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 took place from January 4-11, 2025, with sixteen Japanese and American students representing the 77th Japan-America Student Conference, four Korean and American students representing the 18th Korea-America Student Conference, and six students representing the China-America Student Conference, three ISC interns, and staff, regional experts, and government officials.
The program developed these students’ understanding of and interest in governmental, business, and security relations between the United States, Japan, and South Korea. The 2025 program included a focus on technology and welcomed speakers on artificial intelligence and auto manufacturing, along with visits to the Korean and Japanese embassies and programming with the State Department Office of Women, Peace, and Security.
Thank you to our forum sponsors: Korea Foundation and United States-Japan Foundation.
9th Trilateral Symposium
The 9th U.S.-Japan-Korea Symposium was held on January 9th, 2025 from 1 PM to 5 PM in Washington, DC at FIU in DC, 601 New Jersey Ave NW suite 103, Washington, DC 20001.
The symposium addressed the question: How does technology impact trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea? The program included 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.
Panel 1: What policies are being made regarding new technologies and how does US-Japan-Korea trilateral cooperation play a role in these policy decisions?
Our Expert Panel was moderated by Melanie Berry, a Vice President at The Asia Group. Speakers were:
- Kellee Wicker, Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Program at the Wilson Center
- Kayla Orta, Senior Associate at the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy at the Wilson Center
- Jim Schoff, Senior Director of the US-Japan NEXT Alliance Initiative at Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA.
Panel 2: How does AI influence trilateral cooperation? What role does AI play in students’ understanding of other countries and cultures?
Our student panel was moderated by Bahia Simons-Lane, Executive Director, International Student Conferences. The student panelists were:
- Emile Shah, American Executive Committee Member, The 77th Japan-America Student Conference (JASC)
- Mayu Kitahara, Japanese Executive Committee Member, The 77th Japan-America Student Conference (JASC)
- Valerie Grau, American Executive Committee Member, The 18th Korea-America Student Conference (KASC)
- Somin Hwang, Korean Executive Committee Member, The 18th Korea-America Student Conference (KASC)
Thank you to our event sponsors: The Korea Foundation and Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA.
2025 Supporters
Photos from Past Trilateral Forums
Please visit our Past Trilateral Forums page to view summaries of prior programming.
