Taking the U.S.-Japan Alliance to New Heights: How Geodesic Capital Empowers Co-Innovation Between the U.S. and Japan

This article originally appeared in Japanese on Forbes Japan

In an era of rapid technological and geopolitical change, the U.S.-Japan alliance has never been more important. At the forefront of strengthening this partnership—through venture capital, innovation, and people-to-people connections—is Geodesic Capital. Co-founded by former U.S. Ambassador to Japan John Roos and joined by former U.S.-Japan Council President Suzanne Basalla, Geodesic Capital is more than a venture firm: it’s a platform for cross-border impact.

In this exclusive conversation, I spoke with Ambassador Roos and Ms. Basalla about how their unique journeys across public service and private sector shaped their vision at Geodesic, why they believe the U.S.-Japan alliance is poised to drive the next wave of global innovation, and what Japan must prioritize to secure a bright future.

---

From Diplomacy to Venture Capital

Emi Yoshikawa: Ambassador Roos, could you start by sharing your journey—your career before diplomacy, your time as Ambassador, and how those experiences led to founding Geodesic Capital?

John Roos: Before I became Ambassador, I spent 25 years as a lawyer in Silicon Valley, representing an incredible set of tech companies as they were growing—companies like Google and Apple. I eventually became CEO of the largest tech-focused law firm in the U.S. Then President Obama gave me the opportunity of a lifetime: to serve as U.S. Ambassador to Japan. That experience changed my life in so many ways. Traveling across Japan, I came to deeply believe that the U.S. and Japan were the two most innovative countries in the world. When I returned to the Valley, I wanted to bring those two worlds together—so we launched Geodesic Capital to build a lasting bridge between Silicon Valley and Japan. Ten years in, I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve built.

Emi: Suzanne, you also have a remarkable journey—starting in the Navy, then the Pentagon, the U.S. Embassy, and later as President of the U.S.-Japan Council. What led you to join Geodesic Capital?

Suzanne Basalla: For me, it was all about the people and the mission. I had worked with Ambassador Roos and the founding team during my time at the Embassy, especially in response to the 3.11 disaster. That experience forged deep trust and mutual respect. I knew their commitment to the U.S.-Japan relationship. I also saw how Geodesic could contribute in a unique way—by investing in technologies that strengthen the alliance, particularly in areas like national security and deep tech. No one else was doing quite what we were doing.

Early in my career, I served as a Navy intelligence officer and was first stationed in Japan. That experience helped me appreciate the strategic importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Later, I worked on Japan policy at the Pentagon, and then joined Ambassador Roos at the Embassy, where I broadened my view to include economic, trade, and cultural relations. One of the most meaningful efforts I was part of was the TOMODACHI Initiative—focused on youth and people-to-people exchange. Joining Geodesic felt like a natural way to continue that work, but from a different angle.

 

Building the Bridge: How Geodesic Drives Impact

Emi: Let’s dive into Geodesic’s model. What’s your core objective, and how do you differentiate from other VCs in Silicon Valley?

Roos: From the very beginning, we knew that to deliver real strategic value, we had to be financially successful. We focus on mid-to-late-stage startups driving digital transformation and help them expand into Japan. Japan is a sophisticated, high-trust market, and our LPs—mostly major Japanese corporations—are not just financial investors. They’re also customers and strategic partners. We’ve raised about $1 billion across multiple funds. What makes us unique is that we play both the “air game” and the “ground game.” We connect U.S. startup CEOs with Japanese C-suite and senior executives, and we have a Tokyo-based team that helps execute those partnerships on the ground. That dual approach has proven to be very effective.

Basalla: Our newly launched Alliance Fund builds on that model. It focuses on essential technologies like cybersecurity, space, economic resilience, and other dual-use innovations. It’s still about financial returns, as Ambassador Roos said, but also about aligning with shared strategic priorities. In recent years, we’ve seen major geopolitical shifts and rapid technological disruption. While there’s a lot happening at the government-to-government level, the private sector also needs to play a central role if we’re going to strengthen the U.S.-Japan alliance. That’s the core idea behind the Alliance Fund: to help both countries move forward together through technology.

A Shifting Global Landscape

Emi: In the 2000s and 2010s, interest in Japan from Silicon Valley seemed to wane as focus shifted to China. With recent geopolitical shifts, have you noticed a change in perception?

Roos: Definitely. When we started Geodesic, a lot of people asked, “Why Japan?”—everyone’s attention was on China back then. But Japan has always been a vital market. It’s trusted, it shares our values, and it respects intellectual property. As it’s become more difficult to do business in China, more leaders have come to appreciate Japan’s value. Today, Japan can represent 10–15% of revenue for U.S. tech companies. I serve on Salesforce’s board, and outside the U.S., Japan is one of our most important markets. Yes, it’s complex—but that’s exactly where we bring value. The narrative that Japan is too difficult to do business in is, I believe, a thing of the past.

Emi: What about the perspective from Japan? Are Japanese leaders becoming more engaged with Silicon Valley?

Roos: Absolutely. Japanese business and government leaders now recognize the importance of engaging with Silicon Valley—especially with the rise of AI. San Francisco has become the global capital of AI, and there’s a growing sense of urgency in Japan to connect with what’s happening here. At the same time, we’re also seeing strong efforts in Japan to build its domestic innovation ecosystem. That’s a good thing. The Alliance Fund is designed to support both sides—investing in innovation across both countries and fostering meaningful cross-border partnerships.

Basalla: The cultural shift in Japan has been profound. When I worked with Ambassador Roos in 2010–2012, a big part of his agenda was promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in Japan. At the time, we often had to explain what that meant and why it mattered. Now, there’s far greater interest in startups and risk-taking. You see it in the national and local initiatives—like those by Governor Koike—and you hear it from young people. It’s been incredible to witness that transformation.

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Optimism

Emi: Some people are still pessimistic about Japan’s long-term outlook, while others—including Warren Buffett—are increasingly optimistic. What’s your take?

Roos: I’m optimistic. Japan has strong fundamentals—rule of law, IP protections, a highly educated workforce, and an increasingly vibrant startup ecosystem. Demographics are a challenge, yes, but they’re also driving innovation in robotics and AI. Japan is also opening up to global talent, which is an opportunity—especially as other countries tighten immigration. With continued reforms and rising entrepreneurial energy, I believe Japan has a bright future.

Emi: I share that optimism. I’ve always felt that the U.S. and Japan bring complementary strengths—and when they come together, something truly special can happen. That said, Japan still faces hurdles. If you could identify one key priority for Japan to secure a stronger future, what would it be?

Roos: If I had to choose one, it would be continued investment in entrepreneurship. That means building the ecosystem—through education, policy, access to capital, and cultural support for risk-taking. Japan already has all the ingredients. The challenge is continuing to cultivate and connect them.

Basalla: I would add the importance of a global mindset. Japanese startups need to think globally from the very beginning—whether it’s hiring diverse teams, expanding internationally, or giving young people more global experiences. The more Japan embraces the world, the more competitive and resilient it will be.

Final Reflections

Emi: Any closing thoughts you’d like to share?

Basalla: The U.S.-Japan alliance is vital to both countries’ futures. But it requires ongoing investment, especially in the next generation. Venture capital is one way to support that, but at its core, it’s really about people and relationships.

Roos: I couldn’t agree more. Suzanne and I have spent much of our careers working on this alliance, and we’re more optimistic than ever about what the U.S. and Japan can achieve—especially when we continue to invest in each other’s people, ideas, and potential.

Emi: As a Japanese native living in Silicon Valley, I’ve always been inspired and encouraged by your steadfast advocacy for Japan. With momentum now building on both sides, I’m excited for what our two countries can accomplish together.

—-
This article is part of Forbes JAPAN’s “The Future of Japan Through the Lens of Silicon Valley” series by Emi Yoshikawa. Stay tuned for more conversations at the intersection of innovation and international collaboration.