May 21st 2017 O.A.
45th Anniversary Reversion of OKINAWA to JAPAN
This year marks the 45th anniversary since Okinawa was returned to Japan, and a reception celebrating the occasion was held at the official residence of consul general of Japan in LA on May 12th. Okinawa was returned to Japan on May 15th, 1972 which is 27 years post WWII where millions were victimized. About 60 people related to Okinawa attended the reception. Though there are issues regarding the US military base in Okinawa, attendees looked at the photos of when the island was returned to Japan with emotional faces. At the greeting statement, Consul General Chiba stated “President Obama visited Hiroshima and Prime Minister Abe visited Pearl Harbor. Let us not repeat the tragedy but learn valuable lessons from it.” California State Assembly, Al Muratsuchi who was born and raised in Okinawa, awarded a letter of appreciation to Edward Kamiya of Okinawa Association of America for his cultural contributions in the US. Attendees enjoyed the Okinawan culture through Ryukyu Taiko performances and Okinawan specialties.
Budokan of Los Angeles
Many charity events are happening to gather funds building the Budokan of Los Angeles in Little Tokyo. The Budokan of LA is a 40,000sq ft sports facility where Japanese martial arts of judo and kendo, as well as basketball games can be held in Little Tokyo. Construction will begin in August. Little Tokyo Services Center have successfully gathered 90% of their construction fee, $25 million and is hoping to raise the other 10%. Martial arts and sports activities for the Japanese American community dates back to concentration camps. Therefore, the Budokan has high hopes of being the place where histories and traditions will be lored to the younger generation. A hiphop concert will be held at Little Tokyo’s Nishi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple on June 3rd as a fundraiser. A Japanese enka concert is scheduled on June 24th at the Aratani Theatre inviting enka singers from Japan.
Public announcement
Event: The Seminar about education
Sponsor: Lighthouse
Date: Jun 4th (Sun) 1:00pm ~ 4:15pm
Address: Double Tree by Hilton Torrance
21333 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503
21333 Hawthorne Blvd., Torrance, CA 90503
Web: us-lighthouse.com/EduSeminar2017
Addmission: Free (Reservation Required・要予約）
Event: Free Legal Clinic
Sponsor: Japanese American Bar Association
Date: Jun 11th (Sun) 9:30am ~ 11:30am
Address: YAMAHA MUSIC CENTER
4620 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92604
4620 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine, CA 92604
Tel: (714) 730 - 3551 (OCJAA)
Addmission: Free (Reservation Required・要予約）