The U.S. CULCON Next Generation Task Force held a workshop on U.S.-Japan current and potential collaboration in the biotech and cyber security fields on December 7 in the Capitol Building. Experts included Ms. Anne Emig,  National Science Foundation; Dr. Peter Gruss, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST);Dr. Sachiko Kuno, Halcyon; S&R Foundation; Mr. Ted Saeger, U.S. Department of State; and Mr. Rob Sheldon,  CrowdStrike. Dr. Sheila Smith, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR); Vice-chair, U.S. CULCON Panel, Co-chair, CULCON Next Generation Task Force moderated the discussion.  Topics included, “The Need to Support the Next Generation,”  “Biotechnology: Leveraging Science for Global Solutions,” and  “Cyber Security: Protecting Data Today and Preparing for Tomorrow.”

CULCON has highlighted generational transition as one of the most critical issues for the U.S.-Japan relationship and established the Next Generation Task Force in 2016. The Task Force goal is to offer suggestions to U.S. and Japanese public and private sector leaders on how best to support the development of a next generation of U.S.-Japan experts.