CULCON 60th Anniversary Timeline

CULCON 2010s

Explore the 2010s

Student Mobility and Arts Exchange

CULCON makes significant impact on sUS - Japan student mobility and arts exchange.

CULCON IN THE 2010s
American Studies | 2010s
Arts | 2010s
Information Access | 2010s
Media | 2010s
Japan Studies | 2010s
Next Generation | 2010s
Student Mobility | 2010s
U.S. – Japan Relations | 2010s

Summit Meeting

GLOBAL EVENT

Joint Press Conference by Prime Minister Abe and President Trump of the United States[...]

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CULCON XXVIII

CULCON EVENT

The 28th United States-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON) was held in Washington, DC on June 4-5, 2018.[...]

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Next Generation Task Force

CULCON EVENT

“The task force will be charged to assess, among other things, the current state of U.S.- Japan intellectual exchanges with specific focus on generational transition; identify any[...]

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Arts Japan 2020

CULCON EVENT

Campaign launched with its major funding from the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, the ADC “incubated” Arts Japan 2020, a new online celebration to support Japan-related cultural programs across[...]

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January 22, 2017

JICC Seasonal Art Lecture Series from Emerging Scholars

CULCON EVENT

The series features a ‘Scholar Spotlight’ on new research into Japanese art from rising scholars in the field. This series provides the public with new ideas and[...]

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December 16, 2016

Otsuka Symposium

CULCON EVENT

“Global and Japanese Art: Focus on Trends from 2000” symposium held by the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the ADC in Otsuka, Japan[...]

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International Education Week - Thursday, November

International Education Week - Thursday, November 16: Innovate the Future

Study abroad options and settings to continue to develop. See CULCON’s Subnational Diplomacy (SND) Interim Report to learn more how innovations in educational partnerships support CULCON’s mission to strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship on a grassroots level. https://culcon.jusfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SND-WG-Interim-Report-FINAL.pdf

International Education Week - Tuesday, November 1

International Education Week - Tuesday, November 14: You are the Future!

Opportunities and access in international education continue to grow. Check out JUSFC’s Summer Institute, a program that invites U.S. undergraduate students to an intensive summer study experience in Japan, designed to promote diversity and inclusion in U.S.-Japan relations. https://www.jusfc.gov/jusfc-summer-institute/

Also check out CULCON’s Information Access and Sharing (IAS) Interim Report to learn more about how the Summer Institute and other accessible education abroad programming relates to CULCON’s work: https://culcon.jusfc.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/IAS-WG-Interim-Report-2023-FINAL.pdf

CULCON is pleased to celebrate International Educa

CULCON is pleased to celebrate International Education Week 2023! From November 13-17, CULCON joins the Department of State in celebrating the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.

At this morning's Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange presentation, we were encouraged to see increasing numbers of U.S.-Japan student exchange as study abroad rebounds post-COVID. CULCON continues to promote institutional partnerships as a vehicle for education abroad opportunities that strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship.

Check out the Open Doors Report here: https://opendoorsdata.org/open-doors-2023-annual-data-release/ and the Japan Fact Sheet here: https://opendoorsdata.org/fact_sheets/student-mobility/

Dr. Bill Tsutsui has been appointed Vice Chair of

Dr. Bill Tsutsui has been appointed Vice Chair of the U.S. CULCON Panel and Japan U.S.-Friendship Commission (JUSFC). Dr. Tsutsui has served as panelist of U.S. CULCON and commissioner of JUSFC since 2020.

Dr. Tsutsui is Chancellor and Professor of History at Ottawa University. He is former president and professor of history at Hendrix College. An award-winning classroom teacher, Dr. Tsutsui is the author or editor of eight books, as well as numerous articles on modern Japanese history. See Dr. Tsutsui’s full bio here: https://culcon.jusfc.gov/about-us/membership/william-bill-tsutsui/

Of his appointment, Dr. Tsutsui remarked, “Through my service to CULCON and JUSFC, I am thrilled to contribute to the vibrant cultural and educational exchange that is critical to the strong US-Japan relationship. These organizations play a vital role in building enduring bridges of understanding and friendship between the people of our two nations.”

Dr. Sheila Smith, Chair of U.S. CULCON and JUSFC noted, “Professor Bill Tsutsui brings incredible expertise and commitment to CULCON and JUSFC. Bill’s renowned scholarship on Japan, his activism on behalf of the Asian Studies community and his presidency of an institution of higher learning make him a unique asset to our work. I look forward to his leadership as Vice Chair, as we ensure that future generations will have ample opportunity to contribute to the U.S.-Japan partnership.”

Spring 2024 internship applications are open NOW!

Spring 2024 internship applications are open NOW!

We are currently seeking two (2) Spring 2024 interns to support current initiatives, which include activities promoting U.S.-Japan cultural, educational and people-to-people exchange. Interns will be working from a small office in a team-oriented and fast-paced environment in Washington, DC. Duties include, but are not limited to research and writing on issues affecting the United States and Japan, meeting planning and execution, disseminating information via social media, participating in meetings and seminars and writing reports, and supporting program-related and grantmaking activities.

Applicants must be current undergraduate or graduate students with excellent research, writing, Internet, communication (including comfort handling occasional telephone calls) and organizational skills. Knowledge of Japan and/or Japanese language are desirable, but not required.

For the spring, we are seeking two interns to work 10 to 20 hours a week. Most or all of those hours should be scheduled for Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, which are “in office” days. (Thursday and Friday are telework days.) The internship is paid @ $15/hour. JUSFC/CULCON will also reimburse local transportation costs.

Please send a resume and cover letter to culcon[at]jusfc[dot]gov – Please include your preferred start and end dates as well as complete contact information for two references.

APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR Spring 2024 PAID INTERNSHIPS: 5 pm November 30, 2023.
Applicants will receive decisions by approximately December 14, 2023.

Please forward to anyone who might be interested in the position!

(Photo: Summer ’23 Interns Nadia Perdue (left) Akiko Jindo (right))

Last week, CULCON held its 30th plenary session in

Last week, CULCON held its 30th plenary session in Atlanta, Georgia. The panel held enlightening and fruitful meetings, producing interim reports on Information Access and Sharing in the Digital Age (IAS) and Subnational Diplomacy/Local & Regional Exchange (SND). Panelists also visited locations around Atlanta, including Spelman College, the National Center for Civil and Human Rights, and the King Center. Throughout the two-day meeting, they met crucial partners in education, business, grassroots exchange, and more that strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship.

To see the joint statement, interim reports, photos, and more, check out our website: https://culcon.jusfc.gov/plenary-sessions/30-culcon-30/

U.S. CULCON celebrates the establishment of the Ja

U.S. CULCON celebrates the establishment of the Japan-America Society of Miami/South Florida. The network of Japan-America Societies in the United States play a vital role connecting local communities to Japan through exchanges and programming in cultural, educational, policy and business areas. U.S. CULCON is delighted to welcome this new addition and extends congratulations to the steering committee, especially Ms. Margot Carrington, whose support of CULCON and people-to-people exchange during her service as Minister-Counselor at the US Embassy Tokyo was invaluable.

CULCON is proud to announce that in recognition of

CULCON is proud to announce that in recognition of her contributions to the promotion of people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States, Paige Cottingham-Streater, Secretary-General of the United States-Japan Conference on Cultural & Educational Interchange (CULCON) and Executive Director of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, received the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. The conferment ceremony took place at the Japanese Embassy on November 4, 2022.

Dr. Sheila A. Smith, US CULCON Chair, speaks with

Dr. Sheila A. Smith, US CULCON Chair, speaks with Governor David Ige of Hawai’i and Mayor Sylvester Turner of Houston, Texas about subnational diplomacy at the US-Japan Council conference in Tokyo.

CULCON members met with Foreign Minister Hayashi a

CULCON members met with Foreign Minister Hayashi at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss information sharing and access and subnational diplomacy. @sheilainjapan

CULCON panelists had a wonderful visit to Tsuda Un

CULCON panelists had a wonderful visit to Tsuda University to discuss with faculty and students educational exchange and the challenges the pandemic has poses. President Takahashi, a Japan CULCON member, demonstrated the tremendous impact Tsuda has had in both Japanese and U.S. society. @TsudaUniversity Cynthia Teniente Matson

CULCON Panels gathered at the Kyushu National Muse

CULCON Panels gathered at the Kyushu National Museum in Fukuoka to discuss the status of Japan Studies and American Studies, among other ways Japanese and Americans learn about each other. CULCON makes recommendations to both governments and works to implement solutions to pressing cultural and educational issues between the two countries.

Oct 24 discussion included:

Dr. Jolyon Thomas (Associate Professor, University of Pennsylvania)
Dr. William Tsutsui (President and CEO, Ottawa University)
Dr. TAKAHASHI Yuko (President, Tsuda College)
Dr. TSUITSUI Kiyoteru (Professor, Stanford University, Japan Program Director)
Dr. MAESHIMA Kazuhiro (Professor, Dean, Faculty of Global Studies, Sophia University)
■ Moderator: Dr. Sheila Smith (CFR Senior Fellow) @sheilainjapan
■ Commentator/co-Moderator: Dr. Fumiaki Kubo (President, National Defense Academy of Japan)

Mr Chuka Asike, Principal Officer, US Consulate Fukuoka gave opening remarks.

Special treat: OH Sadaharu provided insights into his amazing career in a separate session.

The U.S. Panel of the Conference on Cultural and E

The U.S. Panel of the Conference on Cultural and Education Interchange (CULCON) is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest serving prime minister. Mr. Abe’s leadership advanced global education and people-to-people exchange between Japan and the United States. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of Japan.

!!!!!! Embassy of Japan Press Release April 29, 20

!!!!!!
Embassy of Japan
Press Release
April 29, 2022

2022 Spring Conferment of Decoration
Secretary-General Paige Cottingham-Streater

On April 29, 2022 (Japan Time), the Government of Japan announced the foreign recipients of the 2022 Spring Imperial Decorations. Paige Cottingham-Streater, Secretary-General of the United States-Japan Conference on Cultural & Educational Interchange (CULCON) and Executive Director of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, is among this year’s foreign recipients. In recognition of her contributions to the promotion of people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States, she will receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon.

DECORATION: The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
SERVICE: Contributed to the promotion of people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States
NAME: Paige Cottingham-Streater
MAJOR TITLES:
Secretary-General of the United States-Japan Conference on Cultural & Educational Interchange and Executive Director of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission
ADDRESS (NATIONALITY): Washington D.C. (United States of America)

SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS

Paige Cottingham-Streater has made significant contributions to the promotion of people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States as Executive Director of the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and Secretary-General of the United States-Japan Conference on Cultural & Educational Interchange. In addition, she has promoted exchange between Japan and the US as supervisor of the Mansfield Fellowship Program and in organizing Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) alumni and founding the JET Alumni Association in the USA.

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CULCON is a binational advisory group to the U.S. and Japanese governments and is composed of two panels.

The U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange (CULCON)
1201 15th St. NW, Suite 330
Washington, District of Columbia 20005
(202) 653-9800
culcon@jusfc.gov

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Edward Williams partnered with CULCON to design and develop a dynamic, creative solution for their 60th Anniversary. He has been finding creative solutions for 15 years. See more of his work at Money Design, LLC

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Timeline Posts

April 15, 2021
2020/ERC Rollout Read
April 10, 2021
CULCON XXV Read
March 4, 2020
Alumni Engagement Summit Read

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