Japan

AJC’s Asia Pacific Institute (API), which makes regular visits to Japan and has a representative based in Tokyo, has deep historic ties to the country and to the Japanese-American community.

Since API was founded in 1989, we have been meeting regularly with senior Japanese officials to advocate on behalf of Israel and the global Jewish community. The Japanese government credits AJC for the patient diplomacy that encouraged Japan to reverse its position and cease complying with the Arab boycott against Israel during the 1990s. Today, API works closely with Japanese consulates throughout the U.S. as well as with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to nurture mutual exchanges between the Jewish and Japanese communities.

We consult regularly with Japanese-American organizations on matters of mutual interest ranging from legal protections for minorities to cybersecurity. AJC was the first non-Japanese-American organization to lend its support to the quest for redress and reparations for the shameful internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, which led to passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1988, which provided an official U.S. apology and reparations.  API’s engagement with Japanese Americans has been recognized and honored by the U.S. Japan Council and the Japanese-American Citizens League.