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Welcoming 2021: The Year of Resiliency

Happy New Year to all — may 2021 be a better and brighter year for everyone. It has been just over a year since I came to Japan Society as President and CEO, with a mandate to take the Society into the future while preserving its 113-year-old mission of building bridges between the U.S. and Japan. The pandemic has accelerated the pace of change for everyone, globally, nationally, locally, and within our own workplaces and households. Change is hard, but it is also necessary. In a recent email, my friend Parag Khanna wrote, “Our global system evolves the way humanity does, not through grand design or random accident but by adaptation to changing realities. The faster we react to an accelerating world, the better our chances of shaping the future to our benefit.” I’d like to speak to Parag’s point personally rather than geopolitically. The experience of leading a New York nonprofit during this time — an institution that is both deeply and historically embedded in onsite programming and tradition — has both clarified and strengthened my vision for Japan Society’s future. Bending Adversity If 2020 has forced us to prioritize, 2021 will be the year of resiliency. 2021 represents the year of the Ox in Japan, where the ox is considered an industrious, cautious, and faithful friend that is always glad to offer help. After the 2020 we’ve all had, we could use more faithful friends like the ox in 2021. We are looking toward 2021 as a year in which we as a society ultimately overcome COVID-19 through the efforts of scientists, frontline workers, and governments around the globe. We hope to see the world come together in a big way for the first time at the rescheduled Summer Olympics in Tokyo. In some ways, we have already seen the future in Japan and in Asia more broadly, with its successful response to the COVID pandemic. Japan also represents a recent example of how to bend adversity and bounce back, as it did from the Great East Japan Earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster of 3/11/2011. The entire country came together in solidarity to support the affected Tohoku region, including concrete measures such as limiting electricity usage at a national level to avoid rolling regional blackouts. A decade on, Japan still remembers, with the Olympic flame set to depart from Fukushima Prefecture in the torch relay that will cross the country before arriving in Tokyo for the Opening Ceremony. Out of Crisis: Opportunity Optimism and positivity are necessary to move forward. I’m optimistic not because I’m naïve about the challenges ahead as we continue to navigate these wild currents, but I am confident that we will find safe passage because of what we have learned collectively and adapted to over the past months. Japan Society’s Language Center had a record year in 2020 despite the pandemic as our teachers reached beyond our physical classrooms to virtual ones; more people joined us than ever before for our first-ever digital JAPAN CUTS, the largest festival of Japanese cinema in North America. We have opened possibilities far beyond our physical building, the original Japan House, designed by Japanese modernist architect Junzo Yoshimura 50 years ago, and named New York City’s youngest landmark in 2011. In crisis comes opportunity, and from opportunity come the possibilities for our collective future. While we are hurting without our physical programs and admissions revenue, we’ve literally been able to connect across the world, and even beyond — from Japanese astronaut Soichi Noguchi, who is currently on the International Space Station, to countless leading voices in Japan such as Olympics Director Nomura Mansai — to create unique experiences for our members. In this time, I return to the Japanese concept of kaizen (改善), continual self-improvement and change for the better. Regardless of the next challenges on the horizon, I’m committed to ensuring that we continuously improve and adapt in this spirit. I believe that our mission has never been more critical than in 2021 as we strengthen U.S.-Japan relations with new administrations in both capitals and seek opportunities to engage, explore, and educate our societies about our collective resiliency as we welcome the new year. Joshua Walker (@drjwalk) is president and CEO of Japan Society. Follow @japansociety. The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.

Is it time to shelve the 2020 Summer Olympics? Let our expert explain what’s at stake

The Olympic flame finally touched down in Japan this week, but as opposed to the global fanfare and growing excitement about this summer’s Olympic games – there’s a lot of talk about cancelling or at the very least postponing the event until the COVID-19 global pandemic subsides. With virtually every sport across the planet on hiatus or cancelled for the season, the decision seems like an obvious one. But perhaps not?   With countries around the world battling to contain the coronavirus pandemic, there are growing calls for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to either postpone or outright cancel this year's summer Olympics, which are scheduled to begin on July 24 in Tokyo. Here are some of the issues surrounding a possible postponement: Is it even possible for the Olympics to be postponed? The answer is yes, but it's complicated.  Japan's Olympic Minister Seiko Hashimoto has said that Tokyo's contract with the IOC states that the Games must be held during 2020. That would give organizers leeway to at least push the starting date back. In the past, the IOC has been adamant that the Games would open July 24. The Paralympics are scheduled to start Aug. 25. "The IOC remains fully committed to the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and with more than four months to go before the Games, there is no need for any drastic decisions at this stage; and any speculation at this moment would be counterproductive," the statement said. Postponing the Games would have ramifications on TV rights, sponsor contractors, transportation and managing the workforce needed for an event like the Olympics. March 20 - CBC There are billions of dollars at stake for the host country and for the International Olympic Committee. But with countries already pulling out or refusing to send athletes, what decision the IOC eventually makes will likely see a less than gold-standard showcase of the world’s elite competitors.   If you are a journalist covering this topic – then let our experts help.   Professor Andrew Wonders joined the faculty of the School of Business Administration at Cedarville University in 2013 following a 13-year career in the sport industry. He is an expert in the areas of major sporting events and the business of sports. If you are looking to arrange an interview with Professor Wonders – simply click on his icon to arrange a time.

Italy's Successful Bid to Host 2026 Winter Olympics

On Monday, June 24, the International Olympic Committee voted in favor of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, to host the 2026 Winter Games. Committee members voted 47-34 in favor of Italy, which won the bid over Sweden. This will be the country’s third Winter Olympics. (Cortina hosted the 1956 games, with Turin hosting in 2006.)   Italy was a scene of jubilation; and Luca Cottini, PhD, a Villanova University associate professor of Italian, was in the country to witness the excitement.   Dr. Cottini spoke about the reasons for the successful bid by Milan and Cortina.   “There are two elements that stand out. One is the ability of two iconic cities—Milan and Cortina—to construct and present a well-planned proposal from a political and economic standpoint, vis-à-vis the inability of the city of Rome to present a serious candidacy for the 2024 Summer Olympics. The topic of Rome’s candidacy immediately became political, because the Five Star Movement mayor was in opposition to it as a waste of public money.”   “The second element of interest in this event is the continuity between the universal exposition of 2015 [Expo 2015], which Milan organized, and the Winter Olympics—confirming the ability of Milan to emerge as an exciting and appealing city in the international scene,” continued Dr. Cottini. “The energy generated by Expo 2015 certainly created and enforced the momentum that led Milan to be at the center of the world stage again in 2026.”

An honor or a Herculean-sized task to host the Olympic Games?

In less than a month – the world will be watching as South Korea plays host, once again to the Olympic Games. With the Games come international attention, media scrutiny and bragging rights. What also comes with is serious price-tag and left-over infrastructure. The Olympics, which begin Feb. 9, will cost the host country approximately 14 trillion won ($12.9 billion) – almost double the original estimates of the 8 to 9 trillion won ($7 to 8 billion) South Korea stated when Pyeongchang won the bid in 2011. That’s a lot of money. And is it worth it? Do the Olympics carry the lustre they once did? Has any country actually been able to make money or put to good use all the facilities that are requires hosting events like luge, bobsledding, biathlons and all those extra arenas? Is it time for a single destination for the world to converge on each year? As costs go up – the urge to host internationally seems to go down. There are a lot of questions about hosting the Games and if the task is worth the price tag -that’s where the experts from Cedarville can help. Andrew Wonders is an Assistant Professor of Sport Business Management and was on planning committees for the Sydney and Salt Lake City Olympic games. He can give a behind-the-scenes look at what is taking place now leading up to the Olympics. Andrew is available to speak with media – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Source:

Sink or Swim. Can Brazil avert an impending PR disaster if the Summer Games fail?

Soon the Olympic Games begin in Rio de Janiero. What should be a point of pride for Brazil has been reduced to a cause for concern and worry for athletes, tourists, and international organizers. As August 5 approaches, Brazil has been plagued by police protests, an upswing in crime, outdoor rowing venues steeped in dangerous bacteria and an outbreak of Zika virus that has scared away some of the best athletes in the world. Hosting the Olympics should be a hole in one for countries and cities looking to showcase and market themselves a destination for tourists and visitors. The Summer Games are essentially a 16 day long PR campaign. That is unless the hosts are not ready. With less than three weeks to go, can Rio get its house in order in time to welcome athletes and media from around the world? Professor Michael Lewis is an Associate Professor of Marketing at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Professor Lewis is an expert in sports marketing and is available to speak to media about whether or not Rio will be ready and what the consequences could be if the upcoming Summer Games are a failure. Source:

#Rio2106 – A Billion Dollar Party?

Is hosting the Summer Games worth it for an economy in shambles? On Aug. 5, the Olympic Games begin in Rio de Janiero. What should be a point of pride for Brazil has been reduced to a cause for concern and worry for athletes, tourists, and international organizers. Hosting the Olympics is not cheap. It can cost the host country billions of dollars in infrastructure costs. During the bidding process, host cities make bold promises of upgrades to transportation, modernized and safe housing for athletes and new event facilities. Brazil’s economy is currently is a serious recession. Some economists have even said that the economy in this once powerful South American nation has not been in this poor a state since 1901. Professor Tom Smith specializes in cultural economics and the economics of the arts at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. Professor Smith is available to speak to media about whether or not the economic risk of hosting the Summer Games outweighs the reward. He can also speak to the costs, benefits and long term effects can have on a country. Source:

#Rio2016 – A Reason to Worry?

With precious time until the Olympic Games begin in Rio de Janiero, what should be a point of pride for Brazil has been reduced to a cause for concern and worry for athletes, tourists, and international organizers. Concerns have ranged from venue readiness, Zika virus, bacteria- infested water and most importantly -- security. Brazil is currently in political turmoil. Police and firefighters have been protesting and striking after going unpaid, body parts have been washing ashore and crime is rampant. In fact, in the first five months of 2016, 2,083 murders were reported (14 percent more than last year). With the world watching and the quality of security coming into question, is there reason to worry about the safety of our athletes or a potential terrorist threat at the Summer Games? Lieutenant General P. K. "Ken” Keen is a retired U.S. Army Officer and the Associate Dean of Leadership Development at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. General Keen is available to speak to media regarding security issues of such large events, potential threats, what athletes and visitors should consider if attending the Olympics. Source: