Nineteenth Conference: Seattle (July 28 - August 4, 2018)

This past July marked the nineteenth successful year of the US-Japan Leadership Program, with the Program's vibrant, diverse and dedicated network now totaling 431 leaders in the U.S. and Japan. Over July 28 - August 4, a record number of Delegates and Scott M. Johnson Fellows, 100 members total, convened in Seattle for the 2018 Annual Conference and inter-class reunion at the close of the week. From the incredible level of talent and achievement in the group, the ideas and insights formed during discussions, and the intensity of the inter-class bonding that took place, this year's conference was a beaming representation of the Program's ongoing mission to foster life-long friendships and meaningful dialogues between the future leaders of our two countries.

 

The 2018 conference brought together 39 Delegates representing a wide-array of talent and backgrounds, including: state and national government, education, military and defense, journalism, television, finance, sports, publishing, law, non-profit, architecture, music, entrepreneurship, technology, health care, hospitality, and the private sector. The conference week wove together this diverse class by providing a framework for mutual sharing, respect and friendship through daily discussions, bonding activities, and off-site excursions unique to the Seattle area. Click here to learn more about the 2018 Delegate class.

 

Above: Class of 2018 Delegates pose together against the Seattle skyline on the final day of the conference, Friday, August 3. 

 

Discussions were tailored to take advantage of the expertise and diverse perspectives represented among the Japanese and American Delegates. Topics covered included: the erosion of truth and trust in traditional institutions and the implications of this trend for democracy, strategic prospects for the U.S. and Japan in the Indo-Pacific region, the U.S. and Japan's leadership in global crisis situations, predictions for a changing economic landscape, gender, diversity and inclusion in the wake of the #MeToo movement, storytelling in the digital age, the future of teams and teamwork, the state of health and healthcare in our two countries, and the impact of artificial intelligence on humanity. The themes and outcomes raised in these group discussions were expanded upon in multiple, intensive small group sessions. 

 

Above: A thought-provoking discussion on the erosion of "truth" and trust in institutions and what this trend could mean for democracy kicked off the conference on Sunday, July 29 with expert panelists in the areas media, politics and technology. From left to right: John Berman (15,18), CNN; Tomoko Kubota (17,18), formerly of Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS); Craig Mullaney (18,19), Facebook; Ryan Mackenzie (15,18), Pennsylvania House of Representatives; John Noonan (18,19), Office of U.S. Senator Tom Cotton; Masao Takahashi (18,19), World Economic Forum.

 

Above: At the start of their week together, Delegates took part in a variety of discussion activities designed to promote cross-cultural learning and understanding, including a "Creative Tensions" kinetic icebreaker discussion on Sunday, July 29 (left), and a leadership insights activity on Monday, July 30 where Delegates had the opportunity to swap stories and share their personal approach to leadership (right).

 

During their stay in Seattle, Delegates were provided with daily opportunities to bond outside of core discussions through an array of activities showcasing the city's diversity and American culture. Experiences included a "Pike Place Market Iron Chef" team-building cooking challenge, an insider tour of the Amazon Spheres, kayaking on Elliot Bay, a visit to Woodinville wine country, a Seattle Mariners game, and a day trip to Mt. Rainier. Delegates and Scott M. Johnson Fellows spent the final two days engaging in meaningful exchanges, while simultaneously strengthening and forging lifelong bonds across the network. The record-breaking 61 Fellows who traveled far and wide to join the Delegates in Seattle is a true testament to the extent of the dynamic inter-generational and inter-disciplinary connections that the USJLP network has continued to foster and sustain across the Pacific for these past nineteen years. 

Above: On Sunday, July 29, Delegates explored their teambuilding, leadership, and culinary skills during an "Iron Chef" cooking competition, creating three-course meals for 50 people. Teams met their chefs at Pikes Place Market (left) to shop and strategize their menus, and then headed to Blue Ribbon Cooking on Lake Union to don their aprons and battle it out for the most creative and delicious kitchen creations. Afterwards, all teams feasted on their menu creations together family-style in a lakeside setting (right).

 

Above: The Class of 2018 in front of the Amazon Spheres, an Amazon employee-only space home to more than 40,000 plants from the cloud forest regions of over 30 countries, following a very special inside tour of the Spheres on Monday, July 30. The tour was made possible thanks to the generous arrangements of Ananda Martin (USJLP 06,07), Amazon Senior Counsel, and a number of Amazon ambassadors who gave their time to host the group that afternoon. Following their tour of the Spheres, Delegates enjoyed a futuristic, and unique to Seattle, "grab and go" shopping experience at Amazon Go.

 

Special bonding opportunities were provided throughout the week, including a Seattle Mariners vs. Houston Astros game on Monday, July 30 (above left), and an evening in Woodinville wine country on Tuesday, July 31 (above right) that concluded with a quintessential American summer tradition: s'mores!

 

Above, left and right: Delegates spent an exhilarating and memorable day hiking and taking in the beauty of Mt. Rainier together on Wednesday, August 1. 
 

On Thursday, August 2, Delegates were joined by a record number of Scott M. Johnson Fellows, each of whom made a special effort to reunite together in Seattle for Fellows Weekend. Inter-class bonding kicked off on Thursday with a series of collaborative exercises, including a strategic foresight workshop (above left), during which attendees learned how to map ideas to locate patterns and develop insights in to what the future may hold, and a dedicated time for USJLPers with shared interests and expertise to come together and launch a series of new USJLP verticals to take place virtually and in-person throughout the year (above right).

 

Above left: Delegates and Fellows enjoyed an evening catching up with one another during a sunset dinner cruise on Lake Union on Thursday, August 2. 
Above right and below: On Friday, August 3, the group headed to West Seattle for a full day of fun in the sun bonding activities, including a kayaking tour of Elliot Bay.

 

Above: Delegates, Fellow and family had a blast together at this year's Fellows Weekend and we can not wait to see these smiling faces back together again next summer for USJLP's 20th Anniversary Conference in Japan!

 

 

 

“Being a delegate to the US Japan Leadership Program has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Our week in Seattle was perfectly planned and executed; it was designed with the ideal mix of panels (led by our own colleagues with expertise on a variety of topics), small group breakout sessions, and unforgettable outdoor activities. More importantly, the cohort itself was the ideal combination of Japanese and American leaders with a diversity of experiences and backgrounds, which created the foundation for rich, meaningful dialogue even on the toughest of topics. Both my Japanese and American colleagues were easily among the most accomplished, intelligent, humble, and fun leaders I have ever had the privilege of bonding with. My week as USJLP delegate left an indelible mark in my own tapestry of experiences, as I know it did for my colleagues in the program. I cannot overstate how special this program is, not only for the continued strengthening of the US-Japan relationship, but for the development, both personal and professional, of each of its delegates. I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of this program.” -Michael Morales (USJLP 2018-2019), Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force; Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force

 

“(USJLP is) a place of sanctuary, to be able to express my ideas and myself freely without the fear of being misjudged and prejudiced against. Never is there a place where there is that comfort; I think our ultimate similarities are infinite intellectual curiosity, valuing integrity and genuineness, and the will to do good for society. It was an invaluable experience and I would recommend it to anyone who shares these values.” -Mio Takaoka (USJLP 2017-2018), Managing Director and Member of the Board, Medicalnote Inc; Partner, Arbor Ventures 

 

“USJLP is the truest form of intercultural connection. For seven days I got the unique perspectives of all the fellows on geopolitical issues and a glimpse into a culture I’d like to know more about with some of the most dynamic and interesting people I’ve ever met! I gained an appreciation for the complications of international policy and at least 20 new best friends.
Considering the complex legacies of both countries, a strong assertion of friendship will help with facing increasingly difficult issues of a global nature.” -Latoya Peterson (USJLP 2018-2019), Deputy Editor, Digital Innovation, The Undefeated / ESPN

 

"This program helps me to know America and to like America more." -Yohei Sadoshima (USJLP 2018-2019), CEO, CORK Inc.

 

“USJLP is a unique and exceptional opportunity to develop mutual understanding between critical democratic allies. Relative to other programs, what sets USJLP apart are the strong personal and intellectual bonds forged not only with your fellow delegates, but across classes, through a range of cultural, experiential, and professional programs during, and, more importantly, after your immersion week.” -Craig Mullaney (USJLP 2018-2019), Strategic Partnerships Manager, Facebook

 

“USJLP is an encouraging, inspiring, enabling community with which one can create a synergy to realize bigger dreams than you ever thought was possible! USJLP has already provided me with a broader perspective and understanding of the world and its issues. It helped clarify my plans to implement my expertise, experience and skill set as a musician to help heal this increasingly divisive world, and its citizens. USJLP is unique in its vision to strengthen international understanding and communication through individual friendships. I share its vision and its sense of mission, especially as a Japanese resident of the U.S. for the past 29 years. I am honored to be a part of this incredible network of passionate visionaries.” -Makiko Hirata (USJLP 2017-2018), Classical Pianist

 

“USJLP is an awesome program that truly connects individuals from around the world. It isn't so much that everyone is accomplished - rather, it is that they are all such good people. I'm so
honored to be a part of the group.” -Sunny Ramchandani (USJLP 2018-2019), Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Aetna

 

“USJLP is special for me. As an adult, I didn't expect this kind of "pure friendship" with many delegates and fellows. Of course, all of them are very successful in their field. But even apart from their social status, USJLP gave me an opportunity to come to know them and like them as a person!” -Mayu Yamaguchi (USJLP 2017-2018), PhD Candidate, Graduate School for Law and Politics, The University of Tokyo

 

“I am honored and humbled to be a part of the US-Japan Leadership Program. It was a transformative experience filled with incredible people, intelligent discussions, an unbelievable amount of fun, and very little sleep! I look forward to deepening and building on these cross-cultural relationships into the future.” -Chloe Demrovsky (USJLP 2018-2019), President & CEO, Disaster Recovery Institute International