Feb 18th 2018 O.A.
Toyota Motor North America new headquarters
It has been about 6 months since Toyota Motor North America opened its new headquarters in Texas. Toyota announced its “One Toyota” project in 2014 where they create a unified operation in North America, by bringing together its quality engineering, sales, marketing, financial services and corporate functions in one location. Since the plan of building their new HQ in Plano, TX, the group companies in NY, KY and the manufacturing company in Torrance, CA moved to the new Texas HQ. Plano is located north from Dallas and many business have their HQ since Plano is known for having great schools and peaceful neighborhoods. Many Asians like Chinese residents are fairly popular as well. Many Japanese supermarkets and restaurants are opening their Texas location too. Toyota’s new HQ is located 20 miles from the DFW Airport. 4100 staff currently work at the company and 2000 moved from Torrance, CA.
The musical “Allegiance”
February 4th was SoCal Gardeners Federation’s New Years gathering and inauguration ceremony. 16 unions join the nonprofit SoCal Gardeners Federation, and members help each other as well as doing public service. This year’s board members were announced before the 125 members, and 7 members took oath including the new chairman, Hisamori Iwashita. Iwashita has been the president of SoCal Kagoshima Kenjinkai and Japanese Prefectural Association of SoCal in the past and stated “Although I still have a lot to learn, I will do my best for this union’s future.” 2 people were chosen for the achievement award this year. Seiichi Fujitani from the bay area ran 2 terms in 2016 and 17 as the chairman and has worked hard for the union. Former Bay area member, Makoto Shirasawa taught vegetable seminars to the public for 7 years and worked for the community. The Gardeners Federation was found in 1955 and had about 6,000 members postwar at its golden days, but now decreased to 670 members.