Photo Credits (Clockwise, starting top left): Courtesy of LA84 Foundation | Courtesy of Jun Endo | Courtesy of Maia Shibutani | Courtesy of Will Ireton

Date 11.13.2023 (Mon.)

Time 06:00 PM - 08:30 PM

Location JAPAN HOUSE Salon, Level 5

Fee $15

Over the past year, the JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles Foundation has partnered with MUFG Bank, Ltd. to host a program series exploring the timely themes of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) and how they are evolving in many industries and communities, including business, non-profit, government, food culture, and entertainment. This year, we have featured the changing world of entertainment in March, and hosted a special evening with Hollywood legend George Takei in August.

This fall, we invite you to an all-star conversation on how DEI is evolving in the dynamic world of sports. How are diverse athletes forging new paths in sports, at home and around the world? What are the new challenges – and opportunities – of an athletic landscape where sports, entertainment, and public advocacy increasingly overlap? Particularly in the run-up to Los Angeles’ next role as the host of the 2028 Summer Olympics, this event will be an invaluable chance to get candid insights from leading sports experts and accomplished Olympic athletes themselves.

The evening will be moderated by Renata Simril, President and CEO of the LA84 Foundation, which supports youth sport programs and public education and is renowned for its advocacy of diversity in athletics. In conversation with Ms. Simril will be sports stars such as Maia Shibutani, a two-time Olympic ice skating medalist, Jun Endo, a record-breaking soccer player with Angel City FC. Will Ireton, Performance Operations Manager of Los Angeles Dodgers and former interpreter for Kenta Maeda, will also participate from the perspective of someone supporting the athletes. Over the course of this candid talk, the panelists will reflect on how they came from diverse backgrounds and overcame challenges to forge inspiring careers through sport, and how to make the literal “playing field” of sports more inclusive and diverse today. After a lively panel discussion, guests are invited to join an intimate reception for networking and making new connections.