With alliances and traditional diplomacy now called into question under America First policies, how can we sustain our vital partnership with Japan—long regarded as the cornerstone of peace and prosperity in Asia? Drawing on a 25-year career as a U.S. diplomat, Margot Carrington will share key moments in U.S.-Japan diplomatic relations, such as President Obama’s historic 2016 visit to Hiroshima—the first by a sitting U.S. president. She will also highlight the myriad ways in which sister cities exchanges, citizens diplomacy programs, and other grassroot ties bolster the strong government-to-government relationship that has been forged with Japan during the post-war period.  Finally, she will explore how your involvement in grassroots diplomacy can help ensure that the U.S.-Japan alliance remains strong, even in today’s challenging diplomatic environment.

Margot Carrington retired from the U.S. diplomatic service after a 25-year career focused on Japan, where she served four tours. She is the recipient of multiple honors, including a Japanese Language Award and the prestigious Lois Roth Award for Cultural Diplomacy. In retirement, Margot remains deeply involved in U.S.-Japan grassroots initiatives. She actively supports organizations such as the U.S.-Japan Council and the Japan-America Society of North Carolina. She also serves on the boards of the National Association of Japan-America Societies and the Japanese Women’s Leadership Initiative (JWLI). Margot graduated, Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Florida with a master’s degree in international relations.

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