Yoshimasa Hayashi

12 YOSHIMASA HAYASHI Reflections on the Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program Yoshimasa Hayashi t is my great honor to contribute an essay in celebration of this memorable moment Iof the total number of Mike Mansfield Fellows having reached the triple digits. I would like to pay tribute to the devotion of all those who have participated in managing the program for eighteen years since its establishment, and I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate everyone for reaching this significant milestone. The Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program is what I conceived from an idea during my studies in the United States, and as the father of this program, so to speak, I have a deep sense of attachment to it. Since its establishment in 1995, I have had good rapport with all the Fellows, and I often realize how significant a role this program plays in deepening the relationship between Japan and the United States. On this occasion, I would like to reminisce about the establishment of the program. Before going into politics, I went to the United States to study at Harvard University with the goal to become well-versed in the partnership between Japan and the United States, which has been and still is the most crucial factor in Japanese diplomatic policy. During this time, I had the privilege of working as an intern in the office of the late U.S. Senator William Roth. During my internship, Senator Roth asked me to suggest some ideas that could contribute to Japan-U.S. relations. I made several proposals, and one of them later came to be realized as the Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program Act. At that time, in the midst of the so-called “Japan bashing” era, there were mount- ing criticisms in the U.S. about Japan, especially because the Japanese Diet and government were hard to understand for Americans. Therefore, I thought it would be so useful if American federal government officials were given opportunities to work at the Japanese central government, in order to deepen mutual understanding between Japan and the United States. Through their experiences as Japanese bureaucracy insiders, a new generation of federal government officials, who have an accurate understanding and knowledge of Japanese politics and economy, as well as the working style of Kasumigaseki, would rise in the United States. In this way, the U.S.-Japan relationship would be even more strengthened. REFLECTIONS ON THE MIKE MANSFIELD FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM 13 Senator Roth fully supported my idea, so for about six months I worked on creat- ing a skeleton of the bill. The Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program Act was then introduced by Senator Roth and cosponsored by eleven members from both the Democratic and the Republican parties. It was enacted as federal legislation in April 1994. This experience was also very beneficial and helpful for me, after having moved to the world of politics in Japan. From its establishment to the present, many U.S. officials, as Mansfield Fellows, have come to Japan every year from various departments and offices of the federal government. They have enriched their understanding of Japanese politics and policy- making processes through their experiences of working together with their Japanese counterparts. I heard that the program has also positively affected the Japanese side through various stimulations from those American colleagues; for instance, improving efficiency in their work, establishing new personnel networks in the United States, etc. The Fellows are also given opportunities to do placements at offices of Diet members in Japan, and my office has hosted eight Fellows. I am so glad to hear that all of them gained a lot from their placements. The Fellows are expected to contribute in shaping and maintaining the close and stable Japan-U.S. partnership by taking advantage of their experiences and knowledge, not only during their time in Japan, but also after returning to the United States. Indeed, a great number of the alumni Fellows held or now hold important positions in the U.S. federal government. I have heard that they have fully utilized their expertise in Japanese society and politics, as well as their broad network of connections in Japan in their work. Because of the success of alumni Fellows, it is broadly acknowledged in both countries that the Japan-U.S. partnership, which is based on deep mutual trust, has been further matured. The program is thus highly appreciated for its value. My sincere desire in my early thirties to develop and strengthen the ties between Japan and the United States has become a reality in such a magnificent way, and I am very much proud of it. I heard that discussions on restructuring the program are under way in the United States. I firmly hope that, considering the continuing importance of granting federal government officials the opportunity to work with colleagues in the Japanese central government, the program will achieve further development. Lastly, I would like to send my best wishes for continued success to all Fellows and to those engaged in the Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program. 14 YOSHIMASA HAYASHI Yoshimasa Hayashi is a member of Japan’s House of Councillors. He has served as minister of defense, economy and fiscal matters, state secretary for finance, and senior vice minister for the Cabinet Office. In the House of Councillors, he was director of the Special Committee on Revitalization of the Economy and Matters relating to Small and Medium Enterprises, Standing Committee on Budget, Standing Committee on Financial Affairs, and Committee on Rules and Administration. He has also been chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense and the Special Committee on Official Development Assistance and Related Matters. Within the Liberal Democratic Party, he was deputy chairman of the Policy Research Council from 2009–2012. Mr. Hayashi holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Tokyo and a Master of Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University..

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