The United States-Japan Foundation (USJF) will host a symposium titled “Reimagining the U.S.-Japan Friendship: Connecting Civil Society Across the Pacific” on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, from 3:00-6:00 PM at the International House of Japan in Tokyo. The event marks a significant milestone as the Foundation approaches its 50th year, signaling a rededication to its founding mission of bolstering people-to-people ties while updating its strategy for the 21st century.
The symposium will introduce a new vision for trans-Pacific grassroots exchange, focusing on connection with a social purpose. This evolved mission aims to link American and Japanese nonprofits and foundations to address critical global challenges through their unique skills and assets. By moving beyond friendship as a primary goal, USJF seeks to utilize these bilateral ties as a starting point for pursuing a greater good in the region and around the world.
The forum is being held to honor the work of Tomoyuki Watanabe, who recently retired as USJF's Japan Vice President. Watanabe’s passion and dedication over his tenure helped inspire this reimagination of the Foundation’s core mission.
Following the symposium, a reception will be held from 6:30-9:00 PM.
Event Details
- Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2026
- Location: International House of Japan (I-House)
- Symposium: 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Iwasaki Koyata Hall (B1F)
- Reception: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Kabayama-Matsumoto Room (B1F)
- Please note that the symposium will be conducted in English.
Program
15:00-15:10 Opening Remarks
MC
Izumi Tanaka (Representative Director of IZMiN Inc.)
Remarks
Lawrence K. Fish (Chair, United States-Japan Foundation (USJF))
Jacob M. Schlesinger (President & CEO, USJF)
Tomoyuki Watanabe (Founder & Representative Director, A Better Future Foundation; formerly Vice President & Managing Director - Grants and Japan, USJF)
15:10-15:35 Panel 1: Bolstering the Social Impact Ecosystem in the Current U.S.-Japan Climate
Moderator
Haruto Okabe (Japan Representative, USJF)
Panelists
Masataka Uo (Founder and CEO, Japan Fundraising Association)
Katsuji Imata (President, Social Impact Management Initiative Japan; Co-CEO, Blue Marble Japan)
Sakae Suzuki (Representative Director and CEO, Social Innovation Partners)
15:35-16:00 Panel 2: Rethinking Classic Exchange Programs for Social Impact
Moderator
Jacob M. Schlesinger
Panelists
Naho Kawashima (Social Innovation Coordinator, ETIC.)
Shoji Tsuboyama (Director, International House of Japan)
Chris Morrison (President, Japan Culture Center of Western New York; Representative from Buffalo-Kanazawa winner of USJF/Sister Cities International U.S.-Japan Global Impact Grant)
16:00-16:15 Panel 3: Impact in Action – the Kesennuma Example and Possible Next Steps
Moderator
Jacob M. Schlesinger
Panelists
Tomoyuki Watanabe
Yukio Takasu (President, Human Security Forum; Chairperson, Japan Committee for UNICEF; Special Adviser, UN Secretary-General on Human Security)
16:15-16:35 Break
16:35-17:00 Panel 4: Building Social Impact Muscles on the Ground in Japan
Moderator
Haruto Okabe
Panelists
Hiroshi Nakamura (Professor and Dean, Graduate School of Business Administration, Keio Business School, Keio University)
Taro Tanaka (Global Legal Officer, LEDGE)
Hiromi Murakami (Founder, Japan Institute for Social Innovation and Entrepreneurship)
17:00-17:25 Panel 5: Impact-Driven Finance to Address Social Challenges
Moderator
Haruto Okabe
Panelists
Kensuke Onishi (Founder, Peace Winds Japan)
Tomomi Ishida (Co-founder, ImpactShare)
Tomohiro Nagasaki (Senior Manager, Equity Investment Department, Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank)
Aiko Kozaki (Director, Investment Division, Japan Network for Public Interest Activities)
17:25-17:50 Panel 6: Shared Challenges
Moderator
Jacob M. Schlesinger
Panelists
Sachiko Kita (Representative Director, Institute of Trauma Recovery)
Mika Yakushi (Founder and Representative Director, ReBit)
Maiko Ichihara (Professor, Graduate School of Law and the School of International and Public Policy, Hitotsubashi University)
17:50-17:55 Closing Remarks
Haruto Okabe
18:30-21:00 Reception
Aisatsu
Taro Kono (Member of the House of Representatives; USJLP inaugural class of 2000; Former Trustee, USJF)
Tomoyuki Watanabe
Kanpai
Ichiro Fujisaki (President, The America-Japan Society of Japan)
Full biographies for all symposium speakers and panelists are available on our website.
Attendance is by registration; interested stakeholders and community members are encouraged to sign up via the separate form.
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