Local Leadership and Global Exchange Take Center Stage at USJF’s Young Mayors of Japan Award

The United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) hosted the inaugural Young Mayors of Japan Award Ceremony and Round Table Discussion on October 29, 2025, at the Toshi Center Hotel in Tokyo. The event brought together leaders from government, academia, and the media to celebrate the achievements of Japan’s emerging municipal leaders and to highlight the essential role of local revitalization in strengthening Japanese democracy.

Established in 2025, the Young Mayors of Japan Award honors outstanding mayors under the age of 45 who demonstrate vision, integrity, and innovation in public service. The award includes a ¥1 million grant to support a study visit to the United States, encouraging cross-border learning in fields such as urban planning, education, and local governance.

This year’s recipient, Mayor Hiroto Fujii of Minokamo City in Gifu Prefecture, was recognized for his leadership in promoting citizen participation, population stabilization, and digital transformation. Under his tenure, Minokamo has emerged as a national model for inclusive, community-centered governance.

In his opening remarks, Jacob Schlesinger, President and CEO of USJF, emphasized the importance of empowering local leaders. “There is enormous potential for innovation and change within Japan’s municipalities,” he said. “Through this initiative, we see how subnational exchange can become a vital part of USJF’s mission—building collaborative platforms for renewal, dialogue, and shared learning.”

Lin Kobayashi, USJF Board Member and Co-Founder and Chair of UWC ISAK Japan—who played a key role in developing the new award—spoke about the potential of reforms and innovations at the local governments’ level in  Japan and the need for national attention to their contributions to date and in the future. “While reforms for the entire nation might take some time, if the local governments can initiate interesting and much-needed changes in their communities, others may follow, resulting in a widespread change in the end,” she said. “By connecting these local leaders with partners in the United States, they might be able to get inspiration for potential policy changes they can implement at home.”

The event also featured a presentation by Dr. Charles McClean, Assistant Professor of Political Science at Yale University, who shared findings from his analysis of original data on Japanese local politics and from interviews with mayors across Japan, from Hokkaido to Kyushu. His research highlights the challenges posed by population aging and the need to attract younger generations into public service, while also revealing strong voter support for younger, reform-minded candidates who prioritize community well-being and essential social services.

Governor Toshihito Kumagai of Chiba Prefecture delivered the award to Mayor Fujii and commended his leadership, particularly his childcare policies. “The result of our local initiative is that the system has now become nationally recognized and is spreading across the country,” Kumagai said. He also praised Fujii’s decision to conduct his policy research trip in a U.S. city similar in size and character to Minokamo—rather than focusing on large, well-known cities—calling it “a model of targeted local reform that drives national change.” The governor concluded, “I am confident that through this effort, the activities of young mayors will expand, and by doing so, autonomous new reforms and positive examples will emerge from local regions, ultimately leading to the revitalization of all of Japan.” (Hear Governor Kumagai’s full comments by clicking on this video.)

Following the award presentation, Mayor Fujii announced plans to use his grant to visit Dubuque, Iowa—a U.S. city of comparable size to Minokamo known for its “smart city” initiatives and participatory governance. “This will be my first visit to the United States,” Fujii said. “I hope to learn from Dubuque’s experience and bring back ideas that can strengthen local democracy in Japan.”

A round table discussion, moderated by Lin Kobayashi, followed the ceremony. Mayor Fujii and Dr. McClean engaged in a lively dialogue on “Challenges and Opportunities of Elected Office in Japan.” Questions from the audience—including other elected officials and members of the press—added depth to the discussion, highlighting shared commitments to civic engagement, youth participation, and cross-sector collaboration.

Lawrence Fish, Chair of the USJF Board of Directors, congratulated Mayor Fujii and reaffirmed USJF’s commitment to future collaboration between U.S. and Japanese local leaders. “This award marks not only an achievement for one mayor, but an investment in the future of democratic leadership,” Fish said.