Ten Japanese American leaders from across the U.S. are preparing to travel to Japan for the 2024 Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) organized by the U.S.-Japan Council.
Under the JALD program, the chosen Japanese American leaders will travel to Osaka and Tokyo from March 1 to 9, 2024 where they will meet with top business and government officials and participate in a symposium in Osaka co-sponsored by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership.
In its 21st year, the trip provides an opportunity for Japanese American leaders to deepen their understanding of Japan and promotes the value of sustained people-to-people relationships as a critical factor in assuring the long-term success of U.S. and Japan relations.
The trip also allows Japanese leaders to gain a greater understanding of multicultural America through the experiences of a diverse group of Japanese Americans.
Who are the 2024 JALD participants?
Comprised of 10 leaders in business, academia, government, non-profit and legal sectors from across the United States, these 2024 delegates are leaders in their respective communities, engaged in U.S.-Japan relations.
1. Naomi Ostwald Kawamura (Seattle, Washington) – Executive Director of Densho
2. Yoh Kawanami (Honolulu, Hawaii) – Director, Hawaiian Electric Company
3. Derek Kenmotsu (San Mateo, California) – Head of Partnerships, AI/ML and Indo-Pacific, Defense Innovation Unit
4. Darin Mano (Salt Lake City, Utah) – City Council Member, Salt Lake City Council
5. Susan Miyagi McCormac (New York, New York) – Founder & Editor-In-Chief, JapanCulture-NYC
6. Tomoko Hosaka Mullaney (Washington, DC) – Executive Director, U.S.-Japan Business Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
7. Anna Ninoyu (Chicago, Illinois) – Owner & Principal Architect, METIS Design
8. Rob Ohno (Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida) – President and CEO, ANNIKA Foundation
9. George Tanaka (Los Angeles, California) – Managing Director, U.S. Bank
10. David Yoshimura (Des Moines, Iowa) – Partner, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
After their trip, the JALD delegates will collaborate with their local consulates, the U.S.-Japan Council, as well as local and national community organizations to continue strengthening ties between the U.S. and Japan.
For more information on the delegates, their biographies, and the JALD program, visit https://www.usjapancouncil.org/japanese-american-leadership-delegation/.
