Me? A bridge between these two countries? The meeting’s sponsors – Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the independent Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership – think so. They believe Japanese Americans who’ve achieved in their professions and who identify strongly with their roots can open doors to understanding. It’s a very personal approach – building relationships person by person. The Japanese believe it’s worth the investment of time and money.

We citizen diplomats are all alumni of the Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD). Since 2000, JALD has been inviting Japanese Americans to meet movers and shakers in Japan. Japanese Americans welcome the challenge.

“Our moment is here,” declared political heavyweight Senator Daniel Inouye (D) Hawaii. “Japanese Americans have come of age. We can claim openly our ancestral land and be proud of our lineage, something that would have been considered “un American” during World War II.”

Inouye points to the American Israel Affairs Committee, which claims 9 U.S. Senators as members but represents less than one percent of the population. “They are there to look out for Israel. We need a Japanese American group to look out for Japan, “ he said.

The Director of Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs North American Bureau, Takeo Mori, points out Japan is the U.S.’s strongest Asian ally. “It’s because we share common values – democracy, love of freedom and a market economy. We have inter-dependent economies which depend on peace and stability, especially in the Middle East where both countries get their oil.”

Member of Parliament, Taro Kono, told the group the two countries have moved away from 1970’s era “Japan bashing” into an era of “Japan passing.” Instead of overlooking or dismissing Japan, Kono suggests the U.S. consult with its ally more frequently. “On issues such as nuclear weapons to India, security in the Indian Ocean, Iraq, the environment and immigration, a friend will always ask: Are you sure about this decision?” He asks Americans to see Japan as more than a “blip” on the radar screen, because “we have much of value to share with our friends.”

Hawaii’s Governor, Linda Lingle, emphasized how personal relationships between the people of Hawaii and Japan have led to huge economic benefits. She says she visits Japan several times a year because it’s obvious – friendships are mutually beneficial. “I’ve even been to Hachijo-jima,” she states proudly. It’s the sister island of Maui, where Lingle used to be mayor. “Not many people – even in Japan – have visited Hachijo-jima. But I go because relationships matter.”

Honolulu’s mayor, Mufi Hannemann, whose wife is of Japanese descent, emphasized how Japanese Americans can be that “constituency of support” to help the U.S. accomplish its goals. “How long has the U.S. government talked about the importance of Asia-Pacific relations? Let’s get beyond the photo op and create real benefits,” he said.

How does a JALD alum like me react to all this? There is so much belief that Japanese Americans can rally to this cause. The response among the delegates? A resounding yes! In Seattle, for example, five JALD alumni are working with Japanese nationals, the local Japanese American community and all who love Japanese culture to build a Japanese Cultural and Community Center in Seattle. It will be a lively place in Seattle’s old Nihonmachi (Japantown) where cultural sharing, learning and relationships can flourish!

To achieve this goal, we must lean on the Japanese values that have brought us thus far: gaman (quiet endurance), giri (sense of duty), ganbari (endurance), on (debt of gratitude), sekinin (responsibility). Always remembering okage sama de (I am what I am because of you) which means we would not be the talented people we are without the sacrifice and vision of our Japanese ancestors.

America has always been a land of opportunity for Japanese and their descendants. Now, as U.S. citizens of Japanese ancestry, it is time to use our collective might to strengthen that which joins the country of our ancestors and the country we call home.

Slide Show: My Life as a Bridge