February 29 – March 9, 2008

 Sponsored by:                  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

                                          Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership

 Coordinator:                        Japanese American National Museum

OVERVIEW

This program provides the opportunity for a thirteen-member Japanese American Leadership Delegation to travel to Japan for eight nights.  The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership are co-sponsors of the program.  The Japanese American National Museum provides administration and organization for this trip program.

The trip creates an opportunity for Japanese American leaders to get to know Japan and to meet and exchange information with Japanese leaders in the government, business, political, non-profit, and cultural sectors.  The trip allows Japanese leaders to gain a greater understanding about multicultural America through the experiences of diverse group of Japanese Americans.  Upon returning, the Delegation members work with former Delegates, the local Consulates, the Japanese American National Museum and other community organizations, to organize and participate in programs and activities related to building U.S.-Japan relations. 

GOALS OF THE DELEGATION PROGRAM

1.       Improve understanding and strengthen long-term relations between Japanese Americans and Japan.

2.       Develop and implement on-going strategies to expand the role of Japanese Americans in advancing U.S.-Japan relations.

3.  Develop a network of Japanese American leaders that will continue to advance U.S.-Japan relations long-term.

BACKGROUND

While the relationship between the United States and Japan is considered by many as the most important bilateral relationship in the world, the connection between Japanese and Japanese Americans is atypical and more complex than that shared by other Americans and their ancestral peoples and lands.  While World War II played a major role in severing ties between Japanese Americans and Japan, the political, business, and cultural milieu that both nations face today requires a new look at the Japanese – Japanese American relationship, and its role in the future of U.S.-Japan relations.

The Japanese American Leadership Delegation program provides Japanese American leaders an opportunity to become acquainted or re-engaged with Japan, to meet key leaders in government, business and the non-profit sectors, and participate in discussions related to the role that Japanese Americans can play in addressing key issues that face both countries, now and in the future.

The first Delegation was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to visit Japan in 2000.  The delegation included third and fourth generation Japanese Americans from California.  These individuals were selected from various professional fields including educational, cultural, philanthropic, legal and political sectors.  The program was very successful and resulted in greater interest and participation in U.S.-Japan related activities by the delegation members.  Since the initial trip, delegations of Japanese American leaders have visited Japan every year since 2002.  The delegation has been expanded from California to include leaders from several other regions around the country.  Since 2003, the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership has co-sponsored the annual program with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2008 SCHEDULE

The trip to Japan will be February 29 – March 9, 2008

Orientation – February 1-2, 2008 Los Angeles – This is mandatory for all delegates that will travel to Japan.  Non-participation in the orientation will disqualify an individual from traveling with the Delegation.

The itinerary will include travel to Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka

Transportation, hotel and meals will be provided.

Delegates are required to attend all meetings and events during the trip.

As a rule, they are not permitted to extend their stay. In exceptional cases, however, they may extend their stays at the conclusion of the official program at their own expense and at the approval of MOFA and/or CGP.  Requests will be considered only if the extension supports the general goals of the program. Delegates must return to the U.S. by March 25.  As a rule, spouses and family members are not permitted to accompany delegates during the official trip.

CRITERIA & SELECTION OF THE 2008 DELEGATION

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership will select thirteen Japanese American leaders for the 2008 Japanese American Leadership Delegation.  Decisions will be based upon recommendations by the local Japanese Consulates and Japanese Embassy and recommendations from an Advisory Committee comprised of selected former Delegates.    The 2008 delegation will include leaders who have expressed an interest and commitment to strengthening U.S. and Japan relations, have demonstrated involvement in the Japanese American community, and will be committed to future efforts to build linkages between the Nikkei community and Japan.

Selection Criteria will include:

§         Leadership in one’s profession

§         Involvement in the Japanese American community

§         Interest in U.S.-Japan relations

§         Potential for future involvement in building Japanese American–Japanese relations

Three members of the Delegation will be selected to speak at a Symposium in Fukuoka co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and the Japanese American National Museum.  Consideration in the selection of three of the delegations will include speakers for the Fukuoka Symposium with priority given to individuals with a connection to Fukuoka (e.g., family roots).  In the past, the Delegation has participated in a Symposium held in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kobe, Nagoya or Hiroshima. 

In making the final recommendations for the Delegation, criteria will also include:

§         Regional distribution of the delegates

§         Professional distribution among the delegates

§         Gender balance among the delegation

§         In principle, delegates should be in their 30s to 50s in order to enable them longer term opportunities to build U.S.-Japan relations in their respective professional and community activities.  However, candidates in their 20s displaying exceptional talent who possess outstanding potential may qualify for the program.

§         In reflecting the goals of the Delegation program, priority will also be given to Sansei, Yonsei and Gosei.  

§         Priority will be given to those who have limited experience in Japan in cases where other candidate qualifications are similar.  Those who have previously made frequent visits to Japan or have had extensive stays in Japan may not be qualified for the program.  Those who were previously invited to Japan on the same program or a similar invitation program will not be eligible for consideration.

Notwithstanding, candidates who do not meet all of the above criteria may still be considered if they exhibit extraordinary qualifications.

SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS/NOMINATIONS

Deadline for receipt of applications/nominations:  November 26, 2007

Application should be submitted to the local consulate office based upon the applicant’s residence.

For residents of Washington, D.C., applications should be submitted to the Embassy of Japan.

Applications may also be submitted to the Japanese American National Museum, which will be forwarded to the appropriate consulate.

Please note “Application for the Japanese American Leadership Delegation” should be noted on the front of the envelope if you mail the application.

INFORMATION

If you are a Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska or Kansas resident :

Consulate General of Japan at Chicago

Assistant to General Affairs and Political Section, Marna Romanoff

312-280-0400 (ext. 413), marna.romanoff@webkddi.com

OR Vice Consul, Kei Uehara

312-280-0400 (ext. 440), coralblue_ocean@webkddi.com

737 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611

If not,

Japanese American National Museum

Yuko Kaifu, Vice-President, (213) 830-5683, ykaifu@janm.org

OR Nancy Araki, Director, Community Affairs, (213) 830-5649, naraki@janm.org

369 E. First Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DELEGATION TO JAPAN

2008 APPLICATION FORM (PDF)