Rising leaders from the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea gathered in Osaka for the second annual Young Trilateral Leaders (YTL) Summit. The event, held from July 7 to 9, 2025, was sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ). It focused on youth-driven diplomacy in advancing trilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The summit brought together 50 delegates selected from nearly 800 applicants. The participants engaged in high-impact dialogue and cross-cultural exchange with government officials, industry leaders, and academics. The summit aimed to develop leadership skills and strategic thinking among young leaders aged 18-35.
Aaron Snipe, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy Tokyo, emphasized the importance of investing in future leaders: “We are united in our democratic values and our unwavering belief in giving people the tools to pursue prosperity and progress in peace.”
The Kansai region was chosen as this year's host location to celebrate Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. TUJ played a significant role under Dean Matthew Wilson's leadership.
The first day included opening remarks by Aaron Snipe at Grand Cube Osaka and featured expert panels on trilateral security. Participants also visited Kyoto for cultural activities.
On July 8, discussions continued at NORIBA10 with a focus on business across cultures and youth-led initiatives strengthening ties through programs like YSEALI and YPL. Consul General Chang Soo Jin delivered remarks during a reception hosted by the Consulate General of Korea.
The final day featured a pitch competition at Expo 2025 Osaka's USA Pavilion. Delegates presented projects addressing challenges affecting trilateral cooperation.
Support for the summit came from various organizations including Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; pavilion teams; City of Osaka; and TUJ.