2017 Japanese Young Political Leaders Delegation to the US

October 24–November 2, 2017
Washington DC; Orange County, CA

Six local legislators and party staffers from Japan visited Washington DC and Orange County, California, as part of the 2017 Japanese delegation of the US-Japan Young Political Leaders Exchange Program, which is co-sponsored by JCIE and the American Council for Young Political Leaders (ACYPL).

In Washington, their agenda included meetings with government officials, political campaign committees, policy experts, and business representatives. Topics for discussion included US-Japan relations, East Asian security, US politics, US environmental policy, immigration policy, and youth in politics.

The group then headed to Orange County in Southern California for meetings with local politicians from the cities of La Palma and La Habra, county officials, and the state legislature, and private sector representatives. They visited the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum and UC Irvine as well. These meetings focused on city and county governance, US elections, local water and sanitation issues, and the use of artificial intelligence in elections.

Participants

TAKUMA FURUYA, Director, Public Speeches Division, Party Organization and Campaign Headquarters, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

RIEKO FUKUDA, Member, Shunan City Council, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)

TORU KAWABATA, Chief, Komei Press Chugoku Branch (Komeito)

TAKAHISA ODA, Member, Sagamihara City Council, Democratic Party (DP)

SATORU SUZUKI, Manager, Public Relations Department, DP Headquarters Office

RISA TANAKA, Manager, Policy Research Council, LDP Headquarters Office

KOICHIRO YORIMITSU, Member, Kochi Prefectural Assembly, LDP

DAI FUNAKI, Program Officer, Japan Center for International Exchange [Escort]

This program is organized in cooperation with the American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) and with the kind assistance of Japanese program alumni who have visited the US on this program.