Since 2014, the “Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan” program has brought expert voices from Japan to various regions of the U.S. to share insights, culture, and inspiration. For a second year running, JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is proud to co-present this series that promotes exchange and understanding between Japanese and American people at a grassroots level with the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.
This year’s program features a diverse delegation of speakers who will share their views on Japan’s contributions to tackling urgent regional and global issues. The audience will gain a better understanding of Japan’s innovative forms of problem-solving across health, politics, business and civic life, and hear high-level perspectives on what’s coming next for the country at home and relations abroad.
Program Details
6:30 PM | Doors Open & Refreshments
7:00 PM | Topic 1. Current Fukushima Prefecture
| Topic 2. U.S. and Japan as the Ally of Innovation
| Topic 3. The Strength and Possibilities of Japanese Enterprises in
Solving Social Issues
8:00 PM | Reception
Registration
Registration has closed.
“Walk in U.S., Talk on Japan” Delegation
Ambassador Kazuko Shiraishi (Delegation leader)
Former Ambassador of Japan to Lithuania, Former Ambassador for Women, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Former Ambassador in charge of Arctic Affairs
Ms. Mayumi Suzuki
Senior Staff, Risk Management Division, Fukushima Prefectural Government.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, she will not be traveling to the U.S. with the delegation at this time.
Program Topic 1: Current Fukushima
Fukushima, a prefecture located in the north eastern part of Japan, was one of the locations that faced devastating damage by the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011. Ms. Suzuki, a local to Fukushima, will share with the audience the current situation of the prefecture from three points of view; reconstruction, innovation, and tradition.
Mr. Minami Maeda
Chief of Staff to CEO and Vice President of Japan, Illuminox Project, Rakuten Medical, Inc.
Program Topic 2: Topics: U.S. and Japan as the Ally of Innovation
As a member of Rakuten Medical, Inc., a biotech company started by the collaboration between an American scientist and a Japanese entrepreneur, Mr. Maeda will take us through the history of competition and collaboration between the U.S. and Japan in the technology field. He will also share his thoughts on why U.S. and Japan should continue to be allies in the space of innovation for the good of society.
Mr. Takeo Tokunari
Director, International Development Division, Meiwa Co., Ltd, Youth Ambassador of Japan, UN Environment Asia-Pacific
Program Topic 3: The Strength and Possibilities of Japanese Enterprises in Solving Social Issues With his experience working on a project in Kenya to convert unutilized biomass into drought solutions for Meiwa Co., Ltd., an Ishikawa Prefecture-based Japanese SME (small and medium-sized enterprises), Mr. Tokunari will be discussing the potentials Japanese private sectors possess to actively contribute to achieve global social goals such as SDGs.
Parking
By Car: Parking garage at Hollywood & Highland can be entered from Highland Avenue or Orange Drive. Parking is validated at JAPAN HOUSE for 2 hours at a rate of $3; then $2 every 20 minutes or $6 per hour.$18 daily maximum. Free self- parking will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis on the date of the event with your RSVP. Please bring your parking ticket with you to receive validation.
By Metro: The Metro Red Line, Hollywood/Highland station, is conveniently located directly below Hollywood & Highland.
