA has placed priority on selecting leaders from geographic areas of the country with little or no representation in prior delegations. The 2025 delegation will include leaders who have a demonstrated interest and commitment to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations, have interest or experience in the Japanese American community, and will be committed to future efforts to strengthen linkages between the United States and Japan.
Candidates must hold U.S. citizenship to be eligible (Japanese nationals and dual U.S.-Japan citizens are not eligible for selection).
Selection for the 2025 delegation will give greater consideration to individuals with extensive experience in the following sectors:
- Local, state, regional or federal government, including appointed and elected officials
- Finance, nonprofit and philanthropy
- Business, trade, and investment as well as people-to-people exchanges with the Asia-Pacific region
- Climate change, sustainability, and energy
- Public relations, cross-cultural exchanges, communications and media with an emphasis on AANHPI and other minority communities
Selection Criteria will include:
- Successful and senior leadership in one’s profession
- High level of interest or experience in U.S.-Japan relations
- Commitment to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations in the future
- Interest in expanding the role of Japanese Americans in U.S.-Japan relations
- Representation from geographic areas not included in prior delegations
In making the final recommendations for the delegation, criteria will also include:
- Regional representation
- Diversity of professional backgrounds
- Gender balance
- Diversity of experience in Japan including first time visitors and those with moderate to extensive experience. (Note: Those who previously participated in an invitation program to Japan sponsored by MOFA will not be eligible for consideration.)
- In principle, delegates should be 40 to 55 years of age to enable longer-term
Notwithstanding, candidates who do not meet all of the above criteria may still be considered if they demonstrate extraordinary qualifications.
Questions on criteria and eligibility should be directed to the applicant’s local Consulate General office/Embassy.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS/NOMINATIONS
Deadline for receipt of applications: September 9, 2024
1. Applications should be submitted by email to the local consulate office based upon the applicant’s residence. For residents of Washington, D.C., applications should be submitted to the Embassy of Japan.
A list of consulate offices may be found at https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/consulate-guide.html. When sending the application materials to your Consulate/Embassy, please contact the office to verify the email address materials should be sent to.
2. A duplicate copy should also be emailed to Allison Murata at the U.S.-Japan Council at amurata@usjapancouncil.org.
RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Embassy of Japan/Consulate General of Japan in your region: https://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jicc/consulate-guide.html
- Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles
Consul Aya Ishii, aya.ishii-2@mofa.go.jp, (213) 617-6700 x303
- U.S.-Japan Council
Ms. Allison Murata, amurata@usjapancouncil.org, (202) 750-4030
OVERVIEW OF SPONSOR & PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is one of the eleven ministries of the Government of Japan’s Executive Branch, the Prime Minister’s Cabinet. The Ministry oversees a network of embassies and consulates throughout the world, managing Japan’s foreign relations. The North American Affairs Bureau sponsors several programs which facilitate the strengthening of Japan-U.S. relations, with the First North America Division overseeing Japanese American affairs.
U.S.-JAPAN COUNCIL
The U.S.-Japan Council is a 501(c) 3 non-profit educational organization that contributes to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations by bringing together diverse leadership, engaging stakeholders and exploring issues that benefit communities, businesses and government entities on both sides of the Pacific. By promoting people-to-people relationships, the Japanese American-led organization cultivates an international network, and collaborates with other organizations and institutions to develop programs that allow leaders to engage with their counterparts in the United States and Japan. The Council also develops the next generation of leaders committed to a vibrant and dynamic U.S.-Japan relationship.