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Fall 2010 Newsletter

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Fall 2010 Newsletter Fall 2010 Newsletter Delegates Convene in Seattle for Discussions, Debates and...Doughnuts?! The eleventh annual US-Japan Leadership Program kicked off on Saturday, July 17, 2010 with a delicious welcome dinner at Wild Ginger restaurant in Seattle. Delegates wasted no time with formalities, per George Packard’s instructions, and by the time dessert arrived everyone was deep in conversa- tions, which even melted the ice cream. The week continued on in this fashion, with every single ses- sion ending before everyone had gotten a chance to give their opin- ion. Mornings began with a sweet treat from 2009, 2010 Delegate Kenneth Cukier, who saw fit to fuel discussions with a daily box of doughnuts from Top Pot, a lo- cal Seattle favorite. Needless to say, not only knowledge, but pounds were gained by all in at- tendance. See inside the Newsletter for more thoughts on the Seattle 2010 Conference as well as news and updates from your fellow USJLPers. Also, be sure to check the back cover, where you will find dates for the Japan 2011 conference, which will be here in no time! Above: Scott M. Johnson Fellow Dan Tani (03, 04, top), and 2010 Delegates (clockwise from right) Kazuo Tase, Ganesh Mochida and Lolita Jackson on a quest for the Packard Cup Left: The first time a pastry has ever graced the cover of the USJLP Newsletter, thanks to the efforts of 2009, 2010 Delegate Kenneth Cukier 1 Seattle 2010 - In Review A Thought Provoking Week By Spencer Abbot The 2010 convocation of the U.S.-Japan Leadership program found the USJLP Delegates in Seattle during a week of spectacular weather that belied the Emerald City’s rainy repute. During an engaging overview to USJLP Delegates of the Pacific Northwest’s history, culture and climate, Tim Egan from the New York Times mentioned Mark Twain’s complaint that the coldest winter he’d ever experienced was a summer in San Francisco. USJLP Delegates had no such complaints about the summer Seattle weather during a fascinating 2010 Delegate Spencer Abbot week of wide-ranging conversation on a range of topics related to Japan-U.S. relations, aptly characterized by George Packard at the outset of the conference as representing the world’s most important bilateral relationship. Tim Egan also pointed out “you don’t know who you are if you don’t know where you are.” 2010 USJLP Delegates had the chance to follow Egan’s sage advice for geographic introspection, experiencing the unique character of the Pacific Northwest by rooting for Ichiro at a Seattle Mariners baseball game, watching a particularly spectacular sunset over the Olympic Mountains on a perfect-evening cruise on Lake Washington, touring the brand-new 787 assembly line in the world’s largest building at Boeing, and sampling some of Seattle’s exceptional Japanese-inspired cuisine. Seattle’s Fairmont Hotel provided an excellent venue for discussion of a broad range of issues, to include presentations by USJLP Delegates on the financial crisis, U.S. - Japan security cooperation, nuclear non-proliferation, the rise of China, the situation in Afghanistan, media, law, and medical issues, and finally economic and social trends more broadly. A conference theme of sorts emerged from a memorable tongue-in-cheek suggestion by one USJLP Delegate for a potential multilateral “John Lennon” policy toward North Korea—”Let It Be.” The extraordinary depth and diversity of the Delegate group became quickly apparent over the course of these thought-provoking policy discussions. Through post-plenary session discussion groups, Delegates had the chance to explore issues in greater depth, engaging in substantive debates that often continued through the evening dinners, and on to the entertaining “nijikais”(or, second parties) thereafter. At several of the dinners, USJLP Delegates had a chance to demonstrate the broad range of backgrounds of this year’s group, as several of the participants talked about “The extraordinary depth and their own stories and the paths that had lead them to diversity of the Delegate group participate in USJLP. These gripping personal accounts became quickly apparent over included an Air Force pilot who turned down an offer from the course of these thought- the Denver Broncos to serve his country as a military officer provoking policy discussions” (Rodney Lewis, 10), a then-businesswoman whose harrowing escape from the burning World Trade Center galvanized a commitment to public service (Lolita Jackson, 10), a business journalist inclined as a modern-day Don Quixote (Hajime Matsuura, 10), a US-based Japanese citizen who bridges those two cultures to support avant-garde fine art that does the same (Yayoi Shionoiri, 10), and a “lonesome reporter” who followed his own call to service that took him from eight years as a journalist in China to the forbidding steppes of Central Asia and service as a U.S. Marine in Afghanistan (Matt Pottinger, 10). In a fascinating overview of global financial and economic trends, USJF Chairman Tom Johnson noted that for a breakout to occur from the economic malaise which now embroils both the U.S. and Japanese economies, demand must increase to stimulate corporate investment. USJLP Delegates swiftly responded by initiating their own “doughnut stimulus” program, though it remains to be seen whether 2 Seattle 2010 - In Review contagion effects of the demand increase at Top Pot Doughnuts over the course of USJLP 2010 will be felt by the broader global economic system. During the concluding day of USJLP, true to George Packard’s request that participants eschew formality to encourage teamwork and foster close ties, the USJLP Delegates put considerations of chewing gum-etiquette and proper banquet attire aside, all in pursuit of the prized “Packard Cup.” At a closing banquet address James Bradley, author of “Flags of Our Fathers” and “Flyboys,” followed up a remarkable vocal performance by Delegate Lolita Jackson (10) with a very persuasive argument for greater emphasis within the U.S. on our relationship with Japan, and on Asian issues more broadly. The juxtaposition between Bradley’s discussion of the heroism and tragedy on both sides at Iwo Jima during World War II, with the engaging performance of a courageous 9/11 survivor and USJLP Delegate, highlighted the fact that while the relationship between Japan and the United States has fundamentally changed over the past half century, close collaboration between our two countries will continue to be critical as we jointly confront the challenges of this dawning century. On that basis, I offer profound thanks on behalf of all of this year’s participants to Tom Johnson, George Packard, Takeo Takuma, Aya Mizushima, and Elizabeth Gordon for making USJLP such a superb program that has done so much already to contribute to this spirit of U.S.-Japanese cooperation. The Beginning of a Journey By Yayoi Shionoiri It was an extended courtship, a long and slow recruitment that led me to Seattle and to USJLP. Elizabeth – a dear friend and an academic colleague – strategically peppered her conversations over the course of the year with comments about the activities at “the event,” the wonderful Delegates and Fellows of “the program,” and the friendships and bonds that develop from participating in “the weeklong conference.” After repeated e-mails with links to the foundation website, dinner dates to discuss the benefits, and foundation pamphlets listing the application requirements, she convinced me to apply. But even after submitting my application, I remained hesitant about my expectations for acceptance, and then, participation. USJLP has created a program that is intimidating in 2010 Delegates Yayoi Shionoiri its success. When I received my face book, listing the attendees (left), Nobumasa Akiyama and for this year’s conference, I immediately felt out of place John Blake among these distinguished professionals. With delegates serving at the pinnacle of their respected fields, I was just beginning my career as an art lawyer. Working in arts and culture, how would I be able to discuss my work with those whose careers put them at the forefront of their high-profile fields – re-distributing wealth for the common good or serving in war-torn nations? Despite my fears of “forced mingling” with disinterested executives, Elizabeth was right to put my fears to rest. We came together through our devotion for the program and our passion for cultural exchange. The week in Seattle was a reminder that we, in our respective careers, can bridge gaps – not only cultural and linguistic, but also across fields of practice. I am better for having been a Delegate; I hope I was able to add to the experience for my new friends. Having taken the first step to communicate across the differences that separate Japan and the United States, we are fortunate to have the technology to stay connected across space and time as we take the next steps as USJLP Delegates/Fellows. I look forward to the long journey that lies ahead. 3 Seattle 2010 - In Pictures Delegates enjoy a cruise of Lake Union and Lake Washington on Wednesday, July 21, 2010. Cruising past Bill Gates’ house was a highlight of the evening! Right: During breakfast on the morning of his keynote address, USJLP 2010 Keynote Speaker James Bradley (right) talks with 2010 Delegate Spencer Ab- bot. Below: Delegates Kiyori Ueno (left) and Tonya Stokes enjoy the cruise. 4 Seattle 2010 - In Pictures From left: Nobumasa Akiyama, Ken Kaihara, Brian Rothberg and Elbridge Colby lead a panel on Nuclear Non-Prolif- eration on Monday, July 19, 2010. Intense daytime discussion leads to intense night time hunger - Delegates stop for a late night Philly cheese steak sandwich. Delegates (from left) Hiroaki Kuwajima, Daisuke Takatsuki, Norihito Kubota, Mona Khanna, Rodney Lewis, Savonne Ferguson, Akihisa Shiozaki, Terumichi Tawara and Koichi Sughimoto enjoy the farewell dinner on Friday, July 23.
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