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ANNOUNCEMENT

2011 JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DELEGATION TO JAPAN

11^th ANNIVERSARY DELEGATION

March 4 – 12, 2011

Co-Sponsored by:  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

 Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership

Organized by:  U.S.-Japan Council

2011 will mark the 11^th Anniversary of the Delegation Program.  The 2011 Delegation will be comprised of senior Japanese American leaders who are top leaders in their professions, have had moderate to extensive experience in U.S.-Japan  relations, and will be committed to furthering the U.S.-Japan relationship upon their return.  The 2011 Delegation seek leaders from the business, communications, education, and government sectors.

OVERVIEW

 The Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) program provides the opportunity for thirteen Japanese American leaders from throughout the United States to travel to Japan for seven nights.  The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) represented in the United States by the Japanese Embassy in Washington, D.C. and seventeen consulate general offices, and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) are co-sponsors of the program.  U.S.-Japan Council provides administration and organization for this program.

The program began in 2000 and 123 delegates have participated to date.  The trip creates an opportunity for Japanese American leaders to get to know Japan and to meet and exchange information with Japanese leaders in government, business, political, non-profit, and cultural sectors.  The trip allows Japanese leaders to gain a greater understanding about multicultural America through the experiences of a diverse group of Japanese Americans.  Upon returning, the Delegation members work with former Delegates, the local Consulates, U.S.-Japan Council and local and national community organizations, to organize and participate in programs and activities related to building U.S.-Japan relations. 

GOALS OF THE DELEGATION PROGRAM

1.       Improve understanding and strengthen long-term relations between Japanese Americans and Japan.

2.       Develop and implement on-going strategies to expand the role of Japanese Americans in advancing U.S.-Japan relations.

3.  Develop a network of Japanese American leaders that will continue to advance U.S.-Japan relations long-term, at the regional, national and international level.

BACKGROUND

While the relationship between the United States and Japan is considered by many as the most important bilateral relationship in the world, the connection between Japanese and Japanese Americans is atypical and more complex than that shared by other Americans and their ancestral peoples and lands.  While World War II played a major role in severing ties between Japanese Americans and Japan, the political, business, and cultural milieu that both nations face today requires a new look at the Japanese – Japanese American relationship, and its role in the future of U.S.-Japan relations.

The Japanese American Leadership Delegation program provides Japanese American leaders a unique opportunity to become acquainted or re-engaged with Japan; to meet the highest leaders in government, business and the non-profit sectors, and participate in discussions related to the role that Japanese Americans can play in addressing key issues that face both countries, now and in the future.

The first Delegation was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to visit Japan in 2000.  The delegation included third and fourth generation Japanese Americans selected from various professional fields including educational, cultural, philanthropic, legal and political sectors.  Since the initial trip, delegations of Japanese American leaders from throughout the United States have visited Japan every year since 2002 and now number nearly 123 participants.  Since 2003, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership has co-sponsored the program.

Participants in this program have created an Alumni Network to ensure that the commitment to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations is maintained.  The first national reunion/conference for Alumni was held in 2007 in Honolulu and a second national reunion/summit was held in San Francisco in July 2009.  A commitment to follow-up after the trip is a required part of the Program.

2011 SCHEDULE

• The trip to Japan will be March 4 – 12, 2011
• Orientation – January 21-22, 2011 in Los Angeles – This is mandatory for all delegates that will travel to Japan.  Non-participation in the orientation will disqualify an individual from traveling with the Delegation.
• The itinerary will include travel to Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka.
• Transportation, hotel and meals will be provided.
• Delegates are required to attend all meetings and events during the trip.

           As a rule, Delegates are not permitted to extend their stay. In exceptional cases, however, they may extend their stays by up to 5 nights at the conclusion of the official program at their own expense and at the approval of MOFA and CGP.  Requests will be considered only if the extension supports the general goals of the program.  As a rule, spouses and family members are not permitted to accompany delegates during the official trip.

CRITERIA & SELECTION OF THE 2011 DELEGATION

For the 2011 Delegation, members will be comprised of senior leaders and executives with moderate to extensive experience in U.S.-Japan relations.  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership will approve the final thirteen Japanese American leaders for the 2011 Delegation.  Decisions will be based upon recommendations from the local Japanese Consulates and Japanese Embassy and recommendations from an Advisory Committee comprised of selected former Delegates.  The 2011 delegation will include leaders who have a demonstrated interest and commitment to strengthening U.S. and Japan relations, have interest or experience in the Japanese American community, and will be committed to future efforts to strengthen linkages between the United States and Japan.  Selection for the 2011 delegation will give greater consideration to individuals with experience in clean & green technology, transportation, communications, or higher education with an emphasis in study abroad.

Selection Criteria will include:

§         Senior leadership in one’s profession

§         Interest or experience in U.S.-Japan relations

§         Commitment to strengthening U.S.–Japanese relations in the future

§         Interest in expanding the role of Japanese Americans in U.S.-Japan relations

Three members of the Delegation will be selected to speak at a Symposium in Osaka co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and the U.S.-Japan Council.  In the past, the Delegation has participated in Symposiums held in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Okinawa and Tokyo. 

In making the final recommendations for the Delegation, criteria will also include:

§         Regional distribution of the delegates

§         Professional distribution among the delegates

§         Gender balance among the delegation

§         In principle, delegates should be 40 to 60 years of age to enable them longer term opportunities to build U.S.-Japan relations in their respective professional and community activities.  In reflecting the goals of the Program, priority will be given to Sansei, Yonsei and Gosei, including Japanese Americans of multi-racial background.

§          Diversity of individuals with moderate to extensive experience in Japan.  Those who were previously invited to Japan by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the same program or a similar invitation program will not be eligible for consideration.

Notwithstanding, candidates who do not meet all of the above criteria may still be considered if they demonstrate extraordinary qualifications.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS/NOMINATIONS

Click the following link to download the application form.

Download Application Form

Deadline for receipt of applications/nominations:  October 31, 2010

Application should be submitted by email, fax, or mail to:

Consulate-General of Japan at Honolulu
1742 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu HI 96817-3294
Attention: Akiteru Nogawa

Tel:(808)543-3121

Fax:(808)543-3170

Email:akiteru.nogawa@mofa.go.jp

A duplicate copy should also be sent to the U.S.-Japan Council Los Angeles Office. By email to Bryan Takeda, Director of Programs at btakeda@usjapancouncil.org, by mail to 2207 Colby Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90064, or by fax to (626) 396-9927. Please note "Application for the Japanese American Leadership Delegation" on the front of the envelope if you mail the application.

OVERVIEW OF SPONSORS & CO-ORGANIZER

MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

            The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan is one of the eleven ministries of the Government of Japan’s Executive Branch, the Prime Minister’s Cabinet.  The Ministry oversees a network of embassies and consulates throughout the world, managing Japan’s foreign relations. The North American Affairs Bureau sponsors a number of programs which facilitate the strengthening of Japan-U.S. relations, with the First North America Division overseeing Japanese American affairs. 

 JAPAN FOUNDATION CENTER FOR GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP

            The Center for Global Partnership (CGP) was established within the Japan Foundation in 1991 with offices in both Tokyo and New York.  CGP’s mission is to promote collaboration between Japan and the United States with the goal of fulfilling shared global responsibilities and contributing to improvements in the world's welfare and to enhance dialogue and interchange between Japanese and US citizens on a wide range of issues, thereby improving bilateral relations.