When Sue Mark and Bruce Douglas of marksearch and their 11-year-old son Roli left their Oakland home for Tokyo in mid-March, they wondered if they were making the right choice. California’s governor had just issued a shelter-in-place order, and concerns about the coronavirus were ramping up. For months they had been planning to live in Tokyo, […]
The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission mourns the loss of Irene Hirano Inouye, who passed away recently after a long illness. Irene’s distinguished career and tireless efforts building and leading organizations supporting the arts, human rights and U.S.-Japan relations are extraordinary. Within the U.S.-Japan community, Irene was not only an influential advocate for people-to-people exchange between Japan […]
The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) is continuing to prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of our grantees, staff, Commissioners, visitors, and the public at large. In consideration of safety, operational continuity for our mission-focused work, and guidance from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, JUSFC, CULCON, U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation and U.S. JET Alumni Association staff […]
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) is recommending current grantees temporarily pause all JUSFC-funded programs and meetings that involve travel to and from Japan. JUSFC prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of our grantees, staff, Commissioners, and visitors. We will continue to review safety and operational constraints on our programs. […]
The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving developments of the new coronavirus (COVID-19). In the interest of public health, JUSFC is taking all prudent and necessary steps to protect the well-being of staff, Commissioners, visitors, as well as our strategic and grantee partners, while continuing our mission work. JUSFC’s programs and meetings […]
Cameron McKinney performs at the Men In Dance Show. See video clip here. From an early age, Cameron McKinney had a fascination and love for Japanese music and culture. This led him to the library in middle school, where he began to teach himself how to write Japanese characters. Subsequently he found and participated in a […]
The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC), CULCON and the U.S.-Japan Bridging Foundation (USJBF) offer exceptional opportunities for students considering a career in U.S.-Japan relations. We are currently seeking two (2) Summer interns to support current initiatives, which include activities promoting U.S.-Japan cultural, educational and people-to-people exchange. Interns will be working from a small office in a […]
Benjamin Volta creates intricate public murals and sculptures, working in the fields of education, restorative justice and urban planning. For almost two decades, Ben has developed a collaborative process with Pennsylvania public schools to create participatory art rooted in the belief that art can be a catalyst for change. Cho Kuwakado is an arts educator […]
