Featured image above is East-West Center President Suzanne Vares-Lum as she speaks at the launch of Japan Matters for America/America Matters for Japan in Washington, DC.
Short link: https://wp.me/paaccn-qbz
WASHINGTON, DC (February 8, 2023) – The East-West Center (EWC) has officially launched a new, enhanced edition of the publication Japan Matters for America/America Matters for Japan on US-Japan connections and cooperation across both countries.
Featured in the Japan Matters for America/America Matters for Japan publication and website are infographics, data, and analysis of economic, diplomatic, and cultural interactions and impacts at the national, state, and local levels.
EWC President Suzanne Puanani Vares-Lum, remarked that, “The US-Japan partnership is one based on shared values, trust, and a commitment to a safe and secure Indo-Pacific region. The launch of this enhanced edition of Japan Matters for America/America Matters for Japan is a true example of our two countries working together for a common purpose. Mahalo to the Sasakawa Peace Foundation for their continued partnership on this important initiative as we continue to strengthen this important relationship.”
An in-person event to launch the new publication, with the support of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC, was chaired by Dr. Satu Limaye, vice president of the East-West Center and director of the Center’s Washington and Research programs, and concluded with an in-person reception on Capitol Hill.
Remarks were offered by Vares-Lum, followed by Aya Murata, director of the Japan-US Program at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Senator Mazie Hirono, and Japan’s Ambassador to the US, Koji Tomita.
Tomita remarked: “The significance of the new edition released today is that it provides a vivid summary of the ways that the Japan-US relationship has deepened, including at the state and local levels, and especially over the past four years. We very much welcome these positive developments, but the important thing is to remind ourselves what is behind all of the statistics. There are real people behind them working tirelessly to strengthen the Japan-US relationship and bring about the changes captured in this booklet. This new edition is not just a snapshot of the great partnership we enjoy today, but it is also a testament to the dedication of all the people past and present who made this happen.”
The launch also included remarks from prominent US and Japanese leaders, government officials and experts, including:
- Representative Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Co-chair, Congressional Japan Caucus
- Representative Jill Tokuda (HI-2), US House of Representatives
- Senator Bill Hagerty (TN), Video remarks
- Ambassador Rahm Emanuel, US Ambassador to Japan, Video remarks
- Dr. Siddharth Mohandas, Deputy Assistant Secretary, East Asia, OSD-Policy/Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, US Department of Defense
- Pamela Phan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Asia, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce
- Dr. Michael Auslin, Payson J. Treat Distinguished Research Fellow in Contemporary Asia, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
- James L. Schoff, Senior Director, US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA
- Komei Isozaki, Japan Chair Fellow, Hudson Institute
- Tomoko Hosaka Mullaney, Executive Director, US-Japan Business Council
- Dr. Mireya Solís, Director – Center for East Asia Policy Studies;
- Philip Knight Chair in Japan Studies, Brookings Institution;
- Paige Cottingham-Streater, Executive Director, Japan-US Friendship Commission and Board Chair, US Japan Exchange and Teaching Alumni Association (USJETAA)
- Emma Chanlett-Avery, Vice Chair for Board of Trustees, National Association of Japan-America Societies
The event brought together members of Congress and their staff, US and Japanese government officials, the private sector, regional experts, and the interested public to celebrate the deep and rich partnerships between the United States and Japan.
Hirono said, “Under the leadership of President Suzy Vares-Lum, the East-West Center continues to do important work to advance understanding and cooperation in the Pacific, including through research like this new report. This report underscores the importance of the relationship between the United States and Japan not only to both of our countries, but to the peace, security, and prosperity of the entire Indo-Pacific region. While defense is a critical component of the US-Japan relationship, Japan and the US are strengthening our bilateral ties across a full spectrum of issues – from educational and cultural exchanges, to trade, to economic investment, and more. I look forward to our countries’ continued collaboration as we work to advance democracy and prosperity throughout the Pacific.”
Dr. Atsushi Sunami, president of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, commented: “Sasakawa Peace Foundation has been collaborating on this Japan Matters for America project for years because we believe that each person who picks up this booklet, each person who touches the information, whether they are a public audience or a policy professional, can find new insights and perspectives and new ways of looking at the Japan-US relationship. I believe that our efforts to understand each other more deeply and to be innovative in our relationship are the most important core for Japan-US relations to become a relationship that can make a greater contribution to the world in this changing and unpredictable era.”
Produced by the East-West Center with funding support from Sasakawa Peace Foundation, the new edition of Japan Matters for America/America Matters for Japan brings to light important facts and figures, including:
- The United States and Japan share long-standing economic, military and cultural relationships;
- The United States and Japan are partners on global issues such as climate change and COVID-19;
- The US-Japan alliance is a cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific;
- The United States is Japan’s 2nd largest export destination, and Japan is the 4th largest export destination of the United States;
- Trade and investment from Japan have created almost 1 million jobs across the US;
- The US is the top destination for Japanese investment and the largest investor in Japan;
- The United States and Japan are partners in furthering global technology and innovation;
- Pre-COVID-19, Japan was the largest source of visitors to the US among Indo-Pacific countries;
- The United States and Japan promote education exchange at all levels;
- 430,000 Japanese nationals live in the United States and 160,000 Americans live in Japan;
- The United States and Japan share nearly 460 sister partnerships and;
- US-Japan relations are sustained by strong community and people-to-people connections.
Dr. Satu Limaye, Vice President of the East-West Center and Director of the Center’s Washington and Research programs, remarked: “The East-West Center is pleased once again to convene government leaders, experts, and citizens from the US and Japan to release this flagship publication and website to message and improve the appreciation for the range, richness and relevance of the Japan-US alliance and relationship. No two countries in the world share the combined scope and depth of security, commerce, and people-to-people ties at the national and subnational levels than the US and Japan. I express deep thanks to our partner, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation, for their continuing cooperation on this important initiative.” (✓)
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About Japan Matters for America
Japan Matters for America/America Matters for Japan explores the trade, investment, employment, business, diplomacy, security, education, tourism, and people-to-people interactions and impacts between the United States and Japan at the national, state, and local levels. Part of the Asia Matters for America initiative, this publication and the AsiaMattersforAmerica.org website are resources for understanding the robust and dynamic US-Japan relationship and US relationships with other Indo-Pacific countries. The publication can also be found on the Asia Matters for America website. (✓)
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EWC News Release
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About the East-West Center
The East-West Center promotes better relations and understanding among the people and nations of the United States, Asia, and the Pacific through cooperative study, research, and dialogue. Established by the US Congress in 1960, the Center serves as a resource for information and analysis on critical issues of common concern, bringing people together to exchange views, build expertise, and develop policy options. The Center is an independent, public, nonprofit organization with funding from the US government, and additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and governments in the region. The Center’s Washington, DC office focuses on preparing the United States for an era of growing Indo-Pacific prominence, and manages the Asia Matters for America initiative.