September 22nd 2019 O.A.

Keiro No Hi

Every 3rd Monday of September is Keiro no Hi, Respect for the Aged Day in Japan.
Events celebrating the elders were held at the Japanese American community.
A Keiro no Hi luncheon was held on Friday, September 13th at the retirement home, Sakura Gardens in Boyle Heights.
Currently, 132 people live at Sakura Gardens and 61 residents are over 90 years old.
Keiro, a welfare service for seniors provided the bento lunches for this day.
Tadashige Ochi is the oldest attendee this year who will turn 100 years old in November.
Ochi cheerfully performed his hobby, Shigin poem recital.

Saturday, September 14th was the “2nd Keiro no Hi Festival” at the JACCC in Little Tokyo.

This event was held by Keiro and JACCC. Companies providing service for seniors and organizations were at the event.

Different performances happened on the stage, too.

Free bento lunch were distributed to attendees who pre-registered and are over 60 years old.

Over 1,000 people attended this year using the complimentary transportation available at different locations and enjoyed the festive day.

2020 Census

Next year, 2020 is the National Census.
A press conference was held at Pasadena on September 12th.

It is mandated by the Constitution to conduct a census every 10 years to determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The data will also be used to determine how the federal budget of $675 billion should be used for local schools, hospitals, roads and employment.

Every household will receive their census invitation next March.

The questionnaire is divided into 8 sections including the number of people in each household, race, gender and age. All answers must be submitted by April 1st.
An agent will visit the household that fails to submit their answers and assist in filling out the questionnaire.

Every person must respond regardless of their residency status including visa. There will be a penalty if one fails to respond.

Personal information submitted to the U.S. Census Bureau will not be used outside the census.

The 2020 Census is the first time we are allowed to respond online along with the usual phone or mail response.
Online service will be available starting March 12 and there will be a Japanese website as well.