MTC Japanese Food & Restaurant Expo

The Japanese Food and Restaurant Expo, organized by Mutual Trading, was held on September 25 at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Targeting professionals in the food and beverage industry, the expo showcases current trends in Japanese cuisine in the United States.

Now in its 34th year, this year’s theme was “Honoring Tradition, Embracing Innovation,” highlighting the evolving potential of Japanese food in step with the times.

While the event typically draws over 2,000 visitors each year, attendance was limited to about 1,000 invitees this year.

The food section featured a wide range of products, from essential ingredients like seaweed, soy sauce, and tofu to noodles, soups, sauces, frozen foods, and premium items such as Miyazaki Wagyu beef.

Mutual Trading introduced its own original brands, Ultra-Low-Temperature Seafood, and this year, fresh fish delivered directly through an exclusive agreement with Tsukiji.

The non-food section showcased tableware, rice cookers, Japanese knives with live demonstrations, and various restaurant supplies.

The alcohol section presented a diverse lineup of beverages including sake, shochu, whisky, and beer.

Amid the challenges posed by the new tariff policies under the Trump administration, industry professionals were seen carefully examining each product.

Keiro no Hi Festival

On Saturday, September 13, the “Keiro no Hi Festival” was held at Nishi Hongwanji Temple in Little Tokyo.

The event was organized by Keiro, a nonprofit organization that provides welfare services for Japanese American seniors.

It was inspired by Japan’s “Respect for the Aged Day” and marked the festival’s eighth year.
About 700 pre-registered participants aged 60 and older gathered from across Los Angeles, Ventura, and Orange counties, many arriving by shuttle buses.

The venue featured game booths such as ring toss and Plinko, as well as origami and stamp craft tables, all run by Keiro board members and volunteers.

Numerous booths from local businesses also participated, allowing attendees to gather useful information and enjoy shopping.

Other attractions included a Japanese confectionery-making demonstration and various stage performances such as ukulele music and choral singing.
During lunchtime, free bento lunches were distributed, and participants spent an enjoyable day together.

Keiro also announced plans to open a small care home in Torrance for individuals with dementia and other related conditions.
The facility is expected to open after obtaining city licensing and completing renovation work.

Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2025

The Japanese Film Festival Los Angeles was held from September 1 to 14.

The festival showcased a wide range of films connected to Japan, including movies made in Japan, works by Japanese or Japanese-American directors, foreign-language films featuring Japanese actors, and films themed around Japan.

This year, 55 feature and short films selected from public submissions were screened both online and in person throughout the festival period.
Many directors and actors attended the screenings and participated in question-and-answer sessions.

The festival began in 2003 as the Chanoma Film Festival and celebrated its 20th edition this year.

On the final day, September 14, an awards ceremony was held at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles in Hollywood, where founder and filmmaker Junichi Suzuki, the family of director Nobuhiko Obayashi who had participated as a guest in the past, and actor Tatsuya Nakadai congratulated the festival’s 20th anniversary via video messages.

Awards in various categories were presented to 16 films, with recipients expressing their joy and gratitude.

The festival concluded with filmmakers networking and sharing smiles, bringing this year’s celebration to a joyful close.

Muratsuchi Runs for California Schools Chief

A gathering to support California State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, who is running for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction in the 2026 election, was held on September 21 in Irvine.

Muratsuchi will reach his term limit as a state assemblymember next year.
He is running for superintendent, the top administrative position in California public education, to focus his efforts on education policy.

Muratsuchi was born in Okinawa.
A Democrat representing the South Bay area, he was first elected to the California State Assembly in 2012.

Since then, he has sponsored numerous bills supporting his local community, with a particular focus on education. Recently, a bill he co-authored to limit immigration officers’ access to school grounds was passed into law.

At the gathering, attendees were encouraged to support his campaign for superintendent to help create a better educational environment.

The California State Superintendent of Public Instruction election will be held in the state’s June 2026 primary.