JASH VP RECEIVES HONORARY CITIZENSHIP

On April 13, Japan-America Society of Houston joined the City of Houston in a ceremony bestowing honorary citizenship on Yuzuru Nagawa. 

The presentation was made by Chief Development Officer Andy Icken on behalf of Mayor Sylvester Turner.

Nagawa-san was recognized for his many valuable contributions to the community and was selected to serve as a Good Will Ambassador of the City.

After eight (8) years of serving as Vice President and General Manager of the Houston Office of All Nippon Airways (ANA), Nagawa-san will be returning to Japan to take on the role of Senior Director, Government & Industrial Affairs (渉外調査部 国際渉外担当）for ANA HOLDINGS INC.

Nagawa-san arrived in Houston in 2015 with the mission to connect Tokyo and Houston with nonstop air service on Japan’s leading airline.  The arrival of the ANA flight served as a testament to the growth of economic and cultural ties between Houston and Japan, and ever since, Nagawa-san has been at the forefront of showcasing Texas-Japan relations in a truly productive and visible light.

In addition to serving as Vice President of Japan-America Society of Houston and Co-President of Japanese Festival of Houston, Inc., Nagawa-san sat on the Hermann Park Conservancy Board of Directors and chaired the Hermann Park Conservancy Japanese Garden Advisory Committee.  Moreover, as Community Liaison for the Japan Business Association of Houston, Nagawa-san established strong collaborative relationships with a variety of community organizations.

The manner in which Nagawa-san tirelessly gave of his time has strengthened U.S.-Japan ties in our region. 

We join the City of Houston in admiration of Nagawa-san’s contributions to our community, and congratulate Nagawa-san on a most deserving honor.

2023 Spring Japanese Garden Cleanup

On Saturday, April 8, JASH hosted the Annual Spring Japanese Garden Cleanup in Hermann Park.

Under the guidance of the Hermann Park Conservancy (HPC), the 41 volunteers who gathered were tasked with pulling weeds, dredging streams, relaying river rocks, and tidying the tea house.

Volunteers also honored Japanese Garden Advisory Commitee Chairman and JASH Vice President Yuzuru Nagawa for his eight years of dedicated service to the Japanese Community in Houston.

お疲れ様 (otsukaresama) to everyone who gave of the time and effort during this cold and overcast weather to ensure the Japanese Garden is looking its best in preparation for Japan Festival Houston!

JASH Bids Farewell to Yuzuru Nagawa

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On April 6, members of the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) Board of Directors gathered to bid farewell to Vice President Yuzuru Nagawa.

JASH has had the good fortune of working with Nagawa-san since he arrived in 2015 to launch All Nippon Airways’ direct flight between Houston to Tokyo.

Over his eight (8) years in Houston, Nagawa-san has tirelessly given of his time and resources to help raise the profile of Japan-America Society of Houston. Nagawa-san’s many contributions include representing JASH in the community, facilitating cooperation with key Japanese business leaders, and championing Japan Festival. His commitment to the strengthening of U.S.-Japan ties also extended to our sister organizations in Austin, Alabama and Georgia.

JASH is grateful for Nagawa-san’s wise counsel, warm-hearted teamwork and profound dedication to the JASH mission. 

In recognition of Nagawa-san’s friendship and support, JASH President Laird Doran presented Nagawa-san with a Texas flag that was flown over the State Capitol in his honor on March 31, 2023.

While Nagawa-san’s active leadership as a judicious steward of our organization will sincerely be missed, JASH wishes him all the best in his next role. 日本でご活躍をお祈りしております。

In the words of singing cowboy Roy Rogers, we say:

Happy trails to you until we meet again!

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ZEN-An: Traveling Teahouse Experience

In 2017, Kuniji Tsubaki designed a portable teahouse that condenses into the size of a suitcase. His ZEN-An was constructed using authentic Japanese techniques by master carpenters (sashimonoshi), tatami craftsmen, blinds (sudare) makers, and washi paper mounters. His goal was to develop a tearoom that could be assembled within the time it takes to burn one stick of incense (approximately 15 minutes). 

From Friday, March 31 - Sunday, April 2, ZEN-An was presented in locations around the Houston area. Visitors to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park, MECA, Levy Park, and Burnett Bayland Park were able to experience this specially crafted environment through an introduction to the rituals of Japanese tea ceremonies as influenced by the long history of Buddhist religion.

The program was presented in conjunction with None Whatsoever: Zen Painting from the Gitter-Yelen Collection on view from February 18 – May 13, 2023 at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

ZEN-An was co-presented by JASH and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) and funded in part by The Japan Foundation. 

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ABOUT THE ARTIST

Kuniji Tsubaki is a Japanese architect who specialises in tea rooms. He has found an ingenious way to take this spirit of hinraku around the world. His chashitsu fits in a suitcase and can be re-assembled in any location where he spreads a message of peace. Kuniji-san’s portable tea room is constructed by his team of master artisans. 

FUNDER

The presentation of ZEN-An in Houston was funded in part by The Japan Foundation.

Photos by night.sky.creative

TX Speech Contest Winner Receives Scholarship to ICU

Aidan Sisneros, winner of the 2023 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest High School Free Speech Aurora Division has received a full-tuition scholarship to study at International Christian University in Tokyo, Japan.

The Johnson High School Senior is one of only two students in the entire country to receive this honor.

“Freshman year, I wanted to challenge myself, so I decided to take Japanese. I absolutely fell in love with the language. Halfway through freshman year, I decided I wanted to study in Japan. This has been a dream in the making the past four years.”

Aidan’s dream of studying in Japan is coming true. But it wasn’t without great sacrifice and determination. There was a rigorous interview and multiple essays. But Aidan had something the other scholarship candidates didn’t – his Japanese teacher, Dr. Yuka Kato. 

Sensei Kato worked with Aidan to perfect his essay. She grew up in Japan and knows what it takes to earn acceptance to this extremely competitive university. Nine drafts later, she confirmed that his essay was ready to be turned in. A few months later, his acceptance letter followed. 

“Out of all the people in my life, my mother and Kato Sensei are the two people I respect the most,” said Aidan. “Her character traits, hard work and work ethic influenced mine and gave me the opportunity to even do this. We like to call her our Japanese mother. She’s so loving and truly does care about her students. I’m so grateful to have had her as a teacher these past four years.” 

The feeling is mutual. Sensei Kato cherishes her students. She considers them to be her greatest teachers. She is so proud of Aidan for persevering through every challenge. 

“To me, he’ll always get to the top because he makes an effort,” said Sensei Kato. “He always dreamed of going to Japan. It was a beautiful essay. He never, ever gave up. He persevered.” 

His perseverance continues to pay off. Aidan plans to move to Tokyo in August and will double major in linguistics and business. 

Kato Sensei has also received a well-deserved honored for her work teaching Japanese in San Antonio. Kato-sensei is North East Independent School District’s representative for the 2023 Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching. Click here to learn more.

CONGRATULATIONS to both Aidan Sisneros and Kato Sensei!

KEIZAI CONVERSATIONS: NAJAS-KKC Business Speaker Series

On Monday, March 20, JASH together with the Greater Houston Partnership hosted KEIZAI CONVERSATIONS - a program of the NAJAS/KKC BUSINESS SPEAKER SERIES.

The series made possible by the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) and the Keizai Koho Center (KKC) with funding from Keidanren (Japan Business Federation) seeks to feature senior executives from Japanese corporations to highlight the impact of Japanese corporate investment in the United States.

The Houston edition of the NAJAS-KKC Business Speaker Series – KEIZAI CONVERSATIONS – underscored how Mitsubishi Heavy Industries America (MHI-A) is evolving and collaborating in the development of innovative clean energy solutions that will impact the future. 

MHI-A President and CEO Takajiro “Tak” ISHIKAWA spoke to the MHI Group global strategy and the company’s energy transition focus. In conversation with Bob HARVEY, President and CEO of the Greater Houston Partnership, ISHIKAWA provided  unique insight into the technology being developed for the transition away from fossil fuels. 

In addition, Kiyoshi TANIGAWA, Executive Director of Keidanren USA, highlighted the importance of the U.S.-Japan economic relationship.

JASH is grateful to NAJAS and the KKC for the opportunity to present KEIZAI CONVERSATIONS.

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SPEAKERS

• Takajiro “Tak” ISHIKAWA

  President & CEO

  MHI America

• Kiyoshi TANIGAWA

  Executive Director

  Keidanren, USA

MODERATOR

• Bob HARVEY

  President & CEO

  Greater Houston Partnership

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CO-HOSTS

The Greater Houston Partnership is dedicated to strengthening Houston’s position as the Energy Capital of the World. The economic vitality and growth of Houston’s economy is inextricably tied to the energy industry, and the industry is changing rapidly. In 2021, the Partnership released a strategy for how Houston can leverage its energy leadership to accelerate global solutions for an energy-abundant, low-carbon future and launched the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI). HETI is an industry led effort that builds on the best of traditional energy skills and systems to accelerate the energy transition, grow the region’s economy, export low-carbon products and expertise, equitably create new jobs, and help Houston achieve the goals of its Climate Action Plan. 

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SPONSORS

2023 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest

On Saturday, March 11, 2023, JASH together with the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston co-hosted the 2023 Texas State Japanese Language Speech Competition.

34 contestants, representing the winners of the Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio regional speech contests, gathered in person at Rice University to demonstrate their Japanese language proficiency through the reciting of poetry and the presentation of original haiku and speeches.

All students were celebrated for their determination, devotion, and tenacity as language learners with special participation gifts, including Nintendo hanafuda cards, a tenugui, and a pin badge in the shape of the Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest logo. Moreover, participants were given the opportunity to sample spring wagashi sweets — Ichigo Daifuku and Sakura Mochi — made by Oyatsu Aoi from Kyoto.

Special recognition and prizes were given to the top three contestants in each competition division.

• 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: $750 for 1st Place, $500 for 2nd Place and $250 for 3rd Place.

• Winner of the OPEN DIVISION received a Kinokuniya Maido Box and a special Kinokuniya anniversary tote bag filled with specially selected stationary items.

It is JASH’s hope that the Contest will continue to inspire and motivate students to excel.

Please meet the 2023 Contest winners and supporters:

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POETRY DIVISION WINNERS

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1st Place	Kim DOMENC William P. Clements H.S. Houston Region
2nd Place	Sarah ADEYEMI Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region
3rd Place	Jacob DUKE Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region

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HAIKU DIVISION WINNERS

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1st Place	Zaina KHATTARY LASA H.S. Austin Region
2nd Place	Selina YE Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region
3rd Place	Zafir KHAN William P. Clements H.S. Houston Region

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H.S. FREE SPEECH AUORA DIVISION WINNERS

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1st Place	Aidan SISNEROS "Anyone Can Become a Cultural Bridge" Johnson H.S. San Antonio Region
2nd Place	Muyao JIANG "My Opinion to Chinese Education System" Bellaire H.S. Houston Region
3rd Place	Narah MONREAL "My Ikigai" Churchill H.S. San Antonio Region

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FREE SPEECH COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY DIVISION WINNERS

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1st Place	Katherine JEOUNG "My Journey Up Until Now" University of Texas at Austin Austin Region
2nd Place	Sofia DOMINGUEZ "Japanese and Men and Women and…" University of North Texas Dallas Region
3rd Place	Ryan PARK "My Experience Getting Bullied in Middle School" Rice University Houston Region

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OPEN DIVISION WINNER

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1st Place	Marie ROMANO "A World Without Tea is Not My Cup of Tea" Austin Region
2nd Place	Ella UNDERWOOD "A Foreigner's Experience Living in Japan" Austin Region

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SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THE CONTEST POSSIBLE:

Photos by night.sky.creative

JAPAN FESTIVAL HOUSTON to Return to Hermann Park

It is with great excitement that the Japan-America Society of Houston announces the Japanese Festival of Houston will be returning to celebrate its 30th anniversary in Hermann Park on May 6-7, 2023.

Japan Festival Houston 2023 – 民! For the People! follows a four-year long COVID-19 pandemic hiatus and will serve as the first festival of the current decade and of the Reiwa Era.  In addition, the event will mark the 30th anniversary of the Japanese Garden and the 50th anniversary of the Houston-Chiba Sister City relationship -- important milestones that will be celebrated with topflight entertainment, food and other cultural offerings. 

In addition to the perennial Kid’s Zone favorites of yo-yo fishing and goldfish scooping, festival goers can enjoy the sounds of world music chart toppers Minyo Crusaders and experience Chiba City – Houston’s Sister City – through special performances, limited-edition products, and Chiba’s charming mascot Chihana-chan.  The Mayor of Chiba City Shunichi Kamiya will also be joining the festivities.

“The Festival is a labor of love on behalf of the Japanese community for the people of Houston.  We are proud that we have managed to keep the Festival FREE.”

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

“With travel restrictions lifted, we are once again able to showcase Japanese culture in the best light possible.  We have been working diligently to build our moment together and look forward to highlighting our Chiba City friends.”

- Patsy Brown, Executive Director, Japan-America Society of Houston

JASH Welcomes Ambassador Tomita to Houston

On March 1, JASH took the occasion of His Excellency Koji Tomita’s first visit to Texas to present him with the J. Thomas Schieffer Leadership Award.

Awarded in 2021, the 3rd annual J. Thomas Schieffer Leadership Award recognizes Ambassador Tomita’s tireless efforts to deepen important ties between Japan and the United States and to strengthen the Japan-America alliance.

Ambassador Tomita’s diplomatic career in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) spans four decades. Most recently, Ambassador Tomita served as Japan’s Ambassador to Korea. Before that, he was Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Personal Representative for the G20 Summit in Osaka and Ambassador to Israel. His other overseas postings have included London and Paris.

He has held multiple leadership positions in U.S.-Japan relations, including Director-General of MOFA’s North American Affairs Bureau and Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Washington, DC. In these capacities, he led the Japanese efforts to strengthen the Japan-US alliance and to promote mutual understanding between the two nations.

Since being named Japan’s new envoy to the United States in February 2021, Ambassador Tomita has worked to ensure the continuation of good relations between Japan and the United States over changes in administration. He has also led an array of initiatives to facilitate cooperation between Japan and the United States in areas such as COVID-19, climate change and space cooperation.

Kokoro Care Packages March Discount for JASH Members

Spring is in the air, which means sakura season is just around the corner!

To help you celebrate springtime in Japanese fashion, Kokoro Care Packages is offering Japan-America Society of Houston members a 10% discount on a purchase of artisanal Japanese foods, all made by local farmers and producers and delivered straight from Japan to your door. 

Use code JASHsakura2023 (valid during the month of March). Choose from a subscription or a permanent collection Care Package or create your own package with a selection of single items from Market: “Michi no Eki”.

April’s Care Package theme is “Sakura & Ume: The Beauty of Springtime in Japan”! Enjoy a curation of sakura and ume specialties along with an English brochure of product descriptions, producer stories and recipes. (Applies to orders made in March for the monthly Nourishing Essentials Care Package. One-time purchases and subscription options available).

Create your own hanami bento as you enjoy these sakura and ume specialties from Japan!

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APRIL’S “SAKURA & UME” CARE PACKAGE

KISHU NANKO HONEY UMEBOSHI (PICKLED PLUM)

Kishu nanko ume are regarded as one of Japan’s highest-quality plum with a taste similar to apricots. These special umeboshi also include a touch of honey which provides a hint of sweetness.

SAKURA SOBA WITH SOUP

These special soba noodles have sakura leaves kneaded into the noodles and use 100 years of traditional raw soba making methods.

RED SHISO FURIKAKE (SEASONING) WITH UME VINEGAR

This springtime red shiso furikake includes domestic red shiso which is slowly marinated with fully ripened Kishu nanko ume vinegar. Perfect for your hanami (sakura viewing) bento.

SAKURA & MIXED MOUNTAIN VEGETABLES RICE SEASONING

Domestic mountain vegetables such as warabi, carrots, bunashimeji, bamboo shoots and shiitake mushrooms are seasoned with an umami-rich sauce. Sakura leaves are added to bring floral springtime aromas and colors. 

SAKURA PEANUTS

Handmade by a local candy store founded in 1890, these springtime treats consist of peanuts wrapped in a crunchy sakura dough.

2023 Japan Currents Houston Conference

The 2023 Japan Currents Houston Conference was held on Friday, February 24, at the Petroleum Club of Houston.

In June 2019, the Cabinet Office of the Japanese government revealed its "Integrated Innovation Strategy" towards net-zero, which outlined expectations for ammonia's potential and set a national target on introduction of ammonia as CO2-free energy.

Since this time, Japanese companies have been pursuing new business opportunities and forging new partnerships to build out the ammonia value chain.  2022 proved to be a very significant year for ammonia-related initiatives .

JERA Co. announced plans to issue international tenders to buy up to 500,000 mt/year of fuel ammonia.  Mitsubishi Corporation announced it was studying the development of a plant to integrate green and blue ammonia production in the port of Corpus Christi.  JGC Corporation announced that it had awarded Houston-based engineering firm KBR a contract for its green ammonia technology.  Moreover, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and CF Industries Holdings, Inc., the world's largest producer of ammonia, announced their intention to jointly develop a greenfield ammonia production facility in the U.S. Gulf Coast region.

Through Japan Currents Houston Conference 2023, JASH made a case for ammonia by highlighting how Japanese and American companies are collaborating in the development of a framework for ammonia that will impact the future of ammonia as fuel worldwide. 

The presentations, as well as the discussions that followed, made clear the potential of ammonia and the importance of the U.S.-Japan bilateral collaborations in creating a framework for ammonia to move projects forward.

Shigeru MURAKI, President of the Clean Fuel Ammonia Association, answered the question “Why ammonia?”  He described the key technologies of ammonia utilization, highlighted various U.S.-Japan ammonia collaborations, and discussed government support for clean hydrogen and ammonia in Japan.

Ashraf MALIK and Tetsu YOSHIDA, while sharing the missions of their respective companies, discussed how a demand for low-carbon ammonia is emerging and addressed how this demand can be met with both green and blue ammonia.  The planned Mitsui-CF Industry project will pave the way for a clean fuel ammonia value chain and support global transition to a clean energy economy.

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EMCEE

• Patsy BROWN

Executive Director, Japan-America Society of Houston

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PRESENTATIONS

• Shigeru MURAKI*

  President, Clean Fuel Ammonia Association; Regional Vice Chair, Asia Pacific and South Asia, World Energy Council

  US Japan Collaboration toward Carbon Neutrality through Clean Fuel Ammonia Supply Chain

• Ashraf MALIK*

  SVP, Manufacturing and Distribution, CF Industries 

  CF Industries Overview

• Tetsu YOSHIDA*

  SVP, Chemicals Division, Mitsui & Co. (USA), Inc.

  Mitsui’s Strategies ​for a Sustainable Clean Ammonia Supply Chain​

*view bios here

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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.

2023 Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest

The 2023 Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest has concluded.

Twenty-eight (28) contestants gathered at University of St. Thomas to demonstrate 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!

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Meet the winners of the 2023 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 at Rice University on March 11, 2023.

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DIVISION 1 - POETRY

1.       Ziyi ZHAO – 9th, William P. Clements High School

2.       Kim DOMENC – 9th, William P. Clements High School

3.       Kevin RAMIREZ – 10th, Morton Ranch High School

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DIVISION 2 - HAIKU

1.       Qianyue LUO – 11th, William P. Clements High School

2.       Zafir KHAN – 10th, William P. Clements High School

3.       Jerry ZHANG – 10th, William P. Clements High School

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DIVISION 3 - FREE SPEECH HIGH SCHOOL AURORA

1.       Dylan MITCHELL – Technology’s Influence – 12th, William P. Clements High School

2.       Muyao JIANG – My Opinion to Chinese Education System – 10th, Bellaire High School

3.       Zacharia HUSAIN – Foreigners in Japan – 11th, William P. Clements High School

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DIVISION 4 - FREE SPEECH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY

1.       Connor BEZIO – "Outer Wilds" and the Fear of Death – Junior, Rice University

2.      Ryan PARK– My Experience Getting Bullied in Middle School – Freshman, Rice University

3.      Jackson BANNISTER – A Quick Trip to Japan – Junior, University of Houston

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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

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

DIVISIONS III & IV: FREE SPEECH High School and University

• 1st place: Nintendo Switch

• 2nd Place: $25 gift card

• 3rd Place: $15 gift card

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS:

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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR JUDGES:

• Ritsuko HAGIO - Volunteer, JASH

• Ruriko KINOSHITA - Showing Japan

• Aki NOMI - Instructor, JASH Japanese Language Program

• Hiroko SATO - Board Member, JASH

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

• Hiromi TAKAYAMA - Instructor, Rice University

• Midori UKITA - Instructor, JASH Japanese Language Program

• Yuko YAMADA - Instructor, JASH Japanese Language Program

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SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL PARTICIPATING JAPANESE LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN HOUSTON:

• Tomoko BAKER

• Jing LIU

• Yoshimi SHERIDAN

• Satoko SHOU

• Hiromi TAKAYAMA

• Midori UKITA

• Yuki WAUGH

2023 Houston Marathon HOOPLA

On Sunday, January 15, JASH volunteers gathered in the early morning to cheer on the runners of the 2023 Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Houston Half Marathon. Armed with noisemakers, music, signs, and incredible enthusiasm, the JASH HOOPLA Brigade at Mile 7 was ready to show Japanese hospitality to the over 27,000 runners on the course.

JASH congratulates the winner of the Women’s Marathon title, Hitomi Niiya, who crossed the finish line at 2:19:24 — blowing away her personal best and just missing the course record by 12 seconds. Her win makes her only the second runner, man or woman, to complete the H-town Double! (Niiya won the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in 2020, setting a Japanese national record in the process.)

We also congratulate Kenta Uchida, who finished the race among the top ten on the men’s leaderboard.

Congratulations as well to all the runners, supporters, and volunteers for all your hard work and dedication.

2023 Oshogatsu Japanese New Year Celebration

On Saturday, January 7, JASH celebrated “Oshogatsu” at a special New Year’s edition of JAPAN JUNCTION at Levy Park.

During the event, hundreds of park visitors enjoyed a variety of Japanese activities including origami and crafts, traditional New Year’s games, and performances.

Starting the festivities from the stage was the energetic Kaminari Taiko performing group, followed by the melodious Reiko Obata on the koto. Visitors were also treated to a kamishibai telling of “How the Years were Named” in the Japanese tradition and a kendama demonstration by Michael Martin.

Throughout the event, JASH volunteers engaged visitors in the traditional games of fukuwarai, daruma otoshi, hagoita, and ton ton sumo. Other booths allowed visitors to claim an omikuji fortune, pound mochi, create a nengajo New Year card, paint a daruma doll and practice shodo calligraphy. Booths featuring Japanese sweets and clothing were also available for the attendees to shop.

Click on the link below to read the Houston Chronicle’s article covering the event.

Images provided courtesy of Levy Park

Ikebana Returns to JASH Fall 2022

After a two-year hiatus, JASH and the Ikenobo Society of Texas, with support from Ikebana International Houston Chapter #12, announced the return of in-person ikebana lessons.

Under the guidance of Nanako Tingleaf, a professor in the art of Ikenobo Ikebana, veteran students of ikebana and newcomers have gathered at the JASH office every third Thursday to study this beautiful and elegant artform.

Each lesson focuses on a different theme or expression which should be observed through the arrangement. Combining line, texture, space, surface, prints, and mass, the students share their thoughts and style.

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About Nanako Tingleaf:

Courtesy of Ikebana in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country

Professor Nanako Tingleaf began her ikebana studies while she was in junior high school. After five years, she was presented with Kanban which is a certification that allows her to open a private teaching practice. On that occasion, she was given her ikebana professional name: Gyokusui. On arriving in Houston, Texas, she met other Ikenobo teachers who encouraged her to apply for higher Ikenobo certifications. She received her 14th certificate, Sokako, Professor of Ikebana First Grade in 2005.

Professor Tingleaf has given demonstrations at various organizations and occasions throughout Texas to include I.I. Chapters in Houston and Fort Worth, the State Convention of Texas Garden Clubs. Texas A&M University, and she has exhibited at the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, Asia Society Gala, Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the Residence of the Consul General of Japan for gatherings and other events. In May 2015, she acted as translator to the Headmaster Senei Ikenobo and his assistants from Kyoto, Japan, for the celebration of the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Texas 50th Anniversary Symposium. At the end of the celebration, the 45th Headmaster, Senei Ikenobo, presented her with the certificate “Junkatoku” and the award of merit for the advancement of Ikenobo Ikebana and the contribution and dedication to the school.

She has attended Ikenobo seminars in Kyoto and audited advanced courses at the Chuo Kenshu Institute. These classes are taught in Japanese by senior professors at the Ikenobo Headquarters in Kyoto, Japan. She has studied and traveled worldwide with Ikenobo senior professors to include San Francisco and many other U.S. cities; Toronto, Canada; Madrid, Spain; and Basil, Switzerland. She is a past president of I.I. Houston Chapter and the Ikenobo Ikebana Society of Texas.

She appreciates and has a deep respect for the Art of Ikenobo today as she did many years ago. It is her desire to introduce and promote Ikenobo Ikebana whenever opportunities arise.

40 Years of Youth Exchange Between Houston and Chiba City Celebrated Online

Houston and Chiba City marked 40 years of the internationally-recognized Houston-Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassador Program through a two-part online exchange held on November 29 and December 7.

Part 1 saw program participants greeted by Nobuyuki MINATO, Director of the Chiba City International Association, Toshihiro SAGARA, Director of the Office of the Mayor of Chiba City and Jessica NGO, Protocol and International Programs Manager for the Houston Mayor’s Office of Trade and International Affairs.

In addition, 3rd year students from Katsuragi Jr. High School performed the soranbushi, a traditional dance to a minyo folk song that contains lyrics meant to encourage fishermen at work.

Part 2 gave students from River Oaks Baptist School (ROBS) the opportunity to introduce aspects of school life — from community and academics to extracurriculars and sports.

Following the ROBS presentations, students from Katsuragi Jr. High School and River Oaks Baptist School discussed ideas for items to be placed in a virtual time capsule to be opened in 2032.

To date, more than 200 young people have been exposed to the rewarding field of international relations through the Houston-Chiba Sister City youth Ambassador Program.

Our Youth Ambassadors are a reminder that the Houston-Chiba Relationship is full of promise, and JASH is proud to be in a position to see firsthand the strong connections being forged between the youth of Houston and Chiba City.

JASH BOD Member Miwa Sakashita Receives Foreign Minister's Commendation

Photo by Akiko Sato, courtesy of the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston

Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) Board Member Miwa Sakashita has received a commendation from Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi in recognition of her contributions to the promotion of mutual understanding between Japan and the United States in Houston.

Consul General Hirofumi Murabayashi presented the commendation certificate and commemorative gift to Mrs. Sakashita at a reception held at the Official Residence on December 9, 2022. Mrs. Sakashita’s efforts were also celebrated with remarks from JASH President Laird Doran, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Director Gary Tinterow and Houston Symphony Executive Director and CEO John Mangum.

Miwa Sakashita is a longstanding member of the Board of Directors of JASH. Over her many years of service to the organization, Mrs. Sakashita has chaired countless JASH galas, chaired the JASH Program Committee and chaired the Houston-Chiba Sister City Committee. Through her numerous roles, she has brought to Houston Japanese musicians and artists, has created new partnerships for JASH with schools and organizations, and has opened her home to a multitude of guests for receptions and dinners.

Moreover, Mrs. Sakashita, along with her husband Dr. John Stroehlein, have supported Japanese physicians pursuing fellowships at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and have housed countless visitors from Japan.

One of Mrs. Sakashita’s greatest sources of pride is having been involved in the launch of Japan Festival Houston, and she is known for working tirelessly at the event.

JASH is grateful for Mrs. Sakashita’s support, and we congratulate her on her receipt of the 2022 Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation.

2022 Fall Japanese Garden Cleanup

On Saturday, December 3, 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), 37 volunteers gathered to rake leaves, re-lay stones in the dry stream garden, pull weeds, repave pathways, and tidy the tea house.

On this United Nations International Volunteer Day, we give 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!

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

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