U.S.-Japan Council Annual Meeting Report ()

Key Chapter Title List

1. Opening Plenary: The Indo-Pacific and Beyond – The U.S.-Japan Alliance for Global Peace and Prosperity
2. Breakout Session: Turbulence and Opportunity – U.S.-Japan Investment in a New Global Era
3. Breakout Session: From Island Roots to Global Reach – The Legacy of Family Enterprises
4. Breakout Session: Enduring Strength – Shared Leadership in a Dynamic U.S.-Japan Alliance
5. Luncheon Plenary: From Insight to Impact – Leadership at the Intersection of Technology and Change
6. Breakout Session: Powering the Future – U.S.-Japan Accelerating Climate Solutions
7. Breakout Session: Leadership Without Borders – Uniting for Innovation and Opportunity
8. Breakout Session: Cross-Border Collaboration – Unleashing the Potential of U.S., Japan, and Hawaii's Startup Ecosystems
9. Closing Plenary: Local Power, Global Purpose – Governors Advancing Diplomacy and Peace
10. U.S.-Japan Leadership Academy: Cultivating a Leadership Pipeline Across Generations and Sectors
11. Sponsorship System and Partner Network: The Social Capital Framework Supporting U.S.-Japan Relations
12. Organizational Mission: The Premier Organization Strengthening U.S.-Japan Relations Through People-to-People Ties

Document Introduction

This report is the official compilation and analytical summary of documents from the 2025 U.S.-Japan Council (USJC) Annual Conference. The conference was held in Honolulu, Hawaii, under the theme "The Power of Two in Action: Forging New Pathways for Global Peace and Prosperity." The report indicates that the conference was convened against the backdrop of U.S.-Japan relations being perceived as entering a new era defined by significant shifts in leadership and policy priorities, aiming to address global uncertainties and deepen bilateral cooperation in key areas.

The conference agenda was rigorously structured, encompassing multi-level dialogues ranging from macro-strategic perspectives to specific areas of cooperation. The opening plenary focused on the role of the U.S.-Japan alliance in global peace and prosperity, as well as strategic partnership in economic security. Subsequent breakout sessions delved into core topics including investment strategies amidst geo-economic volatility, the globalization of family businesses, collaborative leadership within the U.S.-Japan alliance, climate solutions, cross-border innovation cooperation, and linkages across the trans-Pacific startup ecosystem. The closing plenary emphasized the unique role of local (state/county) levels in advancing diplomacy and peacebuilding, highlighting the voices of the next generation of leaders through remarks by youth representatives.

The core content of the report reveals the operational mechanisms and strategic priorities of the U.S.-Japan Council as a key non-governmental organization founded by Japanese Americans. The document clearly states that USJC is dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through people-to-people connections, with its core engine being the "U.S.-Japan Leadership Academy," which aims to build an unparalleled pipeline of global leaders to address today's most pressing bilateral issues. Through youth and alumni programs including the TOMODACHI Initiative, the Watanabe Scholarship, and the Ambassador Mineta Program, the Academy has cultivated over 11,000 alumni. Furthermore, through initiatives such as the "Women's Leadership Initiative," "Government Relations Initiative," and "Climate & Sustainability Leadership Initiative," the Council actively promotes discussion and action on critical bilateral issues.

The report details the extensive sponsorship network supporting USJC's work, ranging from Diamond and Platinum to Gold, Silver, and Bronze level sponsors, encompassing leading corporations and foundations from numerous sectors in both the U.S. and Japan, including finance, manufacturing, technology, aviation, consulting, and legal services. This reflects the deep civil society and commercial foundations of U.S.-Japan bilateral relations. The document concludes by reaffirming that in an era of complex challenges and extraordinary opportunities, the U.S.-Japan alliance, built on shared values of trust, innovation, and resilience, is not only a pillar of intergovernmental ties; its enduring strength stems more profoundly from a deep network of interpersonal connections that enables both sides to adapt, collaborate, and lead the future together. This report provides first-hand official textual basis for understanding the channels of U.S.-Japan people-to-people diplomacy, second-track dialogue mechanisms, and the system for cultivating the next generation of leaders.