The 22nd Class of Mike Mansfield Fellows

Stephen Ching

• Contracting Officer, U.S. Department of State
• Objective: Develop a more comprehensive understanding of Japan’s role in the international community by exploring Japanese foreign policy objectives and how the government seeks to interact with its international partners. Gain insight into Japanese culture to understand where areas of deeper engagement are possible between the United States and Japan.

Daniel Craven

• Senior Information Technology Specialist, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
• Objective: Study current cybersecurity assessment, defense, coordination, and response practices in Japan. Learn about the regulatory and oversight frameworks used to address cybersecurity of Japanese financial institutions and their regulators. Build relationships with Japanese agencies and cybersecurity professionals that share the cybersecurity interests and areas of focus of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General.

Michael “Luke” Deckard

• MC-130J Navigator, Major, U.S. Air Force
• Objective: Learn about Japan’s current and developing roles in the security of the Asia-Pacific region, and how the government of Japan plans to integrate its defense policies with those of its regional neighbors.  Develop an understanding of Japan’s domestic political environment, defense industry, and disaster preparedness and how they impact defense policies.  Develop relationships with government and civilian leaders to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance in achieving regional security goals.

Carmen Dykes

• Health Physicist, U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
• Objective: Gain a greater understanding of Japan’s nuclear safety policymaking for civilian use of nuclear material and energy. Observe and learn from interactions between policymakers, regulators and the public. Understand the culture of the people who regulate and work in the nuclear industry; promote the exchange of technical expertise and best practices. Formulate lessons learned and continue to encourage productive exchanges between the U.S. and Japanese nuclear regulatory agencies to further promote U.S- Japan relations.

Ian Hurdle

• B-1B Pilot, Captain, U.S. Air Force
• Objective: Learn about Japan’s current interpretations of Article 9 of the constitution and its effects on the process of defense policy creation and implementation and its cultural ramifications inside of Japan. Develop an understanding of the manner in which the Japanese government operates and promotes the security and prosperity of its citizens while interacting with the international community. Create strong relationships with both civilian and government leaders to further strengthen Japan-U.S. relations and the bilateral partnership in the Pacific region and throughout the world.

Charles Mahaffey

• Senior Foreign Affairs Officer, U.S. Department of State
• Objective: Explore ways the United States and Japan can further strengthen cooperation in the fields of nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, and the peaceful use of nuclear technology.  Gain further experience working closely with counterpart agencies to: strengthen patterns of communication between the two allies in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons globally; promote realistic mechanisms to advance nuclear disarmament; address nuclear threats to the alliance posed by nuclear-armed adversaries; and advance cooperation between the United States and Japan in the field of civil nuclear power.  Assess the issue of Japan’s plutonium policies and ways they can credibly reinforce Japan’s reputation as a global champion of nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament.

Patricia Sloss

• Political Liaison, U.S. Department of Defense
• Objective: Gain in-depth understanding of the policymaking and interagency coordination processes within the government of Japan, as well as the National Diet’s role in defense/security-related policy formulation and its relationship with Japanese government ministries/agencies. Develop a network of contacts to further strengthen U.S.-Japan security cooperation.

William “Chip” Taylor

• Principal Maintenance Inspector, Federal Aviation Administration
• Objective: Obtain a diverse and insightful perspective on Japan’s aerospace industry and its regulatory philosophies. Advance U.S. and Japanese interdependency by gaining valuable insights into Japan’s aviation and commercial space operations while sharing the United States’ perspective. Explore Japan’s current regulatory system regarding its aerospace industry through both executive and legislative learning experiences. Utilize this knowledge and newly fostered relationships to strengthen regulatory and operational consistency between the U.S. and Japan.

Sarah Watson

• Environmental Engineer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Objective: Work with the Japanese government on a variety of environmental topics to compare Japanese and U.S. approaches to the world’s most significant environmental issues.  Focus specifically on such issues as how to protect human health and the environment from chemical and radiation contamination, particularly after significant contamination events.  Learn how the Japanese government works with industry to encourage sustainable materials management such as design for environment and life cycle assessment to stimulate growth in the green economy.  Compare how the U.S. and Japan lend their expertise and work on these and other environmental issues in developing countries.

Rodger Welding

• C-17A Pilot, Major, U.S. Air Force
• Objective: Develop a deeper understanding of Japan’s foreign affairs and policies, gain insights into Japan’s decision making, and establish relationships with Japanese counterparts. Broaden knowledge of Japanese humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts by learning from organizations with a role in these operations and in decision  and policy making.  Learn how Japan is developing innovative solutions to transportation, logistical, and other challenges by observing how local and national governments are preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.