Included in this issue of the newsletter:
- Message from Sasakawa USA's Chairman, Satohiro Akimoto
September Activities
- Policy Briefing: Understanding the Role of Japanese Automakers and Suppliers in the U.S. Automotive Industry with Mr. Manny Manriquez and Ms. Jennifer Heckmann
- Washington Kenkyu Group: A Discussion with LtGen Lawrence Nicholson
Publications
- Japan Political Pulse: Heavyweights Jostle to Lead LDP into a Suga-Free Diet Election (Smith)
- Commentary & Analysis: USMC Force Design 2030: An Opportunity for a New Deterrence Strategy in Japan (Isobe)
- Japan Times: It's in America's Interest to Court ASEAN (Akimoto)
Upcoming Activities
- Policy Briefing: 2021 ASEAN Summit: Japan's Viewpoint with Amb. Masafumi Ishii
- The Japan -U.S. Military Program: Upcoming Event in Pensacola, FL
Announcements
- ADM Philip S. Davidson Joins Sasakawa USA Advisory Committee on Projects
- Mr. James L. Schoff Joins Sasakawa USA as Senior Director to Lead U.S.-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative
- USJETAA Mini-Grant Program: Funding Awarded to JET Alumni Association of Florida
- In-Depth Alumni Research Trip with Mr. Brent Sadler
- The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress: 24th Annual Statesmanship Awards Celebration
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Message from Sasakawa USA's Chairman, Satohiro Akimoto |
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It has been roughly thirty years since Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA (Sasakawa USA) was founded in Washington, D.C. It was originally opened as a Japanese art gallery and library on December 2, 1992, at the current location, 1819 L Street, N.W. Washington, D.C., to foster better understanding between Japan and the United States. Following reevaluation of its operation, Sasakawa USA discontinued activities of the art gallery in 1996 but continued activities of the library, which had been well-established.
At the peak of its activities, the library had roughly 7,000 books, both in Japanese and English, on Japan and U.S. Japan relations. It became a gathering place for many Japanese people in town, as in addition to books it also had Japanese newspapers, journals, and magazines. In 2013, the library was closed to seek a new direction for Sasakawa USA.
A major change came when Admiral Dennis Blair, former Director of National Intelligence and the 18th Commander in Chief of U.S. Pacific Command and National Intelligence, became Chairman in 2014. His vision was to transform Sasakawa USA from a library to a think tank focusing on the U.S.-Japan relationship.
I became Chairman on October 1, 2019. I continue to expand activities based on the foundation laid by Admiral Blair and Ambassador James Zumwalt, who joined Admiral Blair as CEO. My job was easy thanks to the groundwork of Admiral Blair and Ambassador Zumwalt. Sasakawa USA has held 33 policy-related public and private discussions and published 40 papers and articles since I was trusted with the operations of the foundation.
I am delighted Admiral Philip S. Davidson, the 25th Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joined Sasakawa USA as a member of the Advisory Committee on Projects on September 1. He will help us strengthen our programs by bringing a wealth of strategic expertise, geopolitical knowledge, and operational wisdom. Nikkei and Asahi have just published interviews they conducted with him on Indo-Pacific security situations both digitally and in their papers. ADM Davidson joins the following members of the Advisory Committee on Projects: Dr. Joseph S. Nye, Jr., Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus; Sec. Randall G. Schriver, Chairman, Project 2049 Institute; Amb. Kurt Tong, Partner, The Asia Group; and Amb. Melanne Verveer, Director, Georgetown University’s Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
I am equally delighted that Mr. James L. Schoff, who was a senior fellow and director of the Japan program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace for the last nine years, will join us on October 1. He will lead the U.S.-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative as Senior Director. He will be a great addition to our team as a well-respected expert on U.S.-Japan security relations in both Tokyo and Washington. Our entire team is looking forward to working with and learning much from Mr. Schoff.
Sasakawa USA is fortunate to have a solid team led by Ms. Shanti Shoji, Director of Programs, and Ms. Misa Imanaka-Miller, Director of Administration, who move the needle forward in “contributing to deepening the understanding of and strengthening ties between the United States and Japan,” as our mission states. I thank you for your continued interest in and support of our activities, and look forward to hearing your feedback and guidance to assist us in achieving our goals.
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Photo: A heartfelt message for the Sasakawa USA team left on the office whiteboard from a member who recently graduated from the team. The message reads, "Everyone - Thank you very much! Wishing you all the best." |
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Policy Briefing: Understanding the Role of Japanese Automakers and Suppliers in the U.S. Automotive Industry with Mr. Manny Manriquez and Ms. Jennifer Heckmann |
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On September 16, Sasakawa USA hosted the virtual event, “Understanding the Role of Japanese Automakers and Suppliers in the U.S. Automotive Industry,” featuring remarks by Mr. Manny Manriquez, General Director of the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association U.S. Office, and Ms. Jennifer Heckmann, Senior Manager at DENSO. Mr. Manriquez and Ms. Heckmann emphasized the robustness and complexity of relationships Japanese automakers and suppliers’ have with communities in the United States, drawing attention to how their activities transcend economic ties to include support for improving educational opportunities, addressing environmental concerns, and supporting local humanitarian efforts. Following speaker remarks, Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, moderated an engaging Q&A discussion with the audience. The video and recap of the event are available here.
Event video: Mr. Manriquez and Ms. Heckmann
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Washington Kenkyu Group: A Discussion with LtGen Lawrence Nicholson |
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On September 28, Sasakawa USA Washington Kenkyu Group welcomed LtGen Lawrence Nicholson, former Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force in Japan from 2015-2018. For this off-the-record, virtual event, LtGen Nicholson described what it means to serve one’s country as an active-duty service member and to be a part of an American military family. Following LtGen Nicholson’s presentation, the event continued with a lively discussion with the attendees.
Photo: LtGen Nicholson
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Japan Political Pulse: Heavyweights Jostle to Lead LDP into a Suga-Free Diet Election (Smith) |
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In his first Japan Political Pulse article, “ Heavyweights Jostle to Lead LDP into a Suga-Free Diet Election,” contributing author Dr. Daniel M. Smith, Gerald L. Curtis Visiting Associate Professor of Modern Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy in the Department of Political Science and School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University, provides his expert insight on Japan’s upcoming Diet election by taking a close look at the prospects of the main Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) contenders in line for succeeding Prime Minister Suga this fall: Fumio Kishida, Taro Kono, and Sanae Takaichi. Dr. Smith also examines other uncertain factors that may impact the election, including the LDP’s younger members’ votes and the opposition parties’ movements. You can read the article here. Photo: Dr. Smith
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Commentary & Analysis: USMC Force Design 2030: A New Deterrence Strategy in Japan (Isobe) |
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Sasakawa USA is proud to announce the publication of a new paper, “ USMC Force Design 2030: An Opportunity for a New Deterrence Strategy for Japan,” by LtGen Koichi Isobe, JGSDF (Ret.), the 37th Commander of the Eastern Army. LtGen Isobe analyzes how USMC Commandant General David Berger’s strategic leadership in Force Design 2030 can influence Japan to strengthen its deterrence posture. LtGen Isobe explains the implications of the USMC transformation on Japan’s security policy in a two-pronged approach. Through strengthening 1) Japan’s unilateral national security effort, by suggesting Japan should adopt a comprehensive deterrence policy, and 2) Japan-U.S. bilateral alliance effort, by aligning respective RMCs and forming a command-and-control structure of U.S. and Japan forces. The full paper can be read here.
Photo: LtGen Isobe
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Japan Times: It's in America's Interest to Court ASEAN (Akimoto) |
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In his latest Japan Times op-ed article, " It’s in America’s interest to court ASEAN," Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, argues that it would benefit the United States immensely to increase focus on political engagement with ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), especially together with Japan, the country that is ASEAN’s largest investor. Dr. Akimoto underscores the critical strategic and economic importance of ASEAN to both the United States and Japan in addition to the greater Indo-Pacific in the face of an increasingly growing Chinese presence in the region. Emphasizing the need for a greater Japanese leadership role in the U.S.-Japan alliance to engage ASEAN, Dr. Akimoto highlights the recent example of how Japan took charge of negotiations for realizing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) after the withdrawal of the U.S. from the agreement.
Photo: Leaders at the ASEAN Summit on November 3, 2019, in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo by The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images)
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Policy Briefing: 2021 ASEAN Summit: Japan's Viewpoint with Amb. Masafumi Ishii |
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On October 20, Sasakawa USA will host the virtual event, "2021 ASEAN Summit: Japan’s Viewpoint," featuring Amb. Masafumi Ishii, former Japanese Ambassador to Indonesia (2017-2020). With the upcoming 2021 ASEAN Summit to be held in Brunei, Amb. Ishii will provide his remarks on Japan’s expectations from and for ASEAN and how Japan and the United States can expand economic cooperation in ASEAN. Amb. David Shear, former U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam (2011-2014) will then provide brief commentary from the American perspective. The event will be moderated by Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA.
Photo: Amb. Ishii
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The Japan-U.S. Military Program: Upcoming Event in Pensacola, FL |
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On October 23, Sasakawa USA in partnership with the Japan-America Society of Northwest Florida, the National Association of Japan-America Societies, and the Embassy of Japan will host the “Japan-U.S. Military Program: U.S.-Japan Cooperative Strategy for Ensuring Peace and Security” event at the National Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida. It will feature speakers such as Rear Admiral Jamie Kelly (USNA, Ret.), former Commander of the Naval Forces Japan; Major General Hiroyuki Sugai, Defense and Air Attaché at the Embassy of Japan, Washington, D.C.; and The Hon. Kazuhiro Nakai, Consul-General of Japan in Miami. This event gathers members of the armed services and government civilians who have served in Japan to foster a deeper understanding of the U.S-Japan alliance.
Photo: National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, FL
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ADM Philip S. Davidson Joins Sasakawa USA Advisory Committee on Projects |
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Sasakawa USA is pleased to announce that ADM Philip S. Davidson, the 25th Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command, has joined the Sasakawa USA Advisory Committee on Projects. The Advisory Committee consists of five prominent leaders in global affairs: Dr. Joseph S. Nye. Jr., University Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus, Harvard University; The Hon. Randall G. Schriver, Chairman of the Project 2049 Institute; Amb. Kurt Tong, Partner of The Asia Group; Amb. Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security; and ADM Philip S. Davidson. Through the experience and expertise of this committee, Sasakawa USA will continuously play a critical role in strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship by enriching policy discussion, research, publications, and networks.
Photo: ADM Davidson
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Mr. James L. Schoff Joins Sasakawa USA As Senior Director to Lead U.S.-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative |
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Sasakawa USA is pleased to announce that Mr. James L. Schoff will join Sasakawa USA on October 1 as Senior Director to lead the U.S.-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative. This Initiative is a forum for bilateral dialogue, networking, and the development of joint recommendations involving a wide range of policy and technical specialists, in and out of government, to stimulate new alliance connections across foreign, security, and technology policy areas. The purpose is to help improve the alliance and how it serves shared interests, preparing it for new challenges. The Initiative includes two overlapping lines of effort: 1) Foreign & Security Policy, and 2) Technology & Innovation Connections. With Mr. Schoff’s leadership, Sasakawa USA is going to further enrich our research programs as well as strengthen the connections between Washington and Tokyo.
Photo: Mr. Schoff
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USJETAA Mini-Grant Program: Funding Awarded to JET Alumni Association of Florida |
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Sasakawa USA, in partnership with USJETAA, is excited to announce that the JET Alumni Association of Florida (JETAA Florida) will be the second recipient of our 2021-2022 Mini-Grant Program for JETAA Chapters and Subchapters in the U.S.. JETAA Florida will host a two-part webinar series to educate JET alumni and community leaders on the contributions of Japanese Americans (Nisei) during and after WWII. This webinar series will examine how the Nisei have positively impacted the U.S.-Japan relationship and will explore how their legacy can be shared to combat anti-Asian sentiment in the United States. Additional information will be forthcoming on JETAA Florida’s website. More information on the Sasakawa USA/USJETAA Mini-Grant Program can be found on USJETAA’s program page. |
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In-Depth Alumni Research Trip with Mr. Brent Sadler |
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Sasakawa USA is pleased to announce Mr. Brent Sadler, Senior Fellow for Naval Warfare and Advanced Technology at The Heritage Foundation, will travel to Japan through the 2021-2022 In-Depth Alumni Research Trip. This program provides American policy experts the opportunity to deepen their understanding of current challenges and opportunities for growth in the U.S.-Japan relationship through a research trip to Japan for approximately two weeks. Mr. Sadler’s research will focus on the geo-strategic implications of security in the Sea of Japan theater. Following the completion of his trip, Sasakawa USA will publish a report by Mr. Sadler with his findings. At The Heritage Foundation’s Center for National Defense, Mr. Sadler's research focuses on maritime security and the technologies shaping future maritime forces. He joined The Heritage Foundation after a 26-year Navy career with numerous operational tours on nuclear-powered submarines, personal staff of senior Defense Department leaders, and as a military diplomat in Asia.
Photo: Mr. Sadler
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The U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress: 24th Annual Statesmanship Awards Celebration |
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On September 22, Sasakawa USA’s valued partner, the Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), hosted an event, the “24th Annual Statesmanship Awards Celebration.” FMC honored Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Representative Liz Cheney (R-WY), and Representative Jim Clyburn (D-SC) for this year’s Statesmanship Awards. Ms. Jo Ann Jenkins, CEO of AARP, received the Corporate Statesmanship Award. Sasakawa USA has been in partnership with FMC for eight years through the Congressional Study Group on Japan: bringing members of Congress to Japan, educating Congressional Chiefs of Staff and senior staff members on the importance of the U.S-Japan relationship, and producing impactful programming to inform our audiences of the work that Congress is doing regarding Asia and Japan. Sasakawa USA is honored to partner with FMC in advancing our shared commitment to a strong U.S.-Japan relationship.
Photo: Rep. Clyburn
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Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
1819 L Street, NW
Suite 300
Washington DC 20026
202.296.6694
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