Meridian Global Business Briefing with H.E. Koji Tomita, Ambassador of Japan to the U.S.

The U.S.-Japan bilateral relationship has begun 2023 stronger than perhaps ever before, underscored by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to the White House in January. On March 17, 2023, the Meridian Corporate Council partnered with Delta and Aflac to host a Global Business Briefing with Ambassador Koji Tomita. The discussion, moderated by Meridian CEO Ambassador Stuart Holliday, covered key areas of collaboration and partnership between the U.S. and Japan in a changing Indo-Pacific landscape.

Ambassador Tomita’s diplomatic career in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spans 40 years.  Most recently, he served as Japan’s Ambassador to Korea, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Personal Representative for the G20 Summit in Osaka, and Ambassador to Israel. His other overseas postings have included London and Paris. Since he entered MOFA, he has also held leadership positions in US-Japan relations, including Director-General of MOFA’s North American Affairs Bureau and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC.

In the past few months, the U.S. and Japan have created numerous formal mechanisms for increased engagement and dialogue, serving as a secure foundation for addressing shared challenges. This dialogue is also expanding in multilateral fora across the Indo-Pacific, including Japan’s G7 presidency and America hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) for 2023. Supply chains have been a significant area of focus, especially in the areas of critical minerals, semiconductors, and building demand-side resilience. Ambassador Tomita also highlighted technology and health as vital realms of cooperation wherein Japan welcomes the perspectives of the U.S. private sector. Yet increased U.S. leadership on Indo-Pacific trade is crucial for both American and Japanese interests, and Japan looks forward to creating an environment conducive to this leadership.

Jason Grove, divisional vice president, Abbot Laboratories posits a question to Ambassador Tomita during the Global Business Briefing on March 17, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Sahra English, managing director, Citi, Sarah Kemp, vice president – international government affairs, and Usman Rahim, Senior Vice President – Federal Public Policy Lead share a laugh ahead of the Global Business Briefing on March 17, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Brad Knox, Member of the Meridian Board of Trustees and Senior Vice President & Counsel, Aflac gives special remarks on the historic relationship Alfac has had with Japan during the Global Business Briefing on March 17, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Three members of the Meridian Corporate Council Executive Committee: Alex Mistri, vice president – Government & External Affairs, Sahra English, managing director, Citi, and Leila Afas, Director – Global Public Policy, for Toyota in attendance during the Global Business Briefing on March 17, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Members of the Meridian Corporate Council in full force to listen to insights form Ambassador Tomita during the Global Business Briefing on March 17, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Priscilla Baek, Asia Pacific Lead – International Government Affairs, Google asks a question of Ambassador Tomita during the Global Business Briefing on March 17, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Monica He, Director – International Government Affairs, Organon and Greta Lundeberg, Vice President – International Operations, at The Boeing Company with placards raised ready to pose a question to Ambassador Tomita during the Global Business Briefing on March 17, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb

David Barrosse, Member of the Meridian Board of Trustees, and CEO of Capstone introduces himself to the Ambassador during the Global Business Briefing on March 17, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.

Bob Letteney, Vice President – International Government Affairs, Delta Airlines introduces Ambassador Tomita during the Global Business Briefing on March 17, 2023. Photo by Stephen Bobb.