January 27th 2019 O.A.

JBA New Year’s Party 2019

Wednesday, January 23rd was JBA Japan Business Association of Southern California’s New Years celebration at Torrance.

JBA is a nonprofit organization that aims mutual understanding for Japanese and US businesses and contributes to the community.
More than 500 Japanese business joins them.

After Consul General Chiba’s greetings, a sake barrel breaking happened on the stage with a toast.
538 members from each companies exchanged their business cards and socialized.
Osechi New Years dish were served, and a raffle was held where prizes from different companies can be won.

Japan Agricultural Achievement Awards

The recipients for the 2018 Japan Agricultural Achievement Awards by the Agricultural Society of Japan was announced.
From SoCal, Sadao Toume and Katsushiro Nakagwa were selected for The Green-White Achievement Award as they contributed to the US-Japan relations through agriculture.
Their awarding ceremony happened at the official residence of the Consul General on January 22nd.

Katsushiro Nakagawa is the 4th president of Fuji Natural Foods and continues to produce and sell organic bean sprouts.

Sadao Toume worked as a gardener for long years since coming to the US in 1970.
From 1998, he has been active as a correspondent for the Ryukyu Shimpo.

Asian American Expo 2019

The 38th Asian American Expo was held for 2 days from January 19th to the 20th at Pomona.

More than 1,000 companies either selling Asian food products, cosmetics, electronics or aiming to target the Asian customers participate at this event.

Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula promoted their Chinese New Year event happening in February.

About 120,000 people attended the 2 day event.