Keidanren-USA, the Embassy of Japan and the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) collaborate on quarterly "Japan Caravans" to explain Japanese corporate practices and the Japanese economy to American audiences around the United States.

Caravans are designed to encourage dialogue between American and Japanese businesspeople, policymakers, students and the public on issues affecting both countries, as well as to promote mutual understanding of Japanese business activities and mid-level Japanese executives.

2007 Caravans

The first Caravan of 2007 was held February 27-March 1, 2007 in San Diego and Los Angeles, California.  Participants included Masafumi Ishii, Minister of Political Affairs of the Embassy of Japan; Kazuyoshi Moriguchi, Director of the Corporate Planning Division of Canon USA; Atsushi Yamakoshi of Keidanren-USA; and Valerie Ploumpis of Keidanren-USA.  They spoke about Prime Minister Abe's foreign affairs and economic policy outlook, the "2007 Keidanren Vision," prospects for a US-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement, and Canon's role in the US market.

The next Caravan will be to the heartland states in Fall 2007.

2006 Caravans

The March 2-7, 2006 Caravan visited Seattle, Dallas and Houston.  Participants include Minister Hiroshi Ishii of the Embassy of Japan; Professor Arthur Alexander of Georgetown University; and Valerie Ploumpis of Keidanren-USA.  They spoke about the recovery of the Japanese economy after the so-called Lost Decade to the Japan-America Societies in each city and addressed students at Seattle University and Rice University.

The May 30-June 1, 2006 Caravan traveled to Portland, Oregon and San Francisco, California.  Participants included Minister Takehiro Nakao of the Embassy of Japan; Professor Amy Searight of George Washington University; Atsushi Yamakoshi of Keidanren-USA; and Valerie Ploumpis of Keidanren-USA.  They spoke about the possible merits of a U.S.-Japan "economic integration agreement," the Japanese economy, and ASEAN affairs to local Japan-America Societies and to business groups.  They also spoke to students at Portland University and Stanford.

Our October 10-12, 2006 Caravan went to Memphis and Nashville, Tennesee, and then on to Atlanta, Georgia.  Participants included Counselor Kenji Kanasugi of the Embassy of Japan; Richard Cronin of the non-partisan think tank Henry L. Stimson Center; Atsushi Yamakoshi, Director of Keidanren-USA; and Valerie Ploumpis, Associate Director of Keidanren-USA.  The Caravan spoke to business and academic (Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech) audiences about about tighter economic and political relations in the Asia-Pacific region and closer U.S.-Japan economic integration.

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