Asia Matters for America

Last month, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin attended meetings in Tokyo with their Japanese counterparts. The meetings signaled continuing efforts to deepen the US-Japan alliance: https://bit.ly/3YHG89Z

[Photo: Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, https://bit.ly/3AovkUb]

Looking for new film recommendations? Try the list! Featuring 30 curated new and old films from across , its film selection provides a special window into Japanese storytelling and society:

Japan Cuts Returns for their 17th Year to New York City – Asia Matters for America Looking for new recommendations? Try the list! Featuring 30 curated new and old films from across , its film selection provides a special window into Japanese storytelling and society.

For South China Morning Post, EWCW Adjunct Fellow Nilanthi Samaranayake explains the regional implications of 's Sheikh Hasina's resignation, pointing out that India's ties with smaller South Asian nations could be weakened:

After Bangladesh chaos, is India losing its South Asia allies to China? India may need to redefine its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy to accommodate China’s presence in the region, analysts note.

Discover a slice of in ! Explore how a Tennessee-themed bar is strengthening Tennessee-Japan relations and bringing Southern charm to the heart of Japan:

Tennessee-themed Bar Offers Southern Hospitality in Tokyo – Asia Matters for America Yoshi Momoki, an alumnus of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, celebrated Valentine’s Day by opening a Tennessee-themed bar in his hometown of Tokyo, Japan. Inspired by his experiences in Tennessee and the warmth of Southern hospitality, Momoki hopes to foster people-to-people connections thr...

Guam, an unincorporated territory of the United States, recently celebrated its 80th with parades, wreath laying ceremonies, a pageant, and more.

Learn more about why this island in the Pacific matters: https://bit.ly/4djYIJI

As the Paris 2024 Olympics come to a close, we reflect on the contributions and accomplishments of the athletes that make up just a few of the over 21 million Asian Americans living in the United States.

For more data on why for America, check out our interactive visualizations: https://bit.ly/46FclR6

Did you know that there is a fellowship that brings together Americans and Canadians for a 2-Week trip to Taiwan?

Tap the link in our bio to learn more about our Young Professional's experience in the Mosaic Taiwan Fellowship!

South Korean companies and have made a historic entry into the US shipbuilding market with a $100 million acquisition of on June 20th, 2024.

This marks the first time a South Korean firm has entered the US shipbuilding industry, highlighting a major step in Hanwha’s global expansion strategy:

Philly Shipyard Sold to Hanwha Group for $100 Million – Asia Matters for America South Korean defense and shipbuilding firms Hanwha System and Hanwha Ocean concluded a $100 million acquisition deal of Philly Shipyard, a shipbuilding company owned by a Norwegian firm.

Remembering the Forgotten War? American Divided Families National Registry Act offers new hope for first generation Korean Americans longing to see their families in :

“US House of Representatives Passes Bipartisan Korean American Divided Families National Registry Act on Anniversary of Korean War”, by Jack Borrow Remembering the Forgotten War? American Divided Families National Registry Act offers new hope for first generation Korean Americans longing to see their families in North Korea.

As the wrap up in Paris, Asia Matters for America reflects on the accomplishments and contributions of Indo-Pacific athletes on ! 🇺🇲

In 2021, Marissa Halagao founded the Filipino Curriculum Project after noticing that Filipino history was excluded from her high school Asian history course.

Now, the first Filipino social studies course has been approved statewide in Hawaiʻi and will be taught in four high schools this August:

Hawaiʻi Adopts the First High School Filipino Social Studies Course – Asia Matters for America Filipinos make up the largest Asian ethnic group in the state of Hawaiʻi, yet when Marissa Halagao took a required Asian history course at her Hawaiʻi High School, Philippine history was excluded. This prompted her to create the Filipino Curriculum Project, and now, a Filipino social studies cours...

From a Bipartisan Burma caucus to US-Japan space cooperation, check out our June 2024 Digest on LinkedIn to see what you missed from AMA: https://bit.ly/3WxXQKb

A bipartisan delegation, including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, visited and met the Lama. The Congressional visit focused on promoting the Resolve Tibet Act, which has significant implications for the historical dispute between and . Read more about the importance of this visit: https://bit.ly/46MZmx3

The first-ever bipartisan Caucus has been launched in the , aiming to intensify pressure on 's junta and support democracy. The launch event featured key representatives from Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG):

Bipartisan Burma Caucus Launched in Congress – Asia Matters for America The first-ever bipartisan Burma Caucus has been launched in the Congress, aiming to intensify pressure on Myanmar's junta and support democracy. The launch event featured key representatives from Myanmar's National Unity Government (NUG).

Last month, the United States Marine Corps ( ) and the Marines conducted a joint exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. Why does this exercise matter?

US Forces Conclude Joint Exercises with the Philippine Military – Asia Matters for America The Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 2024, an annual Philippine-US military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts, concluded on June 21, 2024. MASA is one of the many military exercises that reflect the Philippines’ ongoin...

From American Independence Day celebrations to sister city partnerships, the US Consulate-General in (HCMC), Vietnam has a long history of connections with the United States. Read more about this growing partnership on : https://bit.ly/3WrX69l

Will become the latest hub for companies in the US?

On June 2nd, the Korea International Trade Association opened their newest global office in the Lone Star State. The new office will work to grow the already-strong economic relations between South Korea and Texas and support Korean businesses in western US:

KITA Opens Global Office in Texas – Asia Matters for America Looking for new South Korean companies? Look no further than Texas! On June 2nd, the Korea International Trade Association opened their newest global office in Plano, Texas. The new office will work to grow the already strong economic relations between South Korea and Texas and support Korean busine...

After revitalizing the steel industry in Eastern , India-based recently announced a $110 million investment in Baytown, . Read more about JSW’s investment in America here: https://bit.ly/3ynUmSt

Jersey has opened an Asia Pacific Center in that will serve , Korea, and . The Center is run by Choose New Jersey, a non-profit organization, and aims to increase economic and cultural exchange between the state and East Asia: https://bit.ly/3SnkpAd

Looking for greener travels? Look no further than Georgia! This June, Governor Brian Kemp embarked on a trade mission to where he met with South Korean President Yoon and Korean companies such as , , and .

Governor Kemp spoke on hopes for deeper economic, cultural, and people-to-people relations for the future:

– Asia Matters for America South Korean electric vehicles might be manufacturing near you soon! This June, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp embarked on a trade mission to South Korea where he met with South Korean President Yoon and Korean companies such as Hyundai, LG, and SK. Both President Yoon and Governor Kemp spoke on hopes....

The Global UGRAD, a prestigious e program offering life-changing opportunities for youths across the world, has been suspended for applicants, leaving a generation's future uncertain:

Uncertain Future for Myanmar Youth as the Global UGRAD Program Suspended – Asia Matters for America The Global UGRAD, a prestigious exchange program offering life-changing opportunities for youths across the world, has been suspended for Myanmar applicants, leaving a generation's future uncertain. Alternatives are needed to keep hope alive! ...

Did you know a Japanese national is set to become the first non-American astronaut to land on the ?

Increased US-Japan cooperation through the Artemis program will also see Japan contribute to the and provide the Lunar Cruiser:

US-Japan Space Cooperation in the Artemis Generation – Asia Matters for America Increased space cooperation from recent US-Japan agreements include partnerships for the Gateway, the Lunar Cruiser, and the first Japanese national on the Moon

The United States and Thailand celebrated the 190th anniversary of US-Thai relations with art! The ” initiative, hosted at the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre, wrapped up last week:

“Weaving Our Stories” Initiative Celebrates 190 Years of US-Thai Relations – Asia Matters for America The US Embassy in Bangkok and C ASEAN wrapped up the long running “Weaving Our Stories” initiative this month. Hosted by the Bangkok Arts and Culture Centre (BACC), the initiative celebrated 190 years of US-Thai relations and showcased Thai American multidisciplinary artist Amanda Phingbodhipakk...

Overseas Vote in 2024 Parliamentary Election! 🇲🇳🗳️

The Mongolian diaspora in the United States has actively participated in the 2024 Parliamentary . Did you know there are around 27,000 Mongolians living in the United States, with large communities in Illinois, California, and the DMV area? Read more about the recent election and its significance:

Mongolians in the United States Vote for their Next Government – Asia Matters for America Overseas Mongolians, including the large community in the United States, are gearing up to vote between June 20th-23rd. This year’s parliamentary election on June 28th marks a significant shift with a reformed electoral system aimed at fostering regional and national development.

has gained another official language!

is now an official language of San Francisco, joining Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino. Government documents and services will now be translated into Vietnamese strengthening the San Francisco’s language accessibility:

Vietnamese Becomes an Official Language of San Francisco – Asia Matters for America San Francisco has added Vietnamese to its list of official languages following a vote that changed the requirements for official language status. Government documents and translation services will now be available for Vietnamese speakers in San Francisco who have limited English proficiency.

Starting in January of 2025, Vietnamese will join Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino as an official language of San Francisco!

Tap the link in our bio to read more about why this language diaspora matters for America🇻🇳

Officials representing and the signed a new agreement last month at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) in .

This agreement marked a historical achievement between the two cities, as it was the first sister-city agreement to be signed under the 7 for 70 Program, an initiative that seeks to promote more sister-cities partnerships between the States and Islands in celebration of the 70th anniversary of :

Hawai‘i and the Cook Islands Sign a Historic Sister-City Agreement – Asia Matters for America Officials representing ‘i and the Islands signed a new -City agreement on June 7, 2024, at the 13th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) in . This agreement marked a historical achievement between the two cities, as it was the first sister-City agreement to be...

Last month, the hosted and participated in the for the first time, bringing in a ground-breaking victory for and opening the frontiers of cricket sports diplomacy for the State Department. https://bit.ly/3LjIKmE

T20 Cricket World Cup and Cricket Diplomacy – Asia Matters for America This June the hosts and participates in the for the first time! Bringing in a ground-breaking victory for and opening the frontiers of cricket sports diplomacy for the State Department. Needless to say, there will be no more crickets for cricket!

Did you know that and have been sister cities since 1979?

Read our recap of the oldest US-China Sister City relationship – now in its 45th year - here:

San Francisco Welcomes 45th Anniversary of Relations with Shanghai – Asia Matters for America Do you know that and have been sister cities since 1979? Read our recap of this oldest US-China Sister Cities relationship – now in its 45th year - here.