U.S.-Japan Business Council
The U.S.-Japan Business Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce advances U.S. business interests in Japan and promotes stronger economic ties between the United States and Japan.
Since 1971, the U.S.-Japan Business Council (USJBC) has advocated for U.S. businesses in Japan to policymakers on both sides of the Pacific. Our proactive agenda of high-level engagements leverage the Council’s broad network and unique Japan connections to advance our members’ interests and the U.S.-Japan economic partnership.
Our members include more than 60 of the most influential and innovative American companies with significant business relationships with Japan. The USJBC is chaired by Douglas Peterson, the President & CEO of S&P Global, and its Vice Chair is David Goeckeler, CEO of Western Digital.
Reasons to Join
Proactive Agenda
The USJBC hosts multiple events per month on members’ highest policy priorities related to supply chain resilience, healthcare innovation, digital transformation and governance, energy security, and U.S.-Japan cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. The council also produces reports, letters, submissions, and other direct advocacy on specific issues of interest to members.
High-Level Engagements
The USJBC is recognized by the U.S. and Japanese governments as a leader on bilateral economic issues and both actively seek USJBC input and engagement. Through USJBC events and conferences, members get regular opportunities to engage candidly with the highest levels of policymakers.
Unique Japan Connection
The USJBC is the only U.S.-Japan business organization with a strong institutional relationship with a Japanese counterpart, the Japan-U.S. Business Council (JUBC), comprised of major Japanese companies. Together, the USJBC and JUBC serves as the preeminent private sector voice in the U.S.-Japan commercial relationship.
U.S.-Japan Business Conference
The USJBC’s flagship conference, the U.S.-Japan Business Conference, is one of the longest-running fora dedicated to the U.S.-Japan private sector relationship. For more than 60 years, it has convened over 200 executives for annual discussions on the most pressing economic issues facing the United States, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region. The final Joint Statement and its sector-specific annexes from our working groups are presented to the Government of Japan and the United States Government each year to provide policymakers with detailed recommendations from the business community.
Feature story
The Councils jointly represent 134 companies from both the United States and Japan, with sectors including the digital economy, financial services, healthcare, energy, infrastructure, travel, tourism, and transportation.
Latest Content
Tomoko Hosaka Mullaney to lead the U.S.-Japan Business Council
This paper identifies a set of common principles that illustrate the robust foundation for deepening cooperation between the U.S. and Japan on ESG matters. The USJBC will be leveraging this document to help ensure that the private sector has a seat at the table in the rapidly moving ESG policy debate in Japan, the U.S., and globally.
The U.S.-Japan Business Council (USJBC) and Japan-U.S. Business Council (JUBC) held the 58th U.S.-Japan Business Conference on Tuesday, October 5 and Wednesday, October 6 Eastern Time, with the theme, “Building a Sustainable Future: A Blueprint for the U.S.-Japan Leadership.”
WASHINGTON, D.C.— The U.S. Chamber’s U.S.-Japan Business Council (USJBC) announced today that David Goeckeler, chief executive officer of Western Digital, has been elected vice chairman of the USJBC. Goeckeler will join USJBC chair Doug Peterson, president and chief executive officer of S&P Global, in enhancing the USJBC’s policy advocacy strategy and promoting the USJBC’s mission.
On January 15, 2021, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, & Industry (METI) issued an interim report, AI Governance in Japan (English version here). The report, which was written by an expert committee, reviews global AI governance trends and considers options for turning “principles into practice” in the Japanese market. The USJBC and the Chamber’s Project Data-Driven Innovation, submitted formal comments on this report.
In the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008, regulatory reforms to strengthen the financial system were critical in enhancing market transparency and restoring confidence in global financial institutions. While the regulatory reforms have been generally supportive of international regulatory coherence, unwarranted market fragmentation remains, which has led to inefficient markets and higher transaction costs. This paper provides an overview of reports presenting thoughtful insights and recommendations for reducing fragmentation.
The financial services firms of the U.S.-Japan Business Council view data connectivity as a means to connect to their customers, manage risks, and ultimately provide critical services to individuals, businesses, and governments around the world. We strongly believe that data connectivity translates directly to economic growth, supports financial stability, and facilitates financial regulators’ access to financial-risk related data that is needed to ensure macroeconomic stability and soundness. Despite strong evidence to support these assertions, financial services firms often find themselves confronted with regulatory efforts that impede data connectivity, risking financial stability and market integrity.