Tokyo Program

While in Tokyo, the group had an opportunity to exchange opinions with members of the Diet from the ruling and opposition parties, including former Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Ken Saito, government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as well as with local legislators such as Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike and members of the Tokyo Metropolitan and Ward Assemblies. They also spoke with journalists, businesspeople, and young scholars about Japan’s political system and current situation, foreign and economic security policy, and the Japan-US alliance. And they were briefed on Japan’s domestic issues and policies, such as healthcare and aging. They visited the Tokyo Innovation Base, a startup support facility promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, toured the Diet Building, and interacted with past Japanese program participants who had visited the United States. Members of the delegation commented, “I realized firsthand the importance of the US-Japan alliance, and in light of the geopolitical importance of Japan, it became clear that the United States needs to further deepen the alliance and strengthen US involvement in the East Asian region.”

Yamaguchi Program

The visit to Yamaguchi was facilitated by Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Member Rieko Fukuda, who previously visited the United States on this program. In addition to paying a courtesy call on Yamaguchi Prefectural Vice Governor Takayuki Hiraya, Deputy Speaker of the Yamaguchi Prefectural Assembly Noriaki Shimada, and Yamaguchi Mayor Kazuki Ito, they also had discussions with the mayors of the cities of Hofu and Mine, Yutaka Ikeda and Yoji Shinoda, respectively. As part of the study tour, the delegation visited and interacted with students at Tonomi Elementary and Junior High School, which has a strong reputation for English education, and they also held discussions with student representatives at Yamaguchi University. In addition, they visited the Yamaguchi Industrial Technology Institute, which is a base for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in Yamaguchi Prefecture, and discussed the creation of local industries at Omine Shuzo Brewery, which is expanding its overseas sales channels. In addition, we visited Akiyoshi-do, a special natural monument featuring one of Japan’s largest limestone caves, located at the foot of the mountains of Akiyoshidai. The visit to Yamaguchi Prefecture and interviews with members of the delegation were reported in local newspapers and local TV stations.