JALD members pictured during orientation at the Japanese American National Museum. Front row, from left: Jason Miyashita, Kendee Yamaguchi, Elisabeth Tamiko Ooka, Ellen Kamei, Roger Nozaki, Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong. Back row, from left: Akira Yamamoto, Ann Teranishi, Dawn Yamane Hewitt, Derick Yanehiro.
WASHINGTON – Ten Japanese American leaders traveled to Japan from Feb. 28 to March 7 as part of the Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD).
They engaged with a wide range of Japanese leaders and intellectuals from the political, public, and private sectors.
Sponsored by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and organized by the U.S.-Japan Council, JALD cultivates a network for Japanese American and Japanese leaders at the regional, national, and international levels.
The program also gives Japanese leaders across the business, government, academic, nonprofit and cultural sectors the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the multicultural nature of the U.S. through the experiences of a diverse group of Japanese Americans. 247 individuals have participated in the program since its inception in 2000.
The 2025 delegates are:
Ellen Kamei (Mountain View, Calif.), mayor of Mountain View
Jason Miyashita (Tamuning, Guam), managing director, Raymond James
Roger Nozaki (Providence, R.I.), vice president for strategy and programs, Barr Foundation
Elisabeth Tamiko Ooka (Bloomfield, N.J.), president and chief operating officer, Furumoto Realty Inc.
Ann Teranishi (Honolulu), president and CEO, American Savings Bank
Hanako Wakatsuki-Chong (Portland), executive director, Japanese American Museum of Oregon
Kendee Yamaguchi (Seattle), former deputy assistant secretary of international trade administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Akira Yamamoto (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), U.S. Japanese Services Group national leader, Deloitte LLP
Dawn Yamane Hewett (Washington, D.C.), partner, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP
Derick Yanehiro (Los Angeles), producer, ABC News
The 2025 Japanese American Leadership Symposium, “From Hiroshima to Hope: Japanese American Perspectives on Global Peace and Security,” was held in Hiroshima on March 3. The symposium, made possible by a wide range of supporters, aimed to strengthen the relationship between Japanese and American communities, promote people-to-people relationships, and advance U.S.-Japan dialogue.
Featured speakers included Hidehiko Yuzaki, governor of Hiroshima Prefecture, as well as JALD delegates Yanehiro, Kamei, Teranishi and Hewett.
Founded by Japanese Americans, the U.S.-Japan Council is the premier organization dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people connections. From high school classrooms to corporate boardrooms, from college lecture halls to the halls of government, it develops and connects leaders from every sector committed to a strong and enduring global partnership.
Through transformative leadership initiatives, innovative exchange programs, and impactful in-person and virtual events, USJC brings together leaders at every level to address key bilateral issues. Its community of members across the U.S. and Japan is a vibrant and diverse professional and personal network. It fosters deep connections and opportunities to make meaningful contributions.
Info: www.usjapancouncil.org