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NAJAS 2024 ANNUAL MEETING Caps a Year of Growth

Aug2024 Conference Summary-FNL.pdf

Held Jointly with AJS-JAS INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM - Hosted by Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO) 

August 21-23, 2024


CONFERENCE AGENDA >>

Speakers >>

JAS / JS Members-Only Event Information >>   |  Event FAQ >>  |  Welcome to Portland: Host Recommendations >> 

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

  

Ambassador Nina Hachigian 
Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy
Subnational Diplomacy Unit, U.S. Department of State

From the Grassroots to the Galaxy:
How Civil Society and Localities Move and Benefit from U.S.-Japan and Global Diplomacy

WITH REMARKS BY


Ambassador Shigeo Yamada 

Ambassador of Japan to the United States 


NAJAS wishes to thank our sponsors:

Institutional Sponsor


Corporate Sponsors



Society Solutions Sponsors



International Symposium Sponsor


NAJAS & NAAJS gratefully acknowledge the generous financial support of The Tokyo Clubwithout which essential participation within the Japanese Delegation would not have been possible, including participation of young researchers / AJS intern students in the Annual Meeting.



AUGUST 21, 2025, LEXINGTON, KY ....It is not too early to consider your next update on the U.S.-Japan partnership from the ground up! Get ready to join NAJAS' flagship event, which gathers leadership, staff and board members from most of our 39Japan-America societies, together with our closest institutional supporters, government leaders, and representatives of business and other sectors

ABOUT THE NAJAS 2024 ANNUAL MEETING

THANKS FOR JOINING US IN PORTLAND

Attendees benefitted from extensive networking and talks on geostrategic, political and international investment issues within the U.S.-Japan relationship. We visited the Portland Japanese Garden and and gathered at a reception hosted by JASO and the Japanese Consul General. 

Themes for the 2024 Annual Meeting included: 

  • Strategic updates on the U.S.-Japan Relationship 

  • US-Japan collaboration in semiconductors, with a focus on workforce development

  • Evergreening the grassroots by engaging younger age groups

  • Forging AJS-JAS collaboration 

  • Tackling society management challenges 

This annual conference moves across the U.S., hosted by a different Japan-America member society each year, and helps us surface insights from the most diverse Japan-America network anywhere. 

As a core benefit of NAJAS membership, member societies access a focused day of workshops and peer learning for staff and board participants. All attendees are invited to our Thursday evening and Friday programming. Learn about past Annual Meetings.

2024 AGENDA AT A GLANCE


For Members:  Wednesday & Thursday

Welcome Reception for JAS / JS / AJS Staff & Board

Members-Only Conference Programming

For All Attendees & Members: Thursday & Friday

Portland Japanese Garden Tour and Mixer

US-Japan Bilateral Relations & Industry Panels

Luncheon with Keynote by Ambassador Nina Hachigian and Remarks by Ambassador Shigeo Yamada

Funders & Partners Panels

Closing Reception at KEEN
Co-Hosted by Consul General Yoshioka and JASO

Explore the Detailed Agenda >>

SPECIAL U.S.-JAPAN RELATIONSHIP OVERVIEW

Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki

Former Ambassador of Japan
to the United States

President
The America-Japan Society


Robert T. Koepcke

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Japan, Korea,
and Mongolia

Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs
U.S. Department of State

Our Friday morning program featured a special overview of the U.S.-Japan relationship from Deputy Assistant Robert T. Koepcke, with remarks and insights from Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki. 

With analysis from:

Emma Chanlett-Avery,  Deputy Director of the Asia Society Policy Institute and Director for Political-Security Affairs

Ambassador David Shear, Senior Adviser at McLarty Associates

Ambassador Kurt Tong, Managing Partner at the Asia Group


Our 2024 Annual Meeting is an International Symposium event, which we conduct in alternating years to bring our members together with selected counterpart America-Japan Societies located across Japan. This year Ambassador Fujisaki and over twenty members of America-Japan Societies will joined us in Portland. We last convened this Symposium in 2022 in Kyoto.

MEMBER PROGRAMMING was held over AUGUST 21-22


Member Programs with Invited Speakers

On August 21st we invited Japan-America Society staff and board members to a welcome reception to greet our counterparts from Japan from America-Japan societies.

The members' daytime schedule  on the 22nd focused on management challenges, with programming made possible by support from the Japan Foundation New YorkJAS / JS Members-Only Event Information >> 

GENERAL PROGRAMMING HELD ON AUGUST 22

Portland Japanese Garden

Credit: David M. Cobb, Portland Japanese Garden  

Evening: Portland Japanese Garden Tour & Reception

The Portland Japanese Garden hosted us on the evening, of Aug 22nd, and provided multi-day admission for attendees while in town.  We toured the Garden, learned more about the expanding Japan Institute and the North American Japanese Gardens Association, and were inspired by remarks from Garden CEO Stephen Bloom. 

Declared to be “the most beautiful and authentic Japanese garden in the world outside of Japan” by former Ambassador Matsunaga, this tranquil 12-acre urban oasis is home to eight separate garden styles, an authentic Japanese Tea House, and a spectacular view of Mt. Hood.

Transportation to and from the garden was provided. 

For more than a decade, Behind the Shoji has been one of Portland Japanese Garden’s most anticipated summer traditions. An annual show and sale of Japanese and Japanese-inspired wares, visitors can peruse and purchase from a variety of curated items that, even with a trip to Japan, might be difficult to come across. Behind the Shoji offered NAJAS reception guests an intimate shopping experience, alongside a special 10% discount.

KEYNOTE LUNCHEON FRIDAY, AUGUST 23

Friday Programming on the Essential U.S.-Japan Relationship 

Friday's programming focused on geostrategic, political and tech investment matters at the heart of the U.S.-Japan relationship, culminating with a keynote and Q&A by Ambassador Nina Hachigian and remarks from Japanese Ambassador to the United States Shigeo Yamada. The afternoon featured panels from funders and newer partners.

Friday Keynote Luncheon Keynote with Q&A


Keynote Speaker:

Ambassador Nina Hachigian

Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy
Subnational Diplomacy Unit, U.S. Department of State

From the Grassroots to the Galaxy: How Civil Society and Localities Move -- and Benefit from  -- U.S.-Japan and Global Diplomacy

Two years into her appointment as the first in this unique role, Ambassador Hachigian drew 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. Attendees heard 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.

Japan-America societies learned how to connect to the exciting, new Lewis Local Diplomat Program.


Remarks by:

Ambassador Shigeo Yamada

Ambassador of Japan to the United States

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.

Ambassador Yamada’s previous positions in Tokyo include Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs for Foreign Policy, Deputy Director General for North American Affairs, Director for Northeast Asia, Director for Southeast Asia, and Director for the Status of U.S. Forces Agreement. He also served as a Cabinet Councillor in the National Security Secretariat in the Prime Minister’s Office. In addition to his postings in Washington and Tokyo, over the course of his career he was in charge of the public and culture affairs at the Embassies of Japan in London and Beijing.

The Ambassador’s broad diplomatic assignments have led him to the realization, “The Japan-U.S. alliance is no longer just a bilateral relationship, but a global partnership.” It is this conviction that informs his perspective as Japan’s Ambassador to the United States. 

 The United States & Japan: Securing Needed Workforce for our Emerging Tech Surge

Participants at this special set of panels learned how American and Japanese firms at the leading edge of the semiconductor sector are finding solutions to workforce development, and modeling the U.S-Japan tech and security partnership that promises to re-shape our alliance and support stability and progress across the Indo-Pacific and globally.

The U.S. and Japan have lined up as the strongest and most complementary players across the global supply chain, ready to drive technology and transform the global economy. But workforce development is key to meeting this surge and the labor needs of other emerging technologies and fields. Learn from experts at Intel, Tokyo Electron, JSR Micro, and the Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). 

Credit: JASO

Friday Evening: Closing Reception at KEEN Footwear

We closed out the Annual Meeting on Friday, Aug 23 with a reception co-hosted by the Japanese Consul General of Portland & JASO at KEEN Footwear headquarters and downtown flagship store.

An extra bonus was the opportunity to meet other Japan-related Oregon non-profits. Again, members were able to enjoy shopping at KEEN  with 40% off for reception attendees! 

Following the reception, attendees were welcomed to an informal karaoke sing-out at Voicebox.

NAJAS wishes to thank our sponsors for the 2024 Annual Meeting: 

Our Institutional Sponsor, the Japan Foundation, New York, our Corporate Sponsors, Hitachi High-Tech America, Inc. and Mackenzie, Inc., our Society Solutions Sponsors NHK World-Japan, Grouper, and Temple University Japan Campus, and our International Symposium Sponsor, The Tokyo Club

Institutional Sponsor


Corporate Sponsors





Society Solutions Sponsors



International Symposium Sponsor


NAJAS & NAAJS gratefully acknowledge the Generous Financial Support of The Tokyo Clubwithout which essential participation within the Japanese Delegation would not have been possible.



ABOUT Registration

For JAS / JS Member Societies (reference)

Discounted registration was made available to all staff and Board Members of Japan-America / Japan Societies as a key benefit of NAJAS membership. Member Registration included all conference programming and events aside from informal gatherings: 

  • Wednesday evening welcome reception
  • Thursday members-only conference programming (breakfast and lunch included)
  • Thursday Portland Garden tour and reception hosted by the Portland Japanese Garden 
  • Friday conference programming and luncheon 
  • Friday evening reception co-hosted by the Japanese Consul General of Portland & JASO at KEEN Footwear headquarters and downtown flagship store

Please view the Members Only event page for comprehensive member logistics information, including accommodations and member programming.

For General Attendees

We welcomed other guests to join us for our Thursday garden visit and Friday's programming and reception at the general attendance rate.  General Attendee Registration included: 

  • Thursday Portland Garden tour and reception hosted by the Portland Japanese Garden 
  • Friday conference programming and luncheon
  • Friday evening reception co-hosted by the Japanese Consul General of Portland & JASO at KEEN Footwear headquarters and downtown flagship store


EVENT & TRAVEL FAQ 

What is the dress code?

The dress code for the Annual Meeting is business casual, in keeping with Pacific Northwest meeting culture. Suits and ties are not required.


Where can I view the schedule and learn more about the speakers?

Explore the Conference Agenda here.

Read speaker bios here.


I am a member of a Japan-America / Japan Society (staff, board, or volunteer). How can I access Members Only conference information with the workshops schedule?

Please visit the Members Only event page for the 2024 Annual Meeting

Trouble logging in or accessing the page? Please reach out to Misha (they/them) at misha@us-japan.org.


Where do I go to register and pick up my badge once I arrive?

All registrant types including JAS / AJS, speakers, sponsors, general and accompanying attendees may register at the same location and receive information particular to you.

Wednesday arrivals: If you are arriving on Wed evening, please join us in the Mount Hood Reception Room to register and enjoy a welcome toast with greetings from NAJAS and our host JASO.

Thursday or Friday hotel arrivals: If you are arriving ahead of or during daytime programming on Thursday or Friday, please come to the registration desk outside Salon E. 

Thursday Garden arrivals: If you are joining programming starting with the Garden reception, please see below.


I registered for the Portland Japanese Garden tour and reception. How do I join the reception? What should I wear / bring?

For JAS / AJS members, please wear your Annual Meeting lanyard and badge as your access to the Garden. Ground transportation from the host hotel will take you directly to the Garden, departing at 5:30 pm, and returning to the hotel after the reception. There will be limited additional seating for other hotel guests who are registered attendees of the Annual Meeting.

If you are joining us directly at the Garden and / or you are not a JAS / AJS staff & board attendee, you may pick up your badge directly at the Garden. NAJAS & Portland Japanese Garden team members will assist you to check in and receive your Annual Meeting lanyard and badge when you arrive.

We recommend comfy shoes and a light jacket for Portland weather.

The Garden is located at: 611 SW Kingston Ave, Portland, OR 97205

For more information on the Garden, visit the Portland Japanese Garden website.


I'm flying in. How do I get to the hotel?

The hotel is a 20 minute ride from Portland International Airport. Explore the new main terminal while you're there. For local transit, take the MAX Red Line to Yamhill District and the hotel is about a 9 minute walk from there.

For information, please see JASO travel recommendations.


I'm driving in for the day. Where can I park?

The hotel is not offering validation for the conference. We recommend parking at the SmartPark at 1st & Jefferson two blocks away from the hotel with hourly rates or a daily rate of $12 max to save on costs of parking at the Marriott. 

Will wi-fi be available?

Free wi-fi will be available in meeting spaces for all attendees. For hotel guests, Marriott Rewards members (a free program) receive free in-room wi-fi access. The daily in-room charge for non-members is $14.95.  


I am a speaker with a Powerpoint Presentation. Where do I send it?

Please send your presentation to Misha at misha@us-japan.org and bring a copy on a USB thumb drive (USB-A or USB-C) if possible. 


What are the accommodations for dietary restrictions?

Attendees who provided dietary restrictions will receive cards and further information when you check-in for registration on your dietary-safe meals at conference. Thank you and we are glad to ensure you enjoy safe meals.


Are there spaces to work and for small meetings?

Please consult the NAJAS team on-site as we will have some space available. Programming sessions and meals have table seating.


What dining options are available outside of conference events, and what restaurants, bars and attractions are nearby?

Please explore these travel recommendations from our co-host JASO! If there's anything you would like to know about Portland or Oregon, or see placed on this recommendations page, please send your thoughts to Graham Morris at gmorris@jaso.org.

We will have a recommended restaurant list to support Wednesday evening small group dining options. 

A light breakfast buffet is provided for AJS / JAS members on Thursday morning with coffee, tea & juices included.

On Friday morning, coffee, tea & pastries will be provided. 

The Marriott's in-house coffee shop Press Release is open 6:30 am - 4:00 pm. 

For Saturday breakfast and additional dining options, the in-house restaurant opens at 7 am. The Marriott recommends  Fried Egg I’m In Love (a Portland staple!), Caiman Café, and Little River Café. 


I signed up with interest in karaoke! How do I join?

We will have a small karaoke closing outing at Voicebox Karaoke Northwest starting from 9:15 pm. Please note at registration or check in with Misha at the Meeting if you plan to attend.


How do I register?

Registration for the Annual Meeting closed as of the deadline of July 31.

Have questions about the Annual Meeting, including about registration? Please reach out to Misha (they/them) at misha@us-japan.org.


I would like to stay at the host hotel and save on accommodations with the Annual Meeting room rate. How can I make a reservation?

The host hotel conference rate is not available after July 31.

You may make a reservation directly at the host hotel, the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront.

    If you reserved a host hotel room at the conference note, here is a reminder: the total charges that appeared on the reservation page include a $30 / day "destination fee," but this fee will NOT be charged as long as you book under the group rate through the group reservation link. You not be required to pay for your room until you arrive at the hotel and you will not be charged the additional fee.



    SPONSORSHIP

    Learn more about the benefits of supporting the NAJAS 2024 Annual Meeting as a Corporate Sponsor (PDF download). NAJAS welcomes corporate donors and service providers seeking to deepen outreach to our member societies and attendees.

    Please reach out to NAJAS President Andrew Wylegala at wylegala@us-japan.org about sponsorship opportunities.   

    Questions & Support

    Have questions about the Annual Meeting, including about registration? Please reach out to Misha (they/them) at misha@us-japan.org.



    National Association of Japan-America Societies, Inc.

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    Washington, DC 20036

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