Becoming a US-Japan Council Leader: Building bridges between nations

When two people you deeply respect, Glen S. Fukushima and Jackie Funasaki, nominate you for something, you pause. Titles and invitation-only honors have never been my thing. But this one? It means something.

Glen is not only one of the founders of the US‑Japan Council but a lifelong advocate for U.S.-Japan relations, a former trade negotiator, and someone whose leadership has shaped policy and business across the Pacific. Jackie is a powerhouse in the East Bay, a connector who brings people together with purpose and energy. She’s the kind of person who knows everyone, remembers what matters to them, and makes introductions that change lives. Her ability to build community is a masterclass in generosity and intention. Their confidence in me means more than any title ever could.

So, last week, I became a Council Leader at the US‑Japan Council, an organization that has been building bridges between the U.S. and Japan since 2008. Founded by Japanese American leaders like Irene Hirano Inouye and Senator Daniel K. Inouye, USJC has launched programs that matter: the Japanese American Leadership Delegation, the Emerging Leaders Program, and the TOMODACHI Initiative, which has empowered thousands of young leaders since the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. It convenes annual conferences that bring together government, business, and civic leaders, and its work has even been recognized in joint statements by U.S. and Japanese heads of state.

Why does this matter to me and how is it connected to mindfulness? For me , mindfulness isn’t just about slowing down, it’s about aligning your actions with your values.

Becoming a Council Leader is my way of giving back to a relationship that has shaped my life. As a new U.S. citizen with deep roots in Japan, through years of living there and through my Japanese spouse, supporting U.S.-Japan ties feels like honoring these important aspects of my identity. It’s about creating space for dialogue, trust, and opportunity across cultures.

Glen and Jackie remind me what leadership looks like when it’s grounded in service. Glen’s decades of work have opened doors for countless others, and Jackie’s ability to connect people and ideas has strengthened our local community in ways that ripple far beyond the Bay Area. Their example challenges me to lead mindfully, not for recognition, but for impact.

For me, this is synchrodestiny in action: the right people, the right moment, and a shared purpose. I’m humbled and energized to help carry forward this legacy of connection.

Here’s to mindful leadership and to building bridges that last.