On October 4, 2019, the JASH 51st Anniversary Gala was held at Silver Street Studios.
This year’s event celebrated Texas’ contributions to the solidarity that binds the U.S. and Japan in a year that marks the 165th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Japan.
The Governor of Texas, The Honorable Greg Abbott, was presented with the J. Thomas Schieffer Award in view of the exemplary efforts of the State of Texas to create an environment supportive of U.S.-Japan business collaboration and the important investments being made in Texas by Japanese corporations.
JASH also recognized the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)’s 50-year commitment to the strengthening of the Texas-Japan friendship through the cultivation of the economic pillar of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Ichiro Sone, JETRO Executive Vice President, on behalf of Nobuhiko Sasaki, JETRO Chairman and CEO, received the Houston-Japan Friendship Award.
As Governor Abbott noted in his remarks:
“The economic and cultural bond between Japan and Texas grows stronger every day. During my recent business development trip to Japan, we made tremendous strides to bring more investment to Texas, increase trade between our two regions, and foster greater cultural understanding. The Lone Star State's successful partnership with Japan would not be possible without organizations like JASH, and I thank them for helping build a strong foundation to bring our two regions closer together."
The evening also provided 295 gala guests with an opportunity to experience Tokyo in Texas, as we highlighted the host of the Games of the XXXII Olympiad through a reception that offered an opportunity to stroll the streets of Shinjuku alongside the latest Toyota vehicles and to sip sake under a sakura tree.
Owing to your generosity, over $270,000 was raised to further the society’s mission to strengthen the bond of friendship between the U.S. and Japan through educational, business and cultural initiatives.
JASH gratefully acknowledges the support of:
GOLD PRESENTING SPONSORS
The Friedkin Group
Gulf States Toyota
SILVER PARTNER SPONSORS
Dr. John Stroehlein and Miwa Sakashita
ALLY SPONSORS
Kathy & Glen Gondo | Sushic
Kuraray
MUFG
Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Mitsui & Co.
Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
The Tingleaf Family
Toyota
FRIEND SPONSORS
ANA
BakerHostetler
DAIKIN
Home Dialysis
Locke Lord
Public Blueprint
Satake USA INC.
Shintech
Linda and Bill Weiland
HOST COMMITTEE
Kathleen & Martin Beirne
Merill & Joe Hafner
JERA Americas Inc.
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
DONORS
Dr. and Mrs. Leon Bloom
Cadence Bank
Donna Cole
Harold S Goldstein
Chiharu Hakone
Ruby Merle Hunsaker
Frank Liu
Linda and Barry Hunsacker
Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc.
Osaka Gas USA Corporation
Carole and Dr. Barry Samuels
Yokogawa Corporation of America