The US-Japan relationship was at the forefront of student, faculty, and community members' minds as they gathered in the Ohio Union on Oct. 7 for a conference focusing on the two countries' ties. 

On this date, the East Asian Studies Center (EASC) hosted “Strengthening the U.S.-Japan Economic and Security Alliance in Ohio: A Workshop on the U.S.-Japan Regional Alliance” event. The workshop, organized in collaboration with the non-profit Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, sought to further knowledge about the US-Japan relationship in Ohio, with a focus on trade and the bilateral alliance. The event was opened by the director of the East Asian Studies Center, Dr. Mitch Lerner, followed by remarks from University President Walter "Ted" Carter, who highlighted the importance of the US-Japan relationship. After President Carter's speech, experts convened for two lively panel discussions. In these discussions, panelists shared their insights and experiences relating to the US-Japan relationship. The panels were moderated by Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, President and Chairman of Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, and Dr. William Chou, the Deputy Director and Japan Chair at the Hudson Institute. 

The first panel focused on the US-Japan security relationship and featured Adm.(retired) Tomohisa Takei, former Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, Lt. Gen. (retired) Larry Nicholson, of the US Marine Corps, and Col. Peter Mansoor (retired), currently a professor of military history at Ohio State. The second panel, which focused on Japan's economic investment in Ohio, was composed of business professionals who work in sectors related to US-Japan trade and manufacturing. These panelists included Ms. Yuka Hayashi, Senior Fellow of the Progressive Policy Institute, Ms. Teruko Wada, Senior Manager of International Affairs at Keidanren, and Dr. Hiroaki Kawamua, Associate Professor at the University of Findlay. Following two sets of engaging discussions and lively Q and A sessions, Dr. Lerner closed the proceedings, emphasizing the continued importance of maintaining and expanding the US-Japan relationship in an increasingly globalized world and stating that Ohio was honored to be part of that effort.