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[ONLINE] U.S.-Japan Council Present: Two Nations, Countless Connections - Community, Partnership, and the Road Ahead


  • Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) 4543 Post Oak Pl Dr Houston, TX, 77027 United States (map)
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Join the U.S.-Japan Council’s 2020 Public Symposium, scheduled for November 17-19, 2020. Titled, “Two Nations, Countless Connections – Community, Partnership and the Road Ahead,” the Symposium will explore the transformative areas of the bilateral relationship that have brought about hope and recovery. The program will also examine topics around community building, diversity, and resilience in both countries today, ultimately advancing the important work around key priorities in U.S.-Japan and Japanese American affairs. Presenters and participants will explore the question: How are enduring communities and partnerships formed?

Open to all U.S.-Japan advocates and supporters, USJC will partner with other organizations and influential leaders to deliver insightful dialogues, creative content, and engaging interactions over the course of three days.

Day 1 will focus on Race & Diversity, Day 2 on NPOs & Philanthropy, and Day 3 on Cultural & Educational Exchange.

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided for the sessions displayed below with asterisks. Registering for the Public Symposium will allow access to all sessions, and participants are welcome to attend as many sessions as they would like.

The symposium is free with registration, though registrants are encouraged to make a donation to the U.S.-Japan Council. Viewing links will be sent to participants prior to the event.

Program Schedule

November 17
1:00 – 2:00 pm CST: Opening Session
2:30 – 3:45 pm CST: Topical Session 1: Race & Social Justice
5:00 – 6:15 pm CST: Topical Session 2: Women’s Leadership: The Power of Story*

November 18
12:30-1:45 pm CST: Topical Session 3: NPO Sustainability
5:00 – 6:15 pm CST: Topical Session 4: Philanthropy Leadership*

November 19
2:00 – 3:15 pm CST: Topical Session 5: Cultural & Educational Exchange
5:00 – 6:15 pm CST: Topical Session 6: Baseball Diplomacy*
6:45 – 7:30 pm CST: Closing Session*

Program Speakers:

  • Suzanne Basalla, President & CEO, U.S.-Japan Council

  • Patsy Yoon Brown, Executive Director, Japan-America Society of Houston

  • Linda Calhoun, Founder and Executive Producer, Career Girls

  • Yumi Hosaka Clark, Vice President, Head of Product, Visa

  • Paige Cottingham-Streater, Secretary-General, U.S. CULCON Panel & Executive Director, Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission

  • Royanne K. Doi, Corporate Governance Specialist

  • Susan Eichor, President & COO at aio Group

  • Rob Fitts, Author & Baseball Historian

  • Dianne Fukami, President, Bridge Media, Inc.

  • Aila Gomi, Material Engineer, Azek/TimberTech

  • Danielle Higa, Fund Development Manager, Densho

  • Leona Hiraoka, Senior Advisor, Snider Strategies, Inc.

  • Thomas Iino, Board Member, First Choice Bank; & USJC Legacy Council Chair

  • Craig Ishii, Integrated Marketing Communications Manager, Beckman Coulter

  • Tom Ikeda, Executive Director, Densho

  • Katsuji Imata, President, Social Impact Management Initiative Japan (SIMI); & Managing Director, CSO Network Japan

  • David P. Janes, Senior Advisor to the President for Institutional Development, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University; & Managing Director, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Foundation

  • Yuko Kaifu, President, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles

  • Kosei Kobayashi, Deputy Managing Director & General Manager, Membership, International House of Japan

  • Nanami Kono, Director, SUNDRED Corporation

  • Duane Kurisu, Minority Owner of the San Francisco Giants; Chairman and CEO, aio Group

  • Judy Marlinski, Head of Product & Advisory Solutions, Fidelity Institutional

  • Colbert Matsumoto, Chairman, Island Insurance Company, Ltd.

  • Lynn Miyahira, Account Director, iQ 360; & President, Hawaii United Okinawa Association

  • Joshua Morey, President, The J. Morey Company, Inc.

  • Jeffrey Moy, Senior Program Director, National Collaborative for Health Equity; & National President, Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)

  • Matt Murton, Formerly Hanshin Tigers and Major League Baseball Player (retired)

  • Norman Nakasone, Senior Vice President & Manager, Small Business Market, Central Pacific Bank

  • Debra Nakatomi, President, Nakatomi & Associates, Inc.

  • Don Nomura, Sports (Baseball) Agent

  • Jon Osaki, Executive Director, Japanese Community Youth Council

  • Amir Pasic, Ph.D., Dean, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

  • Jim Reed, President, YKK Corporation of America

  • Yuriko Gamo Romer, Director of Diamond Diplomacy, Flying Carp Productions

  • Steve Sakanashi, Director of Marketing & Global Strategy, Matchbox Technologies

  • Jim Small, Senior Vice President, International, Major League Baseball

  • Shinsuke J. Sugiyama, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States of America

  • Kira Teshima, Associate, Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

  • William Tsutsui, Reischauer Distinguished Professor, Harvard University

  • Robin Yasui, M.D., Director of Geriatrics, Denver Health and Hospitals

  • Kyoko Yoshida, Executive Director, U.S./Japan Cultural Trade Network, Inc. (CTN)