Japan Currents 
In 2019, NAJAS inaugurated the "Japan Currents" public affairs series, with support from the Embassy of Japan in Washington DC. The series involved events in fourteen different cities, each hosted by local Japan-America Society, and composed of speakers from Japan, the U.S. and the local community. Public affairs topics of interest relating to Japan vary by location. Each host selected the theme and the reports of the events demonstrate the depth and variety of interest in Japan across the country. As the only national public affairs program series focusing on the US-Japan relationship, we believe Japan Currents serves an important part of the mission of Japan-America Society network. We are grateful for the support of the Embassy of Japan for this program.
FY2024 Japan Currents:
Japan-America Society of Tennessee
Date: November 21, 2024
Title: Women's Leadership Forum & Networking Luncheon
JP speakers: Donna Fujimoto Cole, Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc.
James Grosvenor, Anaut, Japan
US speakers:
Yurina Yoshikawa, The Porch
Masami Tyson, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
Laine Arnold, BHA Strategy
Katherine Knight, Mitsubishi Motors North America
Ally Matich, Meritage Homes
Japan-America Society of Greater Philadelphia
Date: November 6, 2024
Title: Japan Currents – JASGP Life Sciences Dialogue: AI and Life Sciences
JP speakers: Masashi Kiyomine, Kicker Ventures
James Grosvenor, Anaut, Japan
US speakers:
David Latshaw, BioPhy
Aaron Lee, MD, MSCI, University of Washington
Alexander Lai, Vincogen
Michael Kearns, University of Pennsylvania
Karen Odash, Fisher Phillips
FY2023 Japan Currents:
Japan-America Society of the State of Washington
Date: January 30, 2024
Title: The Future of Clean Energy: The U.S.-Japan Cooperation on Nuclear Fusion Energy
JP speaker: Nobuo Tanaka, Tanaka Global, Inc.
US speakers: Mel Clark, CleanTech Alliance
Ryan Umstattd, ZAP Energy
Jackie Siebens, Helion Energy
Japan-America Society of Central Ohio
Date: February 7, 2024
Title: Mobility for All: Ideas from the US & Japan
JP speaker: Dr. Hiroko Akiyama, Kamakura Living Lab
US speakers: Duane Detwiler, Honda Research Institute
Jordan Davis, Smart Columbus
Japan-America Society of Houston
Date: February 23, 2024
Title: 2023 JAPAN CURRENTS HOUSTON CONFERENCE
JP speaker: Naomi Hirose, World Energy Council
US speakers: Jane Nakano, Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
Jane Stricker, Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI)
Japan-Society of Northern California
Date: February 26, 2024
Title: The Journey to LGBTQ Rights in Japan and the US: Trans-Pacific Cooperation and Community
JP speaker: Akira Nishiyama, Japan Alliance for LGBT Legislation (J-ALL)
US speakers: Larry Bates, General Counsel and Business Advocate
Aaron Belkin, San Francisco State University
Japan America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth
Date: March 1, 2024
Title: Future Growth in US & Japan Business Relations: Sustainability and Urban Development
JP speaker: Atsushi Nakayama, Nikkei Inc.
US speakers: Jennifer Johnson, Canyon Snow Consulting
Cullum Clark, George W. Bush Institute
Harry Whalen, Frisco EDC
Moderator: Dr. Hiroki Takeuchi, SMU Tower Center for Public Policy and International Affair
Japan-America Society of Oregon
Date: March 15, 2024
Title: Women in Leadership Luncheon
JP speaker: Atsushi Nakayama -Nikkei Inc.
US speakers: Ayaka Kameda - Shell Energy Japan
Miyoko Demay - former President, Tiffany Japan
MC - Megumi Marange - Portland Japanese Garden
Moderator: Cydelle Higa-Johnston - Mark Spencer Hotel
Japan-America Society of Indiana
Date: March 19, 2024
Title: Indiana: The Intersection of Investment and Innovation
JP speaker: Tatsuya Inoue - Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
US speakers: Tony Satterthwaite - Cummins, Inc.
Japan-America Society of California
Date: March 20, 2024
Title: The U.S.-Japan Alliance and the Future of the Indo-Pacific
JP speaker: Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki - Former Ambassador of Japan to the United States
US speakers: Admiral Harry B. Harris, - United States Navy
Dr. Saori Katada - University of Southern California
Moderator: Dr. Gene Park - Loyola Marymount University
Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania
Date: March 21, 2024
Title: U.S.-Japan Climate Collaboration
JP speaker: Dr. Ken Koyama - Institute of Energy Economics
US speakers: Dr. Phillip Lipscy - University of Toronto
Dr. Kay Shimizu - University of Pittsburgh
Moderator: Bill Peduto - former mayor of Pittsburgh
Outreach Programs
Japan-America Society of Oregon
Date: September 24, 2023
Location: Boise, ID
Univ. of Nebraska‐Kearney
Date: March 24, 2023
Location: Kearney, NE
Japan-America Society of Washington, DC
Date: March 25-26, 2023
Location: Portland, ME
FY2022 Japan Currents:
Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania
Date: March 23, 2023
Title: Innovation And Women’s Entrepreneurship In Japan And The U.S.
JP speaker: Dr. Asako Uchiyama, Celaid Therapeutics
US speakers: Dr. Kay Shimizu, University of Pittsburgh
Dr. Jessy LeClair, Cambridge Innovation Center
Annia Aleman, Pittsburgh hub
Japan-America Society of North Carolina
Date: March 23, 2023
Title: 2023 JASNC Annual Conference
JP speaker: Masaru Yoshiaki, Japan Fuel Cell Development Information Center
US speakers: Bernard Swiecki, Center for Automotive Research
Sean Sruggs, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina
Japan America Society of Indiana
Date: March 15, 2023
Title: Japan Currents Symposium 2023
JP speaker: Hiroyuki Oshida, Nomura Research Institute Holdings
US speakers: Thomas Shiekman, Intralink Group
Shuji Onizawa, Honda Development & Manufacturing of America
Japan America Society of Southern California
Date: March 10, 2023
Title: Smart Cities for a Better Future: Perspectives from the U.S. and Japan
JP speaker: Hisakazu Okamura, Asia University
US speakers: Eric Phillips, City of Marysville, Ohio
Ted Ross, Los Angeles ITA
Moderator: Jane Macfarlane, UC Berkeley
The Japan-America Society of Georgia
Date: March 9, 2023
Title: US-Japan Now: Impacts of Sustainability Initiatives
JP speaker: Eri Saikawa, Emory University
US speakers: Miho Tabaru, Sustainability Consultant
Toni Braun, FRB Atlanta
William Strang, TOTO USA
Japan-America Society of Houston
Date: February 24, 2023
Title: U.S.-Japan Cooperation and the Case for Ammonia
JP speaker: Shigeru Muraki, World Energy Council
US speakers: Tony Will, CF Industries Holdings
Sayu Ueno, Mitsui & Co USA
Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth
Date: February 17, 2023
Title: 2023 Japan Currents Symposium: The Role of SMEs in U.S.-Japan Economic Exchange and Trade
JP speaker: Iichiro Uesugi, Hitotsubashi University
US speakers: Richard Katz, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs
Moderator: Hiroki Takeuchi, SMU
Japan-America Society of Oregon
Date: February 9, 2023
Title: Women in Leadership
JP speaker: Yumiko Murakami, mPOWER
US speakers: Chigusa Hara, Morgan Stanley
Moderator: Cydelle Higa-Johnston, Mark Spencer Hotel
Japan-America Society of Washington DC
Date: January 24, 2023
Title: Japan in the Year 2023
JP speaker: Ambassador Koji Tomita, Embassy of Japan in US
US speakers: Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, US Embassy in Japan
Moderator: Mireya Solis, Brookings Institution
Japan-America Society of the State of Washington
Date: January 12, 2023
Title: The New Face of the 10,000-yen Bill, Eiichi Shibusawa Then and Now
JP speaker: Masato Kimura, Author of “Shibusawa Eiichi”
US speakers: Ryoichi Oda, NYK Group America Inc.
Dan Fulton, Weyerhaeuser
Tomio Moriguchi, North American Post Publishing
John Sagers, Linfield University
Japan Society, Inc.
Date: November 16, 2022
Title: U.S. Midterm Elections: Key Takeaways & Impact on U.S.-Japan Relations
JP speaker: Dr. Mieko Nakabayashi, Waseda University
US speakers: Glenn Nye, Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress
Jacob Schlesinger, Wall Street Journal
Moderator: Dr. Joshua Walker, Japan Society
FY2021 Japan Currents:
Japan-America Society of Houston
Date: March 22, 2022
Title: 2022 Japan Currents Houston Conference
JP speaker: Eiji OHIRA, NEDO (The New Energy & Industrial Technology Development Organization)
US speakers: Joe CAPPELLO, Iwatani Corporation of America
Dr. Alan ROSSITER, University of Houston
Japan America Society of Chicago
Date: March 17, 2022
Title: 2022 Annual Update on U.S.-Japan Relations and Post Pandemic
JP speaker: Hiroyuki Akita, Nikkei
US speakers: Emma Chanlett-Avery, Congressional Research Service
David Johnson, Japan America Society of Chicago
Japan-America Society of Hawaii
Date: March 16, 2022
Title: Political and Economic Challenges in the U.S.-Japan Relationship
JP speaker: Dr. Mieko Nakabayashi, Waseda University
US speakers: Dr. Joshua Walker, Japan Society
Ms. Barbara Tanabe, Ho?akea Communications, LLC
Japan-America Society of Oregon
Date: March 14, 2022
Title: Women in Leadership
JP speaker: Kaori Sasaki, Founder & CEO, ewoman; UNICUL; founder International Conference for Women in Business; Outside Director,
Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, Japan Post, AGP
US speakers: Katrina Lake, Founder & CEO, Stitch Fix; Board Member GrubHub, Glossier
Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the US President; Senior Liaison for Native American, Hawaiian, Asian American and Pacific Islander Affairs
Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth
Date: March 9, 2022
Title: Logistics and Supply Chains in U.S.-Japan Business and Trade
JP speaker: Kantaro Takenaka, Mitsui & Co. (USA), Inc.
US speakers: Catherine Mellor, UPS Global Public Affairs Division
Mollie Haney Bailey, Transplace
Tim Feemster, Foremost Quality Logistics
Masaru Uchida, Japan Airlines
Dr. Hiroki Takeuchi, Southern Methodist University
Japan America Society of Colorado
Date: March 7, 2022
Title: Japan Currents: 2022 Economic Outlook for Japan, US, and Colorado
JP speaker: Secretary Noriyuki Shikata
US speakers: Ambassador Kurt Tong
Dean Sharon Matusik
Stephanie Garnica
Japan Society of Northern California
Date: March 2, 2022
JP speaker: Kazumi Nishikawa, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
US speakers: Matthew P. Goodman, Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS)
Kenichiro Mizoguchi, Hitachi, Ltd.
Larry Greenwood, BowerGroupAsia
Japan-America Society of the State of Washington
Date: February 24, 2022
JP speaker: Misa Yamashita, JERA Co., Ltd.
US speakers: Paige Cottingham-Streater, Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission
Kendee Yamaguchi, Deputy Mayor of Seattle
The Japan-America Society of Washington DC
Date: January 18 , 2022
Title: Japan in 2022
JP speakers: Amb. Koji Tomita, Embassy of Japan
Mieko Nakabayashi, Waseda University
Madoka Fukuda, Hosei University
US speakers: Raymond Greene, US Embassy Tokyo
Mireya Solís, Brookings
Kristi Govella, German Marshall Fund
Yves Tiberghien, University of British Columbia
Demetri Sevastopulo, Financial Times
Jeffrey Hornung, RAND
James Schoff, SPFUSA
Kay Shimizu, University of Pittsburgh
Japan-America Society of Tennessee
Date: December 3, 2021
Title: The Seventh Annual Women’s Leadership Forum & Networking Luncheon
JP speaker: Consul-General Kayoko Fukushima, Consulate-General of Japan in Nashville
US speakers: Jennifer Butler, Ashinaga Foundation (Tokyo)
Masami Tyson, Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Peter Kelley, National Association of Japan-America Societies
FY2020 Japan Currents:
Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia
| Date: | Wednesday, March 17, 2021 |
| Title: | Women’s History Month Lecture - Tsuda Umeko: Philadelphia to Japan, Pioneering Women’s Education |
| JP speaker: | Masako Iino |
| US speaker: | Linda H. Chance, Kim Andrews |
Japan America Society of Southern California
| Date: | Wednesday, March 17, 2021 |
| Title: | Fukushima 10 Years Later-How Decades of Friendship and Cooperation Lead to the Success of Operation Tomodachi |
| JP speaker: | Vice Admiral Hiromi Takashima |
| US speakers: | Admiral Patrick Walsh, Frank Buckley |
Japan-America Society of Chicago
| Date: | Thursday, March 11, 2021 |
| Title: | A New Presidential Year : An Update on U.S.-Japan Relations during Pandemic |
| JP speaker: | Fumiaki Kubo, University of Tokyo |
| US speakers: | Cecile Shea, Glen Fukushima |
Japan-America Society of Tennessee, Inc.
| Date: | Thursday, March 11, 2021 |
| Title: | US-Japan bilateral relationship |
| JP speaker: | Terry Terasawa |
| US speakers: | Governor Bill Lee, Consul General Kayoko Fukushima, Masami Tyson |
Japan-America Society of Houston
| Date: | Tuesday, March 9, 2021 |
| Title: | A Sustainable Fuel for a Sustainable Future? Japan’s Net-Zero Pledge & LNG’s Potential to Drive Greening |
| JP speaker: | Jun Arima |
| US speakers: | Jane Nakano, Shell; Cheniere, Tokyo Gas |
Japan-America Society of Indiana
| Date: | Thursday, March 4, 2021 |
| Title: | US-Japan Relationship and Indiana |
| JP speaker: | Mieko Nakabayashi |
| US speakers: | Indiana automobile manufacturers |
Japan-America Society of Hawaii
| Date: | Wednesday, February 24, 2021 |
| Title: | “COVID-19 Recovery-Public Health and Resumption of Travel” |
| JP speaker: | Dr. Norio Ohmagari |
| US speakers: | Dr. Josh Green, Eric Takahata |
Japan America Society of Colorado
| Date: | Thursday, February 11, 2021 |
| Title: | Smart Mobility in Japan and Colorado |
| JP speaker: | Panasonic Smart Mobility |
| US speakers: | CO Smart Cities |
Japan-America Society of Oregon
| Date: | Thursday, February 11, 2021 |
| Title: | Women in Leadership: Pathways to Success |
| JP speakers: | Sakie Fukushima |
| US speakers: | Claire Chino, Linda Akutagawa |
Japan-America Societyof the State of Washington
| Date: | Wednesday, February 10, 2021 |
| Title: | Empowering Women in Japan and the U.S. |
| JP speaker: | Seiji Yasubuchi |
| US speakers: | Colleen Fukui-Sketchle |
Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth
| Date: | Monday, February 10, 2020 |
| Title: | U.S.-Japan relations in the Biden Administration or the Trump II Administration |
| JP speaker: | Yoshihide Soeya |
| US speakers: | Michael Green, Aiko Lane |
The Japan-America Society of Washington DC
| Date: | January 13-14, 2021 |
| Title: | Japan Currents proposal: Japan in 2021 |
| JP speaker: | Tamaki Tsukada, Keiko Izuka |
| US speakers: | Jim Schoff, Marie Anchordoguy, John Roos, Kenichiro Sasae, Sheila Smith, Glen Fukushima, Gordon Flake |
FY2019 Japan Currents:
Japan Society of Northern California
| Date: | December 8, 2020 |
| Title: | To Infinity and Beyond: The Future of US-Japan Space Technology Cooperation |
| JP speaker: | Hiroshi Nakayama, JAXA |
| US speaker: |
Ron Lopez, Astroscale U.S., Inc. |
The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania
| Date: | March 11, 2020 |
| Title: | Healthcare Connections Between Western PA & Japan |
| JP speaker: | Kentaro Onishi, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center |
| US speakers: |
Mark W. Meyer, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Christian Manders, Promethean LifeSciences, Inc. |
Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati
| Date: | March 4, 2020 |
| Title: | Why Good People Do Bad Things: Ethics & Compliance in the Global Economy |
| JP speaker: | Nicholas Benes, Training Institute of Japan |
| US speakers: |
Paul Fiorelli, Xavier University Susan Renda, Mitsubishi Electric Power Products, Inc. Joe Dehner, Frost Brown Todd |
The Japan-America Society of Georgia
| Date: | March 2, 2020 |
| Title: | US-Japan Now Luncheon: Economic Impacts of Trade Partnerships |
| JP speaker: | Motoshige Ito, Gakushuin University |
| US speakers: |
Eric Reinhardt, Emory University R. Anton Braun, Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta |
Japan-America Society of Houston
| Date: | February 28, 2020 |
| Title: | Japan Currents Houston Conference 2020 |
| JP speaker: | Ken Koyama, The Institute of Energy Economics, Japan |
| US speakers: |
Hiroyuki "Bob" Takai, Sumitomo Corporation of Americas Seijiro Tamada,Osaka Gas USA Corporation |
Japan-America Society of Indiana
| Date: | February 26, 2020 |
| Title: | Japan Currents Symposium 2020 |
| JP speaker: | Daiko Matsuyama, Taizo-In Temple, Kyoto |
| US speakers: |
Stephen J. Akard, U.S. Department of State Leah Curry, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana Bernard Swiecki, Center for Automotive Research |
Japan-America Society of the State of Washington
| Date: | February 25, 2020 |
| Title: | Empowering Women in Japan and the USA |
| JP speaker: | Aiko Doden, NHK World TV |
| US speakers: |
Courtney Gregoire, Microsoft Corporation Lori Matsukawa, Emmy award winning broadcast journalist Yoichiro Yamada, Consul General of Japan in Seattle |
Japan America Society of St. Louis
| Date: | February 20, 2020 |
| Title: | Global Impact of Anime & Manga |
| JP speakers: |
Hiroko Yoda, AltJapan Co., Ltd Matt Alt, AltJapan Co., Ltd |
| US speakers: |
Susan Napier, Tufts University Tony Oliver, voice actor, producer & director |
Japan-America Society of Oregon
| Date: | February 19, 2020 |
| Title: | Women in Leadership: Breaking Barriers |
| JP speaker: |
Miki Ebara, NHK World |
| US speakers: |
Julia Wada, Toyota Financial Services Melanie Strong, Nike Skateboarding |
Japan America Society of Southern California
| Date: | February 18, 2020 |
| Title: | JAPAN CURRENTS with Tak Niinami, CEO, Suntory Holdings, Ltd. |
| JP speaker: |
Tak Niinami, Suntory Holdings Limited |
| US speakers: |
Akira Muto, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles Kiichi Nakajima, Japan Airlines Brian Peck, Center for Transnational Law and Business |
Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth
| Date: | February 13, 2020 |
| Title: | 2020 Japan Currents Symposium |
| JP speaker: |
Ryozo Kato, former Nippon Professional Baseball Commissioner |
| US speakers: |
Robert Fitts, baseball historian and award‐winning writer Kazuhiro Gomi, NTT Research, Inc. Hiroki Takeuchi, Southern Methodist University |
Japan America Society of Colorado
| Date: | January 29, 2020 |
| Title: | Outdoor Rec 2020: From Japan to Colorado |
| JP speaker: |
Shiro Takeyama, Montbell Japan |
| US speakers: |
Mark Hansen, Topo Designs Lucy Diaz, Colorado Classic Eric Hiraga, City & County of Denver |
The Japan-America Society of Washington DC
| Date: | January 24, 2020 |
| Title: | Japan in 2020: A Look at the Year Ahead |
| JP speaker: |
Hiroyuki Akita, Nikkei |
| US speakers: |
James L. Schoff, The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace David R. Stilwell, U.S. Department of State Kristin Vekasi, University of Maine |
NAJAS and our members are deeply grateful to the Embassy of Japan in Washington DC.