Public Lecture and Round Table Discussion

Challenges and Opportunities of Elected Office in Japan
Hosted by the United States-Japan Foundation (USJF)

Date: Tuesday, October 29, 2025
Time: 5:00-6:00 PM
Venue: Toshi Center Hotel, Tokyo

The United States-Japan Foundation invites students, scholars, and practitioners to attend a special lecture and discussion on Japan's evolving landscape of local governance. The event will include the presentation of the inaugural Young Mayors of Japan Award, recognizing innovative municipal leadership among Japan's younger generation of mayors.

Following the award presentation, a round table discussion will examine the challenges and opportunities faced by elected officials in Japan, with attention to issues of demographic change, policy innovation, and citizen engagement.

Panelists:

• Hiroto Fujii, Mayor of Minokamo City, Gifu Prefecture

• Toshihito Kumagai, Governor of Chiba Prefecture

• Dr. Charles McClean, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Yale University

• Moderator: Lin Kobayashi, Co-Founder and Chair of the Board, UWC ISAK Japan; Trustee, United States-Japan Foundation

Dr. McClean will also present findings from his recent research on Silver Democracy, exploring how age demographics influence political priorities and local policymaking in Japan.

Attendance is free and open, but space is limited.
To register or request additional information, please contact: info@us-jf.org

Hosted by the United States-Japan Foundation (USJF)
https://us-jf.org/en