November 14th 2021 O.A.
OCJAA 2021 Senior Citizen Appreciation Day
An online event appreciating seniors over 80 years old “Senior Citizen Appreciation Day” was held on October 17th.
OCJAA holds this event and this year is the 35th time.
This is an event that shows appreciation to those that built and developed the community we now have.
Free bento boxes were given to those who are over 60 years old and submitted a request.
About 220 bentos were distributed in 3 different locations of OC.
The event was streamed via Zoom at Yamaha Music Center in Irvine like last year due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Pre-recorded materials were played.
Consul General Muto and representatives of Japanese organizations stated their greetings, followed by entertainments like songs and dances.
19 people were awarded at the main ceremony, and a representative stated their appreciation.
2 recipients for the Freshman Scholarship and 2 recipients for Nerio Scholarship Awards were also announced.
Lastly, OCJAA Honorary President, Akemi Miyake who turned 102 years old this year stated his greetings.
Afterwards, a raffle was done for those that attended the Zoom event, and everyone socialized via online.
President Kimiko Fujita received the Foreign Minister’s Commendations back in August.
Her long years of hard work in cultural exchange and contribution to the Japanese American community was properly recognized.
Japanese Food Fair
October 18th and 19th was the “Japanese Food Fair” in DTLA.
This event aims to introduce and spread Japanese food and ingredients to those in the industry.
It also targets Asian and American restaurants in general.
A group called “Hichimi-Kai Japanese Food Manufacturers Association” made of 65 Japanese food manufactures held this event.
The group was founded in 1980 with its mission of mutual understanding between members and exchanging of information to spread Japanese food in the US.
About 45 companies participated in the event.
Each of them brought their newest products in alcohol, food, ingredients and cookwares, promoting them to the 1000 people in the food industry.