JCIE and a coalition of US-Japan groups co-hosted a virtual dialogue bringing together current and former legislators from the National Diet of Japan and the US Congress. Hon. Yoshimasa Hayashi, Hon. Hiromi Takase, Hon. Joaquin Castro, Hon. Tim Petri, and Hon. Mark Takano took part in a discussion moderated by Dr. Sheila A. Smith on the importance of legislative exchange in strengthening the US-Japan bilateral relationship.

Over 200 participants, including business leaders, government officials, and other members of the US-Japan community, viewed the discussion online, which was intended to take the place of an annual Capitol Hill Diet Reception that could not be held during this year’s Golden Week due to the coronavirus pandemic. This event was co-hosted by US CULCON, the Japan-United States Friendship Commission, USAFMC’s Congressional Study Group on Japan, the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation, and the US-Japan Council, and in cooperation with Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, the National Association of Japan-America Societies, and the Japan-America Society of Washington DC