Sam Harris is an Analyst with The Asia Group, supporting the firm’s Japan portfolio. He provides research and coordination support on projects related to the U.S.-Japan alliance and people-to-people ties.
Prior to joining The Asia Group, Sam worked with the Japan-America Society of Washington DC as a Program Manager. In this role, he additionally served as Festival Director of the Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival: one of the largest celebrations of Japanese culture in North America. As Festival Director, he was the only full-time staff member responsible for overseeing logistics for all aspects of the event as well as managing communications and deliverables for sponsors/stakeholders. Drawing on his understanding of the U.S.-Japan bilateral relationship, he worked with Japanese business, government, and culture leaders to address multiple perspectives and ensure the overall success of the festival.
Sam also worked as an Assistant Language Teacher in Hyogo Prefecture as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) from 2017 to 2018. He received his master’s degree in Asian Studies from the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Studies with a focus on East Asia– specifically Japan – and his bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies from Towson University. In his free time, he enjoys cooking Japanese and other East Asian dishes as well as playing board games.