Leadership Program

Connecting Changemakers

The US-Japan Leadership Program (USJLP) is a vibrant network of rising stars in everything from business, the arts, and social philanthropists, to government, defense, and academia. By blending cultural perspectives, experiences, and approaches, USJLP opens the door to entirely new ways of thinking, working, and collaborating.

A signature initiative of the United States-Japan Foundation, USJLP was launched in 2000 to forge cross-cultural trust and dialogue among the next generation of U.S. and Japanese changemakers. The goal is to build lifelong bonds between rising American and Japanese leaders to shape a more connected and collaborative future.

Community-Building

Those selected for USJLP join a 500+ person network of exceptional American and Japanese thinkers, creators, and changemakers who share an enthusiasm for learning, growing, and challenging themselves as leaders—and as global citizens.

500+ PersonNetwork

The Heart of USJLP: Annual Conferences

Each summer, the USJLP community gathers for a powerful week of discussions, debates, and connection. Alternating between the U.S. and Japan, Annual Conferences mark the starting point of new members’ journey with USJLP, introducing them to the network through a curated programming that encourages collaboration on shared issues and connection through community-building activities and excursions.

Over the course of two conferences, Delegates cultivate strong bonds with 60 members in their cohorts and connect with Fellows (alumni) for interclass programming to broaden their network across multiple generations of leaders.

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After completing their second conference, Delegates continue to hold membership as USJLP Fellows, granting them lifelong access to USJLP's growing network of top talent.

Through a dedicated membership website, directory, and communication channels, Fellows can connect, host or join events, find collaborators, and pitch projects for USJF seed funding. Additionally, Fellows are invited to reunite at the annual conferences for “Fellows Weekend.”

“Becoming a part of this community brings truly valuable meaning to your life. You are surrounded by incredibly diverse people, which greatly broadens your perspectives and viewpoints. At the same time, you will find like-minded peers, which accelerates the realization of your own aspirations!”

Daichi Konuma (USJLP 2023, 2024)

Co-Founder and CEO, CROSS FIELDS

"The US-Japan Leadership Program brings together extraordinary people from both countries and gives us the chance to learn from each other and to have rare, deep, beautiful experiences together in the US and Japan. It’s truly a community of leaders that inspire each other, something not so easy to find once you leave the early stages of your life and career."

Bina Venkataraman (USJLP 2023, 2024)

Columnist & Editor-at-Large for Opinion Strategy and Innovation, The Washington Post

"USJLP is a community that never fails to inspire and energize me - through the positive change that delegates and fellows are striving to create, to how humble and kind humans they are. USJLP makes me feel welcome and at home, but also challenges me to ask myself what more I can do to give back to the world. Knowing USJLP delegates and fellows are out there working for change everyday, inspires me to keep taking on the global and daily challenges!"

Yuko Hirose (2022, 2023)

Economic and Enterprise Recovery Policy Specialist, United Nations Development Programme

“USJLP is unique as it is simultaneously high-level while being independent from government and political agendas. It allows for true relationship building in a free, fun, and intellectually stimulating environment that simply does not exist elsewhere. I've gained a new network of highly accomplished and caring friends who I can go to for basically anything, be it professional advice, a good laugh, or a favor. Our late 30s or early 40s is a period in our lives when making new connections is a little harder and this new network has been a real gift for me.”

Chad Cannon (USJLP 2022, 2023)

Composer / Producer, Invisible Sea Productions

“USJLP is a crucible of leadership where exceptional minds from both the U.S. and Japan forge deep connections. It's a place where mutual respect, encouragement, and shared aspirations thrive.”

Yumi Baba (USJLP 2024, 2025)

Deputy Director, Fintech and Innovation Office, Financial Service Agency, Government of Japan

“USJLP is a chosen family. The relationships I have built and sustained through the program have challenged my perspective, sparked my creativity, and held me during hard times. The opportunity to build community with people from all different sectors across our two nations provides fertile breeding ground for inspiration to take home and collaborations to explore.”

Melissa Boteach (2022, 2023)

Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE

“USJLP is a catalyst for deeply thinking about range of social challenges that each of the countries is facing, and for making a tight-knit team across borders to tackle those challenges.”

Atsushi Mizushima (2023, 2024)

Partner, Nishimura & Asahi

“USJLP was the first time in my life where I immediately felt 100% seen, appreciated, and comfortable in my own skin. As a gay Asian-American entrepreneur who is passionate about Japanese language, food, and culture, and somehow turned those passions into a fast-growing startup, there aren't too many people or communities out there who understand me right away. However, every single person I've met at USJLP not only understood me and what I was working on, but was genuinely excited for me and celebrated my accomplishments. USJLP is the best community in the world because you get to both level up your career and make meaningful friendships at the same time. I highly recommend anybody who has a passion for US-Japan leadership to join this program.”

Danny Taing (USJLP 2023, 2024)

Founder and CEO, Bokksu

Apply to Join USJLP

USJLP opens 20 spots for membership annually, selecting the top 10 applicants from each country to form a diverse delegation of leaders.

Recruiting starts in the fall, and successful candidates become Delegates to the next two summer conferences—one in Japan, and one in the U.S. Information for prospective 2026-2027 Cohort candidates will be announced in early fall, 2025.

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Leadership Program

Connecting Changemakers

The USJLP Network

500+ PersonNetwork

The Heart of USJLP: Annual Conferences