JFC Food Expo 2024

On Saturday, October 12, the JFC Food Expo was held in Costa Mesa.

This event, organized by Japanese food importer and wholesaler JFC International, aimed to promote Japanese food culture and expand distribution in the North American market for food industry professionals. Although typically held annually, it was suspended due to COVID-19 and resumed this year after a four-year hiatus.

About 80 vendors participated this time, showcasing their products for both retail and foodservice buyers from restaurants and grocery stores.

JFC also promoted its own branded products, including convenient frozen foods for easy preparation at home, in line with post-COVID trends.

The event saw many visitors throughout the day and concluded successfully.

OCJAA Senior Citizen Appreciation Day

On Saturday, October 12, the “Senior Citizen Appreciation Day,” hosted by the Orange County Japanese American Association (OCJAA), was held in Anaheim.

This event honors people who have contributed to building and developing the local community.
This year marks the 38th event, which had been held online for the past four years due to COVID-19.
This year, it returned in person for the first time in five years.

About 250 free bento meals were prepared for attendees over 60 and delivered to those unable to attend.

The ceremony opened with greetings from leaders in the Japanese-American community, who expressed gratitude for the seniors’ contributions.
The Senior Citizen Award, which honors those over 80, was presented to 16 people this year.

The Nerio Japanese Culture Scholarship Award, recognizing young people who preserve Japanese culture, was given to Naomi Hanabusa, who practices Aikido.

The event also featured a tea ceremony, a fundraising raffle, and stage performances of song and dance.
It ended on a high note with the Kawachi Ondo dance, allowing participants to connect and enjoy a memorable day together.

Irvine Global Village Festival

On Saturday, October 5, the Irvine Global Village Festival was held at Great Park in Irvine.

This annual event, organized by the City of Irvine, aims to promote understanding between people from diverse cultural backgrounds.
This year marks the 23rd time for the event.

The spacious grounds were divided into areas like sports, kids, and culture, where families enjoyed various attractions and activities.

In the cultural exhibits, booths representing Asian countries like Korea, Taiwan, and India, as well as Middle Eastern countries like Iraq, Syria, and Palestine, were set up by local cultural organizations. Each booth showcased traditional clothing, crafts, and demonstrations.

The Japanese community set up an “All-Japan” booth with support from the Japanese Business Association of Southern California (JBA), Japan Foundation, and Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles.
Volunteers from various Japanese organizations collaborated on this effort.

The booth offered workshops like calligraphy and origami to introduce Japanese culture.
The Southern California Ishikawa Kenjinkai promoted local attractions and raised awareness for support following the 2024 Noto earthquake.

Food booths sold dishes from various countries, and a diverse range of performances was showcased on stage.
From Japan, a taiko drumming and folk song group participated, entertaining the audience with lively music perfect for the festival.