July 22nd 2018 O.A.

Nisei Week Japanese Festival Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony for this year’s Nisei Week was held at the JANM on Sunday, July 15th.
Nisei Week is the largest summer festival in the US, and this year marks the 78th year.
180 community members attended and funds were donated to the Nisei Week Foundation by JBA sponsoring the ceremony, as well as Japan House LA.
The Konko Church of LA held a Purification Ceremony wishing for the safety and success of Nisei Week.
This year’s theme and lead song was also announced.
Choreographer, Madame Fujima Kansuma had her 100th birthday and a bouquet was given to her.
Nisei Week began in 1935 as a festival celebrating the Japanese American culture and history.
Various events are held in Little Tokyo and nearby areas.
August 11th is the Tanabata Festival.
12th is the main event, the grand parade.
18th is the gyoza eating contest held by Daily Foods.
The closing ceremony will be on the 19th.
The Queen and her Court lightens up the festival every year.
The candidates of the Nisei Queen was also announced this day.
Tori Ai Kamada from Gardena Evening Optimist,
Kelly Midori Tsunawaki Mock from the Japanese Restaurant Association of America,
Lauren Rei Miyamoto from East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center,
Marica Katie Synder from Venice Japanese Community Center & Venice-West LA,
Alice Marina Amano from OC Nikkei Coordinating Council and Juli Ann Drindak from Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute.
The new 2018 Queen will be chosen from these 6 candidates at the Coronation Ball on August 11th.
Please visit the Nisei Week website to find out about other event information.

Anime Expo 2018

North America’s largest Japanese anime convention, Anime Expo was held from July 5th through 8th at the LA Convention Center.
This annual event that happens during the week of Independence Day has now become a seasonal tradition in LA.
Anime fans worldwide came to attend this year once again.
Various anime and game companies exhibited, promoting their newest lineups and merchandises.
The famous anime “My Hero Academia” had its anime movie world premier with a panel discussion of the directors and producers of anime movies that are coming soon.
Photo booths that remind fans of a scene from an anime were set up at the Entertainment Hall and fans dressed in their cosplay outfit took pictures.
The Society of the Promotion of Japanese Animation started Anime Expo in 1992 and this is their 27th year.
In recent years, they started Internet streaming and achieving wide range of fans.
Merchandises and art works were sold at the Exhibition Hall and attendees enjoyed their time.
About 110,000 people attended the event.

5th World Sake Sommelier Competition, US Regional Competition

The US regional competition for the World Sake Sommelier Competition was held in Downtown’s Sake School of America on Saturday, June 16th.
Sake Sommeliers are certified individuals who utilizes their knowledge in Japanese sake and advises on the best sake that goes with your meal.
There are currently 30,000 certified sommeliers in Japan and 15,000 overseas.
This contest is held by the Sake Service Institute once in
every 4 years and this is the 5th time.
20 regional winners from the U.S., Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, S. Korea, and England will go to Tokyo for its final.
3 competitors from LA participated in the regional competition.
The competition was divided into 2 parts of written and practical skill test, taking place in a scenario of an actual restaurant providing Japanese sake and shochu.
This year’s winner, Aya Nomoto will be competing in the World Competition held in Tokyo next year as one of the members representing the US.

Conferment Ceremony Honoring Mr. Ernest Doizaki

Tuesday, June 26th was the Conferment Ceremony was held at the official residence of the Consul General of Japan in LA honoring Mr.
Ernest Doizaki for receiving the Conferment of the Order in Spring.
Every Spring and Autumn, the Japanese government confers individuals who contributed to Japan or the Japanese community.
2 individuals were chosen for Spring under the jurisdiction of the Consulate General in LA.
Ernest Doizaki, who was awarded The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and SIlver Rays is a third generation Japanese American born in LA.
He studied abroad at Waseda Univ. in Japan after graduating college.
Coming home to the US, he then worked at American Fish Company ran
by his father, George Doizaki and devoted on spreading the Japanese
food culture.
City of Hope, focusing on cancer and diabetes treatment also acknowledges Doizaki’s work and bestowed the Spirit of Life Award.
He was also active in improving the human rights of Japanese Americans; he found the JANM and worked as the chairman.
40 people from his family and friends attended the ceremony and celebrated Doizaki’s conferment.