Irene Hirano
| Irene Hirano Inouye | |
|---|---|
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| Born |
Irene Yasutake October 7, 1948 |
| Spouse(s) | Daniel Inouye (2008-2012; his death) |
Irene Hirano Inouye (neé Yasutake, born October 7, 1948) is the founding President of the U.S.-Japan Council, a position she has held since she helped create the organization in 2009. Hirano Inouye focuses on building positive relations between the United States and Japan, and is also a leader in philanthropy, community engagement, and advancing social causes. She serves on a number of prominent non-profit boards, and is the immediate past Chair of the Ford Foundation Board of Trustees. She previously served as President and founding Chief Executive Officer of the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles from 1988 to 2008, which is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.
Irene Hirano has dedicated her professional life to non-profit work supporting a number of important communities. She started her work in the field of public administration as the Executive Director of the T.H.E. Clinic, a non-profit community health facility for low and moderate income women and families. She worked at the clinic for thirteen years, during which time she discovered that there was a need for the public to understand the differences in the needs of people based on gender and cultural backgrounds.
In 1988, Hirano became the director and president of the Japanese American National Museum. The Japanese American National Museum is the first museum in the United States dedicated to sharing the experience of Americans of Japanese ancestry as an integral part of U.S. history. Since the opening of its historic site in 1992, the museum has continued to fulfill its mission through historical exhibitions, and through partnerships with other communities and museums. It has been at the forefront of preserving, researching and educating about the internment experience during World War II, as well as related issues such as Japanese American military service in World War II, redress, and broader civil rights. The National Museum opened its 85,000 square-foot Pavilion to the public in January 1999.
In 1994, she was appointed by President Clinton to the Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
Irene Hirano Inouye serves as President of the U.S.-Japan Council, which is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in Los Angeles and Tokyo. The U.S.-Japan Council was established in 2009 as an organization dedicated to building people-to-people relationships between the two countries. By promoting people-to-people relationships through its innovative programs in networking and leadership, the Council serves as a catalyst to inspire and engage Japanese and Americans of all generations. The Council develops the next generation of leaders committed to a vibrant and dynamic relationship.
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