Included in this issue of the newsletter:

• Message from Sasakawa USA's Chairman Satohiro Akimoto

February Activities

• Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP): 2024 Annual Dinner
• Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP): Seattle
• US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative: NEXT Alliance Conference (NAC) Tokyo 2024
• Recapturing Happiness Photo Exhibit: Meet and Greet with Mr. Keisuke Hirai
• Washington Kenkyu Group: Discussion with Mr. Keisuke Hirai
• Congressional Program on U.S.-Japan Relations and the Indo-Pacific (CPUSJ): Hill Staffers Complete Program
• U.S.-Japan Research Exchange: LTG Koichi Isobe
• Security Symposium: U.S.-Japan Alliance in the Indo-Pacific: Unilateral, Bilateral, and Multilateral Capabilities

Recaps

• Policy Briefing Series: Operationalizing the Emerging U.S.-Japan-Philippines Triangle

External Engagements

• Mr. James Schoff Contributes to Sasakawa Peace Foundation Policy Proposal on China
• Mr. James Schoff Gives Lecture at Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)

Publications

• Japan Political Pulse (JPP): Prime Minister Kishida Labors through Navigating Unchartered Waters (Dr. Satohiro Akimoto)
• Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation (SEED): SEED Delegate Publication on Women, Peace and Security (Ms. Kayla McGill)

Featured Staff

• Mr. Erim Gulum

Message from Sasakawa USA's Chairman Satohiro Akimoto

Photo: The Panama Hotel in Nihonmachi, Seattle, Washington

The Panama Hotel in Seattle, Washington, is a must see for anyone interested in U.S.-Japan relations and Japanese American history.

The first Japanese immigrants to Seattle arrived in the early 1880s reflecting the Meiji government’s immigration policy. However, the initial growth of the Japanese population in Seattle was slow, but the situation quickly changed with the launch of the regular Yokohama-Seattle route by Nihon Yusen in 1896. The Miike-Maru, the flag ship of Nihon Yusen at the time, connected Yokohama and Seattle in 17 days with fares of $135 for first class, $95 for second class, and $28 for third class. The Japanese population in Seattle increased rapidly as the Miike-Maru brought many of those Japanese immigrants to the area on a regular basis. According to the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, “in 1890, there were only 125 Japanese in Seattle, while in 1900 the number was 3,900.” 

Newly arrived in Seattle, young, single Japanese male immigrants needed the basics in life, including a place to stay. So, Japanese-owned hotels quickly increased in numbers with the growing demand of Japanese immigrants. At the same time, Seattle, as a city, substantially grew as one of the major shipbuilding centers in the U.S., an industry directly impacted by the beginning of the First World War in 1914. Seattle also became one of the largest trading ports with Asian countries. As a result, the population of Seattle continued to grow not only with immigrants, but also other workers coming from across the continental U.S.

The Japanese were good at the hotel business in Seattle, catering to the interests of increasing numbers of immigrants and workers due to an economic boom. The number of Japanese-owned hotels rapidly increased and Japanese American-owned hotels soon outnumbered hotels owned by Caucasian Americans. A Japanese language newspaper, The National American Times (Hokubei Jiji) reported on August 22, 1918, that “the hotel business in Seattle is Japanese pride. There is no other place in the country where the Japanese hotel business is as grown and flourishing as it is in Seattle. So far, 140 hotels have joined the (Japanese hotel owners) union, and there are 15 or 16 smaller ones in addition.”

The Panama Hotel is a survivor from the hotel business era dominated by the Japanese. It is probably the only one remaining in good condition. The hotel is truly a unique piece of Japanese American history in Seattle, as it was designed by a Japanese architect, Saburo Ozasa, who was born in Nagasaki in 1876 and immigrated to the U.S. as a young boy. He attended high school in Spokane and graduated from Oregon State University in 1907. After working for the Union Pacific Railways as a railroad bridge engineer, he established his own architectural firm in Seattle. He designed and oversaw the building of the Panama Hotel, which opened in 1910. According to the Panama Hotel’s website, the hotel opened “as a workingman’s hotel for single Japanese men coming to America seeking work. The hotel is located in the center of [Nihonmachi] Japantown, Seattle and houses [Hashidate-yu], the last intact Japanese style public bathhouse in North America.” 

Photo: Corridor inside the Panama Hotel

The Panama Hotel also was a place where Japanese Americans trusted their possessions could be stored in the hotel’s basement when Executive Order 9066 forced people of Japanese ancestry to live in internment camps. While efforts have been made to return those objects to their rightful owners, many items have been left unclaimed in the basement all these years. According to the hotel, the National Trust has documented 8,500 items, catalogued, and mapped them. These items are still sitting in the basement of the hotel today. You can see some of them through a see-through floor panel in the Panama Hotel coffee shop. It is only fitting that the hotel was registered as a National Historic Landmark in 2006, designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation in 2015, and awarded the Foreign Minister’s Commendations by the Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi in 2020. 

Photo: Men’s public bathtub in the Hashidate-yu bathhouse at the Panama Hotel

All this historical preservation was possible because of Jan Johnson, who purchased the hotel in 1985 from Takashi Hori, who had owned the hotel previously since 1938. I have no idea how she does it, but she keeps the hotel preserved and alive by literally doing almost all the work necessary herself. I stayed at the Panama Hotel for two nights in February and I felt like I was the only guest during the time, which is a testament to the hotel’s excellent service. Jan Johnson kindly explained the hotel’s history along with her personal stories related to the hotel, including stories of Takashi Hori, too. The room was simple even bare, with a shared bathroom and toilet located in the corridor, but clean and well-maintained. During my stay, I reminisced about all those young, single Japanese men, who stayed there in the early days of Japanese immigration to Seattle. I was glad that I chose to stay at the Panama Hotel. 

Photo (left to right): Ms. Jan Johnson, Mrs. Iyori, Consul-General Makoto Iyori, and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto

February Activities

Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP): 2024 Annual Dinner

On February 21, Sasakawa USA hosted its 2024 JUMP Annual Dinner at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC. The JUMP Annual Dinner focused on the future of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in facing new challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The evening featured a keynote address by LTG Koichi Isobe, (JGSDF, Ret.), who is a distinguished senior fellow of Sasakawa USA. In addition, there were welcome remarks from Ambassador Shigeo Yamada, ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States of America; a toast and remarks from Lieutenant Colonel Monica S. Herrera, information operations officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserves; and an introduction of the keynote speaker by Rear Admiral Takaaki Hayamizu, JMSDF, defense and naval attaché, Embassy of Japan. In attendance were senior active-duty and retired officers with an interest in the U.S.-Japan relationship. JUMP strives to make the alliance stronger to meet new challenges by offering a platform for former and current U.S. military service men, women, and families to think about the strategic importance of the bilateral relationship.

Photo (left to right): BGen James B. Wellons, Lt Col Monica S. Herrera, LTG Koichi Isobe (JGSDF, Ret.), Rear Admiral Takaaki Hayamizu, and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto

Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP): Seattle

On February 24, a Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP) event was held in Seattle, Washington, in partnership with the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, National Association of Japan-America Societies, and Nisei Veterans Committee. The theme of the event was “Beyond Reconciliation: Celebrate the Japan-U.S. Alliance and Honor Nisei Veterans” and featured remarks from LTG Xavier Brunson, commanding general, I Corps; MG Matthew McFarlane, deputy commanding general, I Corps; RADM Mark Sucato, commander, Navy Region Northwest; Rear Admiral Takaaki Hayamizu, JMSDF, defense and naval attaché, Embassy of Japan; Mr. Makoto Iyori, consul-general of Japan in Seattle; and Mr. John Suzuki, author of American Grit. JUMP Seattle was attended by service members, veterans, and government and civil society representatives from the Seattle region. JUMP is a partnership between Sasakawa USA and the Embassy of Japan.

Photo: Mr. David Yamaguchi, Mr. John Suzuki, Consul-General Makoto Iyori, MG Matthew McFarlane (USA), RADM Takaaki Hayamizu (JMSDF), RADM Mark Sucato (USN), Ms. Shanti Shoji, Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Mr. Mike Yaguchi, and RADM Jamie Kelly (USN, Ret.)

US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative:

NEXT Alliance Conference Tokyo 2024

The fourth NEXT Alliance Conference (NAC) got underway in Tokyo from February 29 to March 4. Its focus, “U.S.-Japan Economic Security Policy Coordination,” placed an emphasis on semiconductors, which have become a priority for policy makers in both countries and a major agenda item as their connection to economic competitiveness and national security grows. The U.S. and Japanese delegations began a long weekend of discussions with briefings from officials of the Government of Japan on topics of new economic security legislation (related to private sector security clearances), the U.S.-Japan economic 2+2, and an action plan for strengthening industrial technology infrastructure for economic security. The weekend workshop focused heavily on supply chain resiliency, export controls, and R&D collaboration, as they relate to semiconductors. The spring 2024 conference was attended by around 40 American and Japanese specialists from government, academia, think tanks, and the private sector. The conference concluded with a public event in early March, organized by the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology at the University of Tokyo. 



Photo: NEXT Alliance Conference Tokyo 2024

Recapturing Happiness Photo Exhibit:

Meet and Greet with Mr. Keisuke Hirai

Following the opening of the photo exhibit, Recapturing Happiness: The Enduring Spirit of Ishinomaki, on January 31, Sasakawa USA and the Japan Information & Culture Center, Embassy of Japan, co-hosted a Meet & Greet event with exhibition photographer Mr. Keisuke Hirai. Guests who visited the JICC spoke with Mr. Hirai about some of the stories behind the photographs displayed, which convey the resilience of the human spirit, the joy of community, and the moments of happiness that persisted in Ishinomaki following the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. Sasakawa USA thanks all who stopped by the exhibition and shared their thoughts with Mr. Hirai.

The Recapturing Happiness photo exhibit is currently on view at the JICC until March 13, and is open 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Admission is free of charge. The JICC is located at 1150 18th St NW, Suite 100, in Washington, DC.

Top photo (left to right): Mr. Kiyoshi Tanigawa, LtGen Wallace “Chip” Gregson, Mr. Keisuke Hirai, and Ms. Shanti Shoji

Bottom photo: Mr. Keisuke Hirai and a guest at the exhibition

Washington Kenkyu Group:

Discussion with Mr. Keisuke Hirai

As part of Recapturing Happiness: The Enduring Spirit of Ishinomaki, a photo exhibit on view from January 31 to March 13, Sasakawa USA welcomed Mr. Keisuke Hirai, the exhibit photographer, to Sasakawa USA's office on February 2, for a discussion with the Washington Kenkyu Group (WKG). At this roundtable discussion, Mr. Hirai reflected on his experience of capturing the enduring yet uplifting spirits of local Ishinomaki people whose lives were recovering from the Great East Japan Earthquake through his camera lens. The WKG study group—which is composed of Japanese representatives from the private sector, media, and Japanese government—shared their experiences of when the great earthquake struck Japan. Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, chairman and president of Sasakawa USA, moderated the discussion.

Photo: Mr. Keisuke Hirai

Congressional Program on U.S.-Japan Relations and the Indo-Pacific (CPUSJ): Hill Staffers Complete Program

This year’s Congressional Program on U.S.-Japan Relations and the Indo-Pacific (CPUSJ), co-organized with the East-West Center in Washington, concluded with its final session, “Japanese Domestic Politics: Implications for Japan’s International Engagement,” on February 20. This final session welcomed Political Affairs Minister Motosada Matano from the Embassy of Japan and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, chairman and president of Sasakawa USA. 

Capitol Hill staffers advanced their knowledge on the U.S.-Japan alliance and the important role it plays in the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific region, as well as received certificates of completion.

Session topics included: The U.S.-Japan Alliance as the Cornerstone of Indo-Pacific Peace, Security, and Stability; The Taiwan Contingency; U.S.-Japan-ROK Trilateral Cooperation; The U.S., Japan, and the Pacific Islands; Economic Statecraft in the Indo-Pacific; Multilateralism in the Indo-Pacific; Great Power Competition; and Japanese Domestic Politics: Implications for Japan’s International Engagement.

U.S.-Japan Research Exchange: LTG Koichi Isobe

Lieutenant General Koichi Isobe (JGSDF, Ret.), who is a distinguished senior fellow of Sasakawa USA, travelled to Washington, DC, in February as part of Sasakawa USA’s U.S.-Japan Research Exchange program. While in Washington, he engaged in intensive research on the historical background of the U.S. Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at the Marine Corps' library in Quantico, Virginia. In addition to his research, LTG Isobe provided a keynote address at the 2024 JUMP Annual Dinner at the Army and Navy Club in Washington, DC. LTG Isobe’s research paper will be available on Sasakawa USA's website in the coming months. 

Photo: LTG Koichi Isobe (JGSDF, Ret.)

Security Symposium: U.S.-Japan Alliance in the Indo-Pacific: Unilateral, Bilateral, and Multilateral Capabilities

Sasakawa USA, in collaboration with the Japan-America Society of Washington DC (JASWDC) and the National War College (NWC), convened a hybrid Security Symposium at the NWC on February 26. The event opened with welcome remarks from the commandant of the NWC, Maj Gen Paul Rock; Mr. Ryan Shaffer, president of JASWDC; and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, chairman and president of Sasakawa USA. A panel discussion followed with LtGen Wallace “Chip” Gregson, distinguished senior fellow at Sasakawa USA; Minister Motosada Matano, political affairs minister at the Embassy of Japan; and Hon. Robert Koepcke, deputy assistant secretary of state for Japan, Korea, and Mongolia, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Ms. Emma Chanlett-Avery, director of political-security affairs and deputy director of the Asia Society's Washington, DC office, moderated the panel.

The discussion focused on recent developments in the U.S.-Japan security alliance, as well as the economic, commercial, and diplomatic cooperation amongst the emerging alliance with South Korea and Australia in realizing prosperity, stability, and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.

Photo (left to right): Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Dr. Sonya Finley, MajGen Paul J. Rock (USMC), LtGen Wallace “Chip” Gregson (USMC, Ret.), Ms. Emma Chanlett-Avery, Mr. Motosada Matano, and Mr. Ryan Shaffer

Recaps

Policy Briefing Series: Operationalizing the Emerging

U.S.-Japan-Philippines Triangle

On February 14, Sasakawa USA hosted the in-person Policy Briefing Series, “Operationalizing the Emerging U.S.-Japan-Philippines Triangle,” which showcased a report by Mr. Brian Harding, senior expert at the U.S. Institute of Peace. Mr. Harding's report is based on his research trip to Japan in December 2023 under Sasakawa USA’s U.S.-Japan Research Exchange program. During his research trip, he met with experts on Japan-Philippines relations related to politics, economics, and security. At this policy briefing, Mr. Harding shared key points from his report, "Priorities for the Emerging U.S.-Japan-Philippines Triangle," which he argues would contribute to bolstering maritime security and countering disinformation and propaganda disseminated by the adversaries in the Indo-Pacific region. Mr. Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr.; deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines; attended this event, a recap of which is available on our website.

Photo: Mr. Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr.; Mr. Brian Harding; and Dr. Satohiro Akimoto

External Engagements

Mr. James Schoff Contributes to Sasakawa Peace Foundation Policy Proposal on China

NEXT Alliance Initiative Senior Director James Schoff contributed to a new policy report published by Sasakawa Peace Foundation on “Shaping Pragmatic and Effective Strategy toward China.” Mr. Schoff’s proposal related to economic security policy coordination is one of eleven developed by a bilateral team of scholars and foreign policy specialists after multiple workshop meetings convened since 2020. The report was unveiled at a public seminar at Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo on February 6. The policy proposals cover foreign, security, and economic policy.

Mr. James Schoff Gives Lecture at Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI)

NEXT Alliance Initiative Senior Director James Schoff gave a lecture at Japan’s Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI) in Tokyo on February 7, to report on “Recent U.S. Trends in Economic Security.” Mr. Kazumi Nishikawa; principal director of the Office of Economic Security at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI); moderated this Brown Bag Lunch series, which approximately 300 people attended virtually and in-person. In addition, this webinar launched a new series on "Economic Security," organized by RIETI and METI.

Publications

Japan Political Pulse (JPP): Prime Minister Kishida Labors through Navigating Unchartered Waters

(Dr. Satohiro Akimoto)

In his recent article, “Prime Minister Kishida Labors through Navigating Unchartered Waters,” Sasakawa USA Chairman and President Dr. Satohiro Akimoto casts light on the latest drop in Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s approval rating and whether the prime minister can regain trust and political momentum in the aftermath of the LDP’s slush fund scandal. Dr. Akimoto assesses instability within the LDP triggered by Kishida’s unprecedented and abrupt move of disbanding his faction, Kochikai. Will the passage of the FY 2024 budget in the House of Representatives, the prime minister’s upcoming spring summit with President Biden in Washington, and April by-elections in three prefectures have any positive effect on Kishida’s poll numbers? You can read more of Dr. Akimoto’s article here.

Japan Political Pulse (JPP) regularly publishes articles on the state and trends of Japanese politics for American observers and practitioners of U.S.-Japan relations.

Photo: On February 29, 2024, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attended the House of Representatives Committee on Political Ethics, where he stated that the inappropriate handling of political funds by the Liberal Democratic Party's factions "raised many suspicions among the people and caused distrust in politics." (Official Website of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan) 

Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation (SEED): SEED Delegate Publication on Women, Peace and Security (Ms. Kayla McGill)

As part of her participation in the 2023 Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation on Women, Peace and Security (WPS), Ms. Kayla McGill, WPS policy advisor in the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues at the U.S. Department of State, published an article with Sasakawa USA summarizing her findings from a week-long research trip to Tokyo last summer. In her publication, "Old Meets New: Utilizing WPS as a Framework to Enhance U.S.-Japan Partnership," Ms. McGill seeks to answer the key question "Is this WPS?" by outlining old and new ways of looking at WPS. She points out how WPS aims to blend inclusion, access, and partnerships on diverse issue areas and how WPS can be a means to bolster internal support and capacity building with both individual security and emerging security challenges, a joint goal of the U.S.-Japan partnership. In her article, Ms. McGill highlights impactful moments from the 2023 SEED trip in which avenues to reframe security through WPS were discussed and theorizes that reframing security happens together. While WPS challenges remain, Ms. McGill proffers collaborative solutions to jointly address them in both the U.S.-Japan bilateral partnership and beyond.

Photo: Ms. Kayla McGill

Featured Staff

Mr. Erim Gulum

Hajimemashite! My name is Erim Gulum and I am the associate program officer for the US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative at Sasakawa USA, where I work with Senior Director James Schoff to conduct research and programming that addresses new and emerging challenges facing the U.S.-Japan alliance. I joined Sasakawa USA in January 2022 shortly after graduating with my master’s in international affairs focusing on Japan and political science from UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy.

My interest in Japan began in 2014 when I studied abroad in Tokyo as a junior at Hofstra University. My experience was as positive and memorable as anyone’s first time in Japan. Traveling the length of the country by bullet train, living with my homestay family, and discovering karaoke left a lasting impression. As a result, I knew I wanted to keep Japan in my life professionally, so I applied and was accepted to the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. On JET, I worked as an assistant language teacher from 2016-2018 in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka, where I taught one year in middle schools, and one year in the city high school.

Since my start with the NEXT Alliance Initiative, I have learned so much about the U.S.-Japan bilateral relationship, and how closely aligned both countries truly are. Having the opportunity to meet so many people who are dedicated to strengthening the alliance for the sake of keeping a peaceful and prosperous Indo-Pacific region is inspiring. A highlight of my job thus far has been NEXT’s work on the modernization of command-and-control relations between the U.S. and Japan. In the increasingly severe security environment of the Indo-Pacific, greater synergy between allies and partners is a way I believe deterrence and peace can be maintained.

Building my career has been easy as I am guided by my two passions: public service rooted in patriotism instilled by my immigrant parents and a love of Japan and the world. Having taught students from K-12, served as a fireman/EMT in my hometown, and interned for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, I’ve learned that service to others is what matters most to me. 

Photo: Mr. Erim Gulum

Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA

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