December 2018 US Young Political Leaders Delegation to Japan

December 1–11, 2018
Tokyo, Gunma, Fukuoka

A bipartisan delegation of local-level legislators and political leaders from the United States visited Tokyo, Gunma Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture for a series of meetings and roundtables. Their visit included meetings with emerging and senior Diet members from both major parties, prefectural and city assembly members, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy, as well as policy experts and NGO leaders.

Briefings in Tokyo covered a variety of issues, ranging from Japanese politics, regional security and geopolitical risks, US-Japan trade and technological ties, demographic challenges and the immigration debate, to the current state of US-Japan relations. They also participated in a public, off-the-record seminar to offer a local government perspective on US politics in the wake of the mid-term elections and the impact that might have on US-Japan relations. Outside of Tokyo, the delegation visited the most aged community in Japan, various historic and commercial sites (including everything from a historic silk mill to a modern biomass power plant, a venture incubator, and a Subaru factory), and local governments. They discussed regional healthcare policy and infrastructure, among other issues.

Participants

DELARA DERAKSHANI, Counsel, Tech Policy, Entertainment Software Association (Democrat, District of Columbia)
SHEVRIN JONES, Member, Florida State of Representatives (Democrat, Florida)
DEREK KITCHEN, Member, Utah State Senate (Democrat, Utah)
TYLER LANE, Director of Legislation, Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Development Disabilities (Republican, Tennessee)
KATIE McCALLUM, Commissioner, Wisconsin Ethics Commission (Republican, Wisconsin)
ELLEN TROXCLAIR, Austin City Council (Republican, Texas)
PETE MARTINEZ, Deputy Vice President, State Advocacy, PhRMA (Democrat, Louisiana)

This program is organized in cooperation with the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL), and with the kind assistance of Japanese program alumni who have visited the US on this program.