Mr. Nobuyuki Hirano

Chairman of the Japan-U.S. Business Council and Vice Chair of Keidanren

Throughout his career, Mr. Nobuyuki Hirano has been a staunch champion of bilateral relations between the U.S. and Japan. As Chairman of the Japan-U.S. Business Council and Vice Chair of Keidanren, Mr. Hirano’s dedication to supporting a successful environment for American companies operating in Japan has generated pivotal business opportunities for citizens of both countries. Mr. Hirano’s advocacy leadership has been instrumental in the creation and success of critical bilateral agreements on trade, the environment, and the digital economy.

2019 Hon. William F. Hagerty IV

30th U.S. Ambassador to Japan

Ambassador William Hagerty’s leadership was key to ensuring that the U.S. and Japan affirmed the present value and future potential of their economic partnership by commencing new bilateral trade negotiations. Ambassador Hagerty’s efforts to ensure that the concerns of American business were fully addressed in those negotiations is deeply appreciated. As Americans living and working overseas in a rapidly evolving region, the ACCJ recognizes his efforts to ensure that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains firm and defense cooperation is at its highest level ever.

Hon. Kenichiro Sasae

President of The Japan Institute of International Affairs; Former Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States of America

Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae’s significant contribution to the U.S.-Japan relationship has fostered stronger U.S.-Japan relations over the course of his illustrious career which was capped by a nearly six-year term as Japanese Ambassador to the United States. During his time in Washington, Ambassador Sasae was a frequent speaker to the U.S. business community and was pivotal in helping bring the U.S. and Japanese business communities closer together.

Mrs. Nobuko Sasae

Chair of the Nobuko Forum Japan, Conference Interpreter

Through her signature initiative, the Nobuko Forum, Mrs. Nobuko Sasae has empowered professional women across a range of industries and sectors to realize their full potential and has helped advance debate around critical issues facing business in Japan, including workplace diversity, entrepreneurship, work-life balance, and career-building to name a few.

Mr. Atsushi “Andy” Saito

Commissioner, Nippon Professional Baseball Organization; Senior Fellow, KKR Global Institute, KKR Japan

As CEO of the Japan Exchange Group, Mr. Atsushi Saito’s strategic leadership and willingness to act quickly in response to market needs was critical to Japan’s becoming one of the world’s most attractive markets. Thanks in addition to Mr. Saito’s enormous contributions in the area of corporate governance, Japanese companies today are not only more accountable, but are better equipped to face modern business challenges. By successfully activating an entire industry to pursue meaningful reform, Mr. Saito has fundamentally shifted the way business is done in Japan for the better.

Hon. Caroline Kennedy

29th U.S. Ambassador to Japan

Ambassador Caroline Kennedy’s attention to the needs of U.S. businesses has since proved unwavering, deepening the connection between the American business community in Japan and the U.S. government’s efforts to facilitate international commerce and partnerships. Ambassador Kennedy’s commitment to the promise of education and its potential to impact U.S.-Japan relations inspired the creation of a new international internship program by the ACCJ’s Education Task Force. Through this program, the next generation of globally-educated interns will emerge with the tools necessary to contribute to the international business community and the future of the U.S.-Japan relationship for years to come.

Ms. Wendy Cutler

Acting Deputy United States Trade Representative

The ACCJ 2015 Person of the Year Award was awarded to Wendy Cutler for her decades of commitment and dedication to deepening economic ties between the United States and Japan. During her nearly three decades with the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Ms. Cutler played a pivotal role in overcoming barriers to trade and was integral to moving forward the U.S.-Japan trade agenda. In addition, she was responsible for developing the U.S. trade agenda in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and served as the lead negotiator for the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement.

Ms. Fumiko Hayashi

Mayor, City of Yokohama

Ms. Fumiko Hayashi was awarded in recognition of her continuous commitment and dedication to further advancing the strong commercial ties and collaboration between the U.S. and Japan. Additionally, as mayor of one of the most prominent cities in Japan, she has demonstrated strong leadership on such causes as the advancement of women in the workplace, the establishment of an environment welcoming to foreign direct investment (FDI) and the fostering of innovation as a means to overcoming economic and business challenges.

Mr. Fujio Cho

Honorary Chairman of Toyota Motor Corporation

Hon. John V. Roos

28th U.S. Ambassador to Japan

Ms. Susan H. Roos

Labor Attorney and wife of Ambassador John V. Roos

Mr. Hiroshi Mikitani

CEO of Rakuten, Inc.