“3-11” 2021 will be the ten-year anniversary of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

I was on the top floor of a high-rise building in the Marunouchi area of Tokyo at 14:46 JST on Friday, March 11, 2011. Earthquakes are nothing new to us living in Japan. However, at that fateful moment, we immediately knew that “this one is different.” Though we were roughly 250 miles away from the earthquake’s epicenter, which was in the ocean near the Oshika Peninsula in Miyagi, the modern high-rise building shook so violently that we could literally not remain standing.

My families are originally from Miyagi and Fukushima, which were hard hit by the earthquake and subsequent tsunami. While I was far away from Tohoku and was only watching the terrible horror unfold on the television, the physical destruction and psychological damages inflicted by the earthquake and tsunami were personal to me. About a year after the disaster struck, I visited the city of Ishinomaki, which was one of the most devastated cities near the epicenter. It was where my maternal grandfather spent his boyhood. Everything was gone.

Amid the deepest despair, people in Tohoku showed their quiet grit in an orderly way to meet the unbelievable challenges and survive. Japanese people around the country did their best to try to be helpful to people in Tohoku. Of course, not everything was positive. But overall, Japanese people showed their usual “ganbaru spirit” (to persevere and do one’s best) to help each other and meet the challenges. Scars, both physical and psychological, are still deep and raw for many, but people have been trying to find a way to move forward with their lives.

Japan was fortunate to receive a great deal of relief support both in goods and well wishes from the international community. Japanese people were so grateful for the goodness of those around the world. Within two months after the earthquake, 23 countries and regions sent emergency rescue personnel and medical experts to local communities, which were greatly afflicted by the earthquake and tsunami. International organizations, such as United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and World Food Programme (WFP) also sent their specialists.

The United States began to extend a wide range of disaster relief to Japan, such as search and rescue crews, medical treatment, shelter, food, water, transportation, and nuclear power plant management, immediately following the earthquake and tsunami. The most impactful and immediate disaster relief measures were executed under the framework of Operation TOMODACHI, which was based on a request by Foreign Minister Takeaki Matsumoto to U.S. Ambassador John Roos.

Most of the U.S. bases in Japan were involved in these efforts from March 12 to May 4, 2011. At the peak of Operation TOMODACHI, some 24,000 service men and women, 24 ships, and 189 airplanes and helicopters were deployed to the areas most afflicted by the earthquake and tsunami. Japanese people are grateful to all U.S. service men and women, who worked closely with their Japan Self-Defense Force counterparts at the time of national crisis. Japanese people directly saw the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance in action in Operation TOMODACHI. Incidentally, Japan Self-Defense Forces enjoy the highest level of trust of Japanese people as compared with other institutions, such as the national diet, the media, the bureaucracy, police, and teachers, most likely due to their contributions in disaster relief operations.

Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA is proud of the Japan-U.S. Military Program (JUMP) that we partner with the National Association of Japan-America Societies on. JUMP is sponsored by the Embassy of Japan and honors past and current U.S. service men and women who served under the framework of the U.S. Japan Security Alliance. We are honored to welcome Ambassador Koji Tomita, Admiral Patrick M. Walsh (former Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet), General Ryoichi Oriki (former Chief of Staff, Joint Staff, JSDF), and Major General Hiroyuki Sugai (Defense and Air Attaché, Embassy of Japan) to our upcoming JUMP Annual Event, Operation TOMODACHI: A Ten-Year Commemoration. It is my hope that we can all take some time in our own ways to reflect on what occurred ten years ago, honoring those who were lost and the lives forever altered.

On February 2, Sasakawa USA hosted an online event paying tribute to Dr. Ezra Vogel, an eminent scholar of Japan and China who passed away on December 20, 2020. This remembrance brought together Dr. Steven K. Vogel, Chair of the Political Economy Program at the University of California, Berkeley, Mr. Glen S. Fukushima, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and Dr. Joseph S. Nye, Jr., University Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus at Harvard University to share their personal experiences with the late scholar. Dr. Steven K. Vogel, a son of Dr. Ezra Vogel, Mr. Fukushima, a former student of Dr. Vogel, and Dr. Nye, a long-time colleague of Dr. Vogel, each related their perspectives on the late scholar’s impact and legacy. A recap of the event, as well as a recording of the discussion, can be found here.

Photo: Dr. Steven K. Vogel, Mr. Fukushima, and Dr. Nye

On February 18, Sasakawa USA was pleased to host an online event on current affairs in Myanmar with Dr. David I. Steinberg, Distinguished Professor of Asian Studies Emeritus at Georgetown University, Min. Shinichi Iida, Minister of Political Affairs at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, D.C., and Amb. Derek Mitchell, President of the National Democratic Institute and Former U.S. Ambassador to Myanmar. Dr. Steinberg started the briefing by reviewing the democratization movement in Myanmar as well as the political dynamics in the country. Following his remarks, Min. Iida and Amb. Mitchell addressed what policy options are available for Japan and the United States, respectively, and discussed how the two countries can best coordinate their strategies regarding Myanmar. H.E. U Aung Lynn, Ambassador of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the United States, joined the event and delivered a special address to the audience.

Photo: Dr. Steinberg, Min. Iida, and Amb. Mitchell

On January 26, Sasakawa USA was pleased to host an online event on the U.S.-Japan alliance with RADM James Kelly, USN (Ret.), Former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan, and Dr. Takako Hikotani, the Gerald L. Curtis Associate Professor of Modern Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy at Columbia University. Drawing on his many years of service in Japan, RADM Kelly reviewed the evolution of U.S.-Japan cooperation in defense and addressed areas of potential growth. His talk focused on the importance of personal relationships in building a stronger alliance as well as the need for continued dialogue amongst all stakeholders. Dr. Hikotani as the discussant added her own perspective on the trajectory of the U.S.-Japan alliance. A recap of the event, as well as a recording of the discussion, can be found here.

Photo: RADM Kelly, USN (Ret.), and Dr. Hikotani

Congressional Study Group on Japan: First 100 Days of the 117^th Congress

On February 17, Sasakawa USA, in partnership with the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), co-hosted an event on the policy priorities of the new Congress. During the event, The Hon. Susan W. Brooks (R-IN, 2013-2021), The Hon. Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. (D-CA, 2019-2021), The Hon. Ryan Costello (R-PA, 2015-2019), and the Hon. Elizabeth Esty (D-CT, 2013-2019) discussed current issues facing Congress including COVID-19 relief legislation, divisiveness in the U.S., climate change, and national security. Mr. Peter M Weichlein, Esq., CEO of FMC, moderated the event. A recap and recording of the discussion will soon be available on the Sasakawa USA website.

Photo: From top left clockwise, Hon. Brooks, Hon. Cisneros, Hon. Costello, Mr. Weichlein, and Hon. Esty

The Congressional Program on U.S.-Japan Relations and the Indo-Pacific (CPUSJ) held its first of seven sessions on February 25 for a handful of congressional staffers who were selected to participate in the program. In this session, Sasakawa USA Advisory Committee Members Ambassador Kurt Tong and Secretary Randall G. Shriver discussed the U.S.-Japan alliance as the cornerstone of Indo-Pacific peace, security, and stability. Additional topics that will be covered in future sessions include: U.S.- Japan Technological Partnership and Competition; Economic Challenges Post-COVID-19; U.S.-Japan Frontier Defense and Technology Cooperation; Public Health Security; Engagement of International Organizations; as well as U.S. and Japanese Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Aid. Sasakawa USA is honored to partner with the East-West Center of Washington on this new program. Please visit the Sasakawa USA website for more details.

On February 16, JUMP was pleased to host a special online event celebrating the U.S.-Japan alliance in cooperation with the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH), the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), the Embassy of Japan in the United States, and Sasakawa USA. Keynote speakers Admiral Philip Davidson, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Vice Admiral Yoji Koda, JMSDF (Ret.) described their experiences working through the U.S.-Japan alliance on critical issues in the Indo-Pacific region, while also speaking to the continuing importance of strong U.S.-Japan ties. The Hon. Yutaka Aoki, Consul General of Japan in Honolulu, also made a special appearance to address the audience of more than 70 JUMP members. They were also joined by brief remarks from Mr. Peter Kelley, President of NAJAS, and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA and Director of JUMP. Ms. Barbara Tanabe, founder of Ho’akea Communications, LLC and JASH Board Director, moderated the event and the following Q&A discussion with the keynote speakers.

Photo: From top left clockwise, Pres. Kaneko of JASH, Mr. Miwa, a former chair of JASH, Vice Admiral Koda, Ms. Nishihara Frisbie, Director of Membership and Programs of JASH, Mr. Kelley, Ms. Tanabe, Consul Gen. Aoki, and Dr. Akimoto

On February 25, Sasakawa USA welcomed Mr. Gary Martin, President and CEO of the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) and President of the International Grain Trade Coalition (IGTC), for a discussion of international trade with a particular focus on agriculture. The off-the-record discussion included distinguished guests from private sector organizations. With Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, acting as moderator, the participants had a constructive, in-depth conversation on the current state of international trade between the United States and East Asia. Sasakawa USA plans to organize more Washington Discussion Group events in 2021 that highlight important policy areas and strengthen ties between the United States and Japan.

Photo: Mr. Martin

Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, attended a virtual roundtable discussion on the Indo-Pacific region hosted by a British think tank in mid-February. He discussed relations between Indo-Pacific middle powers, including the European perspective on the future significance of this region, with discussants from the private sector, academic community, and government. The discussion touched upon important aspects in cooperation and potential competition or security priorities in the Indo-Pacific region.

On February 16, Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, gave an online lecture at Hawaii Aloha Life Enrichment Association (HALE), 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit Organization based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Akimoto spoke about the Biden administration, including U.S.-Japan and U.S.-China relations, followed by a lively Q&A covering topics on national security, foreign policy, and economics, which was moderated by Mr. Sakoda.

Photo: Dr. Akimoto and Mr. Sakoda

In his latest article, “Diversity is key to Japan’s relations with the U.S.”, Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, highlighted the increasing need for Japan to recognize and promote diversity within and outside the country. While noting the historically inclusive cabinet under President Joe Biden, Dr. Akimoto stressed that Japanese officials must recognize and embrace diversity to better cooperate with the Biden administration. He referenced former Prime Minister Abe’s policy initiatives to increase inclusion such as Womenomics, but also indicated the slow pace of change that has occurred under the current Suga administration. Lastly, Dr. Akimoto emphasized the need for Japan and its government to take greater steps in encouraging diversity as a universal value.

Photo Source: Jim Lo Scalzo-Pool/Getty Images News via Getty Images