2025 Program

With the generous support of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) is pleased to present the fourth iteration of its “Building Trade Ties with Japan’s Emerging Female Leaders” program. The program presents the opportunity for five female professionals from Japan with interest and experience in economic-related fields to participant in a program in the U.S. that supports their professional development as Japan’s next generation of female economic leaders and trade negotiators.

This year’s three-day intensive program will include: briefings with senior and emerging business leaders, experienced trade negotiators, and current and former government officials; networking opportunities and events; and a full-day workshop with U.S. peers featuring trade-related case studies, team building exercises, and trade simulations based on real-life negotiating and policy development scenarios that address key trade and economic issues of the day. The program will take place in Washington D.C., and is tentatively set for February 2-6, 2025 (including travel days). The program will cover travel and related expenses, including round-trip economy airfare from Tokyo to the U.S., travel within the U.S., lodging, local transport, and some meals during sessions.

Eligibility

• Nationality: Must be a Japanese national
• Age: 25-45 years old at start of program (to be eligible, candidates must be born in or after 1980) 
• Language Skills: Fluent in English 
• Professional Experience: Women working outside of government with leadership potential, in the field of trade, business or public policy, as well as academics working in these subject areas.

Application Timeline

• Application Window Opens – October 31, 2024 
• Deadline for Application Submissions – December 1, 2024   
• Candidates Selected and Notified – Mid- to late December 2024

*Please note this timeline is subject to change.

Application Process and Materials

To complete and submit an online application, please visit: https://forms.gle/WqGPJTroVcsrMey5A. 

Please note that applicants will need to submit the following items as part of their online application:

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume 
• Statement of Interest: One-page explanation of why the applicant is interested in the program, what they hope to gain from participation, how they will contribute to the success of the program, and how participation aligns with their career goals. 
• One Letter of Recommendation

For questions about the program or application, please email [email protected].

Building a Network of Emerging Female Leaders

Not only does the program provide participants with new skills and competencies to excel in their fields, but also provides access to a growing network of program alumni. As part of this network, participants can engage and network with past cohorts of female economic and trade leaders.

2024 Cohort

• Tomoe Mukae, Manager of Government Affairs and Policy, Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies in Japan
• Nao Suzuki, Deputy Manager, JFE Steel Corporation
• Yui Tanaka, Manager, Government Relations & Climate Action, McDonald’s Japan
• Wakana Inoue, Associate and Chief of Staff for the General Counsel at the Legal and Public Policy Department of Sony Interactive Entertainment LLC
• Mariko Togashi, Visiting Research Fellow at the Institute of Geoeconomics based in Tokyo.
• Sakuya Sato, Associate, Nishimura & Asahi, Japan’s largest law firm
• Sonoko Abe, First Secretary in the Economic section of the Embassy of Japan in the U.S.
• Miku Yamada, Second Secretary in the Economic section of the Embassy of Japan in the U.S.