The Atlantic Council and Howard Baker Forum are pleased to host the US-Japan Roundtable’s Annual Washington Conference at the Atlantic Council (1400 L Street NW, Washington, DC) on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, from 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET. The US-Japan Annual Washington Conference will address the new nuclear energy policy landscapes in the US and Japan; increasing demand for nuclear energy to power AI and other non-traditional applications; securing the nuclear fuel cycle; and financing new reactor construction.
The Howard Baker Forum, which sponsors the US-Japan Washington Conference, provides a platform for examining specific, immediate, and critical issues affecting the nation’s progress at home and its relations abroad. Established under the leadership of Senator Howard Baker, the Forum continues to organize a variety of programs and research projects to illuminate public policy challenges facing the nation today.
The Atlantic Council promotes constructive leadership and engagement in international affairs by providing an essential forum for navigating the dramatic economic and political changes defining the twenty-first century. Through the papers it publishes, the ideas it generates, the future leaders it develops, and the communities it builds, the Atlantic Council shapes policy choices and strategies to create a more free, secure, and prosperous world.
To register for in-person attendance, please kindly complete the registration form below.
agenda
8:30–9:00 a.m | Breakfast
Please join us for breakfast.
9:00–9:10 a.m. | Welcome remarks
Featuring
Jenna Ben Yehuda
Executive Vice President
Atlantic Council
Scott Campbell
President
Howard Baker Forum
9:10–9:30 a.m. | Keynote remarks
Featuring
The Hon. Charles Fleischmann (R-TN-03)
US House of Representatives
Asako Ueno
Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
9:30–10:30 a.m. | The new nuclear energy policy landscapes in the US and Japan
Featuring
Aleshia Duncan
Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Cooperation, Office of Nuclear Energy
US Department of Energy
Maria Korsnick
President and Chief Executive Officer
Nuclear Energy Institute
Hideki Masui
President
Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc. (JAIF)
Satoru Yasuraoka
Director for International Affairs, Nuclear Energy Policy Division
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
Moderated by
Jennifer Gordon
Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative
Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
10:30–11:00 a.m. | Fireside chat: The US Department of Defense as a first customer for advanced reactors
Featuring
Jeff Waksman
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment
US Army
Moderated by
Zoe Babbit
Director of Programs
Howard Baker Forum
11:00–12:00 p.m. | New customers for nuclear energy
Featuring
Jeremy Fisher
Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer
Tennessee Valley Authority
Brandon Gibson
Chief Operating Officer, Office of the Governor
State of Tennessee
Jarred Shaffer
Director, Texas Advanced Nuclear Energy Office, Office of the Governor
State of Texas
Brad Simmons
Energy and Sustainability Policy Manager
Google
Moderated by
Amy Roma
Partner and Global Energy Practice Leader
Hogan Lovells
12:00–1:00 p.m. | Networking lunch
Please join us for lunch.
1:00–1:30 p.m. | Keynote remarks
Featuring
The Hon. Brandon Williams
Undersecretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration
US Department of Energy
Naohiro Masuda
Executive President and Chief Operating Officer
Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited
1:30–2:00 p.m. | Coffee break
Please join us for a coffee break.
2:00–3:00 p.m. | Securing the nuclear fuel cycle in the US and Japan
William Goodwin
Chief Legal and Strategy Officer
Oklo
Florie Knauf
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Office of Nuclear Energy
US Department of Energy
Conner Prochaska
Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E)
US Department of Energy
Jenifer Shafer
Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry
Colorado School of Mines
Bradley Williams
Lead for Energy Policy and Strategic Analysis
Idaho National Laboratory
Moderated by
Lauren Hughes
Deputy Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative
Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
3:00–3:30 p.m. | Fireside chat: The role of the national laboratories in reactor testing
Featuring
Brian Smith
Director, Nuclear Reactor Development
Idaho National Laboratory
Moderated by
John Kotek
Vice President of Policy Development and Public Affairs
Nuclear Energy Institute
3:30–4:00 p.m. | Coffee break
Please join us for a coffee break.
4:00–5:00 p.m. | Financing, development, and construction models for new reactors
Keynote
Hitoshi Mizuta
Representative Executive Officer, Executive Vice President, and Chief Nuclear Officer
Kansai Electric Power Co.
Panel
Kohei Hisamochi
President
Hitachi GE Vernova Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
Julie Kozeracki
Acting Chief Investment Officer, Office of Energy Dominance Financing
US Department of Energy
Hidehito Mimaki
Senior Vice President, Head of Nuclear Energy Systems
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Keiji Matsunaga
Technology Executive, Nuclear Energy Systems, Power Systems Division
Toshiba Energy Systems and Solutions Corporation
Katie Strangis
Vice President of Government and International Affairs
Westinghouse Electric Company
Moderated by
Carol Berrigan
Executive Director, International Government Affairs and Supply Chain
Nuclear Energy Institute
5:00–5:15 p.m. | Closing remarks
Shuji Yoneda
General Manager, Washington Office
Federation of Electric Power Companies of Japan
Jennifer Gordon
Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative
Atlantic Council Global Energy Center
Scott Campbell
President
Howard Baker Forum
5:15–6:00 p.m. | Reception
Please join us for a cocktail reception immediately following the conference.
Sign up for updates on the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center’s events, publications, and more.
The Global Energy Center develops and promotes pragmatic and nonpartisan policy solutions designed to advance global energy security, enhance economic opportunity, and accelerate pathways to net-zero emissions.