Feb 11th 2018 O.A.
2018 JCCSC Inauguration
The 2018 member inauguration of Japanese Chamber of Commerce of SoCal took place at the Almansor court on January 28th. JCC of SoCal is a nonprofit organization with 170 members supporting businesses networking with one another and is active in strengthening ties between US/Japan as well as public service. The members of the office took oath as members and related 223 individuals attended the ceremony. Running his 2nd term, President Jeff Yamazaki stated “We hope to achieve more members by holding networking events every month. And hopefully that leads to living up the community.” After each representatives of the Japanese organization gave their greetings, the achievement award ceremony happened. The Southern California Shigin Federation that received the organization award was found on 1990, and now expands to 6 different styles spreading the Japanese Shigin culture in the US. The spirit award went to 2 people. Miyoko Nishimoto has been volunteering since the 1980s at the OC district and many of the major Japanese American organizations. Helen Ota started her volunteer work from 1989 at the Nisei Week, and has been active with the community through entertainment.
Gardeners Federation Inauguration
February 4th was SoCal Gardeners Federation’s New Years gathering and inauguration ceremony. 16 unions join the nonprofit SoCal Gardeners Federation, and members help each other as well as doing public service. This year’s board members were announced before the 125 members, and 7 members took oath including the new chairman, Hisamori Iwashita. Iwashita has been the president of SoCal Kagoshima Kenjinkai and Japanese Prefectural Association of SoCal in the past and stated “Although I still have a lot to learn, I will do my best for this union’s future.” 2 people were chosen for the achievement award this year. Seiichi Fujitani from the bay area ran 2 terms in 2016 and 17 as the chairman and has worked hard for the union. Former Bay area member, Makoto Shirasawa taught vegetable seminars to the public for 7 years and worked for the community. The Gardeners Federation was found in 1955 and had about 6,000 members postwar at its golden days, but now decreased to 670 members.