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• Strategic Synergies: Reinforcing the Japan–U.S. Alliance

  • When
    Wednesday, November 05, 2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 2:30 PM
  • Location
    Democracy Center, Japanese American National Museum

  

  Register Here

  Amid the growing instability in global security, the resilience of the U.S.-Japan relations has never been more vital to the Indo-Pacific region. This presents a prime opportunity to reexamine the future of the bilateral relationship particularly in the area of trade and security. Professor Tosh Minohara, a Japanese American from California, who currently heads a nonprofit think tank will provide an assessment to the current state of global affairs while also offering insight into how to further strengthen this key alliance across the Pacific.

  
  

  
  

  Wednesday, November 5, 2025

     11:30pm  Welcome Reception (Buffet lunch & drinks)
  12:30pm  Seminar
  1:30pm  Networking Reception (Light snacks & drinks)

  Conference Venue:
  Democracy Center at the Japanese American National Museum
  100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

  Admission:
  Free

  Directions
  Please note that parking is self-service. For detailed information about parking locations and access, please refer to the Japanese American National Museum website.

  
  

  

  
  

  Register Here

  Application deadline: October 31
  Please note that registration may close earlier if capacity is reached.
  In the event of full capacity, participants will be selected by lottery.

  Enquiries:
  For any questions or inquiries, please contact:
  la_seminar2025@kreab.com

  
  

  

  
  

  Speaker

  
  

  
  

  Tosh Minohara
  Professor, Graduate School of Law, Kobe University
  Chairman, Research Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs (RIIPA)

  Tosh Minohara is a Japanese American born in California, USA. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of California, Davis, and later obtained his Ph.D. in Political Science and Diplomatic History from Kobe University. Since 1999, he has been teaching at the Graduate School of Political Science at Kobe University, and has held his current position since 2007. He also serves concurrently as a professor at the Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies and lectured at the Command and Staff College for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.

  Most recently, he was invited as a visiting fellow at the Library & Archives of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. In 2019, he founded the Research Institute for Indo-Pacific Affairs (RIIPA), a Cabinet Office-certified non-profit organization, and currently serves as its president.

  He is an expert in U.S.-Japan relations, American foreign policy, international politics, and international security, and has authored numerous books and essays. In 2024, he served as editor of the Handbook of Japan's Foreign and Domestic Policies During the Decade of Abe (MHM and Amsterdam University Press, 2024). He regularly contributes to various domestic and international media outlets, and his academic achievements have been recognized with the Shimizu Hiroshi Prize and the Japan Research Prize.

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• 2025 WLC Conference: Transformative Leadership

  • When
    Thursday, November 13, 2025
  •  
    4:10 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP - Located in: FIGat7th 725 S. Figueroa Street, 36th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017

  
  

  We invite you to join us for an inspiring conference centered around the theme of transformative leadership. In today's rapidly evolving world, effective leadership goes beyond traditional models; it requires a visionary approach that fosters innovation, collaboration, and positive change. This event will explore the principles of transformative leadership and how they can empower individuals and organizations to thrive in the face of challenges.

  Our lineup of distinguished speakers, including renowned leaders and change-makers, will share their insights on what it means to be a transformative leader. They will discuss the importance of adaptability, emotional intelligence, and a commitment to continuous learning in driving meaningful change. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in interactive workshops and discussions that focus on developing the skills necessary to lead with impact and inspire others.

  This conference is not just about learning; it's about building a community of forward-thinking leaders who are passionate about making a difference. Together, we will explore how transformative leadership can reshape organizational cultures, enhance team dynamics, and ultimately lead to greater success. Join us in this journey of growth and empowerment, and discover how you can become a catalyst for change in your organization and beyond!

  
  

  Thursday, November 13, 2025

     4:10pm  Registration
  4:30pm  Conference
  6:30pm  Networking Reception

  Conference Venue:
  Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP - Located in: FIGat7th
  725 S. Figueroa Street, 36th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017

  Admission:
  $40 JASSC Member / $60 Non-members

  Parking & Building Access Instructions
  945 West 8^th St. Los Angeles, CA  90017
  (213) 955-7945

  There are two entrances to the parking structure: one on 7th Street and another on 8th Street. Visitors should park on levels 5 through 12. To access the building via the courtyard, take the elevator to Level 7 and proceed through the tunnel to the main entrance. Alternatively, you may exit on Level 8, which is at street level. From there, walk down 7th Street, and the building entrance will be on your right. A parking validation ticket will be provided at check-in at the Pillsbury Office. Please make sure to park after 4:00 PM.

  Tip: We recommend parking as close to the north end of the parking structure as possible, as you will need to take the elevators located at that end.

  
  

  Speakers / Panelist and Moderator

  
  

  
  

  Eric B. Chin, CPA
  Chief Financial Officer, Akido Labs
  Board Member & Audit Chair, Biomerica, Inc.

  Eric Chin is a finance and operations executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across public and private companies in sectors including healthcare, tech, and real estate. He currently serves as CFO of Akido Labs, an AI-powered healthcare network, and holds board positions at Biomerica and Rhode Island Primary Care Physicians Corporation.

  Previously, he was CFO at Astrana Health (formerly Apollo Medical Holdings) and held roles at Public Storage and Alexandria Real Estate Equities. He began his career at Ernst & Young and is a licensed CPA in California. A UCLA graduate, Eric actively mentors young professionals and serves on multiple advisory boards related to healthcare and innovation.

  
  

  
  

  Maggie O’Sullivan
  Senior Vice President Global Commercial Banking, Bank of America

  Maggie O’Sullivan is a banking executive with extensive experience in corporate finance, risk management, and community development. She currently serves as Senior Vice President in Global Commercial Banking at Bank of America, partnering with middle market companies and financial sponsors to deliver strategic capital, treasury, and advisory solutions for growth and investment.

  Previously, Maggie led national community development strategies for housing access and affordability at JPMorgan Chase and established the firm’s multinational business on the West Coast. She serves on the boards of Orange County United Way and Girl Scouts of Orange County, and is a former board member of the World Trade Center Los Angeles. Maggie holds a Master’s in International Business from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor’s in History from Michigan State University.

  
  

  SPONSORS

  

  
  

  

  
  

  SPONSORSHIP BENEFITS

  The Women’s Leadership Counts (WLC) 2025 conference is an excellent opportunity for sponsors to provide a platform for a diverse audience of professional women and men to receive inspiration and empowerment to achieve their career and personal goals. Sponsorship benefits include:
  
  Brand Differentiation – Strengthen your organization’s brand and build brand awareness
  Corporate Culture – Enhance your organization’s global diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
  Connections – Build a global professional network and gain access to influential leaders and decision-makers

  For more details, please see here.

  
  

  
  

  About Women's Leadership Counts

  In 2014, the Japan America Society of Southern California's Women's Leadership Counts (WLC) initiative was created as a first-of-its-kind initiative to provide a platform for women in business on both sides of the Pacific to engage in professional and leadership development. 

  Together with our partner organizations, business executives and community leaders, the WLC will create a network that inspires action and moves the needle on women's leadership.

  WLC's Mission Statement
  

  To provide an inclusive and diverse platform for women in business to engage in professional and global leadership development.

  Who Should Attend
  

  Current and future corporate, business, academic, non-profit and entrepreneurial women and men leaders who value the U.S-Japan collaboration and wish to expand their networks.

  Why You Should Attend
  
  LEARN from global leaders – Understanding the culture of the parent  company, management, or client from Japan or overseas is key to having a successful career.
  
  DISCOVER your potential – Build leadership and management skills and navigate through unique corporate culture in a professional environment.
  
  INVEST in yourself – Exchange ideas as well as challenges you are facing with peers and mentors, and learn tactics to advance your career. 
  
  BUILD your professional network – Meet a diverse group of women and men representing a wide variety of industries.

  
  

  

  
  
  
  

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