Session 1: Japan's Global Impact

Apply now! We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Interested students are encouraged to submit an online application by midnight on Friday, May 31, 2024. Spots are limited, so students are encouraged to apply early to increase their chances of admission.

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Students accepted for this session will receive an email and informational packet approximately one week before the session's first day.

What topics might be discussed during the Japan's Global Impact session?

• Cultural roots of J-pop, social change, and cultural industries
• The J-pop global market
• Economic and social impact of J-pop, manga, anime, and popular culture
• Technology and innovation, and their intersections with culture and the J-pop industry
• Soft power, diplomacy, and global impact
• Japan's robotic revolution
• Japan's space exploration, satellite technology, and international cooperation on space projects
• Artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and robotics in Japan
• Japan's geopolitical relevance in East Asia and beyond

About the Speakers

Bradley Bailey has served as the inaugural Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Curator of Asian Art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, since 2017. He earned his B.A., M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in art history, as well as his M.B.A., with emphasis on nonprofit management and museums, from Yale University. In addition to Meiji Modern, his current projects include an exhibition of Zen paintings from the Gitter-Yelen Collection (co-curated with Professor Yukio Lippit, Harvard University) that will open at the Japan Society in New York, March 8-June 16, 2024 and is accompanied by a free online e-catalogue, complete with entries and essays by Bailey and Lippit, and published by the MFAH. 

In 1980, after a recent divorce and her 4-year-old daughter in tow, Donna Fujimoto Cole founded Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc. with $5,000. Today, ICIS ranks Cole Chemical 122 in the world, and their customers include Chevron, Colgate, ExxonMobil, P66, Shell, Toyota, and United. Cole Chemical is consistently listed in the Houston Business Journal as one of the top ten minority and Women-owned businesses in Texas.

Cole also serves on the boards of the U.S.–Japan Council, the Center for Asian Pacific American Women, president of the Urasenke Tonko Kai Houston, and an advisory board member of the Institute for Supply Management and the Women’s Home. In 1991–1993, she served on President George H. Bush's Export Council. She attended Pan American University, The Amos Tuck School of Business Minority Business Executive Program, and graduated from the Manpower Business Training Institute of Technology. In 2015, Ms. Cole was named one of Houston Chronicle’s Woman of Distinction. In 2016, Houston Business Journal named Ms. Cole the first Women in Energy Lifetime Achievement Recipient. 

Additional speakers will be announced soon.

Additional 2024 Sessions

Session 2: Renewable Energy and Climate Solutions
Monday, July 15 – Friday, July 19, 2024・8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Daily
Learn how renewables and energy transition initiatives are reshaping the global economic, environmental, and energy outlook. Gain insights on how policymakers, industries, and nonprofit, and international organizations are creating innovative solutions for a more sustainable and greener future.

Session 3: Human Rights and International Security
Monday, August 5 – Friday, August 9, 2024・8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Daily
Examine the intricate intersection of global security and the protection of human rights in the context of refugee crises. Gain an understanding of the challenges and opportunities for international cooperation in ensuring the rights and safety of diverse populations.

Testimonials

"By learning how to better adapt to change or collaborate with others efficiently, I think that my perspective of what makes a good leader has become more nuanced. Although confidence and decisiveness are just as important, so is going the extra mile to prepare for changes, which are inevitable. In the future, I will continue to push myself to try my best to improve in whatever I do, be it as a leader or student." — 2023 Equality and Human Development student

"Yes, [I would recommend YLI]! This was very informative and I'm sure that my friends would enjoy it! I also loved being treated as a policymaker, as I am very interested in these issues. The feedback was good and I will definitely be using the info and strategies from this session in my every day." – 2021 U.S.–China Relations student

"The most important thing I learned this week was learning to not only listen to others, but also to learn how to combine key skills like research, teamwork, policy, and presentation (as demonstrated by many of the speakers who spoke to us this week). I also learned the importance of being thoughtful towards others." — 2021 Public Health student

"From the Young Leaders Institute, I have learned that good leaders not only take charge of situations and can adapt to crises; they also serve to diverse communities and communicate their ideas purposefully and consciously. After participating in YLI this week, my personal leadership style will become more communication-focused and emphasize understanding and empathy." — 2022 International Security and Defense student

"My perspective has been widened by a huge margin to be able to see problems from all sorts of perspectives. Others might observe me being more thoughtful and considerate of as much people as possible." — 2023 Energy and Renewables student

Business and Policy programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Bank of America, Muffet Blake, and ExxonMobil. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, The Brown Foundation, Inc., and Houston Endowment Inc. Generous funding provided by bp America, Inc, Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Regions Bank, and Stephanie and Frank Tsuru. Additional support is provided by the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in public programming. Student scholarships generously provided by Asha and Farid Virani.

Business & Policy Presenting Sponsors

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.

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