May 27th 2018 O.A.
Seminar “Japanese Business Corporate Social Responsibility”
A “Japanese Business Corporate Social Responsibility” seminar was held at Toyota Meeting Hall in Torrance on Monday, April 30th.
This was held by the non profit organization, Little Tokyo Service Center active in social welfare and community development.
Takuya Hirano, president of Microsoft Japan was invited as the speaker from Japan with an interview with NHK LA Bureau Chief, Kaori Iida.
Microsoft is known for contributing to the society. Hirano spoke about how the company sees connecting with the society is important through his career and experience.
For the second part of the seminar, 3 business personnels based in LA called the “Shin-Issei” joined the panel discussion and talked about their vision in contributing to the society. Shin-Issei are people who came to the US postwar.
About 250 people including community members from all over LA and businessmen attended the seminar.
“Fiesta Matsuri” for Children’s Day
Sunday, May 6th was “Fiesta Matsuri” for Children’s Day in Little Tokyo.
This is an annual event held by the JACCC to celebrate Children’s Day.
Parents and kids enjoyed the event as each cultural organizations held workshops and booths where kids can play games.
Decoration workshop was held at the Tanabata Festival booth, and kids learned how to make their own Kazari.
Tanabata festival started in Sendai City of Miyazaki, Japan. It was first brought to LA in 2009 for Nisei Week. Since then, individuals; companies and organizations have been participating annually with varieties of Kazari and entertaining the attendees.
The theme for this year’s 10th anniversary is “Spirit of Togetherness.” Although many people participated during the Great East Japan Earthquake, the numbers of newcomers have decreased so they hope to bring people together once again.
The Tanabata Kazari workshop is held at the Little Tokyo Koban every Saturday until August 4th.
The Premiere of the Movie “Downrage”
The premiere of the movie “Downrage” was held at the Beverly Hills’ movie theater on Tuesday, April 24th.
“Downrage” is directed by Ryuhei Kitamura and has been shown in many film festivals since its debut in Toronto International Film Festival.
Kitamura has been internationally acclaimed for his 2001 film “VERSUS.”
Since, he has directed many popular films like “Godzilla: Final Wars” and “Lupin the Third.”
He is now based in LA and works on both Japanese and Hollywood films.
“Downrage” is his 3rd Hollywood film; a suspenseful horror where young characters are stranded as their car break down in the middle of nowhere, and are attacked by an unknown someone.
A Q&A session with the cast and staff were held after the premiere, and Kitamura talked about the episodes during the filmmaking process.
“Downrage” is available on the horror movie streaming service, Shudder.
Gala Dinner to Support the Cure of Type 1 Diabetes
A gala dinner was held on Saturday, May 12th at Beverly Hills to support the cure of type 1 diabetes.
JDRF is a treatment research facility that also supports type 1 diabetic patients, and the donations collected through this gala dinner are all going to their activities.
Unlike the type 2 that is caused by lifestyle, type 1 is an autoimmune disease and cannot be cured completely.
The JDRF annually award individuals who have committed with us, This year, Andy Bales and the American Honda were chosen.
Andy Bales is a charity worker in LA supporting the homeless.
He himself is the patient of type 1 diabetes and have supported JDRF for a long time.
American Honda invited KTLA news anchor, Frank Buckley and his son who is type 1 diabetic, Ben Buckley on their float for this year’s Rose Parade and promoted JDRF’s activities.
JFC Sake Expo & Food Show
Saturday, May 19th was JFC Sake Expo & Food Show at Costa Mesa.
This event is held by the Japanese food import and distributor, JFC International and held annually to spread its market in North America.
This event is for the food industry individuals. Sake breweries and food manufacturers promoted their new lineups.
At the Japanese sake booth; Junmai, Ginjo, Daiginjo, Shochu and Umeshu were introduced and enjoyed by the attendees.
The tuna used for the filetting show was a hatchery fish raised in Aichi, Japan for 3 and a half years.
At the Japanese food manufacturer; gyoza, karaage, ponzu and other izakaya related ingredients were introduced.
Shochu cocktails using aloe yogurt and products that go well with liquor were also promoted.
The attendance made its record high this year. Attendees enjoyed the event by learning the Japanese culture and coming up with new menu lineups.