Japan Society’s 2024 Annual Dinner

On June 13, 2024, nearly 700 guests gathered to celebrate and strengthen the U.S.-Japan relationship at a Gala in support of Japan Society. Thanks to the generosity of our amazing supporters, we raised an historic $1.85 million to provide essential funding for Japan Society’s programming and operations.

Click here to view the video highlights.

The evening featured a Keynote Dialogue, moderated by Japan Society Chair Merit E. Janow, between Arvind Krishna, Chairman & CEO of IBM, and Atsuyoshi Koike, President & CEO of Rapidus, whose partnership to jointly develop and produce today’s vital 2 nm-node semiconductor technology is a model for the future of U.S.-Japan relations. This year’s honoree, Dr. Alexandra Munroe, Senior Curator at Large, Global Arts, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, received the Japan Society Award for her pioneering work in modern and contemporary Asian art, presented by two longtime friends, Jack Wadsworth, Honorary Chairman, Morgan Stanley Asia and Jane DeBevoise, President & Chair, Asia Art Archive in America. The Young People’s Chorus of New York City performed brilliantly in both English and Japanese under the leadership of its founder and Artistic Director Francisco J. Núñez, and Minami Yusui, Broadway performer and founder of YU-project, led the festivities as Master of Ceremonies.

As Japan Society President & CEO Joshua W. Walker noted in his remarks:

“Following Prime Minister Kishida’s official state visit to President Biden in Washington, D.C. in April, it is clear that the strategic U.S.-Japan alliance is at the forefront of global politics. In this critical time, our two countries need each other more than ever before. I can’t be more excited to be here tonight close to the heart of Times Square on what’s truly the global stage of New York to celebrate U.S.-Japan relations. Japan is back!”

Thank you again for your friendship and support—arigato gozaimasu.