2016 Delegates at the symposium in Kobe The Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) program provides the opportunity for a select group of Japanese American leaders from across the United States to travel to Japan to engage with Japanese leaders in the business, government, academic, non-profit and cultural sectors. The trip also allows Japanese leaders to gain a greater understanding of multi-cultural America through the experiences of a diverse group of Japanese Americans. Upon their return, delegates collaborate with program alumni, the local consulates, the U.S.-Japan Council and local and national community organizations to continue strengthening ties between the U.S. and Japan. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), represented in the U.S. by the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC and 16 consulate general offices, sponsors the program. The U.S.-Japan Council provides administration and organization for the program. JALD began in 2000 and 186 delegates have participated to date. 

To view information about the 2016 Delegation, please visit the archive page. We are pleased to announce the 2017 delegates!where to buy seaweed for sushi in singapore DAVID BOONE (Alexandria, VA) President, CB&I (Chicago Bridge & Iron) Federal Servicesjogos sushi chef 2 JASON FUJIMOTO (Hilo, HI)President & COO, HPM Building Supplysushi online semarang SAWAKO GARDNER (Portsmouth, NH)Judge, 10th Circuit Court, Portsmouth District Court, State of New Hampshirejiro dreams of sushi video on demand ROY HIRABAYASHI (San Jose, CA)Co-Founder and past Executive Director, San Jose Taikojiro dreams of sushi blu ray uk

LESLIE A. ITO (Los Angeles, CA)President & CEO, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center LYNN NAKAMOTO (Salem, OR)Associate Justice, Oregon Supreme Courttakeout sushi oakville PATRICK OISHI (Seattle, WA)Judge, King County Superior Courtsushi new york hatsuhana KEN RUSSELL (Miami, FL)Commissioner, District 2, City of Miami MICHAEL TAKADA (Chicago, IL)Chief Executive Officer, Japanese American Service Committee WENDY TAKAHISA (New York, NY)Executive Director, Office of Community Relations, Morgan Stanley The relationship between the U.S. and Japan is considered by many as the most important bilateral relationship in the world, and Japanese Americans are uniquely positioned to help shape it. The connections between Japanese and Japanese Americans are complex. While World War II played a major role in severing ties between Japanese Americans and Japan, today’s opportunities for collaboration and mutual benefit are great and demand a renewed commitment to involving Japanese Americans in U.S.-Japan relations.

The Japanese American Leadership Delegation provides Japanese American leaders with the opportunity to become acquainted or re-engaged with Japan and participate in discussions related to the role that Japanese Americans can play in addressing key issues that face both countries, now and in the future. The first delegation was invited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) to visit Japan in 2000. It included third and fourth generation Japanese Americans selected from various professional fields including the educational, cultural, philanthropic, legal and political sectors. Since the initial trip, delegations of Japanese American leaders from throughout the United States have visited Japan every year since 2002. JALD Alumni have created a network to ensure that the commitment to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations is maintained. There have been JALD national reunions and several alumni groups have traveled back to Japan together to build on and sustain important relationships built on the program.

Alumni of the program are invited and encouraged to join the U.S.-Japan Council’s national networking of Japanese American leaders known as Council Members and participate in Council programming and events. 2016 Japanese American Leadership Delegation 2015 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2014 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2013 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2012 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2011 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2010 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2009 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2008 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2007 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2006 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2005 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2004 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2003 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2002 Japanese American Leadership Delegation2000 Japanese American Leadership DelegationOver a week after the deal reportedly came together and a few days after there were reported concerns over his physical, the Kenta Maeda signing with the Dodgers has come to fruition.

Today the #Dodgers announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Kenta Maeda to an eight-year contract. — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) January 7, 2016 The deal has been reported as eight years and $25 million with plenty of incentives. As part of the deal, the Dodgers had to ship a $20 million posting fee to the Hiroshima Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball, as Maeda was still under contract there. Maeda, 27, was 97-67 with a 2.39 ERA in eight seasons in Japan's top league. His best year was in 2012, but he was pretty stellar last season, too, going 15-8 with a 2.09 ERA, 1.01 WHIP and 175 strikeouts in 206 1/3 innings. Many see Maeda as a mid-rotation guy but we can't definitively know until he starts seeing big-league action. He does balance out a lefty-heavy Dodgers rotation, which looks as follows: 1. Clayton Kershaw, L2. The next option is also a lefty in Alex Wood, but right-hander Brandon McCarthy is due around mid-season as he returns from Tommy John surgery.