Video On Demand

The 2021 Ryozo Kato Award for Service to the U.S.-Japan Alliance

July 1, 2021 • 8:00 – 9:00 am EDT

CSIS, The Brookings Institution, Center for a New American Security, Council on Foreign Relations, The Henry L. Stimson Center, and the Hudson Institute invite you to

The 2021 Ryozo Kato Award for Service to the U.S.-Japan Alliance
Thursday, July 1
8:00 am - 9:00 am ET

The Kato Award was inaugurated in 2008 to honor the career and spirit of the Honorable Ryozo Kato as he retired as Japan's ambassador to the United States and left the Foreign Ministry. Ambassador Kato quietly but steadfastly advanced the U.S.-Japan relationship and inspired a generation of Japanese and American officials with his persistent and patriotic commitment to building a stronger alliance.  Amb. Kato often quoted the famous words of the great George Shultz that alliance management is like gardening—a passion for those with discipline and long-term strategic vision.  In that same spirit the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Center for a New American Security, the Brookings Institution, the Council on Foreign Relations, the Stimson Center, and the Hudson Institute recognize those who have made significant personal contributions to the strengthening of the US-Japan alliance acting as “gardeners” who help the alliance grow. This year the award goes to Benjamin Goldberg and Hidehiko Nakama for their dedication to the relationship. Please join us for this celebration.

Introductory Remarks 
Hon. Amb. Ryozo Kato
Former Japanese Ambassador to the United States

Keynote Address
Lt. Gen. Kevin B. Schneider 
Commander, United States Forces Japan 

Discussion Moderated by
Michael J. Green
Senior Vice President for Asia and Japan Chair, CSIS;
Director of Asian Studies, School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University


Presentation of the 2021 Ryozo Kato Award for Service to the U.S. Japan Alliance will follow

Presented by
Sheila Smith 
Senior Fellow for Japan Studies, Council on Foreign Relations

Recipients 
Benjamin Goldberg
Foreign Affairs Analyst, Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Department of State

Hidehiko Nakama
Director, Japan-U.S. Defense Cooperation Division, Bureau of Defense Policy, Ministry of Defense

This event is made possible with general support to CSIS.

Hon. Amb. Ryozo Kato

Former Japanese Ambassador to the United States
Senior Fellow for Japan Studies, Council on Foreign Relations