Reflections from Past Fellows

2024 Fellow

Yuta Iwakawa oversees the implementation of capital policies at Sumitomo Corporation with regards to general telecommunications enterprises in Ethiopia. Mr. Iwakawa coordinates with local partners to contribute to improving telecommunications infrastructure for social and economic development.

U.S.-Japan Sharing of Issues for a Better Future

Japan and the United States face completely different issues and situations ranging from those involving government practices, religion and national origins, and any attempts by one country to unilaterally impose all their prevalent methods upon the other has a high potential for failure. It is my belief, however, that mutual information exchange and sharing of challenges can help both of our countries find mutually beneficial advice and points of reference. Establishing a partnership through this Fellowship Program is essential for finding common ground between Japan and the United States, which can lead to meaningful, concrete action.
 

2024 Fellow

Hiromitsu Koiso is a translator and poet whose translations include Anne Carson’s Autobiography of Red and Teju Cole’s Open City. In 2023, driven by his interest in immigration issues, Mr. Koiso participated in the BGM/Minna no Uta (BGM/Songs for All) project, which involves translating songs from the native countries and hometowns of foreigners living in Japan into Japanese.

Telling Stories Contributes to Democracy

Being able to access the history of various people from various lands has opened up my awareness to the fact that every single place has multiple historical layers. I also realized that all human beings, myself included, are living in a historic tale that is in a constant present-progressive state. During my time in the U.S., I encountered literary works by Japanese Americans from the 20th century, and I am currently translating these works. My role as a translator is to share with others the memories and stories of previously living people by bringing those works back to life in different languages. It is in this fashion that I want to contribute to the examination and enhancement of democracy and the value it holds.

2024 Fellow

Yuko Masunaga is Managing Director of the Investor Relations and Sustainability Department at ORIX Corporation. Prior to joining ORIX, Ms. Masunaga worked as an attorney at a law firm in the United States, specializing in capital markets and environmental law.

Visibility, Resources, and Action: Keys to Addressing Societal Issues

My main takeaway from the program was the importance of visibility and resources in addressing societal issues. During the trip, we were exposed not only to various social issues that the United States faced but also to various people and institutions who were working to address these issues. I was impressed by their passion and sense of justice, as well as their pragmatic approach to identifying solutions and taking concrete, meaningful action. Japan has a lot to learn from America's 'can-do' attitude, and America has a lot to learn from Japan’s consideration for others.

2024 Fellow

Kurumi Otake is a program officer in the Japanese Studies Department of The Japan Foundation, where she is responsible for supporting Japan research institutes and scholars outside of Japan. Ms. Otake is dedicated to building connections and deepening mutual understanding between Japan and people around the world.

Creating Change Through People, Not Numbers

The strongest impression I gained from this program is that personal connections, along with the words and actions of individuals, are the driving force behind progress in communities and societal systems. Democracy, as one such system, is still in its experimental stages and requires the participation of those who believe in its potential. To strengthen U.S.-Japan relations and democracy in various regions that are nurtured through personal connections, I will work with other participants in this fellowship to help create programs that support societies built by people, not just numbers.

2024 Fellow

​Fumihito Shinohara is the deputy director for the Arms Control and Disarmament Division of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Disarmament and Non-proliferation/Science Department. Mr. Shinohara is responsible for fields of prevention related to the United Nations General Assembly (1st Committee) and the Geneva Conference on Disarmament as well as the Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty (FMCT) and the arms race in outer space. 

What Japan Can Learn from Proactive Approaches to Social Issues

One thing I’ve become keenly aware of amidst my fulfilling schedule has been the differences between the U.S. and Japan in terms of political systems and the state of public affairs. These differences, in fact, have even brought about disparities in the nature of citizen participation in democracy. The proactive involvement of U.S. citizens in social issues and the presence of plurality in the public eye are aspects which merit reference by people in Japan. This has renewed my awareness that it is necessary for government entities in democratic nations to respond to the needs of our citizens, and it is also essential that such entities explore pathways for citizens to more actively participate in voting and other political processes.

2024 Fellow

Following his time at the Kyoto City University of Arts (KCUA) Gallery, Hirokazu Tokuyama began his employment at the Mori Art Museum as of 2016 where he currently works as a curator. Mr. Tokuyama has also worked as a visiting professor at Tohoku University of Art & Design.

From Theoretical Knowledge to Practical Understanding

​Through this Fellowship, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of Japanese American history, the American political system, and various approaches to addressing social issues. The most valuable part of my U.S. visit was experiencing historical sites firsthand and hearing personal stories directly from local citizens. This transformed my theoretical knowledge into a more practical and profound understanding of the land, its culture, and its challenges. I was also deeply inspired by the enthusiasm for learning shown by other Fellows, who are active in a wide range of fields, which significantly contributed to my own growth.
 

2024 Fellow

Koichiro Wakai works at UNIQLO as part of the Sustainability Marketing Team in the Global Marketing Department. In this role, Mr. Wakai is responsible for communications related to the clothing recycling initiative “RE.UNIQLO” and the “RE.UNIQLO STUDIO,” which offers repair and remake services to extend the life of apparel.

Respecting Different Values & Turning Differences into a Force for Society

This program has given me a first-hand understanding of how America is a nation composed of people from diverse cultural backgrounds, each with its own values and pride. One thing about the U.S. that's left an incredible impression on me is how people in that country coexist and respect each other's differing values and how they convert those differences into a force for their society. Being given the opportunity to think about U.S.-Japan relations from the standpoint of both Japanese people and Japanese Americans has instilled within me a sense of belonging with both Japan and the United States. From here on, I truly want to serve as a bridge between the U.S. and Japan to strengthen relations between our two nations.
 

2024 Fellow

After graduating from the Law Department of the Faculty of Law at Keio University, Yukino Watanabe began her career at The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. (now MUFG Bank, Ltd.). Currently, Ms. Watanabe works at the bank’s New York branch, where she provides sales support for Japanese listed companies.

Lessons Learned from the History of African American Hardships

During my time in Washington D.C. I studied the trials and tribulations of African Americans, and I saw the horrors of people being treated as objects and being robbed of their basic human rights. While it’s true that democracy is supported by majority rule, at one point in history slavery and racial prejudice were also carried out based on agreement from the masses. Learning from that history, I believe that we must go beyond simply heeding the will of the people or being swayed by the majority, and commit ourselves to creating a system in which that common will is properly and fairly administered for the benefit of all.