Xiong heads to Japan for conference
Commissioner hopes to apply what she learns in district
District 11 Macomb County Commissioner Mai Xiong was recently selected to travel abroad to Tokyo as part of a weeklong delegation organized jointly by the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) and the Japan In- ternational Cooperation Center (JICE).
The trip is scheduled for March 2023.
Xiong said she looks forward to sharing her experience with her district.
“I am committed to bettering myself in order to best serve my community,” said Xiong. “While I am excited and honored to have been chosen for this incredible educational opportunity to study in Japan, I believe that I also have a lot to offer the delegation.
“To be the bridge that helps others connect with diverse cultures and perspectives is part of being an inclusive leader and I am proud to represent Warren and Macomb County during my trip.”
The Kakehashi Project is an international leadership program designed to promote people-to-people exchange between Japan and the United States. The Japanese word “kakehashi” means “bridge,” which symbolizes the hope that participants will form lasting relationships with Japan and its people, and serve as bridges between nations and cultures.
“The opportunity to learn about Japan’s economics, society, history, culture, politics, and diplomatic policies will allow me to bring back what I’ve learned to share with my colleagues and constituents and to implement the initiatives or processes that work well across the globe, into my own community,” said Xiong.
The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) is a national non-partisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting Asian American and Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander participation and representation at all levels of the political process, from community service to elected office.
The Japan International Cooperation Center (JICE), a General Incorporated Foundation, contributes to the development of a global society through activities pertaining to strengthening mutually beneficial relationships between Japan and other nations.