U.S.-Japan Network for the Future Program

  • Group photo of fellows in front of the White House
  • Photograph of the meeting

Overview and Objectives of the Program

The U.S.-Japan Network for the Future program, jointly organized by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation and the Japan Foundation (JF), seeks to support the next generations of public policy intellectuals working within the fields of Japan studies and/or policy issues pertinent to U.S.-Japan relations that lay the groundwork for a stable and prosperous world, a necessary component in solving the problems of the future. Specifically, the program aims to identify U.S.- and Japan-based scholars and professionals specializing in the U.S.-Japan relationship who demonstrate an interest in and potential for becoming policy intellectuals, and to support them in this effort. This Network includes U.S.- and Japan-based specialists from all regions of the United States and Japan with diverse expertise and perspectives who can constructively participate in the bilateral policy-making process in the mid- and long-term and contribute to U.S.-Japan understanding.

Programming includes study trips in Washington, D.C., a retreat in Montana, and a study trip in Japan. During the final Washington D.C. event, the participants will have opportunities to present their research.

Eligibility

  • U.S.-based applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents in the U.S. who ideally have a working knowledge of the Japanese language.
  • Japan-based applicants must be Japanese nationals.

*For more detailed information, please refer to latest eligibility and terms for the program.

Cohort 7 Announcement

The Japan Foundation (JF) and The Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation are pleased to announce the beginning of Cohort 7 program, starting with policy workshops in Washington, D.C. in June 2024. Over the course of the two-year program, the fifteen (15) selected U.S.-Japan experts will participate in study trips and retreats in D.C., Montana, and Japan to deepen their understanding of the wide variety of policy issues related to the U.S.-Japan relationship while building professional networks in the United States and Japan.

【Cohort 7 Schedule】
Introductory Meeting in Washington, D.C. June 2024
Retreat in Montana October 2024
Study Trip in Washington, D.C. January 2025
Study Trip in Japan June 2025
Study Trip and Presentations in Washington, D.C. June 2026

Advisory Committee

The U.S.-Japan Network for the Future program receives guidance from an Advisory Committee which consists of U.S.-Japan policy experts.

【Cohort 7 U.S. Advisory Committee Members】

  • Dr. Susan Pharr, Edwin O. Reischauer Research Professor Emerita of Japanese Politics, Harvard University
  • Dr. Mireya Solís, Director, Center for Asia Policy Studies, The Brookings Institution
  • Dr. Phillip Lipscy, Chair, Japan Politics & Global Affairs, University of Toronto, and University of Tokyo
  • Dr. Kiyoteru Tsutsui, Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Professor in Japanese Studies, Stanford University

【Honorary Advisory Committee Members】

  • The late Dr. Ezra Vogel, Henry Ford II Research Professor of the Social Sciences Emeritus, Reischauer Institute of Japanese Studies, Harvard University
  • Dr. Michael Green, Chief Executive Officer at the United States Studies Centre, University of Sydney
  • Dr. Leonard Schoppa, Professor, University of Virginia
  • Dr. Sheila A. Smith, John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies, Council on Foreign Relations
  • Dr. Machi Dilworth, former Vice President for Gender Equality and Human Resource Development, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

【Cohort 7 Japan Advisory Group】

Following the program evaluation in 2017, the program also receives guidance from the Japan Advisory Group.

  • Dr. Koji Murata, Professor, Doshisha University
  • Dr. Kaoru Iokibe, Professor, University of Tokyo

Meet the Fellows

Cohort 7 Program (2024-2026)

Photo of Tyffani Barlow

Tyffani Barlow

Japan Country Director, United States Air Force, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces

Photo of Justin Chock

Justin Chock

Senior Instructor, Political Science Department, U.S. Naval Academy

Photo of Jordan Hamzawi

Jordan Hamzawi

Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

Photo of Yuko Kakazu

Yuko Kakazu

Education, Outreach, and Broader Impacts Manager & Scientist, Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory & National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (Dual Appointment)

Photo of Hirofumi Kawaguchi

Hirofumi Kawaguchi

Associate Professor of Political Science, University of the Ryukyus

Photo of Kyla Kitamura

Kyla Kitamura

Analyst in International Trade and Finance, Congressional Research Service

Photo of Rina Komiya

Rina Komiya

Ph.D. candidate, Tokyo Metropolitan University; Program Adviser, Cabinet Office of Japan

Photo of Joe McReynolds

Joe McReynolds

Senior Research Scientist, Peraton Labs

Photo of David Parker

David Parker

Senior Japan Specialist, Strider Technologies

Photo of Tomoko Takahashi

Tomoko Takahashi

Assistant Professor of International Relations, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University

Photo of Ayumi Teraoka

Ayumi Teraoka

Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Weatherhead East Asian Institute, Columbia University

Photo of Yunchen Tian

Yunchen Tian

Assistant Professor of Political Science, Saint Martin’s University; 2024-2026 JF-Nichibunken Fellow

Photo of Jacob Vawter

Jacob Vawter

Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of State

Photo of Scott Wilbur

Scott Wilbur

Director for Japan Affairs, Office of the U.S. Trade Representative

Photo of Timothy Yang

Timothy Yang

Associate Professor of History and Director of the Center for Asian Studies, University of Georgia

Cohort 6 Program(2022-2024)

Photo of Noriko Akiyama

Noriko Akiyama

Senior Political Writer, The Asahi Shimbun

Photo of Benjamin Bartlett

Benjamin Bartlett

Assistant Professor of Political Science, Miami University

Photo of Paul Christensen

Paul Christensen

Associate Professor of Anthropology, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology

Photo of Charles Crabtree

Charles Crabtree

Assistant Professor of Government, Dartmouth College

Photo of Sayako Kanamori

Sayako Kanamori

Associate Professor, Center for Education in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Osaka University

Photo of Nikhil (Nick) Kapur

Nikhil (Nick) Kapur

Associate Professor of History, Rutgers University-Camden

Photo of Tom Phuong Le

Tom Phuong Le

Associate Professor of Politics, Pomona College

Photo of Tom Mason

Tom Mason

Executive Director, U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation

Photo of Mihoko Matsubara

Mihoko Matsubara

Chief Cybersecurity Strategist, NTT Corporation

Photo of Charles T. McClean

Charles T. McClean

Japan Foundation Postdoctoral Associate, Yale University Council on East Asian Studies

Photo of Lauren McKee

Lauren McKee

Associate Professor of Political Science and Asian Studies, Berea College

Photo of Ryo Morimoto

Ryo Morimoto

Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Princeton University

Photo of Cindi SturtzSreetharan

Cindi SturtzSreetharan

Associate Professor of Anthropology, Arizona State University

For more information of past fellows, please visit the following website.
https://www.jpf.go.jp/cgp/e/exchange/mmmf/list/index.html

[Contact Us]

The Japan Foundation
International Operations Section Ⅰ, Global Partnerships Department.
Tel: +81-3-5369-6072
Email: gp1_info@jpf.go.jp
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