The 7th Japanese American Leadership Symposium
Building New Networks: An Era of “Change” in Japanese American-Japan Relations

100 years have passed since the first Japanese immigration to the U.S. Today Japanese Americans have come to play important roles in their respective communities. How can Japanese Americans and Japan build new relations, as the diverse American society undergoes “change,” symbolized by the birth of Obama Administration?

This symposium, held in Okinawa, the place of origin for many Japanese Americans, aims at building new networks between Japanese Americans and Japan amidst these changes, through the presentations by three panelists including a sansei of Okinawan ancestry, bearing in mind the aspiration of Okinawa to become a hub of international exchange in the Asia-pacific region.

◆ Date: Thursday, March 5, 2009 15:00-17:30　(Reception Commences at 14:30)
◆ Venue: Okinawa Harborview Crowne Plaza 2F “Saikai” (2-46 Izumizaki, Naha City, Okinawa) >> MAP
* Admission Free/ Simultaneous Translation Provided
Symposium Program

1. Presentations of the three Japanese Americans
2. Panel Discussions with Coordinators and Commentator
3. Q&A;

Coordinators
- Ms. Irene Hirano (Executive Advisor, Japanese American National Museum)
- Prof. Tosh Minohara (Professor, Kobe University)

Panelists
- Ms. Dianne Fukami (Co-founder & President, Bridge Media, Inc.)
- Mr. Ken Miyagishima (Mayor, City of Las Cruces/ CEO, Ken Miyagishima Insurance Inc.)
- Ms. Patricia Neilson (Director, Center for Collaborative Leadership University of Massachusetts)

Commentator
- Prof. Kurayoshi Takara (Professor, Ryukyu University)

Organized by: The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP), Japanese American National Museum
Co-organized by: Okinawa Prefectural Government

■RSVP with your name / affiliation by March 2nd (Mon.) via FAX (098-866-2765) or email (aa050400@pref.okinawa.lg.jp).

＜Contact＞
Okinawa Prefectural Government (Dept. of Tourism, Commerce & Industry Exchange Promotion Division):
(Tel) 098-866-2479
The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership: (Tel) 03-5369-6072