JUSFC 50th Anniversary Interview Series – Darian David

JUSFC > 50th Anniversary > JUSFC 50th Anniversary Interview Series – Darian David

Darian David, Deputy Chief of Staff & District Director for Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01): FMC Legislative Exchange Participant

For 50 years, The Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission (JUSFC) has been committed to strengthening the U.S.-Japan Alliance by promoting U.S.-Japan Legislative Exchanges. Legislative Exchanges function as a platform to create robust diplomatic engagement and cooperation between the United States and Japan, as these exchanges enable U.S. Congressmembers to establish cross-sectoral working relationships with Japanese government, business, academia, and civil society. Over its five decades promoting these exchanges, JUSFC has partnered with several leading partner organizations who structure these legislative exchanges to address timely topics for the U.S.-Japan Alliance. Recent grantee-partners include the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC), the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE), and The Maureen & Mike Mansfield Foundation.

 In recent years, as global issues become increasingly relevant at the local level, JUSFC has extended these exchanges to include District Directors in Members’ Offices to increase understanding of the U.S.-Japan partnership at the local level and increase engagement in the U.S.-Japan community. This article features Darian David, the Deputy Chief of Staff & District Director for Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01), who participated in JUSFC-funded 2022 U.S. Congressional District Director Study Tour to Tokyo and Fukuoka, organized by the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress. 

 About Darian David

Darian David is a West Virginia transplant from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a passion for promoting her adopted State. In her current role, Darian serves as District Director and Deputy Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Carol Miller from West Virginia’s First Congressional District. She has a robust background in political campaigns and fundraising, working on various races in numerous states. Prior to joining Congresswoman Miller, Darian had the pleasure of serving as Finance Director for U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia. Prior to her experience with Senator Capito, Darian spent three years with a local hospital foundation as a Development Officer.

What would you say was your biggest takeaway about Japan and the importance of the U.S.–Japan relationship from your legislative exchange experience in Japan?

Participating in this program gave me a much deeper understanding of the US-Japan relationship. I was able to see firsthand how our nations work together and just how similar we are. The Member I work for, Congresswoman Carol D. Miller, sits on the House Ways and Means Committee with a position on the trade subcommittee. She was very interested in hearing about our trip and what major topic. When members of her staff travel, it helps provide her with direct testimonials as she discusses trade policy. She met Congressional Minister Tomoaki Ishigaki, and we discussed my trip ahead of that meeting. I grew to understand the valued relationship between the US and Japan that remains more valued today, years later.

What are the short- and long-term benefits of participating in this exchange? 

Participating in this exchange was incredibly valuable to my work and office. I gained valuable relationships with other offices, both Republican and Democrat, of which I am still in touch with today. The experience of being in Japan was particularly meaningful to my work, as my home state of West Virginia has a strong tie to Japan. We are fortunate to have Japanese companies as investors and employers in our state. Roughly 4,000 West Virginians are employed by a Japanese company. Gaining a better understanding of Japanese culture, way of life, and government has been hugely beneficial to my work.

Please tell us about any lessons learned or opportunities available for your office or district as a result of your experience.

We are fortunate to have a small Toyota manufacturing plant in our Congressional district, and they were thrilled I was able to travel to Japan. Our relationship has been strengthened as a result. In addition to deepening my knowledge about important constituents, the trip enabled me to establish new relationships and create further opportunities for engagement. Upon returning from my trip to Japan, I met with our state’s Economic Development Office International Division and provided them a recap of my trip and shared business cards I collected. Our International Division has an office in Japan, and I think the information I shared was helpful. Their team was heading to Japan the following month, and they followed up with one of the Universities I met with during my FMC Trip and were able to discuss collaborating on manufacturing technology.