I and 14 other young professionals had the distinct privilege to represent the American Jewish Committee in partnership with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on a diplomacy trip to Japan, entitled “Kakehashi,” or “building bridges.”
As laid out by Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), our goal was to share knowledge and experience. What began as a mission to promote cross cultural understanding became a journey of discovery, revealing the profound impact an individual can have. I discovered the actions of a society, of a community, of an individual, can leave a lasting impact on this world for our generation and the next.
Japan’s society possesses a remarkable ability to respect and honor tradition while embracing modernity. The formality and detail to this care is evident in everyday gestures such as prioritizing elders in all aspects of life. This cultural ethos echoes the Jewish commandment to honor thy father and mother. Similarly, their culture places an emphasis on the collective over the individual, mirroring the Jewish value of tikkun olam — repairing the world for the collective good.
These shared principles set the stage for our diplomatic meetings. During our visit with the Israeli ambassador, we were struck by his observation of the near absence of antisemitism in Japan — a stark contrast to its prevalence on college campuses in the US today. We also met with representatives of the US embassy who themselves were Jewish and related their experience living in the country.
We later engaged in dialogue with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Mr. Fujii. He highlighted their commitment to global stability and concerns about regional challenges such as Iran’s aligning with their neighbors. We were also reminded of Japan’s relationship with Israel, particularly after the Oct. 7 attack, with their swift condemnation of Hamas and repeated push to free Israeli hostages. Japan sees itself as a leader in humanitarian response, and in doing so provides disproportionate aid to Ukraine. I remain hopeful that these shared values will pave the way for stronger ties between the two countries, committed to lasting peace and security.
One of the most poignant moments of the trip was visiting Tsuruga, the “Port of Humanity,” a historic town that served as a beacon of hope for thousands of Jews fleeing Nazi Germany. During our visit, we met with the mayor and toured the museum, learning about the Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara. Defying government orders, Sugihara issued travel visas to Jews in Lithuania, saving thousands of lives. In fact, one of our fellow participants, Dinor, recently discovered that her grandfather was one of the recipients of Sugihara’s travel visas. His life — and by extension, hers — was spared due to one man’s courage. Sugihara’s bravery is a testament to the profound impact one individual can have on the world — creating ripples of change that transcend generations.
Standing in Tsuruga, Dinor’s story reminded me of the Talmudic teaching: “Whoever saves one life, saves the entire world.” Each of us, as ambassadors for the Jewish community, has this opportunity to create similar ripples. Through advocating and engaging with other cultures, religions and governments, we build bridges of understanding and inspire the next Sugihara.
Later, in Kyoto, we visited Doshisha University and met an Israeli woman named Ada, who leads the Judaic Studies Department. We met with her Japanese students, some of whom studied Hebrew, Christian Zionism and theology. Ada shared that many of her students know little about Jewish history or the Holocaust. While she dreams of taking her students to Hiroshima’s Holocaust Museum annually, financial constraints make this difficult.
As I reflect on my time in Japan, I am inspired by the possibilities of what we can achieve together. By building bridges — Kakehashi — between cultures, we create a stronger, more tolerant world for future generations. Let this be a call to action: In hopes of creating our own ripple effect here in Kansas City, I aim to establish a fund to send a cohort of Doshisha University Students to the Hiroshima Holocaust Museum annually. Please join me in creating a small ripple that could one day grow into a wave, even 6,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean. Whether through financial support, advocacy or spreading awareness, we can help make this dream a reality.
