Noticing the need to create a space for multilateral dialogue, International Student Conferences launched the US-Japan-Korea Trilateral Forum in 2013 to increase cooperation and enhance communication between the United States, Japan, and South Korea. Since then, the Forum has been held annually to develop next-generation leaders who understand the role that the U.S.-Japan, U.S.-Korea, Japan-Korea, and Trilateral collaboration plays in regional security. While trilateral meetings continue to be held at the government level, the Trilateral Forum provides the opportunity for the next generation of U.S.-Asia leaders to interact with their international counterparts. The Trilateral Forum enhances understanding between American and Japanese future leaders and helps our nations lay the groundwork to continue addressing shared challenges from a place of mutual understanding.
Throughout the week-long program, students from the Japan-America Student Conference (JASC) and Korea-America Student Conference (KASC) participate in an intensive series of academic discussions with distinguished policy experts, diplomats, and media representatives from all three countries. Through engaging off-the-record conversations and immersive programs alike, students are presented with a deeply nuanced understanding of contemporary trilateral issues, encouraged to think both critically and creatively about the obstacles the relationship faces, and prompted to view trilateral issues from the perspective of a country other than their own. The Forum also provides opportunities for professional development, with workshops designed to improve participants’ public speaking skills and leadership abilities. At the conclusion of the Forum, ISC hosts a public Trilateral Symposium, where the students present original research and participate in panels alongside experts in U.S.-Asia relations.
By continuing to give students the opportunity to engage their peers in genuine discussions on topics both timely and sensitive, the Trilateral Forum and Symposium act as a much-needed catalyst for fostering mutual understanding and trust amongst the leaders of tomorrow.
After the Forum, ISC publishes a report on the Symposium’s agenda, including perspectives on regional issues set forth by the student leaders. ISC shares this report with decision-makers, government officials, and experts in the US, Japan, and Korea, promoting student voices at the trilateral level. To view past programming, please visit our Past Trilateral Forums page.
2025 9th US-Japan-Korea Trilateral Forum
The Trilateral Forum will take place from January 4-11, 2025, with up to sixteen (16) Japanese and American students representing the Japan-America Student Conference, up to eight (8) Korean and American students representing Korea-America Student Conference, up to six (6) students from the China-America Student Conference, ISC staff and interns, regional experts, and government officials.
The program will develop students understanding of and interest in governmental, business, and security relations between the three countries.
9th Trilateral Symposium
The symposium will address the question: How does technology impact trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea? The program will include two panels on sub-topics with expert speakers representing the US, Japan, and Korea and student speakers representing JASC and KASC. In panel two, the selected student speakers will provide perspectives on key issues through a student lens, bringing their voices to these discussions.
2025 Supporters
Photos from Past Trilateral Forums
Please visit our Past Trilateral Forums page to view summaries of prior programming.
