August 11th 2019 O.A.
The Conferment Ceremony
The conferment ceremony for Yasuko Sakamoto was held at the official residence of the Consul General of Japan in LA on Friday, July 12th for receiving the first Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays of the Reiwa era.
Every spring and autumn, the Japanese government acknowledges and awards individuals who have contributed to the country or society with an Order.
Sakomoto was born in Iwaki City, Fukushima and came to the US after studying social work at Meiji University.
She is the first staff at Little Tokyo Service Center and worked as a bilingual social worker for the Japanese American elderlies. Since then, she has continued to support and contribute through personnel training.
In 2018, USC inducted her into the California Social Work Hall of Distinction.
Also, Consul General Chiba who took office back in July 2016 has ended his term and returning to Japan.
The new consul general will be taking office this month.
2019 Japan Film Festival
Saturday, July 25th was a promotion of the Japan Film Festival in West LA Terasaki Foundation.
Japan Film Festival introduce Japanese films overseas. This year is their 14th year and 18 short and long films are going to be played.
American films related to the Japanese American community will also be played.
One of them is the documentary film “Dream Blossoms.”
1950, postwar. Zenichiro Uchida and young men from Kagoshima fight to overcome poverty and the obstacles of Immigration Act of 1924 to enter the US for a better life.
“Dream Blossoms” will premiere at Terasaki Foundation on Tuesday, August 13th.
Japan Film Festival featuring Japanese films will be held on August 17th and 18th at Little Tokyo and Costa Mesa.
Sake and Food Exhibition
The 12th Sake and Food Expo happened on Saturday, August 3rd held by Wismettac Asian Foods.
Wismettac Asian Foods is a Japanese food distributor handling Japanese food and liquor. They promoted their products to food related retail stores and restaurants.
Along with sushi and ramen, there were also many health-oriented food at the food booths this year.
Donuts using tofu.
Quinoa that can be enjoyed as rice with salad. Vegan sushi were also introduced, like tomatoes substituting for tuna and eggplants for eel.
There was a cocktail booth at the sake corner that focused on Shochu and Awamori along with Junmai, Ginjo, Daiginjo and beer from different companies.
A demonstration making a sake-cocktail also happened. The cocktail creator made 14 cocktails using Japanese ingredients like Yuzu, Japanese pepper and shavings of dried bonito.