Sister Cities International to Hold 2025 U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit

Sister Cities International (SCI) will hold a U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit September 16-19, 2025 in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture. All 460 U.S.-Japan Sister City partners will be invited along with government entities, NGOs, elected officials, affinity groups, and other key stakeholders to:

• Memorialize and reaffirm the U.S.-Japan friendship “for the next 170 years”

• Strengthen current bilateral partnerships and develop new relationships

• Rejuvenate dormant U.S.-Japan sister city relationships still on pause from COVID

• Honor citizen diplomats who have been key to U.S.-Japan relations

• Cultivate the next generation of leaders and cultural bridge builders

• Explore opportunities for economic development between countries

• Participate in programming at the Osaka World Expo

This year’s theme is “Celebrating Our Legacies, Empowering Our Future レガシー、そして未来へ”. Programs and speakers for each day of the summit will focus on the following words/concepts:

• Honor 〜感謝を込めて | Tuesday (9/16)

• Bridge 〜つなげよう | Wednesday (9/17)

• Reimagine 〜新しいビジョン | Thursday (9/18)

• Empower 〜そして未来へ | Friday (9/19)

The summit will be in both English and Japanese, with a goal of securing 800 attendees from the U.S. and Japan. Through the U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit, Sister Cities International intends to advance the shared missions of SCI, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan: cultivating people-to-people ties to foster mutual understanding and peace with other countries.

To learn more about the summit and secure your registration, visit the summit website by clicking the buttons below:

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The following are Included with your summit registration:

• Electronic welcome package

• Pre-summit virtual culture and language sessions

• Assistance with transfer between Kansai International Airport and Star Gate Hotel (certain dates/times only)

• Information on local points of interest and attractions in Izumisano

• English-Japanese interpretation / simultaneous interpretation service during the sessions

• Plenary and breakout sessions at the Star Gate Hotel (Day 1 and Day 2)

• Izumisano Mayor’s Welcome reception (Day 1)

• Bento lunches (Day 1 and Day 2)

• Round-trip ground transportation and admission to Osaka World Expo (Day 3)

• Closing ceremony and plenary session (Day 4)

• Cultural experiences and activities

• Light snacks throughout each day at the Star Gate Hotel

• Commemorative book “The Hajimari Project: U.S.-Japan Sister City Stories of Origin”

• Summit Welcome Bag and materials

• Optional additional cultural experiences (Offered to the participants and guests through Japan Tourist Bureau (JTB), the summit’s official tour operator. More information on extra tours and options, which will be booked separately and directly through JTB, will be made available soon.)

JASH Invited to Share AAPI Insights With Cadets

In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, JASH visited the Houston Police Academy and spoke to Cadet Class 264.

In addition to providing an introduction to Japanese culture, JASH shared tools and tips on how the Houston Police Department (HPD) can better serve the Japanese and greater AAPI communities.

Special thanks go to our friends at Ramen Tatsu-ya and Oyatsu Aoi who helped us make sure the cadets were engaged.  Two lucky cadets walked away with gift certificates to put towards Ramen Tatsu-Ya’s summer favorite “The Spicy Chilled” and two more cadets scored a wagashi sampler pack from Oyatsu Aoi.

JASH is also grateful to Officer Loc Tram with the HPD Office of Community Affairs for his service to our community and his work promoting cross cultural understanding.

JASH Honored by Fort Bend Country Judge KP George at AANHPI Celebration

On Friday, May 24, 2024, JASH Executive Director Patsy Brown accepted an official Proclamation from Fort Bend County Judge KP George in honor of the Japan-America Society of Houston’s commitment to sharing Japanese culture in and around the Houston-area.

The ceremony took place during the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration at the Fort Bend County Justice Center. Over 30 organizations and individuals were honored at the event.

This recognition is a reflection of the hard work of all our volunteers who make it possible to provide the Greater Houston community with dynamic experiences that pave the way for new understanding and new ideas.

Click the button below to view a recording of the event.

Lighthouse Presents Online Japanese College Fair Spring 2024

Graphic courtesy of Lighthouse

The Spring 2024 Online Japanese College Fair presented by Lighthouse will take place May 21-23, 2024.

Many Japanese universities welcome all students who are currently studying outside of Japan. They offer incentives such as entrance exams taken outside of Japan, English-only enrollment, scholarships, Fall Entrance, exchange programs with top universities in the world, and transferring systems from colleges.

During the Online Japanese College Fair, learn about each participating university’s designated program for international students and the latest information for those who are interested in enrolling in 2024-2025.

Details of the individual consultations will be provided to fair applicants at a later date. For more in-depth information about a school, please apply for an “Individual Consultation”. Advance reservations for individual consultations are also available.

This event is FREE with registration. Click the button below to learn more and register:

English Presentation Schedule:

Tuesday, May 21

• 8:00PM CDT | Eikei University of Hiroshima

• 8:30PM CDT | Yokohama National University

• 9:00PM CDT | Chukyo University

• 9:30PM CDT | Hiroshima University

Wednesday, May 22

• 8:00PM CDT | Tokyo International University

• 8:30PM CDT | Sophia University

• 9:00PM CDT | Ritsumeikan University

• 9:30PM CDT | Doshisha University (ILA)

Thursday, May 23

• 8:00PM CDT | Rikkyo University

  8:30PM CDT | Yamanashi Gakuin University iCLA

  9:00PM CDT | International Christian University (ICU)

2024 Houston's Youth Talent Showcase for Artists

Sister Cities of Houston invites students from 13 to 18 years of age to compete in Houston's Youth Talent Showcase for Artists. This year's theme is ClimateScape: Resilient Cities for Tomorrow's Climate.

• Houston Grand Prize: $300 

• National Grand Prize: $1000

The deadline for SCH Youth Talent Showcase is Friday, April 20, 2024 at 5:00 P.M.

Sister Cities of Houston will submit up to five (5) winning pieces in each category for the Sister Cities International Youth Artist and Authors Showcase national competition. All related registration fees for the national competition will be covered by Sister Cities of Houston. 

Learn more about the national competition at www.sistercitiesinternational.org. 

For questions and submissions, contact Kham Vargas at kvargas@sistercitieshouston.org or call 832.818.3819.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

Artist Requirements:

• Students age 13 - 18 years old;

• 2-dimensional work, any medium except photography;

• Digital art submissions must be a minimum of 1350x1080 px.

Author Requirements:

• Students age 13 - 18 years old;

• Poems no more than 200 words;

• Essays no more than 500 words.

Musician Requirements:

• Students age 13 - 18 years old;

• Audio submissions cannot exceed four (4) minutes and must be originals.

Photographer Requirements:

• Students age 13 - 18 years old;

• Works can be black and white or color.

JASH Cheers on Yuki Nagasato and the Houston DASH

On Saturday, March 23, a group of JASH members, volunteers, and friends gathered together at the Shell Energy Stadium for the Houston DASH’s Home Opener and Nadeshiko legend Yuki Nagasato’s debut in orange!

Wearing official DASH T-shirts, members of the JASH section were invited onto the pitch to hold the MD Anderson sponsor banner during the pregame ceremonies. The group returned to the stands, armed with Japanese flags and fighting spirit, to cheer on Nagasato-senshu and Houston DASH as they faced the Racing Louisville FC.

Following the tied conclusion of the game, the JASH group gathered in the Rally Tunnel to meet, take photographs, and receive autographs from Nagasato-senshu.

We appreciate Nagasato-senshu for generously giving of her time to take pictures and sign autographs for JASH. JASH is also grateful to Houston DASH for going out of their way to give JASH a memorable experience with Nagasato-senshu.

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About Yuki NAGASATO

Yuki NAGASATO (永里 優季) is a Japanese professional footballer who joined Houston Dash in January of 2024.

As noted in a Dash press release:

Nagasato brings extensive experience to the Dash having played in the top leagues in the world. The forward spent time with Brisbane Roar FC during the 2018-2019 offseason and contributed to five goals in 10 matches during Australia’s W-League. Prior to joining the NWSL in 2017, the striker played for FFC Frankfurt in the Frauen-Bundesliga, the top-flight women’s league in Germany, from 2015-2017 and scored eight goals in 35 appearances. Nagasato won the DFB-Pokal, the German Cup, with Wolfsburg, where she scored four goals. She first made her Frauen-Bundesliga debut in 2010 for FFC Turbine Potsdam where she scored 48 goals in 71 appearances from 2010 to 2013, winning the UEFA Champions League title in 2010, and the Frauen-Bundesliga title in three consecutive campaigns from 2010-2012.

From 2013 to 2014, Nagasato played for Chelsea in the Women’s Premier League in England. While with The Blues, Nagasato made 18 appearances and scored five goals.

Nagasato made her professional debut for Nippon TV Beleza in 2002 and played with the team through the 2009 season, where she won six league championships and was one of the league's leading scorers for the 2006 season.

The forward represented Japan from 2004 to 2016 before stepping away from the team following the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. Nagasato made 132 appearances for the Japanese Women’s National Team and scored 58 goals. Nagasato won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany and were runners up in 2015. She made her national team debut leading up to the 2004 Olympics. The forward also participated in the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2008 Olympics.

Also of note, the Japanese soccer legend was the first female footballer to play for the first-team of a Japanese men’s football club.

JASH is delighted to have Nagasato-senshu in Houston, and we look forward to cheering her on at many more DASH games!

Images courtesy of Patsy Brown and Ikuyo Katayama.

JASH BASH 2023

JASH BASH 2023 was held on October 24, 2023 at Bayou Music Center in downtown Houston.

In addition to marking JASH’s 55th anniversary, the event highlighted the gastronomic traditions from Japan and Mexico that have shaped Houston’s living culture, and celebrated the strengthening of U.S.-Japan business ties in our region as well as 135 years of special ties shared between Japan and Mexico.

Guests were greeted by Mariachi Reyes as well as treated to a special performance from Japan Festival favorite Kaminari Taiko.

Mr. Bob Harvey, President and CEO of Greater Houston Partnership, was presented with the 2023 Houston-Japan Friendship Award which honors local individuals and organizations for contributions to the fostering of Japan-America friendship and understanding in Houston. JASH presented this award in recognition of Mr. Harvey’s commitment to promoting the continued collaboration and goodwill exchanges that foster economic development between Houston and Japan.

JASH also presented Ms. Candice Kumai, Wellness Writer and Chef, with the J. Thomas Schieffer Leadership Award in recognition of her role as a global leader in cultural diplomacy through advancing understanding of Japanese culture through food and lifestyle.

The main feature of the evening was undoubtedly the collaborative dinner featuring the culinary excellence of local chefs Hugo Ortega (executive chef/co-owner of five of Houston’s top restaurants – Backstreet Cafe, Hugo’s, Caracol, Xochi and URBE, and winner of Best Chef: Southwest at the prestigious 2017 James Beard Foundation Awards) and Manabu Horiuchi (four-time James Beard Award nominee and Executive Chef at award-winning Kata Robata and soon-to-open Katami).

JASH is grateful to all those who made JASH BASH possible, providing funding to further the society’s mission of strengthening the bond of friendship between the U.S. and Japan through educational, business, and cultural initiatives.

View more photographs in the JASH BASH 2023 Gallery [HERE].

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JASH gratefully acknowledges the support of:

SUSTAINER SPONSORS

• The Friedkin Group / Gulf States Toyota

PARTNER SPONSORS

• Kathy and Glen Gondo

ADVOCATE SPONSORS

• JERA Americas

• Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)

• Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.

• Sumitomo Corporation of Americas

• Debra Tsuchiyama Baker and Peter Rockrise

• Miwa Sakashita and John Stroehlein, M.D.

• Westlake Corporation

ALLY SPONSORS

• Daikin Comfort Technologies North America Inc.

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc.

• MUFG Bank, Ltd.

• SHINTECH Inc.

FRIEND SPONSORS

• All Nippon Airways

• BakerHostetler

• Locke Lord, LLP

• Midori and Jay Mochizuki

• Nippon Steel

• Nanako and Dale Tingleaf

HOST COMMITTEE

• Donna Fujimoto Cole | Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc.

• Fresi Travels | Tami Hiraoka & Lou Borrego

• Dr. Risako Komaki-Cox

• Prof. Hiroko Sato and Mr. Randy Singh

• Dr. Jun and Mrs. Naoko Teruya

DONORS

• Shirley Bloom

• Carla K. Deluca

• Aimee Dodson in honor of Miwa Sakashita

• Shara Fryer

• Dr. Hiroyuki Katayama

• Killer Noodle

• Gwendolyn Gantt Mullins

• Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc.

• Osaka Gas USA Corporation

• Daniel Parker

• Cheryl Renee Rhode

JASH BASH 2022

JASH BASH 2022 was held on November 15, 2022 at Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston.

In addition to marking JASH’s 54th anniversary, the event celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Houston-Chiba Sister City relationship as well as the 150th anniversary of baseball’s introduction to Japan.

The Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor of the City of Houston, was presented with the 2022 Houston-Japan Friendship Award which honors local individuals and organizations for contributions to the fostering of Japan-America friendship and understanding in Houston. JASH presented this award in recognition of Mayor Turner’s commitment to promote, elevate and strengthen the partnerships and friendships between Japan and the United States.

JASH also presented Mr. Masanori “Mashi” Murakami, First Japanese MLB Player, with the J. Thomas Schieffer Award in recognition of his role as a trailblazer in the sport of baseball and in building bridges between the U.S. and Japan.

JASH BASH 2022 provided guests with behind-the-scenes access to Minute Maid Park, home of the 2022 World Series Champion Houston Astros. In addition, guests were able to have their picture taken with the Commissioner’s Trophy and enjoyed a special message from former Astros’ shortstop Kazuo Matsui, current manager of the Saitama Seibu Lions.

JASH is grateful to all those who made JASH BASH possible, providing funding to further the society’s mission of strengthening the bond of friendship between the U.S. and Japan through educational, business, and cultural initiatives.

View more photographs in the JASH BASH 2022 Gallery [HERE].

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JASH gratefully acknowledges the support of:

CHAMPION SPONSORS

• The Friedkin Group / Gulf States Toyota

PARTNER SPONSORS

• Kathy and Glen Gondo

ADVOCATE SPONSORS

• JERA Americas

• Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)

• Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.), Inc.

• Sumitomo Corporation of Americas

• Debra Tsuchiyama Baker and Peter Rockrise

ORBIT SPONSOR

• SHINTECH Inc.

ALLY SPONSORS

• Air Liquide

• Daikin / Goodman Global Group, Inc.

• Kuraray Foundation of America

• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America, Inc.

• MUFG Bank, Ltd.

• Akemi and Yasuhiko Saitoh Foundation

FRIEND SPONSORS

• All Nippon Airways

• Locke Lord, LLP

• Satake USA Inc.

• Tokyo Gas America Ltd.

• Naoki Shimizu, D.D.S.

HOST COMMITTEE

• Hiroko Sato and Ranjit Singh

• Claire Tingleaf

• Linda and William Weiland

DONORS

• Hiroyuki Katayama

• Ritsuko Komaki-Cox

• Margaret Alkek Williams in honor of Miwa Sakashita

• Nippon Shokubai America Industries, Inc.

• Osaka Gas USA Corporation

• Willam A. Ross

JASH Congratulates Mr. Kunio Minami on Japanese Imperial Decoration

Image courtesy of Consulate-General of Japan in Houston

On April 29, the Government of Japan announced the Japanese Imperial Decoration recipients for spring 2022, which included Mr. Kunio Minami, former Chair of the Japanese Garden Advisory Committee for Hermann Park Conservancy.

Mr. Minami will be awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays, in recognition of his valuable contributions to promoting Japanese culture and advancing the welfare of Japanese nationals in Houston.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park, which opened on May 4, 1992. The Garden is a symbol of Japan-U.S. friendship and is a tribute to Houston’s thriving Japanese community.

Over the years, the garden began to lose the essence and beauty unique to Japanese-styled gardens. Mr. Minami led the efforts of the Japanese community in developing a garden restoration project.

From 2007 to 2021, as Chair of Hermann Park Conservancy’s Japanese Garden Advisory Committee, Mr. Minami worked tirelessly to manage, restore, and renovate the Japanese Garden, including through his support of Japanese gardeners during annual visits. For nearly 20 years, Mr. Minami has been a central figure in Houston’s efforts to bring life back to the Japanese Garden.

This decoration represents the Japanese Government’s recognition of Mr. Minami’s valuable contributions to the Japanese Garden, on the occasion of its 30th anniversary celebration. A conferment ceremony of the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays for Mr. Minami will be organized by the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston later this year.

JASH Awarded Inaugural BANF Grant

On January 26, BIPOC Arts Network and Fund (BANF) publicly announced its first 120 grantees. 

JASH is proud to be among the recipients of the inaugural round of BANF funding. BANF was made possible by the Ford Foundation's America's Cultural Treasures initiative, which in September 2020 committed an unprecedented $156 million to support BIPOC arts communities across the country in response to the devastating economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. BANF is also supported by Houston Endowment, The Brown Foundation, Inc., The Cullen Foundation, Kinder Foundation and The Powell Foundation.

BANF was publicly announced Sept. 21, 2021 as an initiative created to provide resources and networks that will support Greater Houston's BIPOC arts communities in fully displaying their power, values and traditions. This is achieved through grant funding, advocacy, and community-building networking initiatives.

There are vital connections between communities of color and our unique art and cultural expressions that celebrate our histories, acknowledge our perseverance and project a productive future. When there is an investment in us, there is an investment in our cultural communities…”

-BANF grantee Michelle Barnes
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Community Artists' Collective.

61 grantees are 501(c)(3) organizations, and 59 grantees are artist collectives. 

JASH looks forward to working together with our fellow BANF grantees to highlight the vibrancy of Greater Houston’s BIPOC arts community.

JASH Congratulates Ms. Donna Fujimoto Cole on Japanese Imperial Decoration

Image courtesy of Consulate-General of Japan in Houston

On November 3, the Government of Japan announced the Japanese Imperial Decoration recipients for fall 2021, which included Ms. Donna Fujimoto Cole, President and CEO of Cole Chemical & Distributing Inc. She is to receive the Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays in recognition of her many contributions to promoting regional exchange and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.

Ms. Cole is a third-generation Japanese American, who has become one of the region’s most successful business leaders after founding Cole Chemical in 1980 and guiding its development to be among Houston’s top chemical distributors. Since visiting Japan as part of a delegation of Japanese American community leaders in 2006, Ms. Cole has been deeply involved in various activities to further Japan-U.S. relations. She is a former President of the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) and a former board member of the U.S.-Japan Council, where she is a current legacy member.

Additionally, Ms. Cole has worked to promote Japan-U.S. grassroots exchange through the Houston-Chiba Sister City relationship, supporting its youth exchange program and assisting with high-level missions between the two cities. She has also been instrumental to strengthening Japan-Texas economic ties, including in her work as Chair for the 2018 Japan-Texas Economic Summit in Houston, where she collaborated with dozens of cities and other organizations to bring together over 400 business leaders from Japan and Texas.

Furthermore, Ms. Cole has contributed greatly to the sharing of Japanese culture with people in the Houston area. This includes her support for the Houston Japan Festival, which attracts roughly 30,000 participants to Hermann Park every year to take part in Japanese cultural activities, and her significant contributions to projects like the opening of the Art of Japan Gallery in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the restoration of the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - WE HAVE MOVED!

It is with great pleasure that we announce that the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) has moved to a new location on Richmond Avenue. Effective October 11, 2021, the JASH office will be open at the address below:

NEW ADDRESS:

2990 Richmond Ave.
Suite 670
Houston, TX 77098

JASH would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to our community for the longstanding support. We look forward to continuing to serve you from our new location as we work to advance the mutual interests of American and Japanese peoples.

In effort to best protect the welfare of our community, access to the JASH offices will be by appointment only. Please email lhurley@jas-hou.org to schedule a visit.

Bellaire High School Graduate Volunteers at Tokyo 2020 Olympics

As the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games come to a close, gratitude is owed to the numerous Japanese volunteers who brought the Olympic spirit to life in the midst of challenging circumstances.

One Houstonian was among those who gave of their time and extended Japan’s omotenashi or hospitality to athletes from around the world.

Meet Irin Toh. Over the past two weeks, the JASH volunteer and 2020 graduate of Bellaire High School has been working the volleyball matches at Ariake Arena.

KPRC2 Keith Garvin took time to meet with Irin to learn how she made it to the games and what she has been up to!

When not preparing locker rooms for athletes, Irin could be spotted on TV mopping the courts during major matches.

Thank you, Irin, for your hard work! The Olympic Games could not have happened without you!

Check out the full story on the KPRC2 website by clicking the button below:

Uniting Cultures and Nations through Art, Sport, and Hope: JASH Shares the Kimono Project

On July 28, 2021, JASH and Imagine One World commemorated the start of the Tokyo Olympics with an inside look at the KIMONO PROJECT.

Imagine One World KIMONO PROJECT Board Chairman Nobumichi TEJIMA shared how efforts began in 2014 to create 207 unique kimonos to represent every nation expected to take part in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. Mr. TEJIMA also introduce the kimono design for the U.S.A., highlighting the special design features.

Imagine One World KIMONO PROJECT Director Masanori MURAKAMI, the baseball legend who was the first Japanese baseball player to sign as an MLB player in the U.S., shared his experiences playing with the San Francisco Giants and getting his first win against the Houston Colt .45s.

Imagine One World KIMONO PROJECT Director Sumire WAKANA shared the kimono designs for Greece, Mexico, the IOC Refugee Olympic Team, and more.

This project has provided a one-of-a-kind opportunity to spread the beauty and mastery of Japanese craftsmanship around the globe along with a message of peace.

As the world gathers together in Japan, we will deliver a message of peace -- that "the world can be one" -- through Japan’s KIMONO culture. Large and small countries, living national treasure kimono creators and emerging kimono artists, are all equal. The beauty of Japanese traditions will impress and encourage the people of the world and illuminate the fire of hope for tomorrow.

-Nobumichi TEJIMA, Imagine One World

Click the button below to watch the webinar: