2013-08-14T15:12:53-07:00 2012-12-31 Sasaki Shishima & Co 901 Corporate Center Drive 503 Monterey Park CA 91754 990 2012-01-01 900447211 US-JAPAN COUNCIL US-J 2022236840 1819 L STREET NW WASHINGTON DC 20036 Irene Hirano 2013-08-14 true Paul N Shishima P00185358 3232652590 2012 2016-02-25 16:41:14Z 7736516 false false X WWW.USJAPANCOUNCIL.ORG X 2008 DC See Form 990, Part III, Page 2, Line 1 Statement of Program Service Accomplishments. 22 21 19 15 0 496162 550165 4159909 7185730 2914 621 0 4658985 7736516 1916360 4485580 0 556034 903581 0 51155 639094 664408 3111488 6053569 1547497 1682947 2579987 3733561 753730 199624 1826257 3533937 The U.S.-Japan Council promotes people-to-people relationships as crucial to the U.S.-Japan relationship. It brings together, inspires and engages Japanese Americans of all generations to work with Americans and Japanese to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations. false false 4102212 TOMODACHIThe USJC and the U.S Embassy in Tokyo, with support of the government of Japan, formed a public-private partnership "TOMODACHI," to support longer-term recovery of Japan following the Great East Japan Earthquake. TOMODACHI raises funds from U.S. and Japanese donors that will invest in the next generation of Japanese and Americans in ways that strengthen cultural and economic ties, and deepen the friendship between the United States and Japan over the long-term. The USJC is administering the TOMODACHI initiative which began in late 2010 and will be implemented over the next several years. The initiative will support programs in 1) educational exchanges, educational partnerships and student exchanges between the U.S. and Japan; 2) youth exchanges in arts, sports and culture; and 3) programs in entrepreneurship and leadership development. 1074156 OTHERS JAPANESE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP DELEGATION PROGRAM - This program provides the opportunity for Japanese American leaders from throughout the United States to travel to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The USJC administers the program annually. The program began in 2000 and creates the opportunity for Japanese American leaders to build relationships with Japanese leaders in the government, business, political, non-profit and educational sectors. The program also provides an opportunity for Japanese leaders to gain a greater understanding about multi-cultural America through the experiences of a diverse group of Japanese Americans. Upon their return from this one week trip, Delegates work with program alumni, local Japanese consulates, and the USJC to implement programs and activities to further build regional U.S.-japan relations. There were 10 members of the 2012 program and to date 163 have participated in the program. JAPANESE CONSUL GENERALS & JAPANESE LEADER'S ANNUAL MEETING AND PROGRAMS - The meeting brings together Japanese American leaders from sixteen regions in the U.S. with the sixteen Japanese consul generals and Japanese government officials from Tokyo to discuss how to collaboratively work together to ensure a stronger U.S. - Japan relationship at the regional and national level. The meeting develops recommendations to further regional efforts to engage greater involvement in U.S.-Japan relations. The USJC serves as the organizer of this Annual Meeting. The 2012 meeting was held in Seattle, Washington.REGIONAL OUTREACH AND MEMBERSHIPThe USJC's outreach and membership activities brings together USJC members in various parts of the country with regional leaders involved in promoting strong U.S.- Japan relations. Through developing regional networks of business, civic, and governmental leaders, the USJC can assist in the dissemination of information on current topics related to U.S. and Japan and fosters dialogue in area of mutual interests. Regional educational events were held in Los Angeles, New York, Honolulu, and Washington, D.C. LEGISLATIVE NETWORKINGThe USJC's mission of building people-to-people relationships at the government and political sector includes bringing together elected officials and governmental officials from the U.S. and Japan to work together on areas of mutual interest. The USJC hosts members of the Japanese Diet who visit Washington, D.C. and other cities in the U.S. to connect them with key leaders with expertise in key areas. The USJC also meets with U.S. officials to provide information on issues affecting U.S.-Japan relations.REGIONAL BUSINESS NETWORKINGThe USJC fosters business connections in key regions in the U.S. including New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hawaii by fostering networks of Japanese Chambers of Commerce in the U.S. and Japanese American leaders in these regions. Regular educational programs and networking events are held to deepen business and personal relationships.ANNUAL CONFERENCEThe 2012 Annual Conference was held in Seattle, WA and attended by 350 leaders in U.S.-Japan relations from throughout the United States and Japan. The Conference featured themes and topics that addressed innovative partnerships and solutions in clean energy, entrepreneurship, education and building npo/ngo sector partnership between Japan and the U.S. The Conference also brought from Japan leading npo/ngo leaders that were working on relief and recovery efforts in the areas devastated by the 2011 disasters in Japan. The Keynote speakers emphasized the importance of strengthening business relationships between the U.S. and Japan. The conference also included a leadership development program, "Emerging Leader's Program" (ELP) for young Japanese American professionals, under the age of 35, who express an interest in being involved in US-Japan relations in the future. The ELP included ten individuals from around the country who were selected by a Committee and were joined by alumni from the 2011 ELP. The Conference included working groups that follow-up on key issues and topics addressed at the event. The results from the Conference was sharing of information with attendees and to others nationally and internationally on current issues and topics related to U.S.-Japan relations, to discuss strategies for greater collaboration on recovery efforts in Japan, and to develop the USJC's new initiative, TOMODACHI, a public-private partnership to support educational exchange for young American and Japanese to learn about each other's country through travel, language and specialized programs.Program Services - Education 700973 EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND PROGRAMThe USJC responded to the Great East Japan Earthquake by establishing a USJC Earthquake Relief Fund (EQRF)in 2011. The USJC Board of Directors approved that 100% of the contributions to support immediate relief efforts and longer term rebuilding in the devastated region of Tohoku, Japan. through qualified Non-Profit Organizations or Non-Governmental Organizations (NPO/NGO) that were working on-the-ground in the region. The USJC committed to working on the relief and recovery efforts longer term by establishing collaborations and partnerships with the Japanese NPO/NGOs that were supported. The organizations which were supported had extensive experience in providing assistance to children, families,and local communities. The impact of the USJC's work in this area was to assist thousands impacted by the disasters, to assist Japanese npo's and ngo's working effectively in the region, and to establish longer-term partnerships with key organizations working in the region.100% of the contributions received were committed by the end of 2012 and fully disbursed by January 2013. 5877341 true true false false false false false false false false true false false false true false true false false true true true false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false false true 9 0 false 19 true false false true JA false false false false false 0 false false false false false false false false false false X 22 21 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true true false X X IRENE HIRANO 2022236840 1819 L STREET NW SUITE 200 WASHINGTON DC 20036 Wallace K Tsuha 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Gary Moriwaki 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Paul Yonamine 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Jan Yanehiro 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Allen Okamoto 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 paul niwa 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 susan morita 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 moni miyashita 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 colbert m matsumoto 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Royanne K Doi 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 dayne kono 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 frederick h katayama 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 Phyllis Campbell 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ROBERT K ICHIKAWA 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 ernest m higa 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 sho dozono 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 susan j onuma 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 michael hirai 3.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 henry y ota 5.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 THOMAS IINO 8.00 0.00 X X 0 0 0 Tracy Doi 2.00 0.00 X 0 0 0 IRENE HIRANO 32.00 0.00 X X 159940 0 0 Laura Winthrop Abbot 40.00 0.00 X 131250 0 0 291190 2 false true false 0 550165 550165 Membership Dues & Assessments 79425 79425 Educational Program Rev 6912480 6912480 Earthquake Relief Fund 59010 59010 Contract Revenue 134815 134815 7185730 621 621 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7736516 7186351 0 0 4485580 4485580 0 159924 112774 26166 20984 0 604642 537107 50291 17244 0 57291 48699 5729 2863 81724 69466 8173 4085 0 0 0 0 0 0 11177 7364 3774 39 0 9151 8274 584 293 0 0 75078 63398 9106 2574 53190 37825 15218 147 0 0 0 0 2993 2629 243 121 5890 5190 467 233 meetings 21158 18961 1466 731 telephone and internet 22336 20167 1446 723 exchange loss 25705 25705 events and programs 405210 405040 170 32520 29162 2240 1118 6053569 5877341 125073 51155 210705 820160 1537647 198822 808350 2314500 361015 0 0 0 0 16988 12847 32232 6015 6297 26217 0 0 0 0 0 2579987 3733561 5981 7984 98634 116633 649115 75007 753730 199624 X 354721 600933 1471536 2933004 1826257 3533937 2579987 3733561 X 1682947 269417 -244684 X false true X true false X 485182 874252 4633706 7745895 13739035 0 0 0 0 485182 874252 4633706 7745895 13739035 0 0 13739035 88 155 2914 621 3778 0 88 155 2914 621 3778 0 140 50 25705 25895 485410 874457 4636620 7772221 13768708 X 0.00000 0.00000 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 19965 666 19299 3935 2616 1319 8332 2733 5599 26217 earthquake relief fund payable 38017 accrued vacation 27306 accrued expenses 9684 75007 8005933 269417 269417 7736516 7736516 6298253 244684 244684 6053569 6053569 true East Asia and the Pacific 1 3 Program Services tomodachi/relief fnd 4485580 1 3 1 3 4485580 4485580 Asia & pacific tomodachi 71398 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 7122 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 530684 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 37631 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 37080 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 330491 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 2353091 Wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 19453 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 17497 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 168750 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific tomodachi 168000 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific relief fund 50000 Wire trnsfr Asia & pacific relief fund 50000 Wire trnsfr Asia & pacific relief fund 5000 Wire trnsf Asia & pacific relief fund 38000 Wire trnsfr Asia & pacific relief fund 35000 wire trnsfr Asia & pacific relief fund 1700 check Asia & pacific relief fund 155038 Wire trnsfr Asia & pacific relief fund 102303 Wire trnsfr Asia & pacific relief fund 100000 Wire trnsfr Asia & pacific relief fund 100000 Wire trnsfr Asia & pacific relief fund 100000 wire trnsfr 22 false false false false false false Additional Supplemental Information Earthquake Relief FundThe USJC responded to the March 11, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake by establishing the USJC earthquake Relief fund (EQRF). The USJC board of directors (BOD) approved 100 percent distribution of the contributions to support immediate relief efforts and longer term rebuilding in the devastated region of tohoku, japan. $51,953 was collected during calendar year 2012.Award/Assistance Approval ProcessThe US-Japan Council reviews recommendations of non-profit and non-governmental organizations in Japan that are providing relief and recovery services following the earthquake and tsunami in the East Japan Region (Tohoku Region) of Japan. The USJC extensively reviews each potential organization through available public information and additionally requests as part of a due-diligence procedure:1) a check-list of basic information from the organization including the organizations mission, incorporation and tax exemption documents, summary of past program services, list of staff members, board members, copy of audited financial statement, and any other relevant information; 2) a signed statement certifying that the organization would not promote or engage in violence, terrorism, bigotry or the destruction of any state, nor make sub-grants to any entity that engages in these activities; 3) reviewed the organization against lists provided by the U.S. Homeland Security, www.epls.gov (Excluded Parties List System), and www.ofacsearch.com (Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons. 3) a proposed budget and program plan.Upon review and compliance of all requirements, recommended projects are presented to the Board of Directors for approval. A signed agreement is executed with each organization provided funding.Award/Assistance monitoring process1) Each organization is required to maintain program and financial information as per the agreement.2)Each organization is required to submit an interim and final report which includes a written narrative, financial report and a summary of the impact which resulted from the project. 3)The USJC will use a random sampling to review select expenditures. Documentation of expense authorization and compliance with the budget and items in the grant agreements are reviewed. If any discrepancies found, USJC staff discusses the results with the recipient, and if necessary, corrective action (including return of funds) can be taken. TOMODACHI InitiativeAward/Assistance Approval ProcessUSJC is partnering with US State Department in administering the TOMODACHI Initiatives. Depending on each program type guidelines and mission, the program funding application will be open to selective of program implementers (Grantees) for their application submission (Letter of Interest). Each application submission will be reviewed by TOMODACHI Vetting Committee. Upon reviewed (based on implementers mission, status and programs aligns with the TOMODACHI mission), the proposal will be further approved by Program Committee. The approved proposals will be then submitted to USJC Board of Directors for final approval.The Program Committee members consist of State Department officials, Education Exchange Expert, Ambassador, and USJC management team. The Statement Department officials have accessibility to information of all various organizations to verify that the potential implementers (Grantees) would not promote or engage in violence, terrorism, bigotry or the destruction of any state, nor make sub-grants to any entity that engages in these activities. Once confirmed, the approval will be granted by USJC Board of Directors. The Program Committee review each implementers (Grantees) based on TOMODACHI selection criteria from a check list. Some example of the eligibility of criteria as below:1)Organizations mission, tax status, summary of past program services, organization structures and board members, financial statements, and any other relevant information2)A signed statement certifying that the organization would not promote or engage in violence, terrorism, bigotry or the destruction of any state, nor make sub-grants to any entity that engages in these activities;3)Reviewed the organization against lists provided by the U.S. Homeland Security, www.epls.gov (Excluded Parties List System), and www.ofacsearch.com (Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons.4)Proposed budget and program plan Award/Assistance monitoring process1) Each organization is required to maintain program and financial information as per the agreement.2)Each organization is required to submit an interim and final report which includes a written narrative, financial report and a summary of the impact which resulted from the project. 3)The USJC will use a random sampling to review select expenditures. Documentation of expense authorization and compliance with the budget and items in the grant agreements are reviewed. If any discrepancies found, USJC staff discusses the results with the recipient, and if necessary, corrective action (including return of funds) can be taken. false false false false false false false false false false IRENE HIRANO 159940 159940 X Legal Services 1 150636 Fair Market Value X Airline Tickets 1 71208 Fair Market Value X Airline Tickets 1 36370 Fair Market Value false false false Form 990, Part XI, Line 9 Other Changes In Net Assets Or Fund Balances - Other Decreases in-kind legal/travel = -$244684 Form 990, Part VI, Line 19 Form 990, Part VI, Line 19: Other Organization Documents Publicly Available The governing documents, conflict of interest policy and financial statements are available to the general public upon request. They are also available at the organization's office during regular business hours. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b Form 990, Part VI, Line 15b: Compensation Review and Approval Process for Officers and Key Employees Compensation is determined by disinterested directors of the executive committee and is based on a review of reliable comparability data and a decision as the reasonableness of the compensation. A record of the deliberation, decision and persons involved are maintained in the organization's corporate minutes book. Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a Form 990, Part VI, Line 15a: Compensation Review & Approval Process - CEO, Top Management Compensation is determined by disinterested directors of the executive committee and is based on a review of reliable comparability data and a decision as the reasonableness of the compensation. A record of the deliberation, decision and persons involved are maintained in the organization's corporate minutes book. Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c Form 990, Part VI, Line 12c: Explanation of Monitoring and Enforcement of Conflicts The organization has a conflict of interest policy that is signed annually by each board member. Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b Form 990, Part VI, Line 11b: Form 990 Review Process copies of the form 990 are distributed to all board members prior to filing. A detailed review and approval is conducted by a committee selected by the board.