January 28th 2024 O.A.

JBA New Year’s Party 2024

January 19th was the New Year’s Party for the Japan Business Association of SoCal in Torrance.

JBA is a non-profit organization with about 500 SoCal companies as members. They thrive to spread mutual understanding among businesses and also contribute to local communities as well.

This is an annual event held every new year where members gather together.
President Masahiko Yamamoto spoke about the disasters and incidents that happened in Japan, but also stated his hopes for the new year in his greetings.

Consul General Kenko Sone also gave his condolences to the victims of the 2024 Noto Earthquake, and also stated his hopes for SoCal Japanese businesses as well as the Japanese American community.

After giving a toast, members enjoyed the New Year’s Osechi dish made by Ise-Shima Restaurant in Torrance, and socialized as well as exchanged business cards.
This year’s theme of the party was “Connect and Create.”

The party ended with the annual raffle, and winners won prizes like airline tickets to Japan.

Asian American Expo 2024

Asian American Expo, an event where Asian products and businesses get showcased happened on January 13th and 14th at Pomona.

It is an annual event that happens near Chinese New Year and originally started as “Chinese American Expo” in 1982. This year is their 42nd time.

At the expo, each building has its own theme such as merchandise and anime, with various products being put up for sale.
Furthermore, between the buildings, food booths offering Asian street food were lined up, adding to the lively atmosphere.

Like the name suggests, different Asian companies participated and Japanese businesses also promoted their main and new products too.
The Japanese government also promoted Japanese scallops as a part of boosting sales of Japanese seafood products.

Other companies promoted their business and services that are targeted to their Asian customers.
Pechanga Resort Casino located in Temecula also promoted their Lunar New Year Drawings that will be held in February.

Pechanga is also offering a promotion where members have the chance of winning up to $5,000 in EasyPlay.
Restaurants will also be offering exclusive Lucky Lunar New Year Dining Specials during the celebration, and there will be a free Lucky Lion Dance performance on February 10th.