Monahan Takes Lead
Japan Society Appoints Diplomat Katherine Monahan as New President and CEO, Starting August
Anonymous
Japan Society has named Katherine "Kemy" Monahan as its next President and CEO, the organization announced on June 3, 2026, according to Business Wire. Monahan, a career diplomat with over 30 years of experience, will take the helm in August, succeeding Dr. Joshua W. Walker.
Monahan most recently served as the first woman to hold the post of Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo — a role she assumed in July 2024, according to Business Wire. Board Chair Merit E. Janow said Monahan brings "the global perspective and intellectual rigor required to strengthen Japan Society's position as the premier platform for engagement with Japan in a global context."
A Career Diplomat Built for This Pivotal Moment
Monahan's 30-year career spans the highest levels of U.S. diplomacy. She served as Director for East Asia at the White House National Security Council. She also led the Office of Japanese Affairs at the State Department. Most recently, she was a visiting scholar at Stanford University's Shorenstein APARC from 2025 to 2026, according to Business Wire.
Her record goes beyond diplomacy. She worked at the U.S. Department of Treasury and negotiated over $1 billion in funding for UNICEF, according to Business Wire. The Board said it sought a leader with "strategic vision" and "operational discipline" given "shifting geopolitical and economic dynamics."
Walker Exits After Six Years of Cultural Bridge-Building
Outgoing CEO Dr. Joshua Walker took the role in December 2019. He was known for a "bridge-builder" philosophy — emphasizing human connection and soft power over formal politics, according to Business Wire. His compensation was reported at $568,289 in 2026, according to Business Wire.
Walker exits on a high note. His book, Japan, Beyond the Genkan, which analyzes the future of the U.S.-Japan alliance, was published on June 2, 2026 — one day before Monahan's appointment was announced. Japan Society's revenue in fiscal year 2024 was $12.5 million, down from $13.7 million in 2023, according to Business Wire.
Policy and Business Programs Expected to Take Center Stage
Analysts see Monahan's appointment as a shift toward harder-edged policy work. Her National Security Council background suggests Japan Society will lean more into economic security and technological innovation discussions, according to Business Wire. The organization manages about 105 staff and holds $79.8 million in total assets.
As CEO, Monahan will oversee all of Japan Society's programs — performing arts, visual arts, film, business forums, education, and language. But observers expect its Business and Policy Forum to grow in prominence. Japan is navigating a new U.S. administration and its own historic political shifts, making the timing of her appointment significant.
Japan Society at 119 Years Old Faces a Changing World
Japan Society was founded in New York City on May 19, 1907. Its landmark headquarters, Japan House, opened near the United Nations in September 1971. The organization's endowment stood at $67.2 million in 2023, according to Business Wire. Total expenses in fiscal year 2024 reached $14.2 million — outpacing revenue by roughly $1.6 million.
Board Chair Janow said Monahan is "uniquely suited" for the role due to her "lifelong commitment to Japan." With a career diplomat now leading one of America's oldest bilateral institutions, Japan Society is clearly betting that formal expertise and policy credibility are the right tools for a turbulent era in U.S.-Japan relations.
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