February 12th 2023 O.A.
JBA New Year’s Party 2023
Japan Business Association of Southern California had their New Year’s Party in Torrance on January 20th.
JBA is a nonprofit organization with about 500 Japanese companies that are doing business in SoCal as their members.
Their goal is for mutual understanding between US-Japan businesses and contributing to local communities.
The New Year’s Party was an annual event where members were able to socialize, but it happened for the first time in 3 years due to the impact of COVID-19.
In their speeches, President Kobayashi and invited guests celebrated the event coming back in-person, and how businesses are much smoother now that COVID-related restrictions have easen up in the US.
Consul General Kenko Sone also talked about having high hopes for US-Japan economic activities, as well as how Japanese companies can uniquely approach the water shortage and homeless issues that LA is currently facing.
After the toast, about 500 attendees enjoyed their Japanese New Year’s dish prepared by Ise-Shima Restaurant in Torrance.
They exchanged their New Year’s greeting along with their business cards.
This year’s theme for the New Year’s party is “Restart.”
The event concluded with their annual raffle, and winners won prizes like a roundtrip ticket to Japan or a gift card that covers gasoline money for the entire year.
OAA New Year’s Party
The New Year’s Party for the Okinawa Association of America and its inauguration ceremony happened on January 15th at Carson.
OAA is a nonprofit organization with a rich history of over 110 years.
Their mission is to connect their members together and helping each other through contributing to the community.
They also focus on spreading Okinawan culture in the US as well as entertainment. In-person event happened for the first time in 3 years.
Traditional Okinawan music and dance started off the New Year’s celebration.
Newly appointed board members took their oath at the event, and Edward Kamiya will continue to work as the president. It will be his 7th year.
Sake Barrel Ceremony took place after the guests stated their greetings.
Many Okinawan dances and songs were performed on stage as members enjoyed their meal.
About 250 people attended the event and celebrated the New Years together as a large group for the first time in very long time.
Mitsuwa Northridge Store Grand Open
A grand opening ceremony for Mitsuwa Marketplace Northridge was held on January 21st for their new Northridge location.
Mitsuwa Marketplace is the largest Japanese grocery chain in the US that is open nationwide. Northridge is their 12th location.
Mitsuwa’s parent company, Kamei Corporation’s Director and Senior Adviser, Junichi Kamei, LA City Council member, John Lee, and Consul General Kenko Sone attended the ceremony.
Many are hoping that Mitsuwa will help spread Japanese culture in the Valley area.
The doors opened after the Sake Barrel Ceremony with the invited guests. Customers that waited in long lines enjoyed their grocery shopping.