Rotary Plants Friendship Trees in Japanese Garden

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

Photos: Akiko Sato Fredricks

Inspired by Rotary founder Paul Harris, Rotarians have long been planting trees to symbolize enduring friendships and fellowship, to beautify parks and communities, and to contribute to a greener world.

On the occasion of the 2022 Rotary International Convention in Houston** from June 4-8, members of the Rotary Club of Chicago, which was established by Paul Harris in 1905, and their sister club in Japan, Rotary Club of Tokyo-West, which includes Shibuya Ward, Setagaya Ward, Oota Ward, Meguro Ward and Shinagawa Ward, joined forces to plant three (3) sakura trees in the Japanese Garden.

JASH Vice Present Yuzuru Nagawa, who is also Chair of Hermann Park Conservancy’s Japanese Garden Advisory Committee, emceed the planting ceremony. Iris Clawson-Davis expressed gratitude on behalf of the City of Houston Parks and Houston Parks and Recreation Department. Chicago Rotary Club Immediate Past President Erik Cempel shared the history of the tree planting tradition. Tokyo-West Rotary Club President Hironori Kubo highlighted the importance of the trees as a symbol of goodwill.

Consul General Hirofumi Murabayashi joined Cempel and Kubo in the planting of the trees.

Houston’s Japanese Garden was selected for the tree planting as the Japanese Garden is marking its 30th anniversary.

We are grateful to the Rotary Club of Chicago and the Rotary Club of Tokyo-West for this special gift, and we look forward to seeing the cherry blossoms bloom.

**This is Houston’s third Rotary convention. It also hosted the Rotary world in 1914 and 1972.

Texas, We have a winner!

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

On June 5, 2022, the Japanese Language Scholarship Foundation hosted the 18th Annual All-U.S.A. High School Japanese Speech Contest.

The contest featured eleven (11) participants carefully selected from applicants recommended by organizers of regional speech contests held across the country.

Each student was judged on following criteria:

  • CONTENT - Selection of theme, originality, creativity, and ability to touch the audience’s heart

  • STRUCTURE - How well the speech is organized and how logically and smoothly the argument or the content flows

  • JAPANESE LANGUAGE - Appropriate use of sentence structure and vocabulary, and accuracy of pronunciation and accent — or comprehensibility

  • OVER-ALL IMPRESSION - Attitude, posture, voice audibility, connection with the audience, including eye contact, and fluency

  • INTERVIEW responses with clear and appropriate answers.


Coming out on top of the competition was the winner of the 2022 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest – Blessing Adanuri Anyiam of L.V. Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas.

Anyiam-san’s speech -- "The Courage to Face Myself" or 自分向き合えた勇気」-- discussed her fears of entering high school as well as her experiences during quarantine. The speech highlighted the transformative power of new encounters on one's personality and character.

JASH has seen several of our Texas State Japanese Speech Contest winners go on to become runners up at the All-U.S.A. High School Japanese Speech Contest and represent the United States in the International Japanese Language Speech Contest. However, this is the first time in nearly ten years that a Texas student has claimed 1st prize.

Congratulations to Anyiam-san and her instructor Mrs. Mayumi McDonald!

To watch Anyiam-san’s speech click on the link below and fast forward to 18:10.

Houston Chronicle Recognizes George Hirosaki & History of Texas Rice Cultivation

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

Circa 1904, rice farmer Seito Saibara, wearing straw hat, standing beside his 600-foot deep water well on his farm in Webster. .UTSA Special Collection-Institute of Texan Cultures

The Houston Chronicle recognized JASH member George Hirosaki in an article honoring the rich history of Japanese-Texas immigration and rice production.

The article goes on to acknowledge the influential Japanese families who built Texas’s booming rice economy in the early 1900s, including the Koyabayashi’s, Saibara’s, and Mr. Hirosaki’s own grandfather, Kishimatsu Kishi.

Owing to the efforts of these families and others who immigrated along the Gulf Coast, Texas boasted a multi-million-dollar industry that cultivated the rice that fed people around the world. Holding strong until the Great Depression and rising racial tensions, the Japanese-Texas rice market eventually collapsed.

Looking back, Mr. Hirosaki, a researcher and professor at Rice University, sees the fields that once held a legacy of rice cultivation as they nourish Texas’ cattle and livestock.

Courtesy of Rice University

OKI: Music of the Ainu

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

Photo by A. T. Olson Photography

On May 4, JASH celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by exploring the indigenous sounds of Japan’s northernmost region through OKI: Music of the Ainu.

Oki Kano, known professionally as OKI, is a leading musician of Ainu music—the music of Japan’s northernmost indigenous people. Born to a Japanese mother and an Ainu father, OKI has recovered and recreated traditional music on the tonkori, a stringed instrument of the Ainu people of Karafuto (a region also known as Sakhalin). The rich, reverberating twang of the tonkori strings, which are traditionally made from deer tendons, allowed Ainu shamans to communicate with spirits that control the wind, rain and other natural phenomena called kamuy.

In his Texas debut, OKI performed solo pieces as well as contemporary works with his band members from their new album Tonkori in the Moonlight, which was released in January 2022.

The Ainu maestro curates a collection that gives his people’s endangered ancient sound a modern lease of life – with dub, harmony and dazzling percussion and harmony...This is music from the past with the future on its mind, preserving traditions as it propels them into new places.

-Jude Rogers, The Guardian

To learn more about Ainu traditions and see more of OKI, watch Ainu Mosir (2020), currently streaming on Netflix.

Thank you to everyone who joined us at Miller Outdoor Theatre for this special performance.

The North American tour of OKI: Music of the Ainu is produced and organized by Japan Society, New York, and is supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan through the Japan Arts Council.

The Houston performance of OKI: Music of the Ainu is sponsored in part by the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board.

U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Japan Announce New Fulbright-Glen S. Fukushima Fund

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

On May 22, during U.S. President Biden’s trip to Tokyo, Glen S. Fukushima, Vice Chairman of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation and former President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, announced to the President the establishment of the Fulbright-Glen S. Fukushima Fund through a $1 million donation to expand study and research opportunities for Japanese and Americans. This is the largest single donation ever made by a U.S. citizen to the U.S.-Japan Fulbright exchange program.

As was noted in the press release:

Fulbright enables recipients to pursue academic study and research, while also developing leaders who can contribute to promoting mutual understanding between the United States and Japan. Like all Fulbright grants, those awarded through the Fulbright-Glen S. Fukushima Fund will be through an open and merit-based selection process.

For more information on the Fulbright program, please visit the Japan-U.S. Educational Commission’s webpage at www.fulbright.jp.

2022 Spring Japanese Garden Cleanup

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

On Saturday, May 7, JASH hosted the Annual Spring Japanese Garden Cleanup in Hermann Park.

Under the guidance of the Hermann Park Conservancy (HPC), the 73 volunteers who gathered were tasked with trimming azaleas, repaving pathways, pulling weeds, dredging streams, planting seedlings, and tidying the tea house.

お疲れ様 (otsukaresama) to everyone who gave of the time and effort to the hot summer-like temperatures to ensure the Japanese Garden is looking its best as we celebrate the Garden’s 30th Anniversary Year.

JASH Congratulates Mr. Kunio Minami on Japanese Imperial Decoration

Lauren Hurley ·

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.

CELEBRATE AAPI HERITAGE MONTH WITH THE INDIGENOUS SOUNDS OF JAPAN’S AINU PEOPLE

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

Copyright Maciej Komorowski

At a time when hosting Japan Festival remains a challenge, Japan-America Society of Houston is thrilled to have the opportunity to present OKI: Music of the Ainu at Miller Outdoor Theatre on Wednesday, May 4 from 8:15 PM.

Oki Kano, known professionally as OKI, is an Ainu musician leading efforts to preserve the endangered sounds of Japan’s northernmost indigenous people.  OKI combines traditional music on the tonkori, a stringed instrument of the Ainu people of Karafuto, with Reggae, African and Electronica beats, and his contemporary approach to folk melodies has won praise not only in Japan, but also worldwide.

“While restrictions continue to limit travel between Japan and the U.S., the opportunity to present the distinct music of Hokkaido’s indigenous people allows Japan-America Society of Houston to resume our annual celebration of the rich cultural heritage of Japan, albeit on a smaller scale.”

-JASH Executive Director Patsy Brown

“Japan-America Society of Houston takes pride in our ability to provide authentic encounters with Japan, and the Texas debut of OKI: Music of the Ainu is a reaffirmation of our commitment to the sharing of Japanese traditions, both old and new. This performance not only pays tribute to the indigenous people of Japan and generations of Ainu who have enriched human history, it serves as a reminder of what Japan Festival Houston has to offer and is a preview of things to come in 2023.”

-Laird Doran, JASH President

The North American tour of OKI: Music of the Ainu is produced and organized by Japan Society, New York, and is supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan through the Japan Arts Council.

Japan Festival Houston の開催が依然として難しい中ですが、ヒューストン日米協会 (JASH)は、5月4日(水) 午後8時15分よりMiller Outdoor Theatreにて “OKI：Music of the Ainu” を開催する機会を得ましたことをお知らせいたします。

OKI氏は、日本最北の先住民族であるアイヌ民族の音楽を保存する活動をリードし、樺太のアイヌ民族の弦楽器であるトンコリで奏でる伝統的な音と、レゲエ、アフリカン、エレクトロニカなどの融合させた彼の現代的なアプローチは 、日本だけでなく世界で高い評価を受けています。

「日米間の渡航に制限が続いている中でも、北海道の先住民族の音楽を紹介する機会を得たことで、日本の豊かな伝統や文化を祝う恒例のイベントをJASHは再開することが出来ます。」

- Patsy Brown、JASH事務局長

「JASHは、真の日本文化との出会いの機会を提供することに誇りを持っており、今回の “OKI：Music of the Ainu” テキサスデビュー公演は、新旧両方の日本文化を市民へ届けるという私達の決意を再確認するものです。そして日本の先住民族と人類の歴史を豊かにしてきたアイヌの人々に敬意を表するだけでなく、Japan Festival Houstonの魅力を再認識させ、2023年へと繋がるイベントとなるでしょう。」

-  Laird Doran、 JASH会長

“OKI：Music of the Ainu” 北米ツアーは、日本芸術文化振興会を通じて文化庁の支援を受け、Japan Society, New Yorkが制作・主催しています。

2022 Japan Currents Houston Conference

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

The 2022 Japan Currents Houston Conference was held on Tuesday, March 22. This virtual edition of the Japan Currents Houston Conference marked JASH’s 7th year of bringing together experts from Japan and the U.S. to examine the Japan-America alliance and its impact on Harris County and Texas.

Japan has come to be regarded as a global leader in innovating, researching and producing clean hydrogen.  Efforts to mainstream hydrogen as a clean-energy solution were trumpeted at the Tokyo Olympic Games, where hydrogen fueled the flame in the Olympic cauldron, helped power the Olympic Village, and propelled vehicles ferrying athletes, organizers and media.  In addition, Japan recently launched the world’s first transport of liquefied hydrogen aboard the world’s first liquefied hydrogen carrier, the Suiso Frontier, carrying a shipment from Victoria, Australia to Kobe, Japan.

In 2017, Japan unveiled its “Basic Hydrogen Strategy,” becoming the first country to adopt a national hydrogen framework. The importance of hydrogen was reaffirmed in Japan’s “Green Growth Strategy” released in 2020, and in 2021, the government has doubled down on hydrogen adding specific action plans to priority sectors.

Eiji OHIRA of NEDO, Japan’s New Energy & Industrial Technology Development Organization, provided insight into Japan’s government policy on hydrogen. Joe CAPPELLO, Chairman and CEO of Iwatani Corporation of America, provided insight into Japanese corporate strategy as it relates to hydrogen and demonstrated how Japanese industry is leading efforts to scale-up hydrogen use.

The discussion that followed was moderated by Dr. Alan ROSSITER, Executive Director, External Relations/Educational Program Development of UH Energy, which is home to “The Hydrogen Economy,” a SED Silver Belt Program for industry leaders. Rossiter, Ohira and Cappello touched on the challenges of hydrogen demand creation, the prospects for U.S.-Japan bilateral collaboration on furthering hydrogen use and what the next 10 years hold for the global hydrogen market.

During and after the presentations and discussions, it was agreed that the largest potential for U.S.-Japan cooperation lies in generating standards and protocols for hydrogen utilization.

Please thanks go to the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) and the Embassy of Japan for making this program possible.

PRESENTATIONS

  • Eiji OHIRA*

    Director General, Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Office, NEDO (The New Energy & Industrial Technology Development Organization), Japan)

    How to Realize Hydrogen-Based Society: Japan’s Perspective

  • Joe CAPPELLO*

    Chairman and CEO, Iwatani Corporation of America

    Introduction to Iwatani Corporation of America & Update on H2 Trends in California

*View bios [HERE]

MODERATOR

  • Alan ROSSITER, PhD*

Executive Director, External Relations & Educational Program Development, UH Energy - University of Houston

PARTNERS:

This program is presented in partnership with UH Energy.

SPONSORS

This conference, made possible with support from The Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. and the National Association of Japan America Societies (NAJAS), provides the Houston-Harris County community with the opportunity to explore impact of U.S-Japan energy partnerships on our area.

2022 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

On Saturday, March 12, 2022, JASH together with the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston co-hosted the 2022 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Competition.

36 contestants, representing the winners of the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio regional speech contests, gathered on Zoom to demonstrate their Japanese language proficiency through the reciting of poetry and the presentation of original haiku and speeches.

The event, which was shared via livestream on the JASH YouTube channel, featured a creative display of student determination, devotion, and tenacity as language learners. We congratulate all contestants.

Special recognition was given to the top three contestants in each competition division. Winners from each division were gifted with prizes generously donated by our sponsors.

  • Winners of the POETRY DIVISION received Amazon gift certificates courtesy of the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas (JTAT)

  • Winners of the HAIKU DIVISION received Kinokuniya gift certificates courtesy of the Japan Business Association of Houston (JBAH).

  • Winners of the H.S. FREE SPEECH AURORA DIVISION received scholarships from the Japanese Association of Greater Houston (JAGH): $500 for 1st Place, $300 for 2nd Place and $200 for 3rd Place.

  • Winners of the COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FREE SPEECH DIVISION received scholarships from JASH: $600 for 1st Place, $400 for 2nd Place and $200 for 3rd Place.

  • Winner of the OPEN DIVISION received a foundation pen, “Traveler’s notebook” courtesy of Kinokuniya Bookstore and two (2) tickets to the 2022 JASH Gala.

POETRY DIVISION WINNERS

1st Place Joshua ZUNIGA
Johnson H.S.
San Antonio Region
   
2nd Place Qianyue LUO
William P. Clements H.S.
Houston Region
   
3rd Place Jerry ZHANG
William P. Clements H.S.
Houston Region

HAIKU DIVISION WINNERS

1st Place Narah MONREAL
Churchill H.S.
San Antonio Region
   
2nd Place Rebecca SCARAMUZZI
LASA H.S.
Austin Region
   
3rd Place Ghania EWELIKE
Richardson H.S.
Dallas Region

H.S. FREE SPEECH AUORA DIVISION WINNERS

1st Place Adanuri ANAYIAM
"The Courage To Face Myself"
L.V. Berkner H.S.
Dallas Region
   
2nd Place Elianna MOORE
"How to Fold Peace"
Johnson H.S.
San Antonio Region
   
3rd Place Camille KOUTRAS
"Life-Changing Fashion"
Ronald Reagan H.S.
San Antonio Region

FREE SPEECH COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY DIVISION WINNERS

1st Place Ella BARTON
"My Superpower: Synesthesia"
University of Texas at Austin
Austin Region
   
2nd Place James DALTON
"Wordplay"
University of Texas at Austin
Austin Region
   
3rd Place Jeilene FABI
"My Internship Experience"
University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio Region

OPEN DIVISION WINNER

1st Place Alisa NORO
"Arch Enemy: Ise-ben"
College Park H.S.
Houston Region

JTAT INSPIRATION AWARD

In addition, the 2022 Contest saw the introduction of a new award - the Japanese Teachers Association of Texas INSPIRATION AWARD.

"Inspiration is the action or power of moving the intellect or emotions to a high level."

This newly created award celebrates Texas Japanese language learners whose efforts inspire and motivate others to excel in their own pursuits in the study of Japanese.

 The recipient of the inaugural JTAT Inspiration Award went to Shaina Albert for her perseverance, dedication and determination to overcome challenges, and most importantly, for serving as a role model to give hope and inspiration to others.

Thank you, Albert-san for inspiring us all with your dedication to learning Japanese.

Inspiration
Award		 Shaina ALBERT
"The Magic of Writing"
Richardson H.S.
Dallas Region

SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THE CONTEST POSSIBLE:

2022 Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

The 2022 Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest has concluded.

Thirty-two (32) contestants demonstrated their Japanese skills in the areas of (i) POETRY RECITATION, (ii) HAIKU, (iii) FREE SPEECH AURORA, and (iv) FREE SPEECH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY.

"Otsukaresama" to all contest participants! We congratulate you for your hard work and commitment to learning Japanese. You demonstrate that Houston Japanese Language Learners #LeadWithLanguages!

Meet the winners of the 2022 Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest!

Winners are listed below by category. 

Those placing in the top two in each division will move on to compete in the TEXAS STATE JAPANESE LANGUAGE SPEECH CONTEST, which will be held virtually on March 12, 2022.

DIVISION 1 - POETRY

1.       Jerry ZHANG – 9th, William P. Clements High School

2.       Qianyue LUO – 10th, William P. Clements High School

3.       Muyao JIANG – 9th, Bellaire High School

DIVISION 2 - HAIKU

1.       Yue LU – 11th, William P. Clements High School

2.       Emma WANG – 10th, William P. Clements High School

3.       Alexander FLORES – 10th, St. Francis Episcopal School

DIVISION 3 - FREE SPEECH HIGH SCHOOL AURORA

1.       Sarah VU – What I Regret the Most – 11th, William P. Clements High School

2.       Hayagreev JAYARAM – Similarities between Indian and Japanese Cultures – 12th, Bellaire High School

3.       Tran NGUYEN – Karoshi and Corona – 12th, William P. Clements High School

DIVISION 4 - FREE SPEECH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

1.       Angela LIU – A Reflection on the Pandemic – Senior, Rice University

2.      Vanessa HUYNH– Japanese Club – Sophomore, University of Houston

3.      Hoang NGUYEN– My High School's Unique "Club Culture" – Sophomore, Rice University

Contest winners will receive the following prizes courtesy of KINOKUNIYA BOOKSTORE KATY:

DIVISIONS I & II: POETRY and HAIKU (Beginner & Intermediate)

  • 1st place: $25 gift card

  • 2nd Place: $15 gift card

  • 3rd Place: $10 gift card

DIVISIONS III & IV: FREE SPEECH High School and University

  • 1st place: $50 gift card

  • 2nd Place: $25 gift card

  • 3rd Place: $15 gift card

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR JUDGES:

  • Aki NOMI - Instructor, JASH Japanese Language Program

  • Hiroko SATO - Board Member, JASH

  • Kazuyuki TAKAHASHI - Consul, Consulate-General of Japan in Houston

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPATING JAPANESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN HOUSTON:

  • Jing LIU

  • Adrian MCINTOSH

  • Natalie PETTINGILL

  • Yoshimi SHERIDAN

  • Satoko SHOU

  • Hiromi TAKAYAMA

  • Yuki WAUGH

JASH Awarded Inaugural BANF Grant

Lauren Hurley ·

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.

ANA to Fly IAH - KIX on March 12, 2022

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

All Nippon Airways is pleased to announce the return of the special flight service between Houston IAH and Osaka KIX. On March 12, passengers can travel non-stop to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport from Houston in the style and comfort that is synonymous with ANA.

Mar 12, 2022 Operations

  • NH1921 (Houston IAH) | 3/12/22 (SAT) 11:45 | Osaka, Kansai (KIX) 17:35 (next day, JST)

Please be advised that ANA requires all passengers traveling to Japan to have a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test result at their departure country before boarding. For more information on COVID procedures, please click the button below:

Happy Year of the Tiger

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

Happy Year of the Tiger!

As we continue to face the impacts and unpredictability of the pandemic, we head into 2022 with with fresh hope, strengthened resolve and tiger-like zeal.

New endeavors lie ahead for JASH. A series of regular family-focused programs will be launched in partnership with Levy Park. JASH’s Japanese Language Program will be expanded to include new summer intensive courses. Furthermore, JASH will undertake featuring internationally known Oki Dub Ainu Band on the Miller Outdoor Theatre stage.

It is our hope that the success of our ambitious new undertakings will be a sign of things to come for all of our areas of concern.

With the eye of the tiger, we set our sights on the good things to come and wish you a healthy and prosperous new year.

Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH)

明けましておめでとうございます。

今年は寅年。私達は今尚パンデミックの影響と予測不可能な事態に直面しながらも、新たな希望と強い決意、そして虎のような熱意をもって、2022年に臨みます。

JASHの新たな取り組みとして、 Levy Parkとパートナーシップを結び、定期的な家族向けプログラムを開始いたします。 また、JASHの日本語プログラムには夏期集中コースが加わり、さらに充実したものになります。 そして国際的に有名なOki Dub Ainu Bandの公演をMiller Outdoor Theatreで行う予定です。

このような意欲的なプログラムを一つ一つ確実に実行していくことが、我々が関心を持つあらゆる分野の発展の先駆けとなることを願っています。

虎視眈々と好機は逃さずに活動に邁進いたしますので、皆様のご参加とご協力を何卒よろしくお願い申し上げます。

本年の皆様のご健康とご多幸をお祈り申し上げます。

ヒューストン日米協会 (JASH)

**Special thanks go to Seishun 18 Leader Alisa Noro for creating gate Tora (寅) or tiger kanji character used in the JASH nengajyo (年賀状) or new year greeting card.

2021 Fall Japanese Garden Cleanup

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

On Saturday, December 4, JASH hosted the Annual Fall Japanese Garden Cleanup in Hermann Park.

Under the guidance of the Hermann Park Conservancy (HPC) and with support from the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD), 65 volunteers gathered to rake leaves, spread mulch, dig up stumps, pull weeds, rid trees of ball moss, and tidy the tea house.

Among the volunteers were the newly-arrived Consul General of Japan in Houston, The Honorable Hirofumi Murabayashi and his wife Aurora, and HPC President and CEO Doreen Stoller.

A Texas-sized ありがとう (arigatou) and お疲れ様 (otsukaresama) to everyone who gave of the time and effort to ensure the Japanese Garden is looking its best as we head into the holiday season.

Photo by Ikuyo Katayama

Photo by Ikuyo Katayama

VOLUNTEERS HARD AT WORK | Photos by De’Andra Mosely Photography

Click on the images to view in full.

VOLUNTEER FACES | Photos by De’Andra Mosely Photography

Click on the images to view in full.

JASH Congratulates Ms. Donna Fujimoto Cole on Japanese Imperial Decoration

Lauren Hurley ·

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.

Love For Louisiana

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

Our hearts go out to our neighbors to the East who are dealing with the damage and devastation left in the wake of Hurricane Ida. 

In effort to assist our friends at Japan Society of New Orleans (JSNO) in supporting their community, JASH collected origami paper to create origami folding kits for distribution to families in shelters.   

This small gesture helped meet the need for “Books, Games, Puzzles and Activities for Families With Children” being requested by many relief agencies.  Each kit contained folding instructions for different origami creations and multiple sheets of paper. 

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - WE HAVE MOVED!

Lauren Hurley ·

We Have Moved.jpg

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.

Join JASH & TFT for Onigiri Action 2021

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

Graphic provided by Table for Two

Graphic provided by Table for Two

This October, the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) will support TABLE FOR TWO's Onigiri Action 2021 campaign.

Onigiri Action is an annual social good campaign in autumn connecting the simple act of taking a photo with helping to feed school children in need. Every time someone takes a photo of a Japanese rice ball and posts with #OnigiriAction, five school meals are donated to children in need around the world.

World Food Day is celebrated every year on October 16th by the United Nations. We honor World Food Day by making and enjoying onigiri (or “rice ball” in Japanese) to make our world a little better. Onigiri are made with love for someone special. Let's make onigiri with love for children around the world, and bring a warm school meal to a child in areas of need.

Let's change the world with Onigiri!

10月16日は国連が設定した世界食糧デー。今年もヒューストン日米協会（JASH)は、開発途上国の飢餓と先進国の肥満や生活習慣病の解消に同時の取り組む日本発のNPO「TABLE FOR TWO」の「おにぎりアクション2021｣をサポートします。

日本食のシンボルであるおにぎりの写真やおにぎりと一緒の写真を１枚投稿することで、食事を必要としている子供達に給食５食分が寄付されるこのキャンペーン。おにぎりのイラスト、クラフトなどおにぎりに関係した写真の投稿も大歓迎です。また、投稿数の制限はありません。ご家族、お友達と一緒におにぎりの写真を投稿して、子供達に給食を届けませんか。

ANA to Fly IAH - KIX on December 13, 2021

Japan-America Society of Houston ·

Osaka_smaller.png

All Nippon Airways is pleased to announce a special flight service between Houston IAH and Osaka KIX. On December 13, passengers can travel non-stop to Osaka’s Kansai International Airport from Houston in the style and comfort that is synonymous with ANA.

Dec 13, 2021 Operations

  • NH1921 (Houston IAH) | 12/13/21 (MON) 12:15 | Osaka, Kansai (KIX) 18:05 (next day, JST)

Please be advised that ANA requires all passengers traveling to Japan are required to have a certificate of a negative COVID-19 test result at their departure country before boarding. For more information on COVID procedures, please click the button below: