SAN JOSE, Calif—November 4th, 2016– Cisco today announced that its Chief Executive Officer Charles H. Robbins has been elected as the Chairman of the U.S.-Japan Business Council (USJBC) for a two -year term beginning on Friday, November 4, 2016. Mr. Robbins, who has been CEO of Cisco since 2015, will take over the USJBC chairmanship from Dr. John Lechleiter, the President, Chairman and CEO of Eli Lilly and Company.

The USJBC was founded as part of U.S. Chamber of Commerce in the early 1970s, when Japan's economy was undergoing rapid economic growth and U.S.-Japan trade began facing challenges. Membership has grown to over 60 major US companies in the manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, energy, ICT, and tourism sectors. As the primary U.S.-based business organization promoting stronger economic ties between the two countries, the USJBC's core mission is to advance U.S.-Japan business and government ties, identify and expand new opportunities, and facilitate growth across sectors including information and communication technologies (ICT), energy, financial services, healthcare innovation, travel and tourism, and consumer products and services. The USJBC has a longstanding relationship with its Japanese counterpart, the Japan-U.S. Business Council (JUBC) an organization bringing together many of Japan's largest and most successful companies. 

The USJBC Chairman and the JUBC Chairman are responsible for co-chairing the Annual US-Japan Business Conference where senior US and Japanese executives address business and trade issues following an agenda that includes sessions on trade/TPP, aging societies, digitization, health care, financial services, travel and tourism, and energy. The 53rd Annual US-Japan Business Conference will be held in Tokyo on November 3-4, 2016.

In assuming the chairmanship, Mr. Robbins noted: "The USJBC has a strong track record of advocating for policies that have helped transform the U.S.-Japan economic relationship into one that is collaborative, constructive, and a model for cross-border business. I look forward to building on Lechleiter's great contributions to the Council, and will strive to continue his strong record of promoting innovation and cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond."

USJBC President Jay Sapsford commented: "The USJBC is delighted to have Chuck Robbins as our new chairman. Mr. Robbins's vision, leadership, and international business experience are exactly what the Council needs to further its mission and expand American business ties with Japan." 

Administered by the US Chamber of Commerce, the USJBC is a Washington, D.C.-based business association whose mission is to support U.S. business interests in Japan and promote stronger economic ties between the United States and Japan. USJBC member companies collectively account for a substantial share of overall U.S. economic activity with Japan, and seek to foster the most cooperative and mutually beneficial economic relationship possible between the two countries.

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