Featured Alumna
Phyllis Yoshida, Ph.D

Fellow for Energy and Technology,  Sasakawa USA
What is your expertise?
International energy, international science, and technology relations with a focus on Asia.

What are you currently working on? 
I am working on an article about Japanese energy policy and am preparing for a Cyber Security "Smart-Grid" workshop at the beginning of December.

How did you become involved with Sasakawa USA?
I gave speeches at energy economics conferences where Sasakawa USA's CEO, Admiral Dennis Blair, was present and started to get involved with Sasakawa's research programming. I had been aware of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo for a long time and was excited to become involved at Sasakwa USA.

How has learning about Japan affected your work? 
I have studied Japan for a very long time. I majored in IR with a specialization in East Asian relations and a focus on East Asian economies at Carleton College. After that, I went to complete an MA at George Washington University, which began my excitement for Japanese economics. I became fascinated with how Japan used its science and technology to become a global economic powerhouse. 

What is your favorite aspect of Japan?
Strong and enduring friendships with people I have studied with at the University of Tokyo and people I have worked with.
Want to be featured in our next issue?
Contact Juliane Doscher with the header of your email as "Sasakawa USA: Featured Alumni", answers to the above questions in the body of the email.

Featured Articles
Chairman's Message
"The Japan Lobby: -----   or lack thereof -----   within America's marketplace of ideas"
Admiral Dennis C. Blair
When compared to interest groups of other important American allies and partners, and even some competitors, Japan does not have a loud interest group working on its behalf with the United States.

True Stories from Japan
"First Impressions with host family endangered by sushi"
Christa Desrets
On the surface, dining out in Japan is not an inherently stressful experience. But on this particular night, a vocabulary mishap paired with the anxiety of meeting my new host family for the first time made for a memorable evening.
True Stories from Japan is a monthly blog featured on the Sasakawa USA Website that compiles reflections from one's travels to Japan. Topics range in interest from policy to culture and everything in between. Contac t  Juliane Doscher  if you would like to submit an article and be featured in the next Alumni Newsletter.

Upcoming Events
J.LIVE Talk 2016
Nov. 13, 2016 
Students broadening their global horizons by studying Japanese will have the opportunity to prove their talent and further their goals at the final round of the second annual J.Live Talk at George Washington University, sponsored by Sasakawa USA.

Securing Critical Resources in a New Green and Industrial Era
Nov. 30, 2016
In partnership with the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Center at Stanford University, Sasakawa USA will host a conference to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and limitations of creating resilient supplies of critical materials, namely rare metals.
 
Not all events are open to the public, and we anticipate listing a couple more in the coming weeks. Check each event link for details and view our events page  for new listings as they get posted.

Past Events
Alumni Networking Dinner
Oct. 11, 2016
Sasakawa USA hosted a private dinner discussion exclusively for our alumni.
U.S. Public Outreach: Japan Matters
O ct. 18, & Oct. 20, 2016
The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election has ignited renewed interest among the Washington policy community to reinstate the benefits and importance of U.S. engagement in Asia. At these event in Cleveland and Philadelphia, Sasakawa USA, East-West Center in Washington, and the Peterson Institute for International Economics presented important data and facts about U.S. relations with Asia and Japan.
 

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202-296-6694

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