A bipartisan delegation of Japanese political staffers and emerging local political leaders visited Washington DC, Maryland, and Kansas as part of the 2026 US-Japan Young Political Leaders Exchange Program, co-organized by JCIE and the American Council for Young Political Leaders (ACYPL).

The delegation began its program in Washington DC, where participants met with government officials, political campaign representatives, business leaders, and policy experts to gain a broad understanding of the American political landscape. Discussions covered topics such as the structure of the US federal government, polling and political trends, and US-Japan relations. The group also visited the US Department of State, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and participated in a tour of Washington’s major monuments to learn more about US history and culture.

The group next traveled to Maryland and Kansas, visiting multiple cities and districts to learn more about life in the United States beyond Washington DC. Through site visits to local institutions and discussions with local elected officials and private-sector representatives, participants gained valuable insights into state-level governance and legislative advocacy, as well as approaches to issues such as education, workforce development, welfare, and disaster preparedness. The delegation’s state-level program also included an introduction to US civil rights history through a visit to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park in Kansas, as well as discussions with local journalists on issues related to freedom of the press.

JCIE has co-organized the US-Japan Young Political Leaders Exchange Program with the ACYPL since 1973 to promote dialogue and mutual understanding among emerging political leaders from Japan and the United States. To date, more than 400 participants have taken part, forming an extensive intergenerational network spanning both countries.