Japan America Society of So California

Japan bowl of California benkyoukai [march 2022] a series of 3 interactive online study sessions consisting of japanese language and cultural topics that prepared high school students for the national Japan bowl competition in Washington, d.c. The benkyoukai concluded with a virtual Japan cultural day featuring an onigiri (japanese rice ball) workshop and a musical performance by neo-japanesque followed by a q&a session.supported by generous contributions from: aratani foundation; consulate-general of Japan in los angeles; temple university Japan campus; the Japan foundation los angeles; ms. mari miyoshi chairwoman of jassc and president & ceo of sumitomo realty & development (usa); and mr. & mrs. stacy & ruth cromidas

Hitachi japanese kite workshops [october 2022]staff and volunteers from the Japan America Society of southern California (jassc) visited 10 elementary schools and after-school programs in southern California to teach the students how to make a japanese kite made of japanese washi paper and bamboo. The kites, which are tailor-made for children, are the design of japanese kite master mikio toki, who prepares the kite materials. Normally, mikio toki would travel from Japan to conduct the workshops in-person but was unable to do So in 2022. Rather, mikio toki pre-recorded an instructional video to show how to make the japanese kites. Jassc programs director, joanna metoki, led the workshops by interacting with miko toki's instructional video. This was the first time using this "hybrid" format and it worked very successfully. Supported by generous contributions from: aratani foundation; hitachi, ltd.; and the japan-us friendship commission (jusfc)

9th annual women's leadership counts virtual conference defining leadership in a post-pandemic world: building an inclusive, flexible and balanced workplace to reduce burnout in the "new normal" [november 10, 2022]the covid-19 global pandemic led to the surge of another disorder burnout. Since 2019, burnout is categorized in the world health organization's international disease classification (icd-11) as a s "syndrome that results from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed." Work-related stress continues to negatively impact productivity in the "new normal." Since burnout is such a significant issue for women at work, failure to address it will undermine organizations' gender-equality ambitions. How can leaders help mitigate burnout and foster engagement, trust, and career satisfaction in their organizations? The speakers candidly discussed the sensitive topic of burnout. They also shared their insights on action-oriented steps an organization and individuals can take, including how to build an emotionally intelligent culture, the adoption of empathetic leadership, flexible working conditions, and lasting solutions to contribute to higher job satisfaction, motivation, productivity, and positive change in today's workplace.featured speakers: christopher d. connors, leadership speaker, author, executive coach; cathi cunningham, partner, deloitte & touche llp; and andrea zoeckler, coo & cfo, epson America, inc./executive officer, seiko epson corp.panel moderator: carol shepperd, ctp, svp, wells fargo commercial bankingvenue: miyako hybrid hotel, torrance, californiasponsors: aratani foundation; sumitomo realty & development (usa), inc.; deloitte tax llc; ernst & young llp; kpmg llp; mufg bank, ltd.; aventon; pillsbury winthrop shaw pittman llp; mitsubishi electric us, inc.; panasonic automotive systems co. of America; hitachi, ltd.; and hitachi astemo americas, inc.

Geostrategic opportunities in east asia: perspectives on the u.s.-japan-china trilateral relations in times of covid-19 [february 10, 2022]the Japan America Society of southern California in partnership with the sasakawa peace foundation and the national association of japan-america societies (najas) presented a virtual fireside discussion which explored the unique geostrategic challenges and opportunities in east asia. The signing of the u.s.-japan security treaty in 1951 has been the cornerstone of peace and security for over 70 years. But with the new administrations in power, the ever-present threat of the covid-19 global pandemic, and the rise of china's influence, how will the u.s.-japan alliance adapt to asia's rapidly evolving geopolitical environment? An expert from the u.s. and an expert from Japan shared their insights on how these issues can help shape the future of u.s.-japan relations.featured speakers: dr. sheila smith, john e. merrow senior fellow for asia pacific studies, council on foreign relations and dr. akio takahara, professor in the graduate school of public policy, university of tokyomoderator: dr. saori kataka, professor of international relations, university of southern californiasupported by generous contributions from: the sasakawa peace foundation and the aratani foundationjun endo cheering tour [august 14, 2022]fans, friends, and supporters attended a women's professional soccer league match at banc of California stadium, angel city football club vs. chicago red stars, to cheer on angel city forward jun endo. Jun endo is angel city's new player from Japan and who is also a player on the Japan national team, nadeshiko Japan. In addition to prizes and giveaways, there was a post-game meet-and-greet with jun endo on the playing field.community welcome reception for the honorable kenko sone, consul general of Japan in los angeles [september 30, 2022]the Japan America Society of southern California joined other organizations in the japanese and japanese american community of southern California to welcome the new consul general of Japan in los angeles, the honorable kenko sone.venue: japanese american national museum, little tokyo, downtown los angelesyoung professionals career growth + leadership workshop [november 16, 2022]the 9th annua women's leadership counts initiative committee presented this career growth + leadership workshop focusing on a four-step iterative process of reflection, planning, prioritizing and growth. It explored where you are today versus where you would like to be in your career, and how to close that gap and be intentional in your journey to define and achieve success. An interactive + fun workshop to master lasting and long-term growth. Receive advice and take-home materials on how to: -identity your top goals -say "no" to the things that don't matter -create strategies to stay focused and maintain momentum -devise action plans, time-management strategies - especially when you are feeling overwhelmed -create room in your life to do things you are passionate aboutspeaker: sami toussi, business + life strategist, international speaker, sami toussi internationalvenue: deloitte manhattan beach media campussponsors: deloitte; ernst & young llp; mufg bank, ltd.; and kpmg llp