Following in the footsteps of former U.S. Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker, 11 University of Tennessee, Knoxville students left for Tokyo and other cities on May 28 for the inaugural session of the Baker Center’s Japan Ambassadors Program. 

The 12-day international immersive experience includes meetings with Japanese policy experts, researchers at think tanks, university students, and U.S. diplomatic staff. Students will also visit museums, cultural sites, Japanese government agencies, and universities.  

Led by Global Security Program Director Krista Wiegand, this program gives students the opportunity to learn about international affairs, foreign policy, and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Japan, one of the closest U.S. allies.  

“With the namesake of our center having served as U.S. ambassador to Japan, this trip to Japan and the focus on U.S.-Japan relations is a natural fit for a student program offered by the Baker Center,” Wiegand said. “Engaging with both Japanese experts and the U.S. Embassy, Tokyo diplomatic staff will provide a unique insight into U.S.-Japan relations.”  

The program is based in Kobe and Tokyo with several day trips to the cities of Kyoto, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, and Yokohama. 

“This is my first time in a place with a culture dramatically different than what we are used to in the United States. I look forward to learning more about the unique culture of the Japanese,” Baker student Jack Duncan said.  

 Students will also engage in policy discussions on U.S.-Japan relations.  

“This is a great opportunity for an immersive look at international relations in Southeast Asia,” UT student Mary Roark said. “Experiencing the culture of Japan with a seasoned guide is an experience I may not have in the future, so I was eager to join.” 

This program is open to students in all academic programs and classifications.