U.S.-Japan Research Institute (USJI)
FY2015 Operation Report
1. Overview ............................................................................................................................................ 2
2. Our Research Activities .................................................................................................................... 3
(1) Research Projects......................................................................................................................... 3
(2) Disseminating Research Findings............................................................................................... 4
(3) Establishment of Networks and Researcher Database ............................................................11
3. Community Building Efforts.......................................................................................................... 13
4. Human Resources Development .................................................................................................... 14
(1) Student Workshops.................................................................................................................... 14
(2) Intern Program .......................................................................................................................... 15
(3) Delegation of Japanese Students to the Center for the Study of the Presidency and
Congress (CSPC) International Fellows Program ....................................................................... 15
(4) Implementation of the Building the TOMODACHI Generation (BTG) .............................. 16
(5) KAKEHASHI Project -Exchange Program for Promoting Understanding of Japan ..... 18
5. Other Operations............................................................................................................................. 20
U.S.-Japan Research Institute
2
1. Overview
The U.S.-Japan Research Institute (USJI) is an American NPO that was established in Washington D.C. in
April 2009 by five Japanese universities (Kyoto University, Keio University, University of Tokyo,
Ritsumeikan University, and Waseda University). We were granted tax-exempt nonprofit organization status
under category 501(c)(3) from the U.S. government in April 2010. We currently operate as an organization of
nine universities following the addition of three universities (Kyushu University, University of Tsukuba, and
Doshisha University) in April 2012, and one university (Sophia University) in April 2015.
In our research activities, we focused on global problems that form the axis of the U.S.-Japan relationship,
namely “environment/energy,” “security,” and “regional cooperation/integration.” We organized research
projects accordingly for each topic. In FY2014, we executed three projects. We disseminated the results of our
research by holding two USJI Weeks and several USJI Seminars, among other events. We also organized the
USJI International Symposium “Building a New ‘Economic and Financial Order’ in the Asia-Pacific Region”
in Tokyo. For each event, we disseminated research outcomes to not only participants but society at large by
making summaries, presented materials, and videos available via the USJI website and other media.
Additionally, we began USJI Voice last year as a mechanism through which researchers with
USJI-sponsoring universities can provide policy recommendations on timely topics. We took this step with an
eye to raising USJI’s presence within the United States, and this year, we publicized 12 recommendations.
We also participated in seminars and events organized by other organizations in the Washington D.C. area.
We provided reports on those events to people affiliated with USJI sponsors and the American and Japanese
governments through newsletters. In addition, we disseminated details on the latest research conducted by
personnel from USJI-sponsoring universities in the form of monthly research reports.
In our community building efforts and human resources development, we focused on nurturing and
increasing Japanophiles/pro-Japanese groups by providing opportunities for exchanges and dialogues to
young researchers specializing in U.S.-Japan relations, students having an interest in those relations,
employees of local subsidiaries of Japanese companies, and others. Better recognition of our activities in
Washington D.C. has led to an increase in undertakings by organizations and the American and Japanese
governments for which we either co-host or provide cooperation. The following are major undertakings by
other organizations that USJI co-hosted or supported in FY2015.
・Delegation of Japanese Students to the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC)
Presidential Fellows Program
・Implementation of “A Capitol Hill Forum on Japan” with the US-Asia Institute (USAI), the National
Bureau of Asian Research (NBR), and the Center for the National Interest
・Implementation of “Building the TOMODACHI Generation (BTG)” with The Washington Center
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2. Our Research Activities
(1) Research Projects
During FY2015, we organized the following nine research projects with focus on three main issues; namely,
“environment/energy,” “security,” and “regional cooperation/integration.”
1) Environment/Energy
Research Theme: Plant Science Research for Global Food Security
Term: July 2015 – March 2017
Research Leader: Hiroshi Ezura (University of Tsukuba)
Research Theme: Refugees that Refuse Repatriation
Term: April 2014 – March 2016
Research Leader: Mikiyasu Nakayama (University of Tokyo)
2) Regional Cooperation/Integration
Research Theme: Socio-economic Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific
Term: April 2015 – March 2016
Research Leader: Toru Oga (Kyushu University)
3) Others (Politics, Economy, Society, Education, Medical Treatment, Religion, etc.)
Research Theme: Translational Research Based on Molecular Craniofacial Developmental Biology
and Development of Related Clinical Activities in Dentistry
Term: April 2015 – March 2016
Research Leader: Ichiro Takahashi (Kyushu University)
Research Theme: Japanese Diplomacy amid a Shift in the U.S.-China Balance of Power
Term: April 2014 – March 2016
Research Leader: Takashi Terada (Doshisha University)
Research Theme: Recovery from the “Japanese Disease”: Can Japan Come Back?
Term: April 2012 – March 2016
Research Leader: Keiji Nakatsuji (Ritsumeikan University)
Research Theme: U.S.-Japan Partnership towards the Formation of “Asian Higher Education Area”
Focusing on ASEAN
Term: May 2015 – March 2016
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Research Leader: Yasushi Hirosato (Sophia University)
Research Theme: American Foreign Policy After Obama and Its Implication to Asia
Term: April 2015 – March 2016
Research Leader: Toshihiro Nakayama (Keio University)
Research Theme: Rejuvenating Japan’s Economy and Industries – Abenomics in the Long Run
Term: October 2015 – March 2016
Research Leader: Takashi Hikino (Kyoto University)
(2) Disseminating Research Findings
We held our two USJI Weeks and several USJI Seminars in Washington D.C. We also organized a USJI
International Symposium in Kyoto. We made summaries, presented materials, videos, and other items for these
events available via the USJI website and other media.
1) USJI Week
① September 2015 USJI Week
We organized the following nine events, in which some 500 people participated.
Period: September 9 to 15, 2015
Overall Theme: Challenges and Opportunities for future Japan
Event 1
Seeking for an Effective Framework of International Legal Order in
the Asia-Pacific Region
Time and date: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., September 10, 2015
Place: Conference Room, East-West Center in Washington
Participants: Approx. 30
Event 2
A New Era for the Asia-Pacific: Challenges for U.S.-Japan Relations
Time and date: 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., September 10, 2015
Place: Carlton Ball Room, The St Regis Washington
Participants: Approx. 100
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Event 3
Networking Reception
Time and date: 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., September 10, 2015
Place: Chandelier Room, The St Regis Washington
Participants: Approx. 100
Event 4
Help or Hinder? The AIIB and Outlook for Asian Development
Time and date: 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., September 11, 2015
Place: Auditorium, Wilson Center
Participants: Approx. 90
Event 5
Japan-US Partnership towards the formation of Asian Higher
Education Area focusing on ASEAN
Time and date: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., September 11, 2015
Place: Conference Room A, 2000 M Street, NW Lower Level,
Conference Center
Participants: Approx. 30
Event 6
Japan's Asia policy and the US Rebalancing: Challenges and
Opportunities
Time and date: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., September 14, 2015
Place: Conference Room A, 2000 M Street, NW Lower Level,
Conference Center
Participants: Approx. 30
Event 7
Japanese Political Economy under PM Abe: How Abenomics and
TPP are Advanced (Students only)
Time and date: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., September 14, 2015
Place: USJI DC Office
Participants: Approx. 15
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Event 8
Translational Research Based on Molecular Craniofacial
Developmental Biology and Development of Related Clinical
Activities in Dentistry
Time and date: 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., September 15, 2015
Place: National Institutes of Health
Participants: Approx. 40
Event 9
World War II and the Experience of Japanese Americans
Time and date: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., September 15, 2015
Place: Conference Room A, 2000 M Street, NW Lower Level,
Conference Center
Participants: Approx. 60
② February 2016 USJI Week
We organized the following nine events, in which some 200 people participated.
Period: February 22 to 29, 2016
Overall theme: A New Era for Japanese Society
Event 1
Establishing a Global Partnership for Sustainable Development:
Emerging opportunities for international collaboration on SDG’s
Time and date: 10:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m., February 23, 2016
Place: Washington Office, Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science 2001 L St., NW, Suite 1050, Washington DC 20036
Participants: Approx. 30
Event 2
Refugees Unwilling to Return: Cases of the Indian Ocean Tsunami,
Great East Japan Earthquake, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy
Time and date: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., February 24, 2016
Place: Washington Office, Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science 2001 L St., NW, Suite 1050, Washington DC 20036
Participants: Approx. 10
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Event 3
Plant Science Research for Global Food Security
Time and date: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., February 24, 2016
Place: Washington Office, Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science 2001 L St., NW, Suite 1050, Washington DC 20036
Participants: Approx. 10
Event 4
[Seminar for Students] Election Campaigning: Japanese-style versus
American-style
Time and date: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., February 24, 2016
Place: USJI DC Office,1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite
801, Washington, DC 20006
Participants: Approx. 15
Event 5
Environment and Energy Policies in East Asia
Time and date: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., February 25, 2016
Place: Washington Office, Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science 2001 L St., NW, Suite 1050, Washington DC 20036
Participants: Approx. 30
Event 6
Rejuvenating Japan's Economy and Industries - Abenomics in the
Long Run
Time and date: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., February 25, 2016
Place: Washington Office, Japan Society for the Promotion of
Science 2001 L St., NW, Suite 1050, Washington DC 20036
Participants: Approx. 30
Event 7
Competing or Complementing Economic Visions?: Regionalism and
the Pacific Alliance, TPP, RCEP, and the AIIB
Time and date: 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., February 26, 2016
Place: Auditorium, Wilson Center One Woodrow Wilson Plaza, 1300
Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington DC 20004
Participants: Approx. 65
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Event 8
Building the TOMODACHI Generation: Engaging U.S. and Japanese
University Students in Social Problem-Solving
Time and date: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., February 26, 2016
Place: The Washington Center Residential and Academic Facility
1005 3rd Street NE, Washington, DC 20002
Event 9
[Seminar for Students] US-Japan Relations in Geo-Economic
Regionalism in Asia: The Rise of the TPP and AIIB
Time and date: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., February 29, 2016
Place: USJI DC Office, 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 801,
Washington, DC 20006
Participants: Approx. 15
2) USJI Seminars
Speakers included researchers affiliated with a U.S.-Japan think tank and USJI-sponsoring universities.
How to Look at North Korea: Current State of the Kim Jong-un
Regime
Time and date: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., June 17, 2015
Place: USJI DC Office
Participants:14
Speaker: Atsuhito Isozaki (Keio University)
Sadayuki Sakakibara (Head of Japan Business Federation) Lecture
(USJI cooperation event)
Time and date: 10:00 a.m., June 29, 2015
Place: Hall of Flags, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Speaker: Sadayuki Sakakibara (Head of Japan Business Federation)
Japan-US Cooperation: A Vision for Collaboration in Cyberspace to
Ensure Peace and Security across the Asia Pacific (USJI
jointly-hosted event)
Time and date: 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., September 18, 2015
Place: Conference Room A, 2000 M Street, NW Lower Level,
Conference Center
Participants: 60
Speakers: Motohiro Tsuchiya (Keio University), Roy Kamphausen
(NBR), Robert G. Sheldon (CSIS)
Cosponsors: Embassy of Japan, The National Bureau of Asian
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Research
Diversification of Leadership: The Path that Asian-American State
Legislators Have Walked (USJI-supported event)
Time and date: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., September 28, 2015
Place: Ritsumeikan University Kinugasa Campus
Speakers: Sylvia Luke (Hawaii House of Representatives), Raj
Mukherji (New Jersey House of Representatives), Sharon Tomiko
Santos (Washington House of Representatives), Hubert Vo (Texas
House of Representatives), Donald Wong (Massachusetts House of
Representatives), Eileen Hirano Inouye (President of U.S.-Japan
Council)
Beyond the Limits to Growth—New Ideas for Sustainability from
Japan— (USJI jointly-hosted event)
Time and date: 2:00 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., October 26, 2015
Place: The Brookings Institution
Speakers: Hiroshi Komiyama (Chairman of Mitsubishi Research
Institute, founder of USJI, former President of the University of
Tokyo), Mireya Solis (The Brookings Institution)
Cosponsor: The Brookings Institution
USJI Closed Round Table
Time and date: 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., October 29, 2015
Speakers: Aiji Tanaka (Waseda University / USJI operational
advisor), James Schoff (Carnegie Endowment for International
Peace), Ian Rinehart (Congressional Research Service)
Waseda-UC Berkeley Seminar on Political Economy in Asia-Pacific
(USJI cooperation event)
Time and date: 1:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m., December 10, 2015
Place: Waseda University
Participants: 44
Speakers: Shujiro Urata (Waseda University), Chikako Ueki
(Waseda University/USJI operational advisor), T.J. Pempel (UC
Berkeley), J.P. Boyd (Waseda University), V.K. Agarwal (UC
Berkeley), Yukiko Fukagawa (Waseda University)
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e-Ageing as a new US-Japan partnership issue
Time and date: 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., February 9, 2016
Place: 2000 M Street NW, Washington, D.C.
Speakers: Toshio Obi (Waseda University), Naoko Iwasaki (Waseda
University), Daniel Bob (Sasakawa USA), Matthew Goodman
(CSIS)
Assessing the TPP’s impact on Japan’s economic recovery and
U.S.-Japan relations
Time and date: 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., March 17, 2016
Place: The Brookings Institution
Speakers: Shujiro Urata (Waseda University), Arata Kuno (Kyorin
University), Hideyuki Miura (Kyorin University), Mireya Solis (The
Brookings Institution)
3) USJI International Symposium
On December 9, 2015, we held a
USJI International Symposium in
Tokyo titled “Building a New
‘Economic and Financial Order’ in the
Asia-Pacific Region,” with
approximately 500 visitors. This
symposium featured keynote speeches
by Akira Amari (minister in charge of
economic revitalization), Wendy Cutler
(former Assistant U.S. Trade
Representative), and a panel discussion
by eight invited participants, among
them Ichiro Fujisaki (former Japanese Ambassador to the United States), Glen S. Fukushima (former president
of the American Chamber of Commerce, Japan), and Mireya Solis (senior fellow in the Brookings Institution).
These panelists engaged in a discussion on “international political and economic order in the Asia-Pacific
Region led by the U.S. and Japan.”
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4) USJI Voice
To raise USJI’s presence within the United States, we are publicizing policy recommendations on timely
topics that were prepared by researchers of USJI-sponsoring universities. In FY2015, these recommendations
were distributed by e-mail and posted on the Internet (four were issued in both English and Japanese, and two
were issued in English).
5) USJI Newsletter
We particpated in seminars and other events organized near Washington D.C. by the United States Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Edwin O. Reischauer Center for
East Asian Studies of the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, Embassy of
Japan, Brookings Institution, Henry L. Stimson Center, and others. On 21 occasions, we issued information on
these events that was unavailable from media sources to people affiliated with USJI sponsors and the American
and Japanese governments.
6) USJI University Research Reports
As a rule, we send details on the latest research by USJI-sponsoring university researchers to registrants on the
USJI Database on a monthly basis.
(3) Establishment of Networks and Researcher Database
1) Establishing networks
Vol. Author Title Issuance date
7 Haruo Hayashi
(Kyoto University)
Multinational Cooperation in International Disaster Risk
Reduction
April 28, 2015
April 28, 2015
8 Yuichi Hosotani
(Keio University)
Right to Collective Self-Defense and the U.S.-Japan
Alliance
July 6, 2015
July 7, 2015
9 Akira Furukawa
(Ritsumeikan
University)
The Third Arrow of Abenomics
July 15, 2015
July 15, 2015
10 Tadashi Otsuka
(Waseda
University)COP21 and Japanese Climate Change Policy
November 24,
2015
December 3,
2015
11 Yasuhiro Ueki
(Sophia
University)
Rethinking Security Council Reform
January 15,
2016
12 Mitsuyo Ando
(Keio University)
International production/distribution networks and mega
FTAs
March 23, 2016
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We expanded our information-sharing, co-hosting of events, and other forms of collaboration by building
networks with the following major think tanks, universities, and other organizations in the United States.
Research institutes and foundations: Center for a New American Security (CNAS), The Council on Foreign
Relations (CFR), Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Carnegie
Institution for Science, The Brookings Institution, National Institutes of Health (NIH),
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Carnegie Endowment for
International Peace, US-Asia Institute (USAI), The National Bureau of Asian Research,
Center for the National Interest, Heritage Foundation, The Maureen and Mike Mansfield
Foundation, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, etc.
Universities: George Washington University, Georgetown University, Johns Hopkins University, American
University, Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, University of Maryland, Yale University, Columbia
University, Harvard University, Boston University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, City
University of New York, Cornell University, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania,
University of Michigan, University of Minnesota, Rutgers University, University of Idaho, University
of Windsor, Stanford University, University of California, Berkeley, University of California, Los
Angeles, University of Washington, Montclair State University, Thomas Jefferson School of Law,
University of Virginia, National War College, others
Government organizations: Embassy of the United States, Department of State, Department of Agriculture,
Department of Education, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Congressional
Research Service, JETRO, JICA, JSPS/JST, CULCON, others
American enterprises/organizations: Intel, The Washington Post, iRobot, IBM, World Bank, International
Monetary Fund, United States-Japan Foundation, S&R Foundation, Japan Commerce Association of
Washington, others
2) Building a database
As is shown below, the number of people registered in our database has reached approximately 6,700 (3,700
in the U.S., 3,000 in Japan).
706357238
642633
215
908
U.S. residents政府・政府系団体
シンクタンク
メディア
企業
大学
学生
その他
383
57
171
778682
452490
Japanese residents政府・政府系団体
シンクタンク
メディア
企業
大学
学生
その他
Government, government-affiliatedorganization
University
Private company
Media
Think tank
Student
Other
Government, government-affiliatedorganization
University
Private company
Media
Think tank
Student
Other
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3. Community Building Efforts
We contributed to the building of an industry-academia-government community centered on U.S.-Japan
relations primarily in Washington D.C. We held Networking Receptions during the USJI Week (September 2015
and February 2016), and we provided opportunities for exchange and discussion to scholars and researchers
specializing in U.S.-Japan relations, students having an interest in those relations, employees of local
subsidiaries of Japanese companies, and others.
Additionally, to help form a community that can influence policy making by the American and Japanese
governments and corporate decision making, we supported the holding of meetings, roundtables, and other forms
of interaction by opening our meeting rooms in USJI’s Washington D.C. headquarters. The following is a list of
our main contributions here.
1) A Capitol Hill Forum on Japan (co-organized by the US-Asia Institute [USAI] and National Bureau of
Asian Research [NBR])
Target: Persons with the U.S. Congress
Outline: We held four introductory courses called “A Capitol Hill Forum on Japan (Japan 101 Seminar Series
Pre-events)” led by researchers, professionals, and others on the front lines of various fields in Japan in order
to promote better understanding of Japan. Co-organized with various organizations that are based in
Washington D.C., the courses targeted persons connected with the U.S. Congress who have limited knowledge
concerning Japan.
Security and History for Japan
Time and date: 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., August 5, 2015
Place: Dirksen Senate Office Building #437
Participants: 6
Speaker: Koji Murata (President of Doshisha University)
Cooperation: United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
Theme: The Japanese Economy -Now and Future-
Time and date: 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., September 9, 2015
Place: US-Asia Institute
Speaker: Mitsuru Taniuchi (Professor at Waseda University)
Co-host: US-Asia Institute
Participants: 30
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Theme: Air pollution in Asia
Time and date: November 10, 2015
Place: Wilson Center
Speaker: Toshihiko Takemura (Professor at Kyushu University)
Co-host: Wilson Center
Theme: Establishing a Global Partnership for Sustainable
Development : Emerging opportunities for international
collaboration on SDG’s
Time and date: 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m., February 23, 2016
Place: JSPS
Speaker: Fumiko Kasuga (Professor at The University of Tokyo)
Co-hosts: Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C., START
2) Washin-kai
Target: Young employees of government offices and Japanese companies, particularly those from USJI
sponsors
Outline: We created opportunities for dialogue with American researchers of Japan and others by providing a
setting for individuals to propose policies in such areas as politics, economics, society, and education.
4. Human Resources Development
(1) Student Workshops
With support from the Nissan Global Foundation, we held student workshops led by researchers from
universities near Washington D.C. and from universities collaborating with USJI as well as student workshops
based on student branches (*). A total of nine workshops were held.
* Student Branch
Student Branch is an organization that was launched in FY2015 in order to support the practical
abilities/formation of networks of Japanese students (exchange, full-time) who have a strong interest in
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international relations and U.S. students who are Japanophiles (including potential Japanophiles). Students
take the initiative to implement workshops and events, which the USJI supports.
(2) Intern Program
This program is primarily open to American students who have an interest in U.S.-Japan relations. This year,
we received 11 students at our Washington D.C. office (including students who are continuing from the previous
year). Their main jobs were as follows:
・Supporting the operation of USJI events and preparing summaries
・Proofreading the USJI website and pamphlets in English
・Preparing summaries of events organized by other organizations
・Assisting with administrative tasks for USJI headquarters in Washington D.C.
Number of interns and their affiliations in FY2015 (as of March 22, 2016)
University No. Males Females
University of Florida 1 0 1
Waseda University 2 1 1
Ritsumeikan University 1 1 0
George Washington University 1 0 1
Georgetown University 2 2 0
Kwansei Gakuin University 1 1 0
Keio University 1 0 1
Australian National University 1 1 0
The University of Tokyo 1 1 0
Total 11 7 4
(3) Delegation of Japanese Students to the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress
(CSPC) International Fellows Program
Under the International Fellows Program of the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC),
students from top universities in various countries, and mainly the United States, gather in Washington D.C.
twice a year (autumn semester: normally one week in October, spring semester: normally one week in March).
There, they discuss U.S. policy with important members of the White House staff and Congress and prepare
papers that are in line with research topics. In addition to the U.S., there are approximately 60 participants every
year from countries such as Japan, Brazil, Canada, Hungary, Mexico and Spain.
Recognizing the program’s value in contributing to the development of next-generation leaders, we have
continued to select and send outstanding students from Japan to the program with support from Toyota Motor
Corporation since 2011. We had originally been sending two students each year, but with support that covers
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ANA airfares to the U.S., we have been able to send three students since FY2014.
In FY2015 we also sent three students, among which the paper written by Yuka Koshino of Keio University
won the grand prize of the International Fellows.
2015-16 delegates
University Name Research topic
1 Keio University Yuka Koshino How Did Obama Embolden China?
—Comparative Analysis of “Engagement” and “Containment” in Post-Cold
War Sino-American Relations—
2 Waseda
University
Fumi Osawa How is civil rights related with the U.S. politics?
Through equal protection among men and women
3 Kyoto
University
Serena
Kaneko
Renewable Energy Policy and Public Opinion
(4) Implementation of the Building the TOMODACHI Generation (BTG)
Co-organized by TWC (The Washington Center) and USJI, Building the TOMODACHI Generation is a short
and intensive two-week program that targets university students in Japan and the United States. It seeks to
develop leadership and promote studies on resolution of social issues on both sides, and cultivate domestic and
overseas leadership skills through continuous communication among the participants. In FY2015, the third year
of the program’s existence, a total of 35 students participated (35 the previous year). This figure was comprised
of 20 students from the nine USJI-sponsoring universities and 15 from American universities
The program is part of the TOMODACHI Initiative, a partnership launched in response to a proposal by John
Roos, former U.S. Ambassador to Japan. It is supported by the TOMODACHI Fund, which was established by
the governments of the United States and Japan as well as a number of private companies, including Toyota
Motor Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Hitachi, Ltd., and Morgan Stanley.
Delegate students from Japan
Affiliation Year Name
Graduate School of Engineering, Kyushu University 2nd-year Daiki Miyata
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master’s
Faculty of Science, Kyushu University Sophomore Erika Hirose
Faculty of Agriculture, Kyoto University 1st-year
master’s
Haruka Ueda
Faculty of Law, Kyoto University Sophomore Hiroko Okutani
Faculty of Law, Keio University Sophomore Miki Kadota
Faculty of Law, Keio University Sophomore Wakana Inoue
Faculty of Foreign Studies, Sophia University Senior Yumeko Inoue
Faculty of Liberal Arts, Sophia University Sophomore Haruko Sano
School of Social and International Studies, University
of Tsukuba
Sophomore Yumi Nagae
School of Science and Engineering, University of
Tsukuba
Sophomore Yuki Nishimura
College of Arts and Sciences, The University of
Tokyo
Junior Mihiro Nomura
Graduate School of Public Policy, The University of
Tokyo
1st-year
master’s
Miki Hosaka
Faculty of Economics, Doshisha University Senior Teruki Akao
Faculty of Law, Doshisha University Freshman Asahi Obata
College of Social Sciences, Ritsumeikan University Senior Ryo Saito
College of International Relations, Ritsumeikan
University
Freshman Miharu Mizusawa
College of International Relations, Ritsumeikan
University
Junior Koyuki Tsuji
Graduate School of Social Sciences, Waseda
University
1st-year
doctoral
Kazumi Abe
Graduate School of Advanced Science and
Engineering, Waseda University
1st-year
master’s
Gen Sakaeda
School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda
University
Junior Tatsuhiro Shinagawa
Participating students from the United States
University Year Name
Fitchburg State University Junior Abigail Kennefick
Furman University Junior Christopher Razo
Monmouth University Senior Christopher D'Elia
Quinnipiac University Junior Jessica Hernandez
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Regis University Junior Mikaela Meyer
Regis University Senior Rachel Minter
Rutgers University Senior Mark Swan
Rutgers University Junior Whitney Derman
St. Lawrence University Junior Anna Travers
Stockton University Senior Kareem Primo
University of Iowa Junior Pedro Gutierrez
University of New Hampshire Junior Ryan Justice
University of Puerto Rico Junior Paola Brignoni
University of Puerto Rico Senior Naceli Perez Escobar
University of Puerto Rico Senior Roberto Torres
(5) KAKEHASHI Project -Exchange Program for Promoting Understanding of Japan
The KAKEHASHI Project, which was launched in FY2014 by the government of Japan (Ministry of Foreign
Affairs) promotes understanding between Japan and North America of Japanese politics, society, history, and
foreign policy through human exchanges such as inviting and delegating outstanding human resources who are
expected to be successful in various industries in the future. In addition, by unearthing Japanophiles and
pro-Japanese groups, the objectives are to enhance Japan’s diplomatic foundation, have those who are invited
and delegated actively communicate Japan’s diplomatic position and appeal, and to contribute to increased
continued interest in Japan and an improvement in the image of Japan in global society.
USJI participated in this program, welcomed young researchers from the U.S., and delegated young
researchers belonging to USJI-affiliated universities.
1) Welcoming of young researchers from the U.S.
Waseda University welcomed young researchers from the U.S., and provided lectures on policies and the
actual state of the Japanese economy and environmental energy, as well as on U.S.-Japan security.
Group 1
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Invitation period: Wednesday, October 14 to Tuesday, October 20, 2015
Date welcomed by USJI: Thursday, October 15, 2015
Receiving university: Waseda University
Target: 35 young researchers from the U.S.
<Breakdown> National Economists Club (NEC): 11 people
Heritage Foundation: 10 people
Congressional Research Service (CRS): 14 people
Japanese Economy/Environmental Energy
Lecturer: Masahiko Genma (USJI operational advisor, professor at
Waseda University)
Japanese Security
Lecturer: Shuhei Kurizaki (associate professor at Waseda University)
Japanese Foreign Policy
Lecturer: Hideki Yamaji (Senior coordinator, North American Affairs
Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Group 2
Invitation period: Tuesday, November 24 to Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Date welcomed by USJI: Monday, November 30, 2015
Receiving university: Waseda University
Target: 26 young researchers from the U.S.
<Breakdown> Johns Hopkins University: 13 people, George Washington University: 13 people
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Internationalization of Higher Education in Japan, Cooperating with
US Partners
Lecturer: Kazuo Kuroda (professor at Faculty of International
Research and Education, Waseda University)
2) Delegation of students belonging to USJI-sponsoring universities
We delegated students belonging to USJI-sponsoring universities to San Francisco, United States, from
Tuesday, March 8 to Tuesday, March 15. The students visited California State University campuses, Stanford
University, etc. and held presentations for local students based on the theme of “Japan’s Appeal” in order to raise
interest in Japan. In addition, the students were also able to gain experiences that would otherwise be impossible
in a regular exchange program, as they were able to visit local companies and various facilities.
Group 1
Waseda University (24 students), Ritsumeikan University (13
students), University of Tsukuba (13 students)
Places visited: SmartNews (Japanese company), Computer History
Museum, San Jose State University, TANIMURA & ANTLE
(U.S. company), North Salinas High School, Farmer’s Market at
Ferry Building
Group 2
Doshisha University (24 students), Sophia University (13 students),
Keio University (13 students)
Places visited: SALAD COSMO (Japanese company), California
State University, Monterey Bay, TANIMURA & ANTLE (U.S.
company), Stanford University, Computer History Museum,
Farmer’s Market at Ferry Building
5. Other Operations
(1) Making the Washington D.C. Office Available
We supported the activities of young researchers who conduct studies and surveys in Washington D.C. by
making our Washington D.C. office available to them.
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Name: U.S.-Japan Research Institute (USJI)
Organizational status: Tax-exempt nonprofit public-interest corporation 501(c)(3) (U.S. NPO)
Established: April 14, 2009
Websites: http://www.us-jpri.org/en/ (English)
http://www.us-jpri.org/ (Japanese)
Email address: [email protected]
Address: 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20006 (USJI Washington
office)
1-104 Totsuka Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 169-8050 Japan (USJI Japan office)
Tel.: +1-202-452-6142 (USJI Washington office)
Tel.: +81-3-5286-8740 (USJI Japan office)
Fax: +81-03-5286-8385