July 19, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

Former Ambassadors To Headline Japan In 2014 Symposium

JapanIn2014
The Japan in 2014 Symposium will be coming to Century City Feb. 13 and will feature former ambassadors Ichiro Fujisaki and John Roos.

Former ambassadors Ichiro Fujisaki and John Roos will headline next week’s Japan In 2014 Symposium at the InterContinental Los Angeles Century City Hotel.

The daylong symposium is scheduled for Feb. 13 and will focus on the direction of Japan’s domestic affairs and the bilateral relationship between the island nation and the United States.

Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) and Japan Business Association of Southern California are the event’s presenters. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA provided both presenters with a grant to organize the event.

“As ambassadors who recently completed their appointments and have ‘retired’ from diplomatic service, we are looking forward to a candid discussion about their experiences in office and prospects for the future of U.S.-Japan relations,” JASSC president Douglas Erber stated. “We also are pleased to have discussion panels populated by Japan experts who will share their outlooks for Japan in the coming year.”

Fujisaki served as Japan’s ambassador to the United States between 2008 and 2013, while Roos was the United States ambassador to Japan from 2009 to 2013.

Since leaving their respective posts, Fujisaki went on to become the president of the America-Japan Society and serves as a distinguished professor at Sophia University and Keio University in Tokyo; Roos is currently a global advisor for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial.

While Fujisaki and Roos will serve as the event’s featured speakers, others presenting speeches at Japan In 2014 include: acting U.S. trade representative Wendy Cutler; Toyota Motor Sales USA executive chairman Yoshima Inaba; USC associate professor Saori N. Katada; The Oriental Economist Report editor-in-chief Richard Katz; and, Mitsubishi Electric U.S. chairman and CEO Katsuya Takamiya, among others.

The symposium begins at 12 Noon with a luncheon program, where Cutler will serve as the keynote speaker. A series of panel discussions will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both ambassadors will speak from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

UC Berkeley professor of political science Steven K. Vogel will chair the ambassadors’ discussion.

A networking reception follows the ambassadors’ segment.

Admission to the Japan In 2014 Symposium is $65 for JASSC members and $80 for non-members. For more information, contact Kay Amano at (310) 965-9050, ext. 104, or visit www.jas-socal.org.

The Intercontinental is located at 2151 Avenue of the Stars.

Related Posts

Man Arrested in Brentwood for Impersonating Firefighter During Palisades Fire

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

The suspect faces at least 28 criminal counts—including 23 felonies—spanning incidents from 2023 to May 2025 Federal and local law...

Study Highlights Economic Impact of Cap-and-Trade Extension in Los Angeles

July 18, 2025

July 18, 2025

Governor Gavin Newsom and legislative leaders are pushing to reauthorize the program this year, citing its role in generating 287,000...

Nearly $1B Secured for Refinancing of Westfield Century City Mall

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

The proceeds will replace a $925 million commercial mortgage-backed securities loan, originally issued by Morgan Stanley in 2023 and due...

West Coast Premiere of ‘The Opposite of Love’ Opens at Hudson Backstage Theatre

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Produced by Neil Gooding Productions, behind shows like Back to the Future: The Musical, the play runs Thursdays through Saturdays...

Tesla Seen Nearly Crashing into West LA Home After Collision

July 17, 2025

July 17, 2025

Footage depicted a blue Prius on the road with significant front-end damage A crash involving injuries was reported around 12:30...

DUI Checkpoints to be Conducted Across LA This Weekend

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The LAPD selects checkpoint sites based on data indicating high incidents of impaired driving-related crashes and arrests The Los Angeles...

Mayor Bass Hails National Guard Withdrawal as Victory for Unity

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The Pentagon’s decision to reduce the troop presence follows weeks of legal challenges and public demonstrations Mayor Karen Bass celebrated...

(Video) Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The outpost is a first for the popular influencer Did You Know Emma Chamberlain’s Coffee Shop is in Century City?...

Dodgers to Host Back to School Bash for Fire-Affected Families

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The free event will offer free groceries, school supplies, outfits, haircuts, medical screenings, and carnival rides The Los Angeles Dodgers...

Hundreds of Red-Legged Frog Tadpoles Released in Santa Monica Mountains

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

Once widespread in California, red-legged frogs vanished from the Santa Monica Mountains by the 1970s Nearly 600 California red-legged frog...

LA Sees Second Straight Year of Homelessness Decline, Leaders Celebrate Progress

July 16, 2025

July 16, 2025

The survey, designed by the University of Southern California, reported a 17.5% drop—the largest two-year decrease on record The Los...

Westwood Village Board to Discuss Public Art Initiative

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The initiative aims to enhance community pride, boost local business revenue, and address urban blight through public art corridors and...

Beverly Hills Plans Major Apartment Development Near Civic Center

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

The site, currently holding 13 residential units, is slated for demolition to make way for the new development A proposal...

Federal Judge Sides with Santa Monica, Other Local Governments Against Immigration Raids

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

Santa Monica Mayor Lana Negrete praised the ruling, saying it reaffirmed the city’s commitment to protecting residents from unjust detention...

California Hits Two-Thirds Clean Energy Milestone

July 15, 2025

July 15, 2025

This year, clean energy has powered the state for an average of seven hours daily, with over 90% of days...