Immediate Past U.S. and Japanese Ambassadors Roos and Fujisaki to headline JAPAN in 2014 Symposium

USA - English

• USA - English

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) is proud to present JAPAN in 2014 Symposium at the InterContinental LA Century City in Beverly Hills, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2014, from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Established to build meaningful relationships between Japanese and Americans, the JASSC is organizing this symposium for experts from Japan and the U.S. to present their "forecasts" for Japan's economy, security issues and international relations in 2014.  Highlights of the symposium include the first ever meeting in Los Angeles of immediate past ambassadors to Japan and the U.S, Ichiro Fujisaki and John H. Roos. 

"As ambassadors who recently completed their appointments and have 'retired' from diplomatic service, we are looking forward to a candid discussion about their experiences in office and prospects for the future of U.S.-Japan relations," said Douglas Erber, president of JASSC.  "We also are pleased to have discussion panels populated by Japan experts who will share their outlooks for Japan in the coming year."

Expert speakers at the symposium include: Wendy Cutler, acting deputy U.S. trade representative; Yoshimi Inaba, executive chairman, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.; Saori Katada, associate professor of international relations, USC; Richard Katz, editor-in-chief, "The Oriental Economist Report"; Fukunari Kimura, professor, school of economics, Keio University; Brian Peck, deputy director, international affairs, California governor's office of business and economic development; Katsuya Takamiya, chairman and ceo, Mitsubishi Electric U.S.; Steven Vogel, professor of political science, U.C., Berkeley, and; Ryuji Watanabe, general manager, LA branch, Mitsubishi International Corporation.

The JAPAN in 2014 Symposium is made possible by a grant from The Sasakawa Peace Foundation and the National Association of Japan-America Societies.  It is co-presented by JASSC and the Japan Business Association of Southern California.  United Airlines is the official airline for the symposium.  Additional support is provided by the InterContinental LA Century City in Beverly Hills.

General admission for JAPAN in 2014 Symposium is $80 and includes lunch, attendance to all panel discussions and a hosted networking reception.  More information and reservations for the JAPAN in 2014 Symposium, including attractive sponsorship opportunities, can be found online at www.jas-socal.org, or by calling Kay Amano at (310) 965-9050, ext. 104. 

About Japan America Society of Southern California
The Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) was founded in 1909 to build economic, cultural, governmental and personal relationships between the people of Japan and America.  It has grown to become the West Coast's premier educational and public affairs forum dedicated to the U.S.–Japan relationship.  JASSC is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable and educational organization and it is supported by 135 Japanese and American corporate members and more than 2,000 individual members.  www.jas-socal.org 

About The Sasakawa Peace Foundation
The Sasakawa Peace Foundation (SPF) was established in 1986, in Japan, with a mission to contribute to the welfare of humankind and the sound development of the international community, and, thus, to world peace, by conducting activities fostering international understanding, exchange, and cooperation. The Foundation's efforts in support of this mission include surveys and research, development of human resources, invitation and dispatch of personnel, organizing and supporting international conferences and other forums.  www.spf.org

About United Airlines
United Airlines and United Express operate an average of more than 5,300 flights a day to more than 360 airports across six continents. In 2012, United and United Express carried more passenger traffic than any other airline in the world and operated nearly two million flights carrying 140 million customers. United currently operates more than 60 weekly flights from seven cities in the U.S. mainland (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, Houston, New York/Newark, Washington, D.C.) to Tokyo/Narita, in addition to daily nonstop service from  San Francisco to Osaka/Kansai. United is investing in upgrading its onboard products and now offers more flat-bed seats in its premium cabins and more extra-legroom, economy-class seating than any airline in North America. In 2013, United became the first U.S.-based international carrier to offer satellite-based Wi-Fi on long-haul overseas routes. United operates nearly 700 mainline aircraft and has made large-scale investments in its fleet. Business Traveler magazine awarded United Best Airline for North American Travel for 2013. Air Transport World named United as the Eco-Aviation Airline of the Year Gold Winner in 2013. United is a founding member of Star Alliance, which provides service to 195 countries via 28 member airlines. More than 85,000 United employees reside in every U.S. state and in countries around the world. For more information, visit united.com or follow United on Twitter and Facebook.

About Japan Business Association of Southern California
The Japan Business Association of Southern California (JBA) was established in 1960 as a nonprofit corporation to develop and improve the business environment for the 700 Japanese companies operating in Southern California.  JBA primarily engages in the following three activities in support of its mission: Strengthening ties with the local community; educational support activities, and; membership services.  JBA's membership makes it the largest Japanese business association of its type outside of Japan.  www.jba.org

About InterContinental LA Century City at Beverly Hills
The renowned landmark of the InterContinental LA hotel is just minutes away from Beverly Hills, major entertainment studios and sun-drenched beaches.  The hotel features 361 spacious guestrooms including 148 suites, all offering panoramic views of Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the Pacific Ocean.  Guests can dine either in the Park Grill Restaurant or in the elegant Lobby Lounge that offers tapas-style shared plates.  InterContinental LA offers 16,650 square feet of meeting space, including the newly renovated Grand Salon, with more than 4,000 square feet of divisible space.  The InterContinental brand is located in more than 60 countries, operating 138 hotels worldwide. Phone (310) 284-6500.  www.intercontinentallosangeles.com 

Contact:
Kay Amano
Programs Director
Japan America Society of Southern California
phone: (310) 965-9050, ext. 104
email: [email protected]  
web: www.jas-socal.org

SOURCE Japan America Society of Southern California