Joshua W. Walker, PhD

President & CEO Japan Society

  • New York NY

Walker leads Japan Society to create deep bonds between the US & Japan through programs in culture, education, business, policy & technology

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4 min

Japan House: Fifty Years Ago Today

Joshua W. Walker, Ph.D., President and CEO, Japan Society This September we're celebrating the 50th anniversary of Japan House, Japan Society's landmarked headquarters building. Let's jump in our time machine and go back to 1971, when Japan Society was only 64 years old. At that time, U.S.-Japan relations were deeply embroiled in trade frictions while the ending of the U.S. embargo of China had just begun to impact East Asia. 1971 snapshots In the United States: Richard M. Nixon is President; Apollo 14 lands on the moon; massive protests are held throughout America against the Vietnam War; Walt Disney World opens in Orlando, Florida; Joe Frazier defeats Muhammad Ali in 15 rounds at Madison Square Garden; the first Starbucks opens in Pike Place Market, Seattle. In Japan: Eisaku Sato is Prime Minister; the U.S. and Japan sign an accord to return Okinawa to Japan; NHK TV implements colorization of all programs; Kamen Rider TV series begins broadcasting; the 48th reigning Sumo champion Yokozuna Taihō announces his retirement; McDonald's opens its first store in Ginza, Tokyo; Nissin creates the first "cup noodle." Japan House Meanwhile in New York City, Japan Society had occupied eight different locations since its founding in 1907, and by the mid-1960s, a dedicated building had become necessary to house the Society's rapidly expanding initiatives. Japan Society President John D. Rockefeller 3rd made a very generous pledge by donating the land for the building site and Japanese modernist architect Junzo Yoshimura was confirmed to design the building. On September 16, 1969, John D. Rockefeller 3rd and Japanese Foreign Minister Kiichi Aichi broke ground at a formal ceremony. Construction proceeded on schedule and staff moved in during the spring of 1971, with Executive Director Douglas Overton noting, "Each day we have found some new and delightful feature which has come off the drawing board as an unexpectedly brilliant success. Japan House will be a national important building worthy of its high purposes." Opening Week—five star-studded days of celebratory events—began on September 13, 1971 with Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi at the ceremonies. The Prince brought Japan's best wishes to the Society "for a new chapter, both rich in content and wide in scope." The Gallery opened its first exhibition, Rimpa: Masterworks of the Japanese Decorative School and the Tokyo String Quartet performed in the new auditorium. Junzo Yoshimura wrote about Japan House, "People the world over used to build their houses with local and traditional materials. Today, however, contemporary buildings all over the world use the same basic materials—concrete, steel and glass—yet different characters and nationalities can still be perceived among them. In designing Japan House I have tried to express in contemporary architecture the spirit of Japan." With the formal opening of the Society's headquarters a new era had begun. Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi and Japan Society chairman John D. Rockefeller 3rd view the first Japan Society Gallery exhibition Rimpa: Masterworks of the Japanese Decorative School. Photo © Thomas Haar. The next 50 years Fifty years later, we are at another inflection point. The novel coronavirus pandemic has taught us just how interconnected we are as a global community while placing new importance on our homes and transforming the nature of work. This unprecedented global crisis has also illuminated the strengths and weaknesses of our organization, providing new opportunities for envisioning the future. Just as the opening of Japan House shaped the Society's last 50 years, today we are reimagining how we use our space, from the physical to the digital, forging broader connections or kizuna for U.S.-Japan and for the world. We embrace our mission for the years to come, reaching out far beyond our building, to our city, country, and world as we seek to connect American and Japanese people, cultures, and societies through a global lens. Like a hike up Mt. Fuji, Japan Society’s nearly 115-year-long journey itself defines us far more than our current destination. Beginning in 1907, the first iteration of Japan Society focused on business relations between the U.S. and Japan. For its 1952 post-Occupation reconstitution under the leadership of John D. Rockefeller 3rd, the Society dedicated itself to arts, culture, and education, with an emphasis on supporting Japanese students in New York as well as spreading the word about Japan through significant cultural milestones such as partnerships with The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Lincoln Center, with traveling exhibitions and outreach on both sides of the Pacific. With the opening of Japan House in 1971, politics was reintroduced into the mix, the business and policy communities energized, and Japanese popular culture landed large—nearly 50,000 people came to the Grand Sumo Tournament at Madison Square Garden co-sponsored by Japan Society and the Asia Society in 1985! Today at Japan House we present Japan and U.S.-Japan as a way to engage with history and tradition, on the one hand, and innovation and the future on the other. As in 1971, the time to act is now and our opportunities are as great as the challenges of 2021. It's up to us to work together on new, critical connections to take us through the next 50 years. I'll be there with you. Joshua Walker (@drjwalk) is president and CEO of Japan Society. Follow Japan Society on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.

Joshua W. Walker, PhD

3 min

Crossing Space and Time at Japan Society's 2021 Annual Dinner

On June 22, Japan Society celebrated its 2021 Annual Dinner, raising over $1.3 million to take us into the next year and beyond. It was—literally and virtually—a star-studded evening at the intersection of science, art, culture, business, and the U.S.-Japan alliance. After a special message from Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, the program included a conversation between former JAXA astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, the second Japanese woman to fly in space, and Ambassador Caroline Kennedy—marking the 60th anniversary of President Kennedy's Moonshot Address, followed by a performance from Japan's Ryoma Quartet. The keynote Fireside Chat brought together two titans of industry, our very own Chairman Joseph Perella, Chairman Emeritus, Perella Weinberg Partners and private equity pioneer Henry Kravis, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of KKR—also the recipient of this year's Japan Society Award. Mr. Kravis underscored the value of investing in long-term relationships throughout his talk with Mr. Perella, noting, "You have to be patient. You have to set your mission. You have to have a focus on ESG (environmental, social, and governance). Any company today that is not focusing on their ESG and on diversity of their workforce is not going to have much of a future. Today, it's not all about making money. That's a part of it. But it's also very important to ask, 'What are you doing for society, what are you doing to help your country?'" In her conversation with astronaut Naoko Yamazaki, Ambassador Caroline Kennedy cited her father's famous Moonshot Address at Rice University in 1962: "We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too." Yamazaki, who is working to inspire the next generation in aerospace, among other initiatives, is "thrilled to be able to witness the Artemis Program, which is sending the first woman and the first person of color to the moon, with international cooperation. Japan is in charge of the cargo transfer to the Lunar Gateway, the station [that will orbit the moon], and also Toyota and JAXA are developing a pressurized lunar rover to explore the surface of the moon." For Japan Society, the next 50 years will be our own Moonshot, as we move forward into a new post-pandemic inflection point—a significant reopening full of energy and excitement this fall that embodies the best of American and Japanese spirit. It's time to reach beyond the physical space of our landmarked building, which opened to the public 50 years ago in September 1971, re-imagining our enduring mission of connecting American and Japanese people, cultures, and societies across time and space for the next half century. Sixty years ago, President John F. Kennedy's Moonshot Address inspired a generation of Americans to look to the moon in the spirit of adventure, patriotism, and freedom. Today, under new leadership in the United States and Japan, Japan Society starts a new chapter in building our kizuna, our forward-facing energy and deeply interwoven connections, between New York and Japan – and beyond. How do we continue to inspire the next generation of leaders in U.S.-Japan relations? As we think about the next 50 years at Japan Society, much has changed, yet many of the foundations remain the same from our starting point 114 years ago. There's a lot to look forward to as we celebrate significant milestones in 2021-22 and beyond. As Mr. Kravis said, in order to grow and to survive, "You have to keep innovating, you have to keep moving." Japan Society is a convener for the future. With your support, we, too, will overcome the tough challenges facing this world and the U.S.-Japan alliance, together. See you at Japan House and on the far side of the moon! If you missed out on our 2020-21 season, below are some of the highlights. Stay tuned for more exciting events coming this summer and fall, in person and online! Published on June 22, 2021 on Japan Society’s new Watch & Read page.

Joshua W. Walker, PhD

5 min

New York and Tokyo: Global Cities as Essential Hubs for Our Collective Future

Throughout, cities have faced repeated pronouncements of their demise. Yet, as centers of soft power, cities adapt, persevere, and ultimately, reinvent themselves to thrive. Photo: Orbon Alija / Getty Images On August 24, 2020, in the dog days of the New York summer and at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, comedian Jerry Seinfeld wrote an op-ed for The New York Times titled "So You Think New York Is 'Dead' (It's not.)" The king is dead, long live the king! "Real, live, inspiring human energy exists when we coagulate together in crazy places like New York City," wrote Seinfeld. Cities change, "They mutate. They re-form. Because greatness is rare. And the true greatness that is New York City is beyond rare." In fact, megacities around the world have been experiencing similar trends related not just to the novel coronavirus--climate change, natural disasters, population shifts, and transformations in business, infrastructure, and transportation will all shape the contours of the 21st century. New York City's own history--when and why it has been pronounced "dead" during the last century--is instructive in and of itself. Other megacities of consequence should take note and take heart, especially Tokyo, which will be under the microscope in a new way as it prepares to host the Olympic Games in today's unprecedented environment. History repeats itself In the tensions of living in the present time, it's easy to forget New York City's long history of disaster, recovery, growth, and innovation--the 1918-19 influenza epidemic, the seasonal threat of polio, the scourge of HIV-AIDS, and the current pandemic, all define the city's history. In October 1975, New York City, America's largest and wealthiest city, narrowly averted bankruptcy. Refused rescue by the federal government and President Gerald Ford, the city was saved only through the beneficence of the city's own Teacher's Retirement System pension fund, which made up a $150 million shortfall. The next day, the Daily News headline shouted "Ford to City: Drop Dead." We survived, and we thrived! Then there was 9/11, 20 years ago this September, when the U.S. rallied around the city. New Yorkers cheered as heavy equipment driven from across America arrived to help clear the devastation, and were joined by the entire nation in mourning those who were lost. Along came the 2008 financial crisis, sounding another death knell for New York. Today, we know from past history that what has closed will reopen, or be reborn in a different form. And we'll be here to celebrate. Global cities generate soft power Like Tokyo, London, or Paris, New York is a global center for arts and culture, a place where diverse creative arts flourish and inspire people in close proximity, where there is always space for tradition and innovation, and a place, too, for those who come for entertainment. But whether in Japan, Europe, or America, whether in the arts, innovation, or civil society, the soft power of a global city is so much more than the sum of its parts. It is a treasure trove of history, a platform for the future, a home for diversity, and an incubator for social change. What is soft power and why do we need it? The term "soft power" was crafted by Harvard political scientist Joseph Nye in the 1980s, and is now widely used in a foreign policy context. As a 2004 Foreign Affairs review of Nye's book, Soft Power; The Means to Success in World Politics noted: "Nye argues that successful states need both hard and soft power--the ability to coerce others as well as the ability to shape their long-term attitudes and preferences... But overall, Nye's message is that U.S. security hinges as much on winning hearts and minds as it does on winning wars." Almost two decades later, soft power--the cultural, intellectual, and social bonds that bring diverse countries and societies together for mutual understanding--has become a critical component of American foreign policy. This is especially important for the U.S.-Japan alliance, as most recently evidenced by Hideki Matsuyama's thrilling Masters Tournament win and President Biden hosting Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga as the first head of state to visit the White House during his tenure. As I've written before, based on my experience from the State Department, "innovative and entrepreneurial partnerships based on shared objectives--economic growth, stability, and more--will be the engine for increased security and prosperity." In other words, the future of diplomacy will not only be national, but subnational, where megacities like Tokyo and New York will shape their own destinies based on the partnerships that their leaders--political, business, and civil--can forge together in the best interests of their constituents. Japan Society and New York As the President and CEO of Japan Society, my work is to take the Society's mission into its second century, to be the deep connection, or kizuna, that brings the United States and Japan together through its peoples, cultures, businesses, and societies. From our New York headquarters, which opened to the public 50 years ago, we are looking toward the next half century knowing that we will be defined not so much by our now-landmarked building but by our digital and ideational impact. Our future can only be enhanced by continuing to exchange with our friends in Tokyo and beyond. Long before soft power was defined, in the radical days of 1960s New York, Japan Society supported international exchange in the arts between Japan and the U.S. through fellowships and grants to Japanese artists and students, among them Yayoi Kusama, Yutaka Matsuzawa (Radicalism in the Wilderness: Japanese Artists in the Global 1960s), Shiko Munakata (Improvisation in Wood: Kawamata x Munakata, fall/winter 2021), and many others who made history in the arts in both the U.S. and Japan. Now, performing arts commissions and gallery exhibitions at Japan Society build on and evolve U.S.-Japan cultural exchange even as Japanese traditional and contemporary artists have been mainstreamed into New York's major cultural institutions. Our work continues--in arts and culture, education, business, and civil society. Even as the COVID pandemic recedes through continued social distancing practices and increasing vaccinations, the changes it has wrought on the ways we work and communicate are here to stay. Remote work, flexible schedules, and collaboration and connectivity across time zones all predate the pandemic but were scaled up at a rate that was previously unimaginable. While physical borders closed to travelers, virtual ones opened --and technology has allowed us to engage and convene with those near and far like never before. We at Japan Society are committed to finding new connections and building new bridges outside of New York City, starting with Tokyo and then the rest of the world. Our 37 other Japan-America sister societies across the United States have much to offer even as New York remains an essential global stage and financial platform. Partnerships will ultimately define the future of which global hubs thrive and where populations gravitate post-COVID. As we continue our mission for the future of the world, and for the U.S.-Japan alliance, I'm incredibly optimistic for Japan Society and for New York City's long-term evolution. This article was originally published in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Joshua W. Walker, PhD
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Biography

Joshua W. Walker Ph.D. is President & CEO of Japan Society, the nation’s leading non-profit organization dedicated to fostering deep, meaningful connection and exchange between the United States and Japan. From his base in New York City, Walker oversees a wide array of programs in arts and culture, business, policy, technology, and education to promote greater mutual understanding and collaboration between the two countries and societies.

Previously he worked at Eurasia Group, the world's premier political risk analysis firm, where he served as global head of strategic initiatives and Japan in the Office of the President. He actively expanded global events and new business offerings, including leading the company's first “GZERO” geopolitical summit in Japan. He also worked with clients worldwide with a focus on Japan and in a variety of sectors to evaluate global geopolitical risks.

Walker has more than two decades of experience in international business and diplomacy. Prior to Eurasia Group, he was CEO and president of the USA Pavilion of the 2017 World Expo in Astana, Kazakhstan; founding dean of the APCO Institute; and senior vice president of global programs at APCO Worldwide, a leading global strategic communications firm. Before joining the private sector, he worked in numerous roles at U.S. government agencies, including the State Department and the Defense Department. He is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress and teaches at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

He co-founded the Yale Journal of International Affairs and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy in New York. He has taught at several academic institutions, served on multiple boards, and won various awards along with being a Presidential Leadership Scholar, Trilateral Commission Rockefeller Fellow, Mansfield Foundation Network for the Future Member, Transatlantic Fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, Munich Young Leader, Council on Foreign Relations Member, Fulbright Scholar, Foreign Policy Initiative Future Leader, Sister Cities International Honorary Board Member and Truman National Security Project Fellow. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond, a master's degree from Yale University, and a doctorate from Princeton University.

Walker grew up in Japan where his parents still serve as missionaries, came to the United States when he was 18, and is bicultural and multilingual.

Industry Expertise

Corporate Leadership
International Affairs
Public Policy

Areas of Expertise

UN
Conflict
Diplomacy
Asia Minor
Japanese Language
East Asia
National Security
Technology
Policy
Arts and Culture
International Development
Politics
International Relations
Foreign Policy
Public Policy
Not for Profit Leadership
Business
Japan
New York City
Geopolitics
U.S. Politics
Turkey
Geopolitical Risk
Strategic Communications
Global NGOs
History

Accomplishments

Inaugural Young Society Leader

2012
The American Turkish Society

Future Leader

2011
Foreign Policy Initiative

Inaugural Top 99 Foreign Policy Leaders Under 33

2011
Diplomatic Courier and Young Professionals in Foreign Policy

Education

Princeton University

Ph.D.

Politics and Public Policy

2012

Yale University

M.A.

International Relations

2006

University of Richmond

B.A.

Leadership Studies

2003

Affiliations

  • Contributing Editor, The Japan Times

Languages

  • Japanese
  • Turkish

Testimonials

Business Development Manager

Dubai

Dr. Joshua Walker was essential to the team, and contributed significantly to the success of the USA Pavilion at Astana World Expo 2017, bringing intelligence, leadership and creativity to any project he was involved in. He is a take-charge person who is able to present creative solutions to complex problems, a trustworthy individual and I will always hold him in the highest esteem. He showed a high level of leadership, motivation, management skills and was a main contributor to the U.S. participation at the EXPO 2017.

Dr. Walker is a detail, target oriented, ambitious and strong leader, his knowledge is vast and extensive. Has an easiness to build interpersonal relations with others. As a leader or team member, Dr. Joshua Walker earns my highest recommendation.

CNP

CNP

I had the pleasure of being a student of Dr. Walker during the Leadership and the American Presidency Program in Washington, DC for the fall 2018 semester. Dr. Walker is by far one of the best professors I've ever had because he goes above and beyond to get his students outside of the typical classroom setting to gain hands-on and real-life experience. Even after the program has ended, he still provides mentorship and guidance. Dr. Walker invests in his students and wants nothing but the best for them. I look forward to possibly taking another course with Dr. Walker and learning from his servant leadership style.

Human Resources Information System Manager

She Grows TM

Dr. Walker was my professor during my time in DC in 2017. More importantly Dr. Walker was a mentor in leadership. He taught my cohort the intricacies of leadership and the American presidency. I learned from Dr. Walker about American democracy and the hardships of some of the greatest American presidents. I commend Dr. Walker for taking the time out of his busy international schedule to teach those aspiring to be like him.

Media Appearances

Suga and Biden Prepare for Summit

NHK World-Japan  tv

2021-04-08

Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide is set to become the first foreign leader to meet face-to-face with the US President since Joe Biden took office. The two leaders will meet next week. Joshua Walker is President and CEO of the New York-based non-profit Japan Society. NHK World's Catherine Kobayashi spoke with him about Japan-US relations, and what's at stake.

A decade later, 3/11 disaster a testament to US-Japan alliance

Nikkei Asia  print

2021-03-11

Today marks the 10th anniversary of 3/11: the Mar. 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami, and nuclear disaster that devastated the Tohoku region of northeastern Japan.

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Veteran Japan watcher weighs in on US-Japan relations under Biden

NHK World-Japan  online

2021-01-28

A longtime US foreign policy analyst says President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide will have to put domestic priorities to the side as they look to strengthen ties between their countries.

With President Biden taking office in Washington, geopolitical analysts are keen to see how the change at the top will affect relations between the US and Japan. NHK World's

Ebara Miki spoke to one of them Dr. Joshua Walker, a seasoned Japan watcher who recently became President and CEO of the New York-based non-profit Japan Society.

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Event Appearances

Digital Fishbowl Discussion: A (Strategic) Balancing Act: NATO in an Era of Great Power Competition

NATO 2030 Youth Summit  Brussels, Belgium

Articles

U.S.-Japan ties must go beyond domestic politics

The Japan Times

Joshua W. Walker

2021-01-29

Shortly after being inaugurated as the 46th President of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, President Joe Biden signed 17 executive orders, among them pledging to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement. Earlier that week, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga vowed to boost Japan’s economy through the realization of a green society and promotion of digital transformation.

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The Legacy of Leadership: Japan Society Beyond Pearl Harbor

Japan Society

Joshua W. Walker

2020-12-07

We remember December 7, 1941. Today is the 79th anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the surprise attack by Japanese forces on the U.S. naval base in Honolulu that moved the United States to formally enter into World War II the following day.

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U.S.-Japan after the Election: Thankful to Be Better Together

Japan Society

Joshua W. Walker

2020-11-09

2020 has been an unprecedented year, and the U.S. presidential election, frequently interesting and unpredictable, has lived up to form in an already volatile political and economic arena. Many of the norms that we have always assumed about the American presidential system have been upended by President Trump’s behavior during the electoral process, and are still playing out.

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