On Tuesday, October 11, Consul General Hirofumi Murabayashi hosted a reception for National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) President Peter Kelley.
The occasion provided leaders from the four (4) Japan-America Societies (JASs) in Texas — Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW), Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA), Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), and Japan-America Society of San Antonio (JASSA) — with the opportunity to commend and thank Kelley for his tremendous contributions to the strengthening of grassroots connections between the U.S. and Japan.
Kelley, who has served as NAJAS President since 2009, announced in August that he would be retiring from his role.
Under Kelley’s leadership, NAJAS has grown to include 38 associations across North America --- making it the largest private network supporting bilateral relations in the United States.
As an advocate of the entire network, Kelley has forged strong collaborative relationships with Japan-related organizations, opening the door for funding opportunities that have led to the creation of programs such as Japan Currents, NAJAS/Keizai Koho Center Business Speaker Series, and the Richard J. Wood Art Curator Series.
Moreover, Kelley has worked tirelessly to support member societies by providing mentoring, advice and guidance.
In gratitude for his many years of service to NAJAS, President Kelley was gifted with an authentic Stetson “El Patron” hat by the Texas Japan-America Societies.