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 Trilateral Symposium act as a much-needed catalyst for fostering mutual understanding and building 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.
2024 US-ROK-Japan Trilateral Forum
The Trilateral Forum will take place from January 2-8, 2024, with up to sixteen (16) Japanese and American students representing JASC, up to eight (8) Korean and American students representing KASC, and ISC interns who will meet in person to participate in workshops with each other, ISC staff and interns, regional experts, and government officials.
2024 US-ROK-Japan Trilateral Program Highlights
January 3, Wednesday | Briefing with the U.S. Department of State Bureau for East Asian & Pacific Affairs
January 4, Thursday | Korea Cultural Center: Briefing by Counselor Changsoo Kim
January 5, Friday | Korea Economic Institute: Multinational Simulation & Korea Foundation Welcome Reception & Dinner
January 6, Saturday | Trilateral Symposium
2024 US-ROK-Japan Trilateral Symposium
The Trilateral Symposium is the culmination of the Trilateral Forum, and will be open to the public. The Trilateral Symposium provides the opportunity for students alongside U.S.-Asia experts to analyze the impact and importance of Trilateral collaboration and pose solutions to key issues in the multilateral relationship and regional security in a public forum
Panel I
What is the role that history plays in key regional security issues involving Japan, Korea, and the US?
Moderator | Kayla Orta, Senior Associate, Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy at the Wilson Center
Panelist | Victor Cha, Senior Vice President for Asia and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Affairs (CSIS)
Panelist | Christopher B. Johnstone, Senior Adviser and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Affairs (CSIS)
Panelist | Sheila Smith, John E. Merow Senior Fellow for Asia-Pacific Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
Panelist | Frank Aum, Senior Expert on Northeast Asia at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP)
Panel II
What is the role of education in shaping student’s perspectives of trilateral issues?
JASC | 2 Executive Committee Members
KASC | 2 Executive Committee Members
2024 Supporters
Photos from Past Trilateral Forums
Please visit our Past Trilateral Forums page to view summaries of prior programming.
