NAJAS 2024 ANNUAL MEETING Our 2024 Annual Meeting begins with programming focused on our Japan America society members. Check back for speaker bios and final updates |
SOCIETY-FOCUSED PROGRAMMING |
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21
WELCOME TOAST
| 6:00 PM Welcome Drinks at Marriott Downtown Waterfront Hotel, Mezzanine Level Small group dinners at local restaurants with coordination support from NAJAS & JASO |
8:00 - 8:30 AM (Breakfast starts at 7:30 AM) Welcome Remarks Light breakfast buffet with remarks from: Andrew Wylegala, President, National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) Graham Morris, President and Masa Yamaguchi, Chair of the Board, Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO) Followed by America-Japan Societies (AJS) & Japan-America Societies (JAS) Meet-n-Greet |
8:35 - 9:00 AM AJS/JAS Priorities From Chairs of NAJAS & National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAAJS) |
9:00 - 10:30 AM Annual Board Meeting For designated NAJAS Board representatives and AJS delegate observers |
10:30 - 11:15 AM
Workshops Round 1
Three concurrent sessions with peers and experts on topics selected by member societies. Topics will not be repeated, but sessions will be recorded. (Separate schedule provided for JAS/AJS Members.)
11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Workshops Round 2
Three more concurrent sessions.
12:30 - 1:15 PM Lunch Dialogue Between Ambassador Fujisaki & Ambassador Tong with Audience Q&A Plated lunch featuring a conversation on JAS / AJS collaboration and the bilateral relationship. |
Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki Former Ambassador of Japan President |
Ambassador Kurt Tong Managing Partner Chairman of the Board |
2:00 - 2:45 PM Workshops Round 3 Three more concurrent sessions. |
3:00 - 4:00 PM Japan Foundation Grant Programs Presentation
Masaki Yoshikawa, Associate Program Officer, Global Partnerships, The Japan Foundation, New York Ryo Takehara, Deputy Director, The Japan Foundation, Los Angeles
4:00-4:45 PM Annual Member Survey Highlights and Strategic Updates The NAJAS team shares highlights from the Annual Member Survey and updates on NAJAS's strategic direction. Misha D. Clive (they/them), Operations & Communications Manager, NAJAS |
5:30 PM
Depart Hotel for Special Event
Ground transportation for the Portland Japanese Garden tour provided to/from hotel for AJS / JAS Members with limited additional seating available for out-of-town registered attendees staying at the host hotel. Northwest Navigator Coaches depart from Clay Street beside hotel.
ThursDAY, Aug 22
SPECIAL EVENT
6:00 - 8:30 PM
Special Tour and Reception with Remarks from CEO Bloom at the Portland Japanese Garden
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9:00 PM
Return to Marriott Downtown Waterfront
Or to dining/strolling drop-off point for individual/group open time.
FRIDAY, Aug 22
GENERAL PROGRAMMING
Open Programming for Registered Attendees
8:15 AM
Welcome Remarks
Andrew Wylegala, President, NAJAS
Masa Yamaguchi, Chair, Japan America Society of Oregon
Kazuo Okamoto, Executive Director, AJS Tokyo (NAAJS Representative)
Coffee, tea & pastries available starting at 7:30 AM
8:30 - 8:50 AM
SPECIAL OVERVIEW: U.S., Japan and Asia in 2025 with Deputy Assistant Secretary Koepcke and Ambassador Fujisaki
Robert Koepcke, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Japan, Korea, and Mongolia, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, U.S. Department of State
Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki (video remarks), NAAJS President
Introductions by: Ambassador Kurt Tong, NAJAS Chair
A special overview of the U.S.-Japan relationship from Deputy Assistant Robert T. Koepcke, with remarks and insights by video from Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki. The following session panel session features Ambassadors Kurt Tong and Dave Shear, and Emma Chanlett-Avery of the Asia Society Policy Institute.
Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki Former Ambassador of Japan President |
Robert T. Koepcke Deputy Assistant Secretary for Japan, Korea, |
8:50 - 9:35 AM
PANEL: U.S., Japan and Asia in 2025, Continued
Robert Koepcke, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Japan, Korea, and Mongolia, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
Ambassador David Shear, Senior Advisor, Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies, Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies | NAJAS Secretary
Emma Chanlett-Avery, Deputy Director and Director of Political-Security Affairs, Asia Society Policy Institute | NAJAS Vice Chair
Moderator: Ambassador Kurt Tong, Managing Partner, The Asia Group | NAJAS Chair
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
INDUSTRY PANEL: U.S.-Japan Synergy and High Technology
Genta Ando, Executive Director, JETRO
William Chou, Deputy Director, Japan Chair at Hudson Institute (TBC)
Moderator: Mr. Jacob Schlesinger, President & CEO, The United States-Japan Foundation
A pair of hour-long panels will look at what American and Japanese firms at the leading edge of the semiconductor and auto sectors are doing, individually, and in non-competitive, “common cause” initiatives to build a stronger, more sustainable workforce for 2044 and beyond.
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
INDUSTRY PANEL: U.S.-Japan Collaboration to Strengthen Workforce, for a Semiconductor Renaissance in the United States and Japan
Jun Takei, Policy Director & Principal Engineer, Intel Corporation, Hillsboro, Oregon
Joseph Ritter, Director, Sales, JSR Micro
Liam Dohn, Vice President and GM Sales, Tokyo Electron, US, Austin, Texas
Anita Rajan, General Director, JAMA, USA, Washington, DC
Moderator: Dan Dias, Economic and Community Development Director at City of Hillsboro
12:30 - 2:00 PM Keynote Luncheon From the Grassroots to the Galaxy: How Civil Society and Localities Move and Benefit from U.S.-Japan and Global Diplomacy |
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Ambassador Nina Hachigian | WITH REMARKS BY
Ambassador Shigeo Yamada Ambassador of Japan to the United States |
Two years into her appointment as the first in this unique role, Ambassador Hachigian draws from a distinguished career spanning national security, community and equity development for a big city, and representation of the United States to ASEAN, and more. Learn how the pioneering effort that she leads from the State Department is helping communities across our network to advance interests we hold close, in domains from cultural integration and job creation to climate action and educational exchange. Find out how Japan-America societies might connect to the exciting, new Lewis Local Diplomat Program. Ambassador Shigeo Yamada assumed his post as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States of America in December 2023. He previously served as Senior Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs. In that capacity, he was Political Director for Japan’s 2023 G7 Presidency, supporting the G7 Summit in Hiroshima and the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Nagano-Karuizawa.
2:10 - 3:20 PM 2024 Panorama from Leading Policy & Exchange Providers Hiroyuki Kojima, Director General, Japan Foundation New York Kiyoshi Tanigawa, Executive Director, Keidanren USA Dr. Satu Limaye, Executive Director, the East-West Center, Washington, D.C. Office RADM (Ret.) James Kelly, Vice President, John Manjiro-Whitfield Commemorative Center for International Exchange U.S., (CIE-US) Moderator: Ambassador David Shear, NAJAS Secretary Flyover of signature programs and fresh directions from four funders and partners in the areas of FDIUS, Japanese economic policy priorities, diplomacy, and grassroots programming. A first meet-up with the newly arrived head of JFNY and a welcome back to the East-West Center. A fresh report from the recent Grassroots Summit in Wakayama and updates about the 2025 edition.
3:25 - 4:00 PM Natural Partners, Newer Opportunities Anthony Pahigian, Senior Advisor, International Expositions, U.S. Department of State Asako Nagatomo, Program Director, NHK World Japan James Gannon, CEO, Peace Winds America Moderator: Andrew Wylegala, President, NAJAS Members get smarter on preparing for relief giving campaigns with the new CEO of one of America’s top relief coordinators with an active alliance in Japan; get scoops on how their societies can connect with the 30 million expected visitors to tour World Expo Osaka next spring; and receive an exciting offer to stream world-class documentary and special programming from Japan’s international broadcast leader. |
4:05 - 5:15 PM
Panel-led Discussion on Directions within/amongst the U.S.-Japan Ecosystem
Jacob Schlesinger, President & CEO, The United States-Japan Foundation
Paige Cottingham-Streater, Executive Director, Japan-United States Friendship Commission
Jessyca Livingston, Executive Director, US JET Program Alumni Association
Theresa Kulczak, Executive Director, Japan-America Society of Indiana
Moderator: Joshua Walker, President & CEO, Japan Society
Conclude with a forward and outward gaze at under-utilized synergy amongst the brightest stars in the U.S.-Japan civil society “galaxy” via a brainstorm led by one of NAJAS’ best.
5:45 PM
Closing Rooftop Reception
Co-hosted by Japanese Consul General & JASO at KEEN HQ Flagship Store
| We will close out the Annual Meeting with a reception co-hosted by the Japanese Consul General of Portland & JASO at KEEN Footwear headquarters and downtown flagship store. Meet other Japan-related Oregon non-profits. And enjoy shopping at KEEN -- the whole store will be 40% off for reception attendees! |
