Japan-U.S. Security Treaty 50 Years On

This past Tuesday marked the 50 year anniversary of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty. The last 50 years has seen our (American) relationship with Japan change multiple times and today we may again be in a transition period.

Four of the AECs including myself had the pleasure of attending an event hosted by the Japan-Society in New York City on the day of the anniversary in their building between 1st and 2nd on 47th street. As part of an audience of 60 or so other members, many from businesses and governmental organizations, we were able to see an intergenerational panel discussion about the current and future relationship between the U.S. and Japan. We heard from three speakers who have had an impact on US-Japan relations the past, as well as three younger speakers who look to contribute to the relations in the future.

Some of the talk revolved around the current Futenma issue, but the panelists stressed that the relationship is beyond Futenma. A particularly interesting comment was mentioned by Mr. Evans Revere who proclaimed that the U.S. can only go so far in pressuring Japan and that in the end it is Japan's territory. Although the U.S. Defense Department may not be extremely happy, he again pointed out that our alliance is larger than Futenma. That in itself displays some of the misunderstandings between the two sides since it seems like the Japan side is stuck pondering the implications of the actions they want to take, fearful of how the U.S. may react.

All of the panelists agreed that Futenma is just a bump on the road of our long relationship. A few pointed out that in the past we have had much bigger issues come between our two countries and we still have persevered. Another panelist exclaimed that these bumps were actually indicative of an excellent relationship between our two countries; the turbulence is a result of the high expectations on both sides from each other and the rest of the world.

All in all, I left the event looking forward to the future of the two countries. Although JASC has an incredibly diverse delegate/alumni base, I'm hopeful that we'll be making contributions to the relationship in the future in one facet or another.
:)

You can see the official information (Who the panelists were, etc.) about the event here!
http://www.japansociety.org/event_detail?eid=66675a80

Another Introduction!

(me with my friend Taishi Asano from JASC)

Hello !

My name is Mariama Holman and I am another one of the American Executive Committee members for the 62nd JASC. I am the publications director of JASC. Right now I am a sophomore at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. I am leading the San Francisco Site with my super-fabulous partner, Ikuno Naka. Also, I am the American leader for the Social Entrepreneurship Roundtable, which I co-lead with the "Incredible" Shuta Takada.
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, but I have spent a larger portion of my life in Georgia, therefore, I officially consider myself a southerner. However, I definitely enjoy visiting my family in New York and Chicago during the summer and reacquainting myself with my birth city. Right now, my home is in Atlanta, Georgia, and I am loving it. It has the most INCREDIBLE weather, and I feel sorry for the other AEC’s that are situated in the rust-belt and cannot enjoy a lovely 60 degrees spring...

My interests outside of school and career are dominated by the arts, especially painting and drawing. During my high school years I often drew caricatures or painted faces and bodies at fairs, festivals, and charity events. I especially liked to travel to nursing homes or hospitals and create portraits while being entertained with lively conversation.
Besides the visual arts, I REALLY enjoy music and poetry. I am the host of a Jazz show on my school’s student radio station. You can check out my show times for the upcoming semester at radio.wfu.edu. Additionally, I love to attend spoken word poetry slams at my school and in Atlanta. I have even read a poem or two of my own a few times…

ANY WHO,

I applied to JASC because I am just a naturally inquisitive person… Ha ha ha… Honestly, I thought JASC was a great opportunity for me to travel abroad and meet people from a different background from my own. Since I spent a huge chunk of my life in a small, isolated area of the South- I didn’t often engage in a diverse community. My “international experiences” were pretty limited before JASC. Besides a bathroom break at a gas station on the Canadian border when I was 6, I really hadn’t seen the outside world much…

After taking an incredible class on East Asian History and a Social Problems course in college, I realized that I had a strong interest in the study of globalization and its impacts on economics and society. During my Asian History course I was especially interested in the 1960’s of Japan and the expansion of the economy. This really piqued my interest because my folks raised me on stories about “back in the day,” which often times consisted of their first encounters with Japanese products and culture. I remember hearing about the first Japanese product on the American market- tiny Japanese transistor radios given to all good little boys and girls on Christmas. Or, tales of Speed Racer, Astro Boy, and other early forms of Japanese cartooning.

Back then, I thought it was incredible that Japan became an international economic leader in technological and pop-culture trends that hugely impact daily American life. Experiencing Japanese culture and society first-handedly and making friends from across the world further cemented my interests.

Today, I am still astounded at the great experiences I have had and friends that I have made through JASC. JASC was a great opportunity for me, and I don’t think I have learned half as much in any other month of my teenage life. If you all are looking for an adventure where you learn about yourself as well as the international community, JASC is definitely the place for you to be this summer!

Happy New Year

Peace and Deuces...
Mariama

Happy New Years! (Late) AEC Intro

Hello, this is the blog administrator. It has come to my attention that the people who have been given permission to post on this blog are the JASC 62 executive committee members "Naoki, Leah, David, Diane, Ikuno, Mariama and 62nd JASC AEC." While "62nd JASC AEC" may (or may not) be a fitting author for administrative announcements, it is unfortunately being used at the cost of the administrator's own name and email address. Astonishingly, the administrator is actually (a) human.
My name is Yudai Chiba. I am a senior at Princeton University majoring in East Asian Studies and getting a certificate in musical performance (violin). My JASC duties include cross-cultural liaison (or alternatively, AEC/JEC liaison) and technology = maintaining this blog. Lessons that I've learned (or am afraid I will be forced to learn soon) include A) communication gaps don't get bridged when you don't communicate and B) blogs don't set themselves up and entries don't write themselves. My New Year's resolution includes a clause about being a more responsive and responsible AEC member... orz Sorry everybody :(

In terms of other AEC responsibilities, I am also one of the site coordinators for the Richmond, IN site at Earlham College. I also happen to be an Indiana native so I'm very excited about this site...! I would have never guessed that JASC 62's first site would be in Indiana. To be perfectly honest I grew up in Indiana thinking it was the most boring place on Earth, and it's strange because I'm now trying to think of how I can convince others from thinking the same f(^^;) Really, though, I'm glad that JASC is coming to Indiana this year, and I can only hope that we can make our stay in Richmond (IN) a worthwhile one. Right, Diane...? ;)

I will also be co-running the roundtable (RT) "Security, Military and Peace: The US and Japan," which will focus on discussions of the Japan-US Alliance. Both my JEC partner, Mari, and I hope (I think??) to make it an engaging discussion in the spirit of the Alliance's 50th anniversary!

My hobbies? Ha, you'll find out if you apply to JASC~ >∀< Well, for one thing I play violin and have been since I was 4; I have been a member of the university orchestra since my freshman year. But that's not all! Teehee.

My plans after graduation? Haha, you'll, find, out, if, you, apply, to, JASC...?

For now, "doron!" (*The sound effect when ninjas disappear. Poof!)

me intro

Hello friends!

My name is Ikuno, and I'm currently a sophomore at Wellesley College. I am the Public Relations and Promotions/Recruitment coordinator for JASC. I will also be organizing the California site with Mariama! During the 62nd JASC, I will be leading the roundtable discussion on the role of National Identity in the Globalizing Society with my Japanese counterpart Yuri.

Last summer I participated in the 61st JASC, which was one amazing experience. In just one month, not only did I learn more about my heritage country, but I also met 72 wonderful JASCers and had tons of interesting adventures on the way.

Alittle bit more info about me:

I'm a nomad. I've been moving around, living in many different countries from day 1. Interestingly, although I am Japanese by nationality, I've never once lived in Japan. I guess, this was one reason for my interest in participating in the 61st JASC. But perhaps more importantly, the fact that JASC was a completely student-run, student-focused conference that challenged students to think about their role in global issues was something that truly excited me!

Currently at Wellesley, I'm studying History. I'm currently really fascinated by 15th to 18th century Latin America history. But I've also taken some really great classes on Asian American-Japanese American History.

Well I think that's about it for me! I wish you all a wonderful HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hoorah for the coming year of 2010! And horrah for the coming 62nd JASC!

I hope you all apply!

(*o*)

Towards Global Awareness: Celebrating 75 Years of JASC

Naoki here, hope everything is going well for everyone out there! Now that finals are over or are just about wrapped up, you all (and us) finally are free for winter break ^^. Unfortunately for me...mine will end soon since I'll be back in Ithaca in less than a week ><.

But..in my short time home on Long Island, I was able to attend an event that was organized in New York City last Friday (12/18) by two of the AEC members from the 61st JASC. It was a small but exciting celebration of 75 years of JASC. A quick history reminder, JASC began in 1934, after the Manchurian Incident. One of the main reasons JASC is such an amazing experience is because of the people that you get to meet both during and after the conference!

We had two former JASCers, Ms. Margaret Haas (President, The Haas Associates, Inc. JASC 21, 22, 24) and Ms. Nancy Silverman (Assistant Vice President, Executive Risks. JASC 49, 50), attend and speak for a short period of time. Both offered their own experiences on how JASC changed them and how it affected their careers. It was exciting to hear that some of their closest friends today were still JASCers from their own delegations.

Afterwards, we had a panel of 61st JASCers (Summer 2009), Jose Pulido (sophomore at GWU), and Yudai Chiba (another one of our 62nd AECs!) and myself. Each of us were able to talk about why we applied to JASC and what we were able to come out of JASC with. Personally, I feel like JASC has fostered my own development as a student leader, encompassing even my activities outside of JASC.

Its only been 1/3 of a year since JASC61, but it still feels like just yesterday... I'm going to see some more JASCers tomorrow, and can't wait ^^.

Happy Holidays and have a good New Year!

-Naoki

Finally a new AEC Intro >.<

Hello~! My name is Diane Lee. Currently I'm a Junior at Smith College (same as Leah!) double majoring in English and Government. I'm currently leaning towards pre-law. I attended the 61st JASC last year and had a blast and now I'm the promotion/PR/Indiana site coordinator!!! I will also be leading the Education RT with the lovely Azua who you guys saw in the photo below with Leah. As Naoki said all the AEC are working hard to take the 62nd JASC a great year!!! So....APPLY!!!!!!! ^^

I found out about JASC through a school newsletter and decided to apply 2 weeks before the deadline! >.< but I don't regret it. I applied because I've never been to Japan and really wanted to go and thought it would a great experience both academically and for pure fun. I met tons of friends, got to explore Japan and learned a lot. But what is most memorable I think are the times spent with all the JASCers and all the new friends you make. It is really unreal how close everyone gets within a short period of a month. I was always interested in Japan culturally (including food...keke although I don't like raw fish! gasp*) and became interested in it academically as I took a class on Japan Foreign Policy last year which was the semester before JASC started. I'm also taking a class on Japanese Government right now which sustains my academic interest in Japan. I have to say...it is quite interesting...LOL. I also have always wanted to learn Japanese due to the interest in culture and also the similarities it has with Korean. I decided to learn Japanese after JASC and am taking Japanese I right now. It's quite fun~ So a little background information on me: I was born in Seoul, Korea. I moved to the U.S. in second grade and have lived in NY ever since. I love NY! I still go back sometimes but not as often as I'd like. I still speak Korean often with friends and family. On my free time I love hanging out with friends, go singing at nrb/karaoke, eat different foods, watch Korean dramas...haha well that is all I can think of. Oh and I love dogs!!! Please check out the ISC website and apply to JASC. You won't regret it! It'll be one of the most memorable summers you'll have.

-Diane

Another AEC member arrives...

Hullo all,

My name is David Myers. I'm the 62nd AEC treasurer/Washington DC site co-coordinator/a bunch of other different roles during the conference.
I'm a political science sophomore (soon to possibly be asian studies minor) at the State University of New York at Geneseo (its a bit of a mouthful). During the 61st JASC I was a delegate in the Public Interests vs. Private Rights roundtable and I will be co-heading: Empowering Today's Youth: Overcoming challenges in society, round table with my co RT leader Natsuki Sakata.

A little more about myself:
I'm a native of Queens, NY and I've lived there all my life. I'm quite prideful of New York City (best place ever) and although I don't have much of an accent, I've been known to try and pull of the New York voice. In addition, I'm a bit of a political science nerd/an all around dork.



I've always had an interest in Asian cultures and I have a particular soft spot for Japan; from the culinary (Japanese food ranks pretty high in my list) to the artistic (I'm a nerd when it comes to anime/I have a thing for Japanese architecture). I'm also trying to get myself more acquainted with Japanese politics and the political system which is truly unique.

I originally applied for JASC purely based on my interest and desire to go to Japan but it turned out to be more then that. I've met some of the most interesting people, done stuff I never thought I would ever get to do and had an amazing time. I hope that everyone that reads this blog gets a good idea of JASC/seriously considers JASC/and ultimately applies for JASC.

We're trying to plan what we hope to be will be an amazing conference and an amazing month that everyone will enjoy and remember. Trust me. It will be pretty awesome.

For now, Tchuss!