Houston And Chiba Japan Mark 50 Years As Sister Cities

JASH Board Members Past & Present with City of Houston Mayor Turner and Chiba City Mayor Kamiya

On October 25, 2022, Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) joined the City of Houston and the City of Chiba in marking 50 years of sister-city friendship at a special celebration attended by a delegation of Houston business and governmental leaders in Chiba City.

Mayor Sylvester Turner met with Chiba Mayor Shunichi Kamiya and additional Houston delegation members, including Greater Houston Partnership President and CEO Bob Harvey, members of the Houston City Council, and other dignitaries. The celebration included in-depth meetings to discuss economic development, tours of Chiba landmarks, and a formal reception dinner.

During a gift exchange to commemorate the special occasion, Mayor Turner presented Houston Astros jerseys to Toshihito Kumagai, governor of the Chiba Prefecture, and Chiba Mayor Kamiya. Both elected leaders are baseball enthusiasts and have attended games at Minute Maid Park.

The meeting took place on the second day of the investment and trade mission to Japan led by Mayor Turner and the Greater Houston Partnership to promote Houston as a strong and reliable partner in energy transition, innovation, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and transportation.

The City of Houston is proud of our sister city relationship with Chiba. We may live on different continents, but we share a close bond and mutual desire to provide business, educational, and cultural exchanges for the people of both cities. The 50th anniversary allows us to recommit to an enduring friendship and promote a message of goodwill, respect, and understanding.

-Mayor Sylvester Turner

Following a private meeting to discuss issues that connect the two cities, the mayors signed a Reaffirmation of the Sister City Relationship Agreement. The agreement represents the shared commitment between Houston and Chiba to continue collaboration and goodwill through existing and new exchanges in tourism, economic development, education, and arts and culture.

Also during the reception, Mayor Turner was granted honorary citizenship of Chiba City.

Chiba City is very pleased to welcome Mayor Turner and the official delegation from Houston to the 50th-anniversary celebration of our sister city relationship. To date, more than 200 young people have had the opportunity to participate in our Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, strengthening the ties between our two cities. Today, our bond was further deepened through the sharing of information on initiatives addressing environmental problems and urban development – fruitful discussions that will lead to new solutions and new forms of economic growth. I am confident that the Chiba-Houston relationship will continue to grow as we look toward the next 50 years.”

-Mayor Shunichi Kamiya

The port cities of Houston and Chiba entered into a sister city agreement on October 24, 1972, undertaking to work in unison to establish economic and cultural ties. The agreement was signed during a similar trade and investment mission with former City of Houston Mayor Louie Welch and City of Chiba Mayor Kazushige Araki.

Houston Mayor Louie Welch and Chiba City Mayor Kazushige Araki exchanging gifts at the sister city pact signing in Chiba.

Through the decades that Houston and Chiba have stood together as sister cities, cooperation has been strengthened not only through people-to-people exchange but also through acts of kindness and expressions of solidarity in the face of recovery from natural disasters.

Since first undertaking to work in unison to establish economic and cultural ties, Houston and Chiba have implemented numerous initiatives promoting collaboration at the grassroots level. From joint research studies between the University of Houston and Chiba University to exhibition games between little league teams – the two cities have exchanged many delegations of visitors of every age group.  The Houston-Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassador Program for middle school students has been taking place most every summer since 1982.

Japan-America Society of Houston takes pride in assisting the City of Houston in administering the Houston-Chiba sister city relationship and championing people-to-people exchange. The partnership between Houston-Chiba brings together both municipal and volunteer community resources, and offers a mechanism of individuals and organizations, youths and adults, to be involved in the rewarding field of international relations.  The relationship is full of promise, and we look forward to supporting further cooperation between the two cities.

-Laird Doran, President of the Japan-America Society of Houston

The City of Houston values this relationship. We are here to honor all of our ties and successes - including the nationally recognized youth ambassadors program. We will continue learning from each other, from economic interests, business opportunities, industries, and what more we can explore to ensure our cities' continued growth and development.

-Mayor Sylvestor Turner

Houston-Japan Investment And Trade Mission | City To Promote Economic And Cultural Ties In Japan

Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) joined Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Greater Houston Partnership (GHP) on an investment and trade mission to Japan to establish new avenues for cooperation in energy, innovation, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and transportation/mobility.

During the week-long mission, Mayor Turner, GHP CEO Bob Harvey, and delegates met with high-ranking government leaders and business executives in the Japanese cities of Tokyo and Chiba to promote Houston's economic, governmental and cultural ties. The mayor also spoke at the U.S.-Japan Council 2022 annual conference on the topic, "Leveraging Subnational Action to Solve Global Problems."

Day one of the official engagements included a briefing at the U.S. Embassy in Japan, followed by a meeting at JETRO where JASH Board Members Yuzuru Nagawa and Atsuki Kawakami provided information on Houston to businesses looking to expand successfully to Japan.

Later in the week, the delegation traveled to Chiba to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between the City of Houston and the City of Chiba. Mayor Turner joined the mayor of Chiba to reaffirm the Sister City Agreement executed on October 24, 1972, and vowed to continue working in unison for the mutual benefit of our cities and people. Read more about the Sister City 50th anniversary celebration here.

Other engagements during the investment and trade mission included a briefing and ride on the Japanese bullet train in coordination with Texas Central Rail and Japan Central Railway, as well as visits to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ Yokohama Hardtech Hub, Toshiba, Sumitomo Heavy Industries and Daikin.

The night before returning home on Oct. 30, the delegation attended the Houston Ballet's first-ever performance of Stanton Welch's Swan Lake at Bunka Kaikan in Tokyo, Japan.

Reception for NAJAS President Peter Kelley

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.

Inaugural JASH Service Award Presented to Yoko Authur

On September 15, 2022, the inaugural JASH Service Award was presented to Mrs. Yoko Authur in recognition of her contributions to the furthering of Japan-America Society of Houston’s mission.

Mrs. Authur supported JASH for over 30 years.

In the early 1990s, Mrs. Authur joined JASH and assumed a variety of leadership roles.  In addition to serving on the JASH Board of Directors, Mrs. Authur was on the gala committee, the sister city committee, the Japanese Garden committee, the speech contest committee and the JASH Shimbun newsletter committee. 

Moreover, she was JASH’s Vice President of Cultural Affairs. A skilled practitioner of the Ikenobo style of ikebana herself, Mrs. Authur brought a variety of cultural classes to JASH.

Following the completion of the Japanese Garden in 1992, Mrs. Authur proposed holding a small Japan Festival to draw attention to the garden’s existence. Her vision of and dedication to this project led to the inception of Japan Festival Houston, a beloved community event visited by thousands each year.

Yoko Authur modeling a kimono at the first Houston Japan Festival.

Yoko Authur hosting the JASH Volunteer Reception.

In the late 1990s, she was tapped to be the JASH office administrator, and she carried out duties in this capacity until 2010.

Mrs. Authur’s love for sharing Japanese culture with the community was clearly expressed in the initiatives she led and supported to nurture friendship and goodwill between Japan and America.

JASH is grateful for Mrs. Authur’s selfless service, warm-hearted teamwork, and profound dedication to sharing the arts and culture of Japan.

JASH 2021-22 ANNUAL MEETING at HOUSTON CENTER

On September 15, JASH held its first in-person annual meeting since the start of the pandemic at the newly refurbished HOUSTON CENTER.

The meeting opened with a welcome from JASH Board Member Minoru Aizawa, on behalf of Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas) - sponsor of the 2022 JASH Annual Meeting.

JASH Vice President Yuzuru Nagawa followed with a presentation of the JASH 2021-22 Annual Report.

Following the Annual Report, JASH Board Member Glen Gondo awarded the inaugural JASH Service Award to Mrs. Yuko Authur. Learn more about Mrs. Authur’s contributions to JASH here.

At the conclusion of the evening, members were treated to a display of culinary expertise courtesy of Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas) sushi master, Chef Takao Saito, as well as crisp and sweet cream puffs, courtesy of Beard Papa Katy.

Special thanks go to JASH Corporate Sponsor Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas) for making the 2022 ANNUAL MEMBER MEETING an evening to remember.

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JASH 2021-22 ANNUAL REPORT

Click here to view the JASH FY2021-2022 Annual Report.

JICUF Study Abroad | Full-Tuition Scholarship Available

Japan ICU Foundation (JICUF) is offering two (2) full-tuition scholarships to study abroad in Japan through the United States Scholars Initiative (USSI). USSI aims to increase the number of international, degree-seeking undergraduate students from the United States at International Christian University (ICU). This merit-based scholarship will cover academic fees (tuition and facilities fees) for four years of undergraduate study at ICU.

Applicants must be United States citizens and have completed high school in the U.S. They must also demonstrate a strong interest in Japan, the Japanese language, ICU and the liberal arts.

For all questions regarding the program or application, please contact JICUF at information@jicuf.org.

For more information, and to apply for the scholarship, click the button below:

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APPLICATION DEADLINES

• September 1: USSI Online Application Opens

• December 1: USSI Online Application Closes

• December 8: Recommendation Letters Due

• Mid-December: 1st Round results announced, 2nd Round applicants notified to schedule interviews

• Early January: ICU Online Application Opens; USSI interviews held

• Late January: ICU Online Application Closes

• February: ICU admissions and USSI decisions announced

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ABOUT ICU

ICU is a private, four-year liberal arts college in Tokyo. Founded on the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ICU aims to cultivate “responsible global citizens” who will contribute to world peace and to help people from diverse backgrounds live together harmoniously. ICU has been a pioneer in liberal arts education in Japan since its founding in 1953, pursuing, as its name suggests, international, Christian and academic missions.

Although founded on Christian principles, ICU does not proselytize. The majority of students are not Christian. All undergraduate students are required to take “Introduction to Christianity,” but otherwise participation in Christian programs is completely optional.

Position Opening: President, National Association of Japan-America Societies, Inc.

The National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) is seeking a talented individual to lead its office and play a critical role in nurturing the grassroots of the U.S.-Japan relationship. This unique position involves convening Japan-America Societies, providing grants for several Japan-related program series, and otherwise strengthening the network of the U.S.-Japan community throughout North America. Frequent presence in the Washington DC area is required. Pay is competitive and based on experience. Position will involve regular domestic travel to member societies, as well as infrequent international travel to Japan. See below for more details on NAJAS, the job description, and qualifications.

Interested candidates should submit a resume and letter of interest to HR@us-japan.org by October 5.

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POSITION DESCRIPTION

The President reports to a Board of Directors and has overall responsibility for NAJAS’ activities in support of Japan-America Societies, including:

• Creation of, support for and administration of Japan-related program series grants covering public affairs, geostrategy, business and economics, security, and culture.

• Identification and provision of services important to Japan-America Societies, including mentorship and consulting on operational issues and funding opportunities.

• Development of partnerships with major foundations and funding partners in support of the program series grants.

• Representing the network of Japan-America Societies with government officials, foundations and major corporations in the United States and Japan.

• Convening an Annual Meeting of Japan-America Societies, including inviting experts on issues of importance and operational management workshops for Society leadership.

• Financial responsibility for a budget exceeding $1.5 million, and fiduciary stewardship of NAJAS resources.

• Creating and maintaining strong relationships with corporate funders and promoting general publicity about NAJAS and its mission.

• Administration of U.S. operations for three Japan-based exchange people-to-people programs.

• Performing general management duties ensuring the successful operations of the organization including successful supervision of the NAJAS Office Manager.

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE WILL HAVE:

• Excellent ability to represent NAJAS at high levels

• Dedication to and enthusiasm for improving the U.S.-Japan relationship

• Talent to maintain strong donor relations

• An established network of individuals and organizations that share NAJAS’ vision

• Experience in not-for-profit governance

• Knowledge of Japan and the U.S.-Japan bilateral relationship

• Proven management and leadership skills

• Ability to develop and execute fundraising strategies

• Experience with budget management

• Exceptional people-to-people skills

• Outstanding written and oral communications skills

• Willingness to work outside of the constraints of a standard work week, as required, including weekends and before or after scheduled hours

• Familiarity with the Japanese language preferred

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NAJAS: The National Association of Japan-America Societies is a membership association of 38 independent, not-for-profit Japan-America Societies located across North America. Formed by our member societies in 1979, NAJAS’ mission is to strengthen this unique, national network of Japan-America Societies devoted to the grassroots relationship between the United States and Japan. NAJAS does this by providing a suite of services to our members, including sponsorship and support for six high quality Japan-related program series, an Annual Meeting to keep leadership of Japan-America Societies informed on issues in the bilateral relationship, and practical programs to assist in the operations of small not-for-profits. With offices in Washington DC, NAJAS is an important and collaborative member of the Japan-related community in the nation’s capital.

ANA Flights From Houston (IAH) to Haneda (HND) Return

All Nippon Airways has is pleased to announce that day flights from Houston to Tokyo will return this winter. While ANA flights will continue to travel between Houston IAH and Tokyo NRT airports, flights between Houston IAH and Haneda HND will resume beginning on October 30, 2022.

OCT 30, 2022 - MAR 25, 2023 Operations IAH - NRT

• NH173 (Houston-IAH) | 4/week (MON, TUE, FRI, SAT) | IAH Departure 11:25 / NRT Arrival 15:30 +1 (Next day)

• NH174 (Narita-NRT) | 3/ week (WED, THU, SUN) | NRT Departure 16:50 / IAH Arrival 15:05

OCT 30, 2022 - MAR 25, 2023 Operations IAH - HND

• NH113 (Houston-IAH) | 3/week (WED, THU, SUN) | IAH Departure 17:05 / HND Arrival 21:10 +1 (Next day)

• NH114 (Haneda-HND) | 4/ week (MON, TUE, FRI, SAT) | HND Departure 10:25 / IAH Arrival 8:40

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Effective September 7, 2022(JST), the pre-entry COVID-19 test for fully vaccinated travelers with at least one booster to enter to Japan will no longer be required. To ensure a smooth experience and compliance with the latest regulations, ANA encourages passengers to check the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan website. Fast Track through the MySOS app is available for passengers entering Japan.

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JASH JLP Textbook Liquidation Sale

JASH is holding a liquidation sale on 3rd Edition Japanese for Busy People textbooks. Copies of the following textbooks and workbooks are available for purchase at a reduced price:

• Japanese for Busy People Vol. 1 (Kana Version) for $18.00

• Japanese for Busy People Vol. 1 (Romanized Version) for $15.00

• Japanese for Busy People Vol. 1 The Workbook for $12.00

• Japanese for Busy People Kana Workbook (supplemental) for $12.00

• Japanese for Busy People Vol. 2 (Kana Version) for $18.00

• Japanese for Busy People Vol. 2 The Workbook for $12.00

Stock is limited. Click the button below to take advantage of the special pricing.

JLPT in the U.S. to Resume in 2022

The American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) has announced that the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) will be held on December 4, 2022.

According to AATJ, the testing site for Texas will be at Rice University in Houston, TX. There are 240 seats available. Registration will be conducted between August 10 and September 13. Test registration is opening in a staggered sequence, one level at a time, as described below:

• Registration for LEVEL N1 opened on Wednesday, August 10.

• Registration for LEVEL N2 opened on Friday, August 12.

• Registration for LEVEL N3 will open on Monday, August 15, at 11:00 AM CDT.

• Registration for LEVEL N4 will open on Wednesday, August 17, at 11:00 AM CDT.

• Registration for LEVEL N5 will open on Friday, August 19, at 11:00 AM CDT.

Registration will close on Tuesday, September 13, at 7:00 PM CDT, or when all seats at all test sites are filled, whichever is sooner. The registration fee for the tests is $100.00 per test.

More information on the JLPT can be found on the official JLPT website. Click the button below:

Houston Ballet Principals Visit Chiba City Ahead of Historic Japan Tour

In July, Houston Ballet Principals Yuriko Kajiya and Charles-Louis Yoshiyama traveled to Chiba, Japan to promote the company’s upcoming Swan Lake Japan tour.

In addition to meeting Chiba City Mayor KAMIYA Shinichi, Kajiya and Yoshiyama visited Katsuragi Jr. High School (千葉市立葛城中学校) and participated in a workshop for young ballet dancers. The events, which were organized to commemorate 50 years of sister city friendship between Houston and Chiba City, provided Chiba City youth with the opportunity to learn from the experiences of world renowned ballerinas who have achieved success beyond the borders of Japan.

Kajiya, Yoshiyama and Houston Ballet will present Stanton Welch’s Swan Lake at Tokyo’s Bunka Kaikan on October 29 and 30, 2022. Houston Ballet’s historic Japan Tour is presented by Koransha.

I think being able to take the company to Japan is very important to us because the Japanese audiences are so experienced with great dance and art.

-Artistic Director Stanton Welch

For tickets and more information about the Houston Ballet Japan tour, visit the Koransha website or email Mbledsoe@imgartists.com or Press@houstonballet.org.

Photos courtesy of Akemi Saitoh

JASH Mourns the Tragic Passing of Prime Minister ABE Shinzo

Photo credit: Shutterstock.com | WASHINGTON D.C., USA - Mar 31, 2016: Nuclear Security Summit. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe welcomes the participants and guests of the summit

Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) joins Japan and the world in mourning the tragic loss of Prime Minister ABE Shinzo, the longest serving Prime Minister in modern Japanese history.

Not only was ABE a friend to America, ABE was also an ambassador of the extended National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) network and a champion of the work of Japan-America Societies both in the U.S. and Japan.

In 2020, he was named Honorary President of our sister organization The America-Japan Society, Inc. in Tokyo. At the time of his appointment, Prime Minister Abe noted:

“In order to elevate the [U.S.-Japan] relationship to an ‘alliance of hope,’ it is imperative to enhance people-to-people exchanges at the grassroots level.”

We also recall ABE’s words from his 2015 address to a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress.

“Let us call the U.S.-Japan alliance, an alliance of hope. Let the two of us, America and Japan, join our hands together and do our best to make the world a better, a much better, place to live.”

The world has lost a dedicated leader and the United States has lost a trusted partner.

Our prayers are with ABE Akie, the ABE family and all of Japan.

ANA Releases New IAH - NRT Flights

All Nippon Airways has announced additional flights from Houston to Tokyo. Following the previously announced change, ANA flights will continue to travel between Houston IAH and Tokyo NRT airports.

JUN 1 - OCT 29, 2022 Operations

• NH173 (Houston-IAH) | 3/week (SUN, WED, FRI) | IAH Departure 11:50 / NRT Arrival 15:40 +1 (Next day)

• NH174 (Narita-NRT) | 4/ week (SAT, MON, TUE, THU) | NRT Departure 16:50 / IAH Arrival 15:10

JUL 16 - AUG 31, 2022 Operations

• NH123 (Houston-IAH) | 3/week (SAT, TUE, THU) | IAH Departure 11:50 / NRT Arrival 15:40 +1 (Next day)

• NH124 (Narita-NRT) | 3/ week (SAT, TUE, THU) | NRT Departure 10:30 / IAH Arrival 8:50

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JASH Brings #EdamameChamp Challenge to Houston

On June 11, JASH staff and volunteers joined nearly 700 visitors to Fort Bend Public Library to celebrate the FBCL Multicultural Festival. During the event, JASH introduced Japanese Food Education, or Shokuiku, to the community through the #EdamameChamp Chopstick Challenge campaign.

This was the first official #EdamameChamp Chopstick Challege hosted in Houston. Participants enjoyed the fun #EdamameChamp Chopstick Challenge game by moving edamame beans to create as many circles as possible in one minute using only chopsticks. Others enjoyed the mega #EdamameChamp Challenge by attempting to move the extra-large edamame rugby balls into a hoop using super-sized chopsticks.

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About the #EdamameChamp Chopstick Challenge:

#EdamameChamp is an annual spring campaign to promote healthy eating through Japanese cuisine focusing on soy and to raise funds for teaching healthy eating to more children. The yearly challenge is hosted by Table For Two USA.

Rotary Plants Friendship Trees in Japanese Garden

Photos: Akiko Sato Fredricks

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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!

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

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

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.

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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

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

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Ikuyo Katayama

Courtesy of Hannah D.

Courtesy of Hannah D.

Courtesy of Hannah D.

Courtesy of Hannah D.

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.