Every year, the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE) and the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) co-organize the US-Japan Young Political Leaders Exchange Program. This bipartisan exchange program promotes dialogue and mutual understanding among emerging political leaders from Japan and the United States. On June 23, approximately one month after the 2026 Japanese delegation returned from the United States, JCIE hosted a debriefing session with participants to reflect on their experiences in Washington DC, Maryland, and Kansas and to share insights gained during the 10-day program.

Participants noted that, while political polarization and gridlock at the federal level reflected the picture often presented in news coverage, they also witnessed firsthand the ways in which state and local governments, educational institutions, and businesses were collaborating to address local challenges. Many felt that these approaches offered valuable lessons for Japan. One particularly memorable visit was to a school in Kansas that promotes hands-on learning. Participants were impressed by its emphasis on career development, as well as its more flexible approach to education than is typically found in Japanese schools, allowing students to change their academic pathways as their interests and aspirations evolve.

Participants also expressed their desire to promote more US-Japan exchanges in the future. The need for initiatives to encourage international exchange among the younger generation was also noted, given the recent stagnation in the number of Japanese students studying abroad and declining passport ownership among Japanese citizens.

Twenty-four people attended the debriefing, including representatives from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japan Foundation, and the US Embassy in Tokyo. Four alumni of the program who currently serve as members of the Japanese Diet also participated, joining the discussion with this year’s delegation and reflecting on their own experiences in the program.

At the end of the session, JCIE announced that preparations are underway to establish a US-Japan Young Political Leaders Exchange Program Alumni Network for former members of the Japanese delegations to the United States. Building on more than 50 years of exchanges, the alumni network will foster continued connections across generations and political parties.