Centennial Dinner & Gala Celebration
-The 100th Anniversary of the Japan America Society of Southern California-

The Centennial Dinner and Gala Celebration for the Japan America Society of Southern California was held on June 15, 2009, at the Globe Theatre at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Over 500 Japan America Society members and guests attended the event, where President Douglas Erber spoke about the organization’s 100-year history.

The Japan America Society of Southern California was established in 1909. This was when xenophobia was common in the U.S., so Japanese immigrants had a hard time assimilating. However, there were 80 Japanese and Americans who gathered 100 years ago, so that the two cultures could meet on common ground. The society still continues to sponsor events such as the Japan America Kite Festival, as a bridge between the Japanese and American cultures.

At the end of the event, Grammy award-winning Kitaro and his wife provided the entertainment with soothing music.

"What Are the Expectations of Japanese Children who Study Outside of Japan?"
-The Importance of Japanese-Language Education-

JERC (Japanese Educational Resource Center) held a panel discussion to address “What Are the Expectations of Japanese Children who Study Outside of Japan?” on June 20, 2009, in Torrance.

This panel was held to address the importance and the hardships of educating children born in Japan, but are currently being educated in Los Angeles.

Yoshimasa Tezuka, Deputy Consul General, as well as the other panelists, spoke of their experiences and gave advice from their industry’s perspective. Yasuo Kumoda, Former President of Morinaga Nutritional Foods, Inc., pointed out the importance of educating children to being unique by doing ”something new・something different.”

At the end of the panel, the audience had a chance for a Q&A, making it a beneficial day for the panelists and the crowd.