JASG Partners with Nakato

for Culture and Culinary Peace Bell Fundraisers

The JASG and Nakato Japanese Restaurant are excited to present a series of spectacular Japanese Art & Culture Workshop Luncheons where all proceeds will support the construction of the Peace Bell Tower at The Carter Center. All events in the series will be highlighted by a unique cultural demonstration and include a delicious, authentic Nakato Japanese lunch.

The series will kick off on Saturday, April 23rd at 11am with a Japanese Music & Dance program featuring 2 Japanese performers. Mie Osawa will play shamisen and yokobue, and enact the  shishimai Japanese lion dance while Junko Fujiyama will do an interactive Ekaki-Uta demonstration and perform some J-Pop music. Other upcoming luncheon events include:

• April 23: Japanese Music Workshop
• May 21: Ikebana Demonstration 
• June: Washoku Japanese Cooking Demo
• July: Origami Workshop 
• August: Bonsai Workshop

Thank You for Your Generosity. . . .

We thank all of you who have made a financial contribution to the Peace Bell Project. Due to your generosity we will be able to build a one-of-a-kind bell tower for the Peace Bell at The Carter Center. The JASG has now raised over $100,000 for the Project but we still have a lot to do to reach our goal of $300,000. The carpenters are scheduled to begin work in September so funds need to be acquired before that. If you have not made a contribution, please consider doing so and also encourage 3 or more friends or companies to do the same.  To stay abreast of developments, please see: the JASG Peace Bell webpage.

Noriko Aoi	Taylor Bennett	Holly Beyersmith
Elizabeth Bigler	Linda Copeland	Cindy Dougherty
Todd Guild	Tim Evans	Michael Fieser
Anne Godsey	Michelle Haney	Thomas Harrold
Ben Hatch	Sarah Hawk	John Hellman
Albert Hodge	Brenda Holmes	Junko Horvath
Masahiro Isono	Elizabeth Kennett	James Kennett
William Kennett	Michiko Kinoshita	Kiyo Kojima
Jennifer Kumnick	Shin Kusanagi	Day Lancaster
Martin Long	James Luckett	Miriam Machida
Neil McBride	David Miller	Virginia Murray
Yumiko Nakazono	Chris Nguyen	Shoko Porter
Mike Raymer	Vaibhav Sathe	Yoshinari Sato
Yosuke Sawada	Thomas Schroeder	William Strang
Takuya Takahashi	Leif Terry	Naoko Tramel
James Whitcomb	Trevor Williams	Masako Winkler
Clark Wisenbaker	Yu Xiao	Hanae Yamaki
Tom Yamamoto	Yasuo Yazaki

JETRO Survey on Business Conditions for Japanese Companies Operating Overseas

In September 2021, JETRO conducted an online survey on the state of Japanese companies operating in the U.S. and Canada. 978 responses were received from 1,878 survey sent. This survey is conducted once a year to ascertain the management situations and changes in local business environments of Japanese companies in the U.S. and Canada. It is the 40th annual survey for the U.S. and the 32nd for Canada. With the reopening of the economy, earnings of Japanese companies operating in North America are expected to improve. Companies that have their sights set on business expansion in the next one to two years have surpassed the 2019 level.

Topics:

• Operating profits forecasts, 
• Future business direction, 
• Policy on human rights such as occupational safety and health in supply chains, 
• Addressing environmental issues, utilization and impact of FTAs/EPAs 
• Utilization of digital-related technologies and associated challenges, 
• Challenges in management and changes in trade environment,
• Biden administration’s policies, 
• Procurement sources, manufacturing ratios, and sales destinations by countries or regions, 

For a report summary, see: www.jetro.go.jp/en/news/releases/2022/498ee8912a97a65e.html

To read the full 117-page report, please access: www.jetro.go.jp/ext_images/en/news/releases/2022/498ee8912a97a65e/rp_north_america2021_202203.pdf

Bonenkai Festivities Return with Carter Lifetime Award 

After a two-year pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, JASG welcomed 250 guests to the 41st Bonenkai Holiday Gala at the Piedmont Driving Club December 14  to witness the Lifetime Achievement Award Ceremony in honor of President Jimmy Carter. Jason Carter, Chairman of the Carter Center accepted the award on behalf of his grandfather. Among those in attendance were Consul General Kazuyuki Takeuchi, President & CEO of The Carter Center, Paige Alexander, Georgia House and Japan Legislative Caucus Representative Kim Schofield, as well as many esteemed Japanese business leaders doing business in Georgia, and prestigious Georgia executives investing in Japan. The Gala itself allowed guests to celebrate the holidays with special guest performer, Junko Fujiyama, and also provided a unique opportunity for cross-cultural understandings in the Georgia community. 

Many people are familiar with President Carter’s contributions to protecting human rights and alleviating human suffering in countries around the world - efforts for which he received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002. However, it is less widely known that President Carter has been instrumental in laying the foundation for the enduring bonds of friendship that connect Georgia and Japan. Today, Japan is the number one foreign investor in the state as over 650 Japanese affiliated companies that employ over 35,000 people, have invested over $11 billion in Georgia.

During his acceptance speech, Jason Carter acknowledged, “The relationships that my grandfather built when he was the (Georgia) Governor gave him the faith, I think, in himself to step to that next level when he decided to run for President… He started that life in Plains with this image of Japan as the rest of the world in many ways… A few months ago, he received from a small group of children in a hospital 1,000 cranes, and he hung it right in his sunroom... So that connection to the rest of the world that he’s had so much for his life, it really is now in that room with that incredible symbol of Japanese culture.”

While Georgia governor, Jimmy Carter welcomed YKK and Murata Electronics, Georgia's first Japanese facilities. He also opened Georgia's Trade and Tourism office in Tokyo in 1973, the State's first international office. One year later, the Consulate General of Japan was established in Atlanta, paving the way for many more Japanese corporations, government entities, and Japan-related organizations.  In 1979, President Carter later signed a proclamation in designating a week in May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Week.

Perhaps a story that embodies President Carter the most is of the bonds of friendship that formed between the people of Konu-cho in Hiroshima and Americus, Georgia, all because, through a twist of fate, Konu-cho’s temple bell was gifted it to him in commemoration of the opening of The Carter Center.  The bell, now known as the “Peace Bell,” has been housed at The Carter Center since 1985 where it will be put up in a new Bell Tower being built at The Carter Center by the JASG and other Japanese community organizations. The Bell Tower will be a replica of the tower in Konu and is expected to be completed by Fall 2022.

For more than 20 years, Global Atlanta has been the only publication tracking Atlanta’s rise as a center for international business, education, and culture. To subscribe and read more global news, please see https://www.globalatlanta.com/.

Annual Japan Academic Challenge Rewards Students of Japanese Language

On March 19, 2022, 44 high school students from all across Georgia studying the Japanese language met virtually for the 2022 Annual Japanese Academic Challenge, sponsored by Temple University Japan Campus and the Japan Foundation, and organized by The Japan-America Society of Georgia.

The Japan Academic Challenge is an annual quiz bowl-style competition that tests students’ knowledge of Japanese culture, grammar, and language.  The Challenge has 4 different levels: Level I being reserved for students who are currently in their first year of Japanese studies, Level II for second year students, Level III for third year students, and Level IV for fourth year students. This year, a total of 16 teams from 4 Georgia high schools competed in the Japan Academic Challenge. This year’s participants were: Coretta Scott King Young Women's Leadership Academy, Milton High School, Riverwood International Charter School, and Roswell High School competed in the Academic Challenge. 

The results are as follows: Milton High School A  received first place and Milton High School B received second  place for the Level I competition. The third-place award went to Roswell High School B. Milton High School received first place for the Level II competition. The second and third place awards went to Roswell High School A and B respectively. Roswell High School received first in the Level III competition.  Second place went to Milton High School A.  Third place was awarded to Riverwood Int'l Charter School.  In the top level of competition, Level IV, first place was awarded to Milton High School. Second place went to Roswell High School.

The Japan-America Society of Georgia would like to express gratitude for the gracious support from event sponsors, Temple University Japan Campus and The Japan Foundation. Special thanks also goes to Georgia Association of Teachers of Japanese. 

Braving Pandemic, Obirin University Students

Return to Atlanta for Spring Semester

After a 2 year COVID delay during which JASG could only offer online study abroad programs, the JASG is excited to welcome 23 students from Japan to Atlanta for J.F. Oberlin University’s College of Business Management Global Outreach Program from March/April to July 2022 for a total of 16 weeks. On March 6, 14 students arrived to study at Georgia Tech and on April 2, 9 students arrived to study at Georgia State University. Students study 16 weeks of English as a Second Language (ESL) and will also participate in a 8-week business practicum where they will visit various Japanese and American companies to learn the secrets to business success. Students will partake in a capstone project to create their own company and write a business plan and do a final presentation at the end of the semester. The JASG thanks all of the host and friendship families for generously hosting a Japanese student, and all of the companies and organizations that will support the business practicum and helping to make their time in Atlanta an invaluable experience. Please contact the JASG to learn more about J.F. Oberlin University programs and to be part of next semester’s programs by hosting a student in the Fall.

On this 1-year commemoration of the heartbreaking shootings in Atlanta-Georgia on March 16, 2021, The Japan-America Society of Georgia offers its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims. Loss of any life is tragic, and we are saddened by the ongoing bloodshed in our communities. We condemn violence of all kinds and pray for peace and understanding of all peoples. Please join us in spreading OMOIYARI (a Japanese term for compassion, empathy, and action) with love and sympathy in continuing the legacy of those we’ve lost.

SPRING/WINTER EDUCATION, CULTURE AND SOCIAL EVENTS

Macon Cherry Blossom Parade

This year on March 20, JASG had the privilege of participating and walking in Macon, GA’s annual Cherry Blossom Festival parade. Walking side-by-side with JASG Gold Member (and the Festival’s exclusive partner) YKK Corporation of America, the JASG team was comprised of volunteers, partners, and our Obirin University (Japan) exchange students who were ecstatic to be present and active in one of Georgia’s most popular and internationally-oriented events.

What began 40 years ago as a small 3-day festival, the Macon Cherry Blossom Festival has since grown into a month-long celebration with hundreds of events to entertain all ages and backgrounds. The festival is a catalyst for the enhancement of community, fellowship, and civic pride of Macon and all Georgia residents through the encouragement and development of recreational, social, and cultural activities. Known as the “Cherry Blossom Capital of the World,” Macon boasts over 350,000 Yoshino cherry trees.

Japan Arts Festival 

On March 26, The Japan-America Society of Georgia and JapanFest collaborated with Georgia State University Perimeter College Dunwoody to hold the Japan Arts Festival celebrating Japanese art and culture with the objective of promoting mutual understanding among Japanese and Americans in the Southeast. The event featured cultural booths promoting various types of Japanese art, Japan-related exhibitors, vendors, and activities ranging from bonsai, ikebana, daruma workshop, kamishibai, origami to anime, and live performances of Japanese taiko drums, dance and music. JASG volunteers participated by helping guide visitors, distributing wrist bands, doing origami and name writing, and selling yukata at the booth. It was a wonderful opportunity to create awareness of the many aspects of Japanese culture and resources available locally.

Back by Popular Demand Ouchi Gohan Japanese Home Cooking Returns

In the fall, JAS Georgia, JAS Houston, and JAS Boston collaborated to offer cooking lessons virtually. The last in the fall series was December 11, which featured Matcha Marble Cake and Matcha Latte. The first two classes in the fall were for Nikujaga and Hakusai Salad on November 13 and Onigiri on October 30.

The fall programs were so popular that the three Societies have decided to continue this spring with Ouchi Gohan II. On March 19, Debra Samuels taught how to make the popular Chirashizushi (please see Culinary Corner in the newsletter for the recipe).  The rest of the spring programs are Chan Chan Yaki and Spicy Edamame on April 16, Teddy Bear Omu Rice on May 14, and Cream Anmitau on June 18.

To register for these special cooking classes, please go to the JASG Events Page  (https://www.jasgeorgia.org/page-18213?EventViewMode=1&EventListViewMode=1).

Debra Samuels is the lead curriculum and recipe developer for Wa-Shokuiku, cookbook author, cooking teacher and 2020 recipient of the John E. Thayer III Award for Outstanding Contributions to Cultural Exchange Between the United States and Japan. Debra leads the program content and curriculum development of TABLE FOR TWO USA’s  Japanese inspired food education program,  “Wa-  Shokuiku -Learn. Cook. Eat Japanese!”. She was a food writer and contributor to the Food Section of The Boston Globe and has authored two cookbooks: My Japanese Table and The Korean Table. She curated the exhibit, “Obento and Built Space: Japanese Boxed Lunch and Architecture,” at the Boston Architectural College (2015) and co-curated  “Objects of Use and Beauty: Design and Craft in Japanese Culinary Tools,” at the Fuller Craft Museum (2018). Debra worked as program coordinator and exhibition developer at the Boston Children's Museum (1992-2000).  She lived in Japan for 12 years and specializes in Japanese cuisine. 

As Atlanta’s liaison office for the 34th Annual Asian-Pacific Children’s Convention (APCC), The Japan-America Society of Georgia (JASG) is again able to share a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 4 elementary school students (two boys and two girls) and 1 chaperone from the State of Georgia through this fully funded exchange program in Fukuoka, Japan (Atlanta’s Sister City).

The APCC is normally held in-person in Fukuoka, Japan – Atlanta’s Sister City, but because of the ongoing global pandemic, this year’s program will be held online through the APCC’s BRIDGE Virtual Summer Camp. The camp will take place virtually, on Saturday evenings during the months of July to September 2022.

Applications for 2022 are due on Monday, May 9, 2022 and all application materials must be received by the JASG by 5:00pm EDT that day.

Junior Ambassador Invitation Letter & Application Instructions

Junior Ambassador Application - http://bit.ly/APCC-2021