March 24th 2019 O.A.

Love to Nippon 2019

A memorial was held for The Great East Japan Earthquake at LAPD in Downtown LA on Sunday, March 10th.

This service is held by Love to Nippon and marks the 8th year. Approximately 330 people gathered and prayed for the victims.

LA resident, Masako Unoura started the Love to Nippon project. Their mission is to restore the devastated areas and educate the importance of disaster prevention.
Unoura experienced and survived the tsunami herself back in 2011 when she was visiting the Iwate prefecture.

The ceremony was held by the LA Buddhist Temple Federation and the Nikkei Interfaith Group of Little Tokyo. Members representing Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity all made a speech.

With this year’s theme being “Be Prepared Los Angeles!” the LA Fire Department also made a speech about disaster preparedness.

The fire department was also awarded a certificate of appreciation by the mayor of Ofunato, Iwate for their hard rescue work when the tsunami hit the city.

Students of the Japanese Language School Unified System sang the official supporting song “Flower Will Bloom” and attendees offered their incense.

A candle service for the victims were held at the time of the earthquake at Santa Monica Beach the same day

25 attendees formed a circle around the candles that were lined up in a shape of heart and prayed for the victims.

Unoura is going to form a group of inspectors and visit the devastated area of Fukushima prefecture later in September.

CJAA Officers Installation

Sunday, February 24th was the Orange County Japanese American Association 2019 Officers Installations and Community Service Awards Banquet in Anaheim.

The Orange County Japanese American Association is a non-profit organization founded in 1986 with about 350 members. They provide cultural, educational and welfare service mainly in the OC.
Starting with sake barrel breaking and a toast.
Followed by introducing this year’s officers and oath.
Kimiko Fujita who is serving for the 7th year states “I am very happy about being able to hold various events and to be able to welcome new members.”
Next came the greetings of the Japanese organizations and to the awarding ceremony of individuals.

An appreciation certificate was awarded to MAPFRE Insurance for contributing to the Japanese American community for many years.
The Community Service Award went to 3 individuals.
Plaques were given to Hiroshi Matsushita, board member of OCJAA and a pastor; Richard Watanabe, also a board member of OCJAA and actively involved in many Japanese organizations; and Yasuo Matsuki, chef-owner at the Koto Restaurant.

173 members attended the event. The new year was celebrated with a performance by Hisame Wakayagi of the Wakayagi style Japanese dance and an ikebana demonstration by the Ikenobo style. Raffles and auctions were also held.

JBA 58th Anniversary Reception

Wednesday, February 27th was the JBA 58th Anniversary Reception at the Japan House in Hollywood.

JBA is a non-profit organization founded in 1960 and formed with Japanese companies that thrive in SoCal.
About 500 companies join the organization to better the working environment and contribute to the community.
125 people attended the reception including local community and government agency representatives.
President Satoshi Okawa stated his appreciation to the community for its long time support for Japanese businesses.
Next, government related individuals and representatives of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation congratulated that Japanese businesses contribute the most to the local economy out of all foreign-owned companies in SoCal.

Japanese food from the restaurant INN ANN inside Japan House were served at the reception and attendees socialized while enjoying their meal.

Hyakudou Kai

Sunday, March 10th was the New Years celebration and gathering for the Hokubei Hyakudokai at Quiet Cannon in Montebello.
Hyakudokai is a social group founded in Japan in 1956 by former Hiroshima University chancellor and Minister of Education, Tatsuo Morito under the motto of “Living healthy until 100.
The group started in North America in 1958 when Morito visited LA and this year marks the 60th anniversary.
Members are mostly over the age of 70 and many are active board members who have been awarded by the Japanese government for their contribution to the Japanese American society.
With Mac Miyazaki as the MC, Kinko Seki performed a Shaku-gin style song.
After Noriko Shibata’s general affairs report and Yoshinori Akutagawa’s financial report, new office members were announced.
Tak Nishi, who takes office 8 years in a row stated “It is important to always stay young at heart.
And representatives of each Japanese organizations all congratulated the members.
Yoshinori Kawaguchi held the toast at the end of the ceremony. The 80 attendees all promised to each other to continue being an active member of the community as long as they live.