A bipartisan delegation of six US Congressional staffers traveled to Tokyo, Yokosuka, and Osaka from May 25 to May 31, 2025, to participate in a series of meetings, roundtables, and briefings to help them better understand the importance of the US-Japan relationship. The group spent the first two days in Tokyo meeting with experts and leaders in Japanese government, business, media, and organizations such as the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) to discuss critical recent developments impacting the relationship, including US tariffs, Japan’s domestic political challenges, and changes to Japan’s defense and security policy. The delegation also paid visits to two Ministers: Hon. Keiichiro Asao, Minister of Environment and Minister of State for Nuclear Emergency Preparedness, and Hon. Keisuke Suzuki, Minister of Justice. In addition, the staffers received briefings at the US Embassy in Tokyo, where they were greeted by US Ambassador to Japan George Glass, and learned about the Shinkansen (bullet train) from the Japan Central Railway (JR-Central) through a briefing at the General Control Center and a special visit to the cockpit.

The third day was spent in Yokosuka, Kanagawa, where the group first received a guided tour of the US naval base and USS John Finn. Later, they visited Japan’s National Defense Academy to meet with its President and other professors as well as share lunch with a group of cadets. The day concluded with a stop in Kamakura to see the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in temple and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu, one of the region’s most important Shinto shrines.

The last two days were spent in Osaka, the host of the World Expo 2025. At the Expo itself, in addition to the USA Pavilion, the group had an opportunity to visit Pasona’s NATURVERSE Pavilion and the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion, where they were exposed to Japanese healthcare innovations. Other activities in Osaka included visits to two cutting-edge cancer treatment facilities: the Osaka International Cancer Institute and the Osaka Heavy Ion Treatment Center, which were facilitated by Osaka Prefectural Assemblywoman Toshiko Nakano. Following a brief stop at the Osaka Castle, the group also enjoyed discussions with the professors and graduate students at the Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP) at University of Osaka on a range of topics including ESG, Japan’s relations with China and Southeast Asian nations, and more.

The trip concluded with a dinner in Shibuya, Tokyo, where the group reflected on their key findings and observations, and shared their renewed appreciation for US-Japan relations.