Fellowship Program

The Fellows also engaged in dialogue with JANM volunteers who had experienced incarceration during World War II. They listened attentively to their personal stories, learning both the fragility and the importance of democracy and civil rights.

The Fellows took an overnight trip to Manzanar National Historic Site, one of the Japanese American concentration camps during World War II. Standing on the grounds of the former camp was an unforgettable experience.

The fellowship also provides opportunities to meet with current policymakers. In Washington, DC, fellows spoke with Secretary of State Kimberly Bassett about the District’s unique political situation, her work to advance women’s leadership and an inclusive society, and her own career journey.

The Fellows met with staffers from both Republican and Democratic congressional offices. Walter Lohman, the national security advisor to Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK), and Adrienne Castro, legislative director for Representative Mark Takano (D-CA), engaged in in-depth discussions on issues such as trade, security, and US-Japan relations.

Strengthening US-Japan relations is one of the goals of the fellowship. At the US Department of State, the fellows met with the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Over the course of an hour, they exchanged views on US foreign policy, current initiatives, and the US-Japan relationship, discussing topics ranging from trade and education to culture and people-to-people exchanges.

Think tanks and academia play an important role in shaping US policymaking. The fellows heard firsthand from researchers and a professor specializing in international relations with East Asia about current developments.

In a dialogue with former White House Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Liaison staff members who worked under the Biden administration to strengthen engagement with AANHPI communities, the Fellows learned about the importance of representation within an administration as well as the processes involved during transitions of power.

Fellows also met with representatives of private organizations that play key roles in strengthening US-Japan ties. Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange, Kazuyo Kato; Director at the National Endowment for Democracy, Daniel O’Malley; and Keidanren USA Executive Director, Teruko Wada shared their organizations’ priorities and activities.

In Los Angeles, Consul General of Japan in Los Angeles Kenko Sone hosted a reception at his official residence. California Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, Alhambra City Councilmember Jeff Maloney, and other Japanese American leaders joined, offering insights into politics at the state and local levels alongside US-Japan relations.

In Washington, DC, the Embassy of Japan hosted a luncheon reception, where the fellows connected with embassy officials and young Japanese American leaders from the DC area, reaffirming the significance of people-to-people ties in the US-Japan relationship.

In the US, nonprofits play an essential role in advancing fairness and inclusion. In Los Angeles, the Fellows visited Homeboy Industries, an organization supporting the reintegration of former gang members, and also heard from individuals and nonprofits providing social and legal support to defend immigrant rights.

In Washington, DC, they visited two leading human rights organizations: Amnesty International USA and the Human Rights Campaign, which advocates for LGBTQ rights. They learned about how these groups work to advance policy that will build a more just and inclusive society.

Understanding the cultures and histories of diverse groups that make up the United States is also essential to realizing inclusivity and democracy. In Los Angeles, the fellows visited LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, a museum dedicated to Mexican American culture and history.

In Washington, DC, the Fellows visited the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture on a special guided visit before public opening hours. They gained a deeper understanding of the structures of racial discrimination from slavery to the present day, as well as the social and political efforts to address them.

At a time of growing polarization and disinformation, the Fellows also explored the role of journalism in sustaining democracy. They visited ABC7, one of the major US television network affiliates, where they joined a spirited discussion with anchor David Ono, News Director Pam Chen, and journalists Teresa Watanabe and Gustavo Arellano. The Fellows were deeply inspired by their passionate reflections on the responsibilities of the press.