June 22nd 2025 O.A.
Sushi & Sake for Wildfire Relief
On Monday, June 9, a charity event featuring Japanese cuisine was held at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles in Hollywood.
The event was organized by the Japanese Restaurant Association of America (JRA) to support those affected by the wildfires that struck Los Angeles in January of this year.
JRA is a nonprofit organization with around 200 members, including restaurants and related businesses. It aims to promote Japanese cuisine and culture in the U.S. while supporting various community service activities.
This charity event was supported by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, and the Consulate-General of Japan in Los Angeles.
Japanese restaurants like Katsu-ya and Shin-Sen-Gumi, along with food suppliers, supported the event. A total of 29 businesses collaborated to make it a success.
Guests enjoyed all-you-can-eat sashimi and sushi rolls. Other offerings included nigiri sushi, yakitori, okonomiyaki, onigiri, soba, beer, and sake, which were served as part of the event while guests made donations to support the cause.
The event sold nearly all of the 100 tickets priced at $150 each. Including private donations, $14,000 was raised and will be donated to the California Community Foundation, a Los Angeles nonprofit.
KSCA Fundraising Bazaar
On Saturday, May 31, the 4th fundraising bazaar hosted by Koreisha Senior Care & Advocacy (KSCA) was held at Seinan Senior Citizens’ Center in the Crenshaw area of South Los Angeles.
KSCA is a nonprofit organization established in 2016 that aims to rebuild elder care facilities rooted in Japanese culture.
Seinan Senior Citizens’ Center, the venue, is a nonprofit facility offering various activity programs for seniors. Last August, it formed a partnership with KSCA to open a daycare center.
This bazaar was the first co-hosted event since the partnership agreement. Attendees included Kenko Sone, Consul-General of Japan in Los Angeles, Beverly Ito, CEO of Keiro, and representatives from the Los Angeles City Council, who all gave congratulatory speeches.
This time, 60 volunteers participated. Activities such as a prize wheel game, karaoke, and entertainment were offered. More than 200 people attended, and about $15,000 were raised.
KSCA plans to start a daycare program, which will be the first step toward establishing a daycare center, as early as this year.