U.S. and Japanese CULCON Panels convened for CULCON XXVII in Tokyo on June 16-17, 2016. The panelists were joined by Ambassador Caroline Kennedy to discuss aspects of cultural, arts and educational exchange in U.S.-Japan relations. Highlights of the meetings include:

• The title of “Honorary Member” was officially presented to Ambassador Kennedy by both Chairs in recognition of her important role in reinforcing the strong ties between the United States and Japan;
• The Panels agreed that the issue of generational transition is most critical for the U.S.-Japan relationship, and established a new task force to examine the issues surrounding fostering of “The Next Generation of Leadership in the US Japan Relationship”;
• CULCON commended efforts by the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) and U.S. Embassy Tokyo to launch a pilot program offering internship opportunities for U.S. and Japanese students in Japan;
• CULCON discussed the importance of student mobility between the two countries, attention to English language education in Japan, Japanese language education in the U.S., globalization of universities; and cultivating partnerships between U.S. and Japanese universities (through the TeamUp campaign) for the future of U.S.-Japan relations.

The United States-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON), is comprised of representatives from the government, business, academe and other sectors of Japan and the United States. The 27th Plenary Meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Ryozo Kato, Former Ambassador of Japan to the United States and Mr. Harry A. Hill, President and CEO, Oak Lawn Marketing, Inc. The Panels received congratulatory messages from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and President Barack Obama, delivered by Japanese Director-General for Cultural Affairs Makita Shimokawa and the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Walter Douglas, respectively. For the full text please click: Joint Statement CULCON XXVII FINAL.