Japan Society

Last Thursday, nearly 700 guests gathered to celebrate and strengthen the #USJapan relationship at our 2024 Annual Dinner. As Japan Society President & CEO Joshua Walker noted in his remarks: "In this critical time, our two countries need each other more than ever before." 📺 Watch our full highlights video for key moments from this historic evening: https://lnkd.in/ecbRU4FU #JSAnnualDinner

Thank you to everyone who attended Japan Society's 2024 Annual Dinner last night! Bringing together over 700 supporters and raising an unprecedented $1.8 million in support of Japan Society's programs throughout the year, the event was a powerful reminder of the enduring vitality of the #USJapan alliance here in New York. We were honored to host an esteemed gathering of guests and speakers, including IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and Rapidus Corporation CEO Atsuyoshi Koike, as well as Alexandra Munroe, recipient of the 2024 Japan Society Award, our wonderful emcee Minami Yusui, and the Young People's Chorus of New York City, who delivered an unforgettable bilingual performance. Last but certainly not least, a heartfelt thanks to the incredible Japan Society team whose hard work and dedication made this event a success. Stay tuned for more highlights from the #JSAnnualDinner! 📸: Daphne Youree

Had the good fortune to catch the Japan Society's Zen Painting exhibit, which closes on June 16 - there's still time! All of the paintings are stunning, but this one - Two Blind Men Crossing a Log Bridge, by Buddhist master Hakuin Ekaku (1685-1768) - caught my eye. Per the exhibit notes: "Hakuin instructs that we should proceed slowly and methodically across the 'bridge' of life, implying that, without the enlightenment of the Buddha, we are all effectively blind, riddled with uncertainty as we inch forward across it." While viewing this painting, I felt grateful to those who have helped me across it in both life and work (which are so closely intertwined). #japansociety

We had the pleasure of hosting a private luncheon and discussion session at Japan Society featuring Atsuyoshi Koike, President and CEO of Rapidus Corporation, who shed light on the company’s vision to represent the forefront of Japan’s semiconductor industry. With its partnership with IBM, the company is accelerating its disruptive innovation to develop 2-nanometer node chips, which will have significant implications for regional security and broader U.S.-Japan relations in geotechnology. Excited to share with a much wider community at tonight’s Annual Dinner I look forward to seeing many of you where Koike-san will be joined by IBM Chairman and CEO Arvind Krishna in what is sure to be a fascinating keynote dialogue, and looking forward to the U.S.-Japan community coming together to hear from these game changing leaders.

Japan Society notes with sadness the passing of internationally acclaimed architect Fumihiko Maki. Widely recognized as one of Japan’s most influential architects, Mr. Maki was a prolific and forthright proponent of modern architecture whose award-winning buildings combined a traditionally Japanese aesthetic sensibility with the use of modern technology and materials. In 2004, Mr. Maki was honored with the Japan Society Award for his commitment and dedication to a broad creative vision fusing Eastern and Western cultures. “The ultimate aim of architecture is to create spaces to serve society,” Mr. Maki wrote at that time, “and in order to achieve this, the architect must understand human activities from the standpoints of history, ecology, and changing trends.” Mr. Maki, we celebrate your work and your memory. 🕊 https://lnkd.in/eufEdYgk _______________ 📸: In 1994, a year after he won the Pritzker Architecture Prize, Fumihiko Maki gave a lecture at Japan Society on “The Philosophy and Works of a Master Modernist Architect.” © Gregory Cherin 📸: Fumihiko Maki and his wife, with Hideyuki Takahashi (right), President and CEO, Nomura Holding America, Inc. and Vice Chairman, Japan Society, at the 2004 Japan Society Annual Dinner. © George Hirose 📸: © George Hirose

We welcomed many distinguished guests in Tokyo on May 20 at the International House of Japan for a reception, bringing together almost 160 folks – spanning our former and current Board members, individual supporters, and other special guests representing the business, academia, arts, and culture communities to celebrate Japan Society’s mission and future. Check out our highlights reel from the event here! : https://lnkd.in/eJMSVWYf

Japan Society’s 2024 Annual Dinner is just one week away! A momentous celebration of the enduring #USJapan relationship, our largest yearly fundraiser will bring together influential leaders, friends and supporters for an evening of insightful dialogue and exceptional performances at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel. This year, we are excited to welcome keynote speakers Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, and Atsuyoshi Koike, President & CEO of Rapidus Corporation, for a highly anticipated fireside chat moderated by Japan Society Board Chair Merit Janow. This timely discussion will delve into the critical role of #semiconductors in global commerce and U.S.-Japan cooperation. We are also honored to present Alexandra Munroe, Senior Curator at Large, Global Arts, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, with the 2024 Japan Society Award. Alexandra's contributions to art and cultural exchange have been instrumental in bridging the gap between the U.S. and Japan. Adding to the night’s festivities, the Young People’s Chorus of New York City will deliver a memorable performance, and the event will be emceed by Broadway’s Minami Yusui, founder of YU-project. We look forward to seeing everyone on June 13! Tag your posts with #JSAnnualDinner and learn more here: https://lnkd.in/eCukUUCS

We just unveiled the complete lineup for the 17th annual #JAPANCUTS film festival and IndieWire has already dubbed it “one of the most exciting events on New York cinephiles’ summer calendars.” 👏🍿 Returning to Japan Society this summer from July 10-21, JAPAN CUTS is North America’s largest festival of contemporary Japanese film. Today, we’re thrilled to finally share with you an incredible lineup comprised of 30+ premieres from across Japan—including the international premiere of SHIN GODZILLA: ORTHOCHROMATIC, the U.S. premiere of SHADOW OF FIRE with CUT ABOVE Award Honoree Mirai Moriyama, newly restored classics, cutting-edge experimental shorts and more! Japan Society members enjoy early access to tickets starting today! Tickets go on sale to the public next Tuesday, June 11. Browse all films here: japansoc.org/JCUTS2024 #4JAPACUTS2024

Japan Society and the Asia Pacific Initiative (API) at the International House of Japan jointly hosted a seminar on the U.S. Presidential election and the state of U.S.-Japan relations last Friday afternoon at the International House of Japan. President and CEO Joshua Walker and Professor Ken Jimbo, Managing Director and President of API led the discussion on what lies ahead for our two countries during this consequential period. We were delighted to welcome our respective members and communities in Tokyo to join this dialogue and look forward to future events!

We were honored and privileged to have the opportunity to participate in a business executive seminar, hosted by the Keidanren U.S. Affairs Committee in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday. President and CEO Joshua Walker and Chair of the Board of Directors Merit Janow, Dean Emerita & Professor of Practice, School of International & Public Affairs, Columbia University, provided comments on the U.S. economy, as well as the upcoming U.S. presidential election and its potential impact on U.S.-Japan business relations. The discussion was expertly moderated by Mr. Jun Sawada, NTT Chairman and Chair of the Keidanren U.S. Affairs Committee. We are grateful to Keidanren and its distinguished member companies and network for participating. And, a special thank you to our Board members, Jun Makihara and Eri Kakuta for their participation and critical, unwavering support!