Past Events from 2008
January 18 - February 28
"The Art of Japan" featured the ceramics, calligraphy, glassworks, and kimono of Shoko Schutte, Yuri Okamoto, and Linda Arndt at the gallery of Dean Johnson Design with coordination and support from JASI.
January 19
Indiana Japan Chamber Nenjisoukai Annual meeting of the IJC featuring musician Jan Aldridge Clark on jazz harp with her trio, coordinated by the Japan-America Society of Indiana.
February 8
Lunar New Year at the Asian Art Society of the IMA JASI supported our friends at the Asian Art Society of the Indianapolis Museum of Art for their annual Lunar New Year Celebration at the Montage at Allison Pointe.
February 17 and March 1
Roll Your Own Sushi Class JASI members learned the basics of sushi from the master chefs at Ocean World Restaurant in these two sold-out classes.
February 18
Hiroshima-Nagasaki A-Bomb Exhibit and A-Bomb Survivor's Lecture at Purdue University This special program sponsored by the Hiroshima Peace Museum included an exhibit of panels and posters from Hiroshima. Purdue University hosted the exhibit and arranged for speaker presentations by first generation and second generation atomic bomb survivors sharing their experiences. The series also featured the movie, "Face of Jizo: Chichi to Kuraseba", and an origami crane-making station from which the cranes were sent to the Hiroshima Children Memorial to be displayed. Consul General Kenji Shinoda gave the opening address for the program series.
March 13
NBA D-League Fort Wayne Mad Ants featuring Yuta Tabuse! JASI organized a group outing to the basketball game in Fort Wayne which featured Yuta Tabuse, the first Japanese basketball player to play in the NBA, currently a player on the Anaheim Arsenal, the opposing team from California. Thanks to the Fort Wayne - Allen County ED Alliance, JASI members were treated to a special autograph session with Tabuse after the game.
March 27
"Hello Kitty - The Global Brand with Nine Lives" with Ken Belson of the New York Times. This popular and successful program was organized and sponsored by the Japan-America Society of Indiana, with support from the Asian Art Society of the Indianapolis Museum of Art and Earlham College. Ken Belson, author of Hello Kitty: The Remarkable Story of Sanrio and the Billion Dollar Feline Phenomenon and New York Times business reporter, gave presentations at the IMA and Earlham College on Japan's most famous cartoon cat and the company that created her, Sanrio.
March 28
JASI Corporate Know-How Series: "Becoming an Effective Supplier to Japanese Customers" Japan Intercultural Consulting's Gary Jamison presented this seminar on helping American companies understand cultural considerations and expectations in Japanese business relationships.
April 2
JASI Corporate Know-How Series: "Working Effectively with Japanese Colleagues" Japan Intercultural Consulting's Patricia Pringle presented this advanced seminar designed for Americans who have worked with Japanese for more than three years. It offered more in-depth analysis, providing new insights and strategies for improving communication and relationships with the Japanese.
April 12-20
South Central Indiana Japan Mission JASI coordinated the travel arrangements and logistics for the Economic Development mission from South Central Indiana. Tamayo Fukumoto, JASI Community Coordinator, led the mission and ensured the smooth execution of the weeklong schedule of appointments.
April 13
Cherry Blossom Festival "Sakura Matsuri" in Fort Wayne JASI provided cultural displays and promotional support for the Japanese festival sponsored by the IPFW Japanese Saturday School.
April 19
Kendo Seminar for Beginners by JASI member Hiro Imafuji, with promotional support from JASI.
April 22
Yuzuriha Taiko - Japanese Drum Group from Japan JASI promoted the performance of Taiko drumming at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
May 15
Foreign Exchange Seminar with JPMorgan Chase Tohru Sasaki, Executive Director and Foreign Exchange Strategist with JPMorgan Chase Bank, Tokyo, gave two seminars in Japanese and English on the timely topic of exchange rates and future economic trends.
June 5
JASI Twentieth Anniversary Gala celebrated the Japan-America Society of Indiana's Twentieth Anniversary and featured His Excellency Yukio Takasu, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations as the keynote speaker. Jim Morris, President of Pacers Sport & Entertainment and former Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Program, was presented the highest decoration awarded by the Government of Japan, The Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun, from newly-appointed Consul General of Chicago, George Hisaeda. The "JASI Bridge of Friendship Awards" were given to Koji Morikawa, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Eric Berger, Eli Lilly and Company, and Tom Surgener, JPMorgan Chase Bank. Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman gave the welcoming toast to the 600 guests in attendance. Entertainment was provided by Brenda Williams and the Soul Providers.
June 12
The Japanese-American Business Seminar was led by Dr. Sadatoshi Tomizawa, professor of Japanese at Ball State University, at BSU's Indianapolis location with support from JASI. Topics included ethnocentric viewpoints, communication differences, decision-making processes, effective meetings and presentations, handling social situations, and basic language training.
June 13-15
Indy JazzFest 2008 JASI provided Japanese translations of the festival's marketing materials and promoted the event to its members.
June 17
Business Immigration & Immigration Strategy Seminar JASI corporate member Fakhoury & Ray offered an immigration and strategy seminar in English with Japanese interpretation by attorney Anthony L. Ray.
June 24
English Rakugo with Katsura Kaishi A cultural highlight of the year, JASI organized and hosted the performance of Katsura Kaishi, a nationally-recognized comedian in Japan. Rakugo is the traditional form of comic storytelling. The performance at Carmel High School was attended by more than 400 guests, making it one of the largest events on Kaishi's 30-city tour of the United States. Kaishi and his family enjoyed the hospitality of JASI members and friends during their stay, and he was featured on Fox 59 morning news.
July 27
Ocean World's Bon-Odori Festival JASI supported this annual event featuring traditional Japanese festival foods as well as traditional dancing.
August 6
JETRO and Barnes & Thornburg's Japanese Management Seminar "What You Need to Know for Your Employment Practice During the Economic Downturn" was a highly-attended seminar for Japanese executives given by Mari Yamamoto and Hiro Nishikawara of Barnes & Thornburg, with support from the Japan-America Society of Indiana.
August 26
"Japanese Monozukuri Practices for the Automotive Industry" The Japan External Trade Organization and the Japan-America Society of Indiana partnered to present this important conference in Indianapolis. With a tremendous speaker line-up featuring industry leaders and experts on Japanese automotive manufacturing processes, including OEM and supplier representatives, the event attracted 400 attendees from throughout the United States. The luncheon and seminar sessions offered expert observations and practical guidance to obtaining and sustaining business relationships with Japanese manufacturers.
September 7-9
40th Annual Midwest U.S. - Japan Association Conference Governor Mitch Daniels led the Indiana delegation, which represented the largest state group at the conference. The conference is an annual event bringing together corporate leaders from Japan and business and government representatives from the ten-state Midwest region.
September 5
Governor of Saitama and Prefectural Delegation JASI served in a coordinating and consulting role to Greensburg, Indiana, when Governor Kiyoshi Ueda of Saitama Prefecture and his delegation conducted an information-sharing program with community leaders in Greensburg, the location of the new Honda plant. A hospitality dinner and sunset cruise was held in the evening, hosted by the Greensburg / Decatur County Economic Development Corporation.
September 11-14
The Redbull Indianapolis Moto GP JASI facilitated the recruitment of volunteer interpreters to assist Japanese racing team members, Japanese press, and visitors from Japan.
September 21
Japan-America Society of Indiana and Indiana Japan Chamber held the 18th Annual Golf Classic with support from title sponsor Fifth Third Bank at Prairie View Golf Club in Carmel, Indiana. With beautiful weather and great golf conditions, a good time was had by all.
October 9-13
Tochigi Prefecture Women and Young Professionals Leadership Delegation JASI organized and hosted the study tour of this leadership delegation from Tochigi Prefecture. The four-day visit included meetings and informational tours with Eli Lilly and Company, the Forum at the Crossing senior living and healthcare facility, the National Women's Business Owners Association, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The delegation spent the weekend in the City of Logansport where they enjoyed tours, home stays, and the wonderful hospitality of the Logansport community.
October 12
"World Spotlight on Japan" Festival of Japanese Culture, was presented by the Arts & Cultural Council of Decatur County at Greensburg Elementary School with cultural support and consultation from JASI. The event featured traditional Japanese dance, martial arts demonstrations, and exhibits.
December 10
Election 2008: The Impact on Employers - 2008 Election Means Big Changes in Labor and Employment Law Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart and JASI presented this timely seminar to outline the implications for businesses anticipated by new labor-related legislation. The seminars were conducted in both English and Japanese in tandem rooms for American and Japanese members. A sushi reception was held following the seminars.
December 13
JASI / Kiss Z Cook Holiday Cooking Class JASI organized this class in which participants learned techniques and prepared a delicious holiday meal with the instruction of a professional chef.