Published March 7 2014
Brad Miyake, Bellevue's acting city manager, will travel to Japan March 7-15 as part of a delegation of 10 prominent Japanese Americans building "people-to-people" connections with Japanese leaders.
Miyake will represent Bellevue as part of the Japanese American Leadership Delegation program, which provides opportunities for Japanese Americans to establish a meaningful role in strengthening U.S.-Japan relations across all sectors of society.
"Improving cultural and economic relations between the U.S. and Japan is of great importance to me and to the city of Bellevue, as we become a more diverse and international city," Miyake said. "I'm pleased to represent the city in this visit, and look forward to connecting with my Japanese culture and establishing long-lasting, valuable relationships with Japanese government and business leaders, as well as my fellow delegates."
Miyake and the other delegates will visit Fukuoka in the Kyushu region, an economically and culturally dynamic prefecture where many Japanese Americans have their ancestral roots. They will also participate in a panel discussion sponsored by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and the U.S.-Japan Council, where Miyake will present as a panelist.
The delegates will then visit Tokyo, where past delegations have typically met with the prime minister, foreign minister and top business executives, among others. This will be Miyake's first visit to Japan.
Miyake has been acting city manager since last May. He had previously served as deputy city manager 2006-2013. Miyake has played key roles in developing the city's budget process, obtaining the Utilities Department's first professional accreditation, and spearheading efforts to improve city management processes. He oversees a biennial budget of approximately $1.3 billion, over 1,200 positions, and all city operations, including Police, Fire, Public Works, Economic Development, Finance, Human Resources, Information Technology, Transportation and Utilities. Miyake holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington.
The delegates come from across the country and are active in their communities, engaged in U.S.-Japan relations and committed to deepening ties between Japanese Americans and Japan. USJC President Irene Hirano Inouye will lead the delegation.
The program is sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and organized by the U.S.-Japan Council.