Convening
A Global Partnership: Global Dialogue Dinner with Ambassador Shigeo Yamada of Japan
From left to right, Brad Knox (Aflac), His Excellency Shigeo Yamada (Embassy of Japan), Michael Taylor (Idemia), Carolyn Wu (Apple), Lance Mangum (FedEx), Katharine Kendrick (Airbnb), and Puru Trivedi (Meridian) seated for a Global Dialogue Dinner on the Japan-U.S. Economic Partnership on April 3, 2025, at Meridian International Center in Washington, DC. Photo by Jess Latos Since the end of the Second World War, the United States and Japan have cultivated one of the most enduring and strategically important bilateral relationships in the world.
Grounded in shared democratic values, robust economic ties, and a commitment to global stability, this partnership has been strengthened over decades through mutual security cooperation and meaningful people-to-people exchanges. The year 2025 marks two significant milestones in the U.S.-Japan relationship: the 65th anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security and the 113th anniversary of Japan’s gift of 3,020 cherry blossom trees to the United States, a lasting symbol of friendship between the two nations.
In honor of this enduring alliance and as part of Meridian International Center’s Global Dialogue Dinner series , Ambassador Stuart Holliday, CEO of Meridian, hosted His Excellency Shigeo Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the United States, for an off-the-record discussion with members of the Meridian Corporate Council. The evening provided a platform for an open exchange of ideas focused on innovation, regional and global security, and private sector collaboration as essential components of the evolving U.S.-Japan relationship.
Ambassador Yamada offered timely insights on the strategic priorities shared by both governments. In February 2025, President Trump and Prime Minister Shigeru reaffirmed their commitment to a “golden age” of U.S.-Japan relations built on a vision for a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. From an economic perspective, this includes deepening bilateral investment, strengthening industrial supply chains, and advancing cooperation on critical technologies such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The evening also emphasized the importance of enhancing energy security, including Japan’s continued interest in U.S. liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to support stable energy access. The Global Dialogue Dinner on April 3, 2025, underscored these shared commitments and highlighted pathways for Meridian Corporate Council members—and the broader private sector—to support and expand the economic and diplomatic ties that define the U.S.-Japan partnership.
Left to Right: T.H. Fred Hochberg (Meridian Board Chair), H.E. Shigeo Yamada, Ambassador of Japan to the United States, and T.H. Stuart Holliday (CEO, Meridian) at Meridian House on April 3, 2025. Photo by Jess Latos. Left to Right: His Excellency Shigeo Yamada (Embassy of Japan) greets Lance Mangum (FedEx) ahead of a Meridian Global Dialogue Dinner at Meridian House on April 3, 2025. Photo by Jess Latos. Left to Right: T.H.
Diane Farrell (Dept. of Commerce), Eric Loeb (Salesforce), and His Excellency Shigeo Yamada (Embassy of Japan), listen to remarks during a cocktail reception ahead of a Meridian Global Dialogue Dinner at Meridian House on April 3, 2025. Photo by Jess Latos. Guests listen to remarks at a Meridian Global Dialogue Dinner at Meridian House on April 3, 2025. Photo by Jess Latos. Left to Right: Ms. Carolyn Wu (Apple) and Lance Mangum (FedEx) listen to Katharine Kendrick (Airbnb) during a Meridian Global Dialogue Dinner at Meridian House on April 3, 2025.
Photo by Jess Latos. His Excellency Shigeo Yamada (Embassy of Japan) speaks during a Global Dialogue Dinner flanked on the left by Brad Knox (Aflac) and on the right by Michael Taylor (Idemia) at Meridian House on April 3, 2025. Photo by Jess Latos. Guests listening to Ambassador Stuart Holliday (Merdian) speak at a Global Dialogue Dinner at Meridian House on April 3, 2025. Photo by Jess Latos. T.H. Fred Hochberg (Center) speaks to guests during a Global Dialogue Dinner at Meridian House on April 3, 2025.
Photo by Jess Latos. T.H. Diane Farrell (Department of Commerce) speaks to guests looking on during a Global Dialogue Dinner at Meridian House on April 3, 2025. Photo by Jess Latos. Project summary A Global Partnership: Global Dialogue Dinner with Ambassador Shigeo Yamada of Japan | April 2025 Countries: Japan Impact Areas: Business and Trade Program Areas: Corporate Diplomacy See Program Page .