Fellowship Program
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Fellowship Overview
An Interactive Program for Developing Next Generation Leaders
The Toshizo Watanabe Democracy Fellowship is a year-long, interactive professional development program that empowers emerging Japanese leaders to strengthen global democracy and deepen the US-Japan relationship. By engaging in sustained dialogue and collaborative activities with peers, program alumni, and American counterparts, Fellows build a vibrant network of future leaders committed to creating meaningful impact.
The Fellowship focuses on three main themes: Facilitating Dialogue and Collaboration, Deepening Knowledge of Democracy in Practice, and Strengthening US-Japan Relations. Fellows explore each of these themes through the unique perspective of the Japanese American experience, gaining opportunities to see beyond their own perspectives as Japanese leaders. This approach opens the door to deeper understanding from multiple viewpoints, including those of Americans, immigrants, and minorities in society, and inspires Fellows to think in inclusive and innovative ways.
Each year, eight to ten emerging Japanese leaders are selected to participate in this fellowship. The program centers on a two-week US Delegation Visit, held in the fall, where Fellows meet with leaders in government, civil society, and business to explore how democratic principles are applied in practice and how individuals influence policies and systems to drive change. In preparation, Fellows participate in monthly virtual sessions and an in-person orientation in Tokyo in late June, which provide foundational knowledge of American democracy, government systems, Japanese American history, and US-Japan relations.
After the US Delegation Visit, Fellows continue to engage in activities in Japan, including organizing public programs, mentoring future Fellows, recommending new participants, and hosting events. Through these activities, the Fellowship cultivates leaders equipped to uphold democratic values, advance social justice, and build cross-border partnerships.
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2026 Fellowship Schedule
2026
- May through September: Monthly Meeting (Virtual, except June)
- Friday, June 19, Saturday, June 20, and June 21 (morning): In-person Orientation (Tokyo)
- Monday, September 28–Thursday, October 8: US Delegation Visit
- November–April 2027: Follow-up Meetings (Virtual)
2027
- May: Public program (Tokyo)
U.S. Delegation Visit Content
During a two-week stay in Los Angeles and Washington, DC, Fellows explore issues related to American democracy, including minority representation, civic participation, and approaches to advancing social justice. They also examine the roles of government agencies, nonprofits, and individuals in shaping policy, engaging directly with those involved in these activities. By learning about American society and democracy through the lens of Japanese American history and experiences, Fellows gain a balanced and nuanced understanding of equity, representation, and inclusion in practice.
Photos of the 2025 Watanabe Democracy Fellowship U.S. Delegation Visit
The Watanabe Democracy Fellowship offers a unique opportunity to understand American society through a Japanese American perspective. At the Japanese American National Museum, which preserves more than 160,000 artifacts related to Japanese American history, the Fellows viewed works in the collection storage that are not normally open to the public.
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.