It is my great pleasure to succeed Mr. Shimoyama as Director General of the Japan Foundation, New York as of June 20, 2024. I have had extensive experience in Asia-related programs during my career at the Japan Foundation, including three overseas assignments in the Philippines, China, and South Korea. Prior to my current assignment in New York, I served as the Managing Director of the Global Partnerships Department at our Tokyo Headquarters for two years, overseeing intellectual dialogue and grassroots exchange programs between Japan and the United States. During this period, I had the opportunity to make several business trips to the U.S. and build valuable relationships with key counterparts in our programs, which I consider a significant asset as I embark on this new role in New York.
At our headquarters, recent intellectual dialogue projects have focused on strengthening networks of researchers and experts throughout the Indo-Pacific region to address common global issues such as climate change and disaster resilience. The United States is a crucial partner in implementing these projects, and I firmly believe the collaboration between Japan and the United States can generate substantial benefits for the entire region.
As I move forward in my work, I will be keeping several key points in mind.
First, the importance of fostering the next generation of leaders. From Japanese studies and intellectual dialogue to arts and cultural exchange, it is imperative to nurture individuals who will serve as bridges between Japan and the United States. We hope to create more opportunities for the younger generation, as well as early- to mid-career stage researchers and specialists in both countries, to interact as well as strengthen and broaden their capabilities.
Second, the significance of inter-regional and sub-national exchanges. Thirty-eight Japan-America Societies are active throughout the United States while the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) program places Japanese coordinators in U.S. institutions; the newest cohort of 18 individuals are located at universities and nonprofit organizations in the Midwest, South, and Mountain regions. Additionally, more than 35,000 Americans have visited various parts of Japan through the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program. The U.S.-Japan relationship is supported by these and other diverse grassroots-level exchanges, and to further develop this legacy, it is essential to strengthen ties at the regional level.
Third, the facilitation of exchanges between a diverse spectrum of individuals from both the U.S. and Japan. As societies become more fragmented and complex, it is even more important to ensure that there are appropriate mechanisms to highlight new and reasoned voices from each society that foster deeper understanding and encourage continued dialogue between Japan and the United States.
As you may know, the Japan Foundation has two offices in the United States. JF New York is responsible for Japanese studies and global partnership programs throughout the U.S., as well as culture and arts programs in the 37 states east of the Rocky Mountains. JF Los Angeles, on the other hand, oversees Japanese language education nationwide and culture and arts programs in the 13 states west of the Rocky Mountains.
Our two offices work in close cooperation and are actively engaged in projects across the United States to strengthen people-to-people ties between our two countries. However, there are many things we cannot achieve alone. Collaboration and partnerships with various organizations are essential to the success of our endeavors.
I look forward to meeting and working with all of you who share the same goals and aspirations across the U.S. in my coming tenure here, and beyond.
Hiroyuki KOJIMA
Director General
The Japan Foundation, New York