East-West Center Oral History Project : Kenji Sumida

Abstract

Kenji Sumida served as President of the East-West Center from 1995 to 1997. Appointed by the Board of Governors upon the departure of President Michel Oksenberg, Sumida shepherded EWC through a 50% reduction-in-force when Congress reduced the budget from $24 to $10 million. By 1997, Sumida and his management team had reduced fixed costs to within the bounds of the $14 million Congressional allotment for that year. During his tenure Sumida also worked to raise Congress's awareness of Center resources and to re-energize the Center's relationship with its alumni.Click on the PDFs to read more. Includes photograph, interview quotes, and the full interview narrative.