Dear Friends of JITTI USA,

My name is Yosuke Yamashita. I have been working at JITTI USA since last summer and was appointed Senior Representative of JITTI USA at the beginning of July. I would like to thank you all for your continued understanding and support of JITTI USA's activities. Today, I would like to briefly introduce myself, and hope to help readers become more familiar with, and interested in, JITTI USA's activities.

Prior to joining JITTI USA, I worked for Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). Because the ministry's responsibilities are extremely broad—covering transportation, including aviation, railways, and maritime affairs, as well as infrastructure such as roads, rivers, and housing—I had the opportunity to work in a wide range of policy areas. These included promoting public-private partnerships in infrastructure operations, such as airports and water systems, and developing housing policies for older adults and people with disabilities. I also worked on policies to strengthen Japan's maritime industry and enhance Japan's economic security, both of which are closely related to the current policy initiatives under the Trump administration. For that reason, I feel especially fortunate to be working at JITTI USA during this period of significant change in U.S. maritime policy.

Before becoming Senior Representative of JITTI USA, I also served as a Visiting Fellow at the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS).

During my time in Washington, D.C., I have come to realize how important it is to deepen mutual understanding of each country's policies and the background behind them in order to strengthen U.S.–Japan cooperation. I therefore hope that JITTI USA will continue to contribute to this goal by producing policy reports in the transportation field and hosting symposiums that encourage dialogue between the two countries.

On a personal note, I currently live in the Washington, D.C. area with my wife and our six-year-old son. This is my second time living in the United States, following my studies in public policy at the University of Chicago from 2016 to 2018. Although my son could not understand any English when we first arrived, and even refused to ride the school bus, he adjusted to elementary school within a couple of months and is now happily attending summer camp every day.

My family also loves traveling. Although my wife and I rarely drove in Japan, road trips have become one of our favorite pastimes in the United States. Last month, we visited Niagara Falls and enjoyed driving around New York and Pennsylvania to see the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. I also enjoy running and completed the Marine Corps Marathon last year—although, I have to admit, it was my slowest marathon yet.

Last but not least, I sincerely appreciate your continued support of JITTI's activities. I also look forward to exchanging ideas and opinions with many of you in the future.

Sincerely,

Yosuke Yamashita