U.S.-Japan Network for the Future Policy Papers Published
January 24, 2012
U.S.-JAPAN NETWORK FOR THE FUTURE POLICY PAPERS PUBLISHED WASHINGTON, D.C.
The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership are pleased to announce the publication of “Japan Moves Forward: Views from the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future.” This publication, which is now available on the Mansfield Foundation’s website, compiles policy papers from each of the fifteen participants in the inaugural group of the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future.
The U.S.-Japan Network for the Future was launched in 2009 to identify and support American professionals who demonstrate an interest in and potential for becoming Japan specialists and policy intellectuals. The Network includes Japan specialists from several regions of the U.S. with diverse areas of expertise. Since their inaugural meeting in January 2010, the first group of Network participants has met regularly, participated in a study trip to Japan, conducted independent research, and shared their Japan expertise through opinion pieces, articles and interviews. The policy papers included in “Japan Moves Forward: Views from the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future” present their perspectives on issues related to their research and relevant to the U.S.-Japan relationship moving forward. The topics range from policy recommendations for U.S.-Japan relations to Japan’s politics and policies on energy, immigration, homelessness and trade.
The Network participants further explored these and other issues in a January 13 symposium in Washington, D.C. This symposium provided an opportunity for a wide-ranging discussion between the first group of Network participants (Cohort I) and a second group (Cohort II) of fourteen Network participants announced in November 2011. It also allowed Network participants to share their expertise and exchange views with an audience that included congressional staff and U.S. government officials as well as representatives of the press and the business, academic and nonprofit communities. Network participants also had the opportunity to pose questions to Japanese Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, who presented an overview of Japan’s economy, society, and contributions in such areas as innovation, transportation, and reconstruction in conflict zones.
In addition to the public symposium, from January 11-13 both Cohort I and Cohort II participated in events with Japan specialists in the U.S. government and representatives from the embassy of Japan. These events were the final formal meetings for Cohort I participants, who began the two-year program in 2010, and were the first meetings for Cohort II participants, who will convene again for a week-long meeting in Washington, D.C. (June 2012); a two-day retreat in Montana (autumn 2012); a week-long Japan study trip (June 2013); and a January 2014 public symposium.
A list of Cohort I and Cohort participants, recent commentary by Network participants, and information about the U.S.-Japan Network for the Future is available at http://mansfieldfdn.org/program/dialogues/u-s-japan-network-for-the-future/
The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation is a 501(c) 3 organization that promotes understanding and cooperation in U.S.-Asia relations. Maureen and Mike Mansfield’s values, ideals and vision for U.S.-Asia relations continue through the Foundation’s exchanges, dialogues, research and educational programs, which create networks among U.S. and Asian leaders, explore the underlying issues influencing public policies, and increase awareness about the nations and peoples of Asia. The Foundation has offices in Washington, D.C.; Tokyo, Japan; and Missoula, Montana.
The Center for Global Partnership (CGP) is a part of the Japan Foundation which is a Japanese Independent Administrative Institution (Dokuritsu Gyosei Hojin). To enhance dialogue and interchange between Japanese and U.S. citizens on a wide range of issues, CGP operates grant programs as well as self-initiated projects and fellowships. CGP has offices in Tokyo, Japan and New York, New York. Please visit the website at http://www.cgp.org.
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