USJF Symposium in Tokyo Reimagines the U.S.-Japan Friendship for the 21st Century

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, the United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) hosted a monumental symposium titled "Reimagining the U.S.-Japan Friendship: Connecting Civil Society Across the Pacific" at the International House of Japan. Attended by more than 100 cross-sector leaders, partners, and grantees, the event marked a significant milestone as the Foundation approaches its 50th year, signaling a re-dedication to its founding mission of bolstering people-to-people ties while updating its strategy for the modern era.

Leadership Sets the Stage

The afternoon, emceed by Izumi Tanaka, Representative Director of IZMiN Inc., commenced with opening remarks from Lawrence K. Fish, Chair of the USJF Board of Trustees. He was followed by President & CEO Jacob M. Schlesinger and Tomoyuki Watanabe, who recently retired as USJF's Vice President & Managing Director - Grants and Japan, and currently serves as Founder and Representative Director of A Better Future Foundation. Together, they outlined how the Foundation seeks to move beyond friendship as a primary goal to utilize bilateral ties as a starting point for pursuing a greater good in the region and around the world. The event showed in concrete ways how USJF is applying that concept, highlighting specific projects and grant recipients supported by the Foundation.

Six Panels: Diverse Expertise, Common Purpose

The symposium featured 18 speakers across six distinct panels moderated by Schlesinger and USJF's Japan Representative Haruto Okabe. The discussions represented a wide variety of cross-sector affiliations, including academic institutions, financial organizations, and frontline nonprofits. Each speaker represented an organization that has either received a grant from USJF or has advised USJF on its strategy. The sessions included:

• Panel 1: Bolstering the Social Impact Ecosystem in the Current U.S.-Japan Climate
• Panel 2: Rethinking Classic Exchange Programs for Social Impact
• Panel 3: Impact in Action – the Kesennuma Example and Possible Next Steps
• Panel 4: Building Social Impact Muscles on the Ground in Japan
• Panel 5: Impact-Driven Finance to Address Social Challenges
• Panel 6: Shared Challenges

While the topics ranged from international law and finance to trauma recovery and technology, a commonality emerged: the power of bilateral networks to address systemic issues. The panels were marked by lively, resonant discussions and a lighthearted atmosphere that balanced the seriousness of the subjects with occasional humor. The program outlining the full list of speakers and the detailed agenda can be found here.

Interactive Dialogue and Networking

To facilitate a smooth and interactive experience, USJF introduced a live digital Q&A system at this symposium. Audience members submitted questions via their mobile devices and voted on inquiries shared by their peers, allowing the most pertinent inquiries to be displayed on-screen at the end of each panel.

The spirit of connection was equally evident outside the formal sessions. During the intermission and after the panels concluded, attendees were seen actively networking and exchanging business cards. This vibrant engagement served as a direct testimony to the symposium’s goal of linking organizations across sectors to address critical global challenges.

Honoring a Legacy of Service

The symposium was also held to honor the work of Watanabe, who recently retired from USJF. His passion and dedication over his tenure helped inspire the reimagination of the Foundation’s core mission and the shift toward connection with a social purpose.

During the closing remarks, Okabe led a special tribute to Watanabe, praising his warmth, professionalism, and career-long dedication to the Foundation. The tribute was met with a significant round of applause from the attendees, celebrating Watanabe's immense contributions to the U.S.-Japan community.

Evening Reception

The conversation and celebration continued at the evening reception, which commenced with aisatsu from Taro Kono, Member of the House of Representatives, USJLP Fellow (Inaugural class of 2000), and former USJF Trustee. This was followed by a kanpai by Ichiro Fujisaki, President of The America-Japan Society of Japan and former Japanese Ambassador to the United States.

Left: Taro Kono, Right: Ichiro Fujisaki

A highlight of the evening included an impromptu reunion and group photo of USJLP Delegates and Fellows in attendance, further illustrating the lasting strength of the Foundation’s networks. The event concluded with a renewed sense of purpose, setting a collaborative tone for the Foundation's next chapter of trans-Pacific engagement.