Opening Remarks
Keynote Remarks
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JITTI USA
Staff
Members
Senior Representative/Senior Research Fellow
Expertise: Maritime, Economic Security
Yosuke Yamashita
After earning his degree from Waseda University's School of Political Science and Economics, he entered the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. His tenure involved contributing to key government initiatives across sectors like social infrastructure development, housing and real estate, PPP/PFI, international affairs, ocean shipping, and economic security policy. He also served as a Visiting Scholar at the Edwin O. Reischauer Center for East Asian Studies before his current position.
Senior Research Fellow
Hiroyuki Yamagami
Expertise: Shipping Policy
He joined Keio University's Faculty of Law in March 1998 and began his career at Chugoku Bank. His long-term career started in October 1999 at the Japanese Shipowners' Association (JSA), where he progressed through various roles, including a posting at the European Regional Office in London (2013). He advanced in the Planning Department before taking on a leadership role in environmental affairs in July 2025.
Research Fellow
Kotaro Yamamoto
Expertise: Aviation (Certification of aircraft and components, flight standards, personnel licensing, etc.)
Since joining the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, he has focused on technical safety administration at the Civil Aviation Bureau, and also worked at the Policy Bureau. His main task was making safety regulations and conducting inspections and audits of the aviation sector.
At JITTI USA, he is engaged in research in the field of aviation technology.
Research Fellow
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Expertise: Tourism
Haruhiko Koyama
After graduating from the College of Urban Liberal Arts at Tokyo Metropolitan University, he worked at Alpine Tour Services before joining the Japan Tourism Agency in 2021. There he served as Chief Official in the International Tourism Department, Chief Official in Human Resource Development , and worked in the Tourism Industry Division.
Research Fellow
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Expertise: Surface Transportation/ Urban Development
Naoki Sato
Upon graduating from Rikkyo University Faculty of Law, he joined and has held various positions at Tokyo Metro, including within the Railway Headquarters' Railway Management Department, General Affairs Department, and Corporate Planning Headquarters' Public Offering Office. He was also seconded to the Metro Life Support Co., Ltd before returning to Tokyo Metro in the Financial Affairs Department.
Research Fellow
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Expertise: Coast Guard, Maritime Security
Yuta Arai
Since joining the Japan Coast Guard, he has alternated between working at sea and on land. His duties have entailed serving on large patrol vessels and boats by engaging in frontline operations involved in territorial waters, sea rescue, maritime crime control, and maritime traffic, as well as working in international cooperation, education and training, and public relations at federal and regional coast guard headquarters.
Research Fellow
Expertise: Airports, Aviation, Tourism
Yukiko Nakamura
Since joining Narita International Airport Corporation, Ltd. she has been involved in the operation and management of passenger terminal buildings and planning and development of airport user applications. She has also been engaged in airport fee policies, including landing fees, and the businesses of LCC usage promotion, bidding of overseas airport operations, group management, and more.
Director of Communications and Operations
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Mamiko Kim
Prior to joining JITTI USA, Mamiko worked in Ehime Prefecture on the JET Program, where she passed the JLPT N2. At JITTI USA, her work has entailed office administration and accounting, and now has greater focus on event logistics, authoring official communications, translation work, etc.
Mamiko has a Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Studies from Smith College and a Masters in Education from the College of William and Mary.
Office Manager
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Tomomi Dodd
Tomomi Dodd graduated from an American university and has been working for international companies. Dodd joined JITTI as an administrative assistant in October 2018.
Administrative Assistant
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Suzannah Nevas
After graduating from Wellesley College with a degree in East Asian Studies, Suzannah spent two years in Hyogo Prefecture on the JET Program. She subsequently returned to the U.S. and gained work experience in the fields of education, accounting and office administration. She has been a member of the JITTI staff since 2021.