2019 US Congressional Staff Delegation

May 25–June 1, 2019
Tokyo and Aichi
A delegation of seven US Congressional Staff travelled to Tokyo and Aichi from May 25—June 1, 2019, for a series of meetings with a wide range of Japanese leaders, government representatives, and policy experts for discussions about the dynamics shaping Japanese politics and the US-Japan alliance. This year’s program had a special focus on trade issues, and the group visited Aichi Prefecture, the location of Toyota’s headquarters. The trip also coincided with President Trump’s visit to Japan, and featured meetings with several senior Japanese politicians, including Chief Cabinet Minister, Yoshihide Suga.

Participants

PHILIP “PJ” AUSTIN, Legislative Assistant, Office of Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS)

ROBERT GARDNER, Legislative Assistant, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY)

DREW KENNEDY, Senior Legislative Assistant, Office of Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC)

ZOË ORECK, Legislative Director and General Counsel, Office of Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY)

HILARY RANIERI, Legislative Director, Office of Representative Will Timmons (R-SC)

BRUCE VAUGHN, Specialist in Asian Affairs, Congressional Research Service

CAROLINA YOUNG, Policy Advisor, Office of Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)

This Congressional staff exchange program has been made possible through the generous support of the Japan-US Friendship Commission, an independent federal agency dedicated to strengthening the US-Japan relationship through educational, cultural, and intellectual exchange.