On Monday, June 8, 2015, the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC), U.S. CULCON Panel, and the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation (USJBF) held semi-annual meetings in Washington, D.C. The three organizations strive to strengthen U.S.-Japan educational and cultural ties through innovative initiatives. Members discussed issues such as increasing U.S.-Japan student mobility, academic freedom and Japan Studies in the United States. Members also discussed ways to highlight the Commission’s 40^th anniversary and its legacy of preparing Americans to assume future global leadership roles through U.S.-Japan people-to-people exchange.