SoCalJapan | Japan Hollywood Network

December 8th 2024 O.A.

Master of Carpentry

An exhibition of Japanese carpentry is currently at JAPAN HOUSE in Hollywood.

This exhibition highlights the spirit and craftsmanship of carpenters preserving traditional Japanese architectural techniques.

“The exhibition is divided into five sections: “Nature and the Japanese Forest,” “Tools,” ”The Shrine and Temple Carpenters,” “Japanese Joinery,” and “Teahouse Carpenters.”
Visitors can explore not only the intricate techniques of wooden architecture and woodworking but also the tools and philosophy that underpin them.

The exhibition’s highlights include a scale model of the hipped roof of the Tōindō Hall, a National Treasure located at Yakushiji Temple in Nara.
Another notable feature is a life-sized replica of the Sa-an teahouse, designed by the renowned tea master Sen no Rikyū.

Additionally, the exhibition features over 70 items, including examples of traditional Japanese joinery and carpentry tools.

The exhibition “Master of Carpentry: Melding Forest, Skill, and Spirit” is being held at the JAPAN HOUSE Gallery in Hollywood until January 22.
Admission is free.
For more details, please visit the JAPAN HOUSE website.

Sushi and Sake Festival 2024

On Sunday, November 3, the Sushi and Sake Festival was held in Little Tokyo.

Organized by the Japanese Restaurant Association of America (JRA), this event aims to promote Japanese cuisine and sake and celebrated its 23rd year.
It is traditionally held around this time of year to commemorate Japan’s “Sushi Day,” which falls on November 1.

The festival, offering all-you-can-eat sushi and sake, has become so popular that all 1,000 pre-sale tickets were sold out.
Once again this year, Japanese food enthusiasts formed long lines even before the event started.

The festivities began with a traditional sake barrel opening ceremony by representatives of the community.
This was followed by an impressive live demonstration of filleting a massive 360-pound tuna on stage.

For many attendees, sushi was the highlight of the event. Guests enjoyed expertly crafted sushi prepared by chefs from renowned restaurants.

The food served at the event was made possible through the cooperation of JRA member organizations and companies.
In addition to sushi, the indoor food corner featured a variety of Japanese dishes, sweet breads, beer, and soft drinks.
Outdoors, popular street foods such as ramen, takoyaki, and yakitori were also available.

In the alcohol section, attendees were treated to an extensive selection of beverages, including junmai, ginjo, daiginjo, and shochu, with numerous brands showcased by sake brewers.
Guests delighted in sampling the diverse flavors.

Founded in 1999, the JRA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing technical and sanitary standards in the Japanese food industry, supporting businesses in legal and operational matters, and promoting Japanese cuisine across the United States.

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December 1st 2024 O.A.

Anime x Japanese Food

A collaboration event featuring anime and Japanese cuisine is currently taking place in Little Tokyo.

The event “Slime x Little Tokyo” offers a special promotion at participating Little Tokyo restaurants.
By ordering campaign menu items, customers receive a pin badge from the popular anime “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” and a digital stamp.
Collecting three or more stamps earns a limited-edition T-shirt.

This campaign is organized by JFOODO, an organization under JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization), as part of their effort to promote Japanese cuisine overseas.
The initiative aims to encourage people to explore Japanese food through their love for anime.

This campaign features participation from 11 restaurants in Little Tokyo.
Each restaurant offers exclusive menu items made with a variety of ingredients imported from Japan, including seafood such as scallops, yellowtail, and sea bream; tea and rice; and premium Wagyu beef.

“Slime x Little Tokyo” is currently being held in Little Tokyo until December 8.
Additionally, a second round of the event is scheduled for February next year.
For more details, please search for “Slime x Little Tokyo.”

INC Beach Day 2024

The networking event of the Southern California Intercollegiate Nikkei Council (INC) was held on October 19 at Dockweiler State Beach in Playa Del Rey.

INC is an organization formed by the Nikkei Student Unions from 13 universities in Southern California. Its goal is to foster connections among Japanese American students across different schools and build a stronger Japanese American community.

This “Beach Day” is an annual gathering held in the fall, coinciding with the start of the new academic year, for students from member universities to socialize.

This time, approximately 300 people participated. Initially, participants gathered by their respective schools, but gradually warmed up to each other through games and activities.

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November 24th 2024 O.A.

Global Stage Hollywood 2024

From Friday, November 1, the “Global Stage Hollywood” film festival was held in Hollywood over three days.

This event, now in its sixth year, introduces a variety of Japanese content to the U.S., with a focus on film. This year, works from Canada and Taiwan were also featured, fostering interaction between Japanese representatives and other participants.

This year’s opening film was the Japanese movie Six Singing Women.
It is a surreal suspense film about two men who wander into a mysterious village deep in the forest, inhabited by six peculiar women. Director Yoshimasa Ishibashi and actress Asami Mizukawa traveled from Japan to attend the festival and participated in a Q&A session after the screening.

During the festival, in addition to film screenings, an event was held to promote Kyushu as a location for film shoots. Representatives from Kyushu attended the event, along with Kengo Oishi, the Governor of Nagasaki Prefecture, who was visiting Los Angeles.

In addition, at the film festival, many works were screened, including feature films, short films, documentaries, and animations, including world premieres.

Community Health Fair

On Sunday, October 26, the Community Health Fair was held at the Maryknoll Japanese Catholic Center in Little Tokyo.

This event offered free health consultations for the Japanese American community and was organized in collaboration with Koreisha Senior Care & Advocacy (KSCA) and the Japanese American Medical Association (JAMA).

The fair featured 25 specialists, including those in internal medicine, surgery, orthopedics, gastroenterology, dermatology, clinical psychology, and chiropractic care.
Each specialist provided careful consultations in Japanese or through Japanese interpreters for the participants.

Additionally, blood tests and prostate exams were offered to those who wished, for a fee.

This Health Fair originally started in 1971 as an event by the Taisho Club, an association of hobbies, and had been held for many years as an opportunity for health consultations in Japanese.
However, due to the aging of its members, the event was discontinued.
It was resumed last year by KKSCA and others.

KSCA and JAMA have expressed their intention to continue this event annually in the future.

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November 11th 2024 O.A.

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.

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October 27th 2024 O.A.

Like a Dragon: Yakuza

A global sensation, the live-action drama Like a Dragon: Yakuza, based on the blockbuster action game series Yakuza, is now streaming worldwide.

Ryoma Takeuchi, known for his roles in Black Forceps and Believe, stars as the beloved main character Kiryu.
Meanwhile, Kento Kaku plays Kiryu’s childhood friend Nishiki.

In promotion of the show, both actors attended the world’s largest comic book and pop culture event, San Diego Comic-Con, in July, where they were met with a warm welcome from American fans.

An original story following two intertwined timelines: Kiryu and Nishiki, who grew up like brothers in an orphanage before falling into the yakuza world, and their reunion after a decade apart.

An action-packed, suspenseful entertainment that also depicts characters pursuing their chosen paths, even as they are tossed about by a harsh fate.

The Like a Dragon: Yakuza is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

JAPAN・O

The Japanese Food Showcase, which introduces excellent food products from various regions of Japan to the world, was held on Wednesday, September 25, in Hollywood.

This event is organized by the JAPAN·O project, which introduces hidden treasures from various regions of Japan to the world.

This time, 17 products collected from all over Japan, from Aomori to Kumamoto, were introduced.
Each product was presented in a video, followed by tastings conducted by invited food buyers and other related parties.

Bento, onigiri, ramen, seafood, vegetable and processed seafood sushi, grain-based hamburgers, sweets, and beverages are part of a unique selection of products that showcase the characteristics of the region. All food items are frozen.

The “O” in the project name JAPAN·O reflects the meticulousness and spirit of respect embedded in Japanese craftsmanship.
For example, the prefix “o” in Japanese words like “o-niku” (meat) and “o-kome” (rice) conveys a respect for the ingredients and traditions.

The JAPAN·O Project aims to showcase not only food but also local crafts and products in the future.

Global Ocean Works 15th anniversary

GOW, Global Ocean Works, a company engaged in the aquaculture, processing, and export of marine products in Kagoshima Prefecture, has celebrated its 15th anniversary.
To commemorate this occasion, they held an event on Sunday, September 29, in collaboration with one of our group companies, IMP – International Marine Products, which operates a seafood wholesale business in the United States, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

This event, titled ‘Sushi for the Earth,’ welcomed clients and industry representatives of IMP, featuring tastings of sushi and sashimi made with their products.

IMP started its business in 1963 with the restaurant “Tokyo Kaikan” in Little Tokyo. Known as the birthplace of the California roll, “Tokyo Kaikan” operated under the vision of “To craft a type of sushi that could be relished by every American. The company expanded as a seafood wholesaler in the U.S. and became a subsidiary of Global Ocean Works in 2018.

The founder and CEO of the group, Yuji Masunaga, attended the event from Japan and gave a greeting.
After the ceremony, attendees enjoyed sushi while watching an American football game held at the stadium.

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October 20th 2024 O.A.

Japan Film Festival Los Angeles 2024

September 1st through the 15th was the Japan Film Festival Los Angeles.

This film festival introduces movies that involve Japan, like Japanese movies as well as movies that were directed by Japanese and Japanese American directors, and foreign movies that Japanese actors were in.
This year, 37 feature and short films selected by the public were screened online and in theaters during the festival.

Short films were shown at JAPAN HOUSE on September 15th, along with the closing and award ceremony.

Producers, directors, casts, and staff from Japan also attended the event. Other related individuals also participated via Zoom from Japan as well.

Consul General Kenko Sone and President of JAPAN HOUSE, Yuko Kaifu received the Best Support Award as a surprise. Followed by 16 awards being announced and recipients stated their joy.

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October 13th 2024 O.A.

MTC JFRE2024

Saturday, September 29th was the Japanese Food & Restaurant Expo (JFRE) held by Mutual Trading at the Pasadena Convention Center.

This is the 33rd time for the expo that introduces and sells the newest Japanese food ingredients and products to restaurant individuals.
It is the longest and largest business show held outside of Japan. More than 140 companies participated to promote their products.

Mutual Trading also introduced their newest easy to make and high quality gyoza and beef bowls.
This is in response to the labor shortage problem in the restaurant industry.

Miyazaki beef and other high-end wagyu were introduced, and long lines were formed to try the samples. Frozen fatty tuna using Super-Frozen technology to preserve its freshness also called attention.

The Sake Pavilion had 52 booths, including 42 were from Japan.
Takara Sake USA that are known for their “Sho chiku bai” brand introduced their newest bourbon barrel aged Junmai sake.

In addition, a selection of sparkling sake, ranging from premium to more affordable options, as well as a variety of cocktails made with shochu, were offered.
From traditional sake to new styles, and from major brands to products from small breweries, a wide variety of offerings were available to meet the diverse needs of the attendees.

The customary Ceramic Fair also happened outside foodstuffs being introduced, and names being engraved on to kitchen knives by the metal engravers was a must-have.

This year’s theme of the expo was “The Essence of WA – Bridging Cultures and Future Through Japanese Cuisine.”

At the venue, different workshops and seminars of: pairing sake with sake cups, chopsticks making, and fashioning takeout boxes from furoshiki cloths were available introducing different Japanese food related culture.

About 2,600 people attended the event, and it ended in great success.

Keiro no Hi Festival 2024

Saturday, September 21st was the “Keiro no Hi Festival” at JANM.

This event is held by the non-profit organization, Keiro that provides services to Japanese American seniors.
Every year, Keiro holds this free community event in honor of the Japanese national holiday, and this year is the 7th time.

About 600 pre-registered participants that are over the age of 60 attended the event from LA, Ventura, and OC using free transportation service.

First, Keiro CEO, Beverly Ito stated her greeting and appreciation to the attendees.
The Consul General Kenko Sone and Assembly member, Al Muratsuchi also giving their greetings, and City of Council member, Kevin de León handing Certificate of Appreciation to the recipients.

Complimentary bento boxes were served during lunch time.
Entertainment like taiko, ukulele, and singing performances were done onstage, and seniors enjoyed their time together by taking pictures with each other.

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September 29th 2024 O.A.

LAX-KIX 30th

JAL celebrated the 30th anniversary of its LA-Kansai route on Wednesday, September 4th with a commemorative ceremony at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

JAL’s direct flight from LA to Kansai International Airport (KIX) started on September 4th, 1994, the same day KIX opened.

Refreshments were served at the boarding gate, and crew members dressed in JAL’s 30-year-old uniforms welcomed passengers bound for KIX.

The ceremony was attended by officials from JAL, LAX,, as well as Consul General Kenko Sone of the Consulate General of Japan in LA.
They each congratulated the 30th anniversary and expressed their hopes for the future.

Flights from KIX in supporting exchanges between the two cities are becoming increasingly important with Osaka hosting the World Expo next year and the LA Olympics coming up in 2028.

Passengers boarded the plane while being handed commemorative goods for the 30th anniversary after the ceremony.
They were seen off by officials and took off for KIX.

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September 22nd 2024 O.A.

Students from Bizen

Junior high and high school students of Bizen, Okayama prefecture visited LA.

This tour was organized by Bizen, Okayama prefecture, and 200 junior high and high school students were selected by lottery to experience American history, tradition, and culture.

The tour was divided into 2 sessions of early and late August.
The second group of about 50 people arrived in LA on August 22nd and visited Little Tokyo to learn about the history of Japanese Americans.

Bizen, Okayama is the hometown of Dodgers pitcher, Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Therefore, the tour also had the purpose of supporting the Dodgers, and students enjoyed watching a Dodgers game.

Bizen City also established a Friendship City Agreement with the City of Torrance upon their visit, and the two cities will deepen their exchanges in the future.

Ocean Group Seafood Show

Ocean Group, a wholesaler of seafood in SoCal and other parts of the US, held a seafood show in Irvine on Sunday, September 1st.

This is an annual event held by Ocean Group for their customers working in restaurants and supermarkets making this year the 20th time. The event rotates among 6 branch offices located in the US each year, and the event was held jointly by the LA headquarters and the San Diego office this year.

40 companies from all over the world including Japan, Europe, and Asia participated in this year’s event.
They promoted their new and mainstay products by having customers actually try them.

Ocean Group also introduced their own in-house brand products such as smoked salmon.
Other exhibits included a booth for Japanese sake and fish print artwork, and active business discussions took place throughout the day.

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September 8th 2024 O.A.

2024 Japanese American Bar Association Gala

Friday, August 23rd was the annual Installation and Awards Gala for the Japanese American Bar Association (JABA) in Downtown LA.

JABA is a non-profit organization of Japanese American lawyers.
They were founded in 1977 to protect the rights of the Issei and Nisei, and to increase the presence of Japanese American lawyers in the legal profession.

The organization is currently active in　networking, mutual assistance, study groups,　and training of young lawyers among　Japanese and Asian lawyers with about 200　members. The gala is held annually as a　fundraiser, and this year is their 47th year.

The program began with the announcement　of the scholarship winners. Then, the　installation ceremony for this year’s officers　was held, and Colin Kawaguchi was　inaugurated as president.

Two individuals were recognized　and awarded for their contribution　to the community. Michael Yamaki,　who paved the way for Asian　Americans to be promoted to key　positions in the state as the　California Governor’s Appointments　Secretary. And Kathryn Doi Todd,　the first Asian American woman to　become a judge in the US.

Japanese Wine 101

Monday, August 12th was the　Japanese wine workshop at the　headquarters of Mutual Trading, a　Japanese food importer and　distributor.

This is through the Sake School of America,　an educational institution on Japanese　alcoholic beverages established by Mutual　Trading.
The seminar, entitled “Japanese　Wine 101” was aimed at restaurants and　other industry professionals to promote　Japanese wines.

As they learn about the history of　Japanese wines, the production　areas, and the conditions and　characteristics of wineries,　participants tasted 12 wines,　including those made from “Koshu”　and “Muscat Bailey A” grapes,　which are grapes unique to Japan.

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August 25th 2024 O.A.

The 82nd Nisei Week Japanese Festival

The 82nd Nisei Week Japanese Festival happened for 9 days from August 10th through 18th at Little Tokyo.

Nisei Week is a festival that shares and spreads the history, culture, and tradition of Japanese and Japanese American people to the US.

Saturday, August 10th was the coronation at the Aratani Theatre for the Nisei Queen who will act as an ambassador of the LA Japanese American community.

6 candidates were nominated from different Japanese organizations throughout LA.
Candidates practiced their manners, dance, and speech for the last 3 months until the event.

Candidates performed their best as their family and friends cheered them on.

And came the final result.
Morgan Mayuko Gee was crowned as the 2024 Nisei Queen.

Seia Loraine Watanabe was named the First Princess and Amy Ryoko Kubo was chosen as Miss Tomodachi.

The queen and court will represent the Japanese American community for the entire year, and attend various events domestically and internationally.

Sunday, August 11th was the Grand Parade.
People from all over LA came to see the highlight of Nisei Week and filled the streets.

First came the veterans of WWII, Korean, and Vietnam War, and they were greeted by a round of applause.

The choreography of this year’s dances were by Hanayagi Rokufumi Shachu.
Followed by government officials, representatives of various organizations, community contributors, and cultural groups making an appearance, and performed in front of the cheering audience.

This year’s parade marshall was actress and comedian, Amy Hill.

Grand marshall is ABC7 news anchor, David Ono.

Various individuals, organizations, and traditions of the Japanese American community were introduced such as: martial arts, Japanese dance, anime, and mikoshi.
The parade culminated with the appearance of the LA Nebuta.

Lastly, this year’s queen and court made an appearance and answered to the crowd with their elegant smiles.

August 17th and 18th was the Plaza Festival held at the plaza in front of the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center.

There were booths offering food, goods, and services lined up attracting visitors with a variety of Japanese foods and cultures.
Various taiko drumming groups also performed on stage, filling the venue with the excitement of a summer festival.

The annual L.A. Tanabata Festival, held in conjunction with Nisei Week every year was also held at the Japanese American National Museum.

This year’s theme was “Peace,” and unique decorations were made by kenjinkai, Japanese American organizations, and individuals.
Free workshops were also held with both children and adults participating in making decorations.

And then came the closing ceremony.
This year marks the 140th anniversary of the establishment of Little Tokyo, so a commemorative ceremony was held first.

The festival concluded with a street dance performance. Along with each traditional Japanese dance group in the community, the Nisei Queens, VIP guests, community organizations, and audience members joined together in a circle and danced the Ondo to close out this year’s Nisei Week.

Sake in the Park

Friday, July 26th was the, “Sake in the Park,” a sake and food event in Downtown LA.

This is a fundraiser event held by the non-profit organization, Little Tokyo Service Center and this year marks the 16th time.
It is one of the largest sake and food events in Southern California.

The event used to be held at the plaza in front of the JACCC in Little Tokyo, but the size expanded and was held at Grand Park in Downtown LA this year.

More than 40 sake breweries participated in this all-you-can-eat and drink sake and food event.
This was made possible by the event partner Mutual Trading which offered approximately 90 brands of sake, shochu, local beer, and spirits.

LTSC works to address a variety of community issues, including support for the elderly and homeless.

Many food booths were set up at the event to serve snacks for sake.
Attendees tasted different sake and food pairings and compared sake drinks to deepen their knowledge of sake.

The program also featured an amateur shochu cocktail contest in which 5 community groups competed. Approximately 1,000 people attended the event.
Everyone enjoyed themselves while helping the fundraiser.

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August 11th 2024 O.A.

Kenjinkai Kyogikai 60th Anniversary

Sunday, June 30th was the commemorative ceremony celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Japanese Prefectural Association of Southern California (JPASC) at Quiet Cannon in Montebello.

JPASC is a non-profit organization with 38 kenjinkai groups of Japanese prefectures.
They give to the community through supporting each other, spreading Japanese cultures, awarding scholarships, and disaster relief volunteers.

About 200 people attended the ceremony, including members of various kenjinkai and representatives of major organizations.
President Kitagaito first announced the slogan of the ceremony, “Bridge to the Future,” and called for unity of the community.

Followed by a toast by Mack Miyazaki, the Executive Advisor to the association.
Consul General Kenko Sone of the Consulate General of Japan in LA and others offered their congratulations.
And California State Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi presented JPASC with an award.

Then, an award ceremony was held to recognize the achievements of the previous presidents over the past 10 years.

JPASC was founded in 1964 by a group of prewar kenjinkai. However, aging has declined the number of members after 60 years, and that has become their biggest challenge.

Okinawa Association of America Picnic

Sunday, July 21st was the Okinawa Association of America (OAA) picnic held in South El Monte.

OAA was founded in 1909 as Nanka Okinawa Kenjinnkai.
This year marks its 115th anniversary. The picnic is a tradition that began in the 1930s by immigrants from Okinawa, and it has been held during the Obon season in recent years.

OAA President, President Nishiuchi and guests of honor, representatives of JPASC and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of SoCal first stated their greetings. Then, they stretched their bodies with radio calisthenics.

Afterwards, 4 scholarship winners were introduced and awarded their scholarships.

More than 350 people attended the picnic eating their food they brought with family and friends.
Everyone enjoyed watching performances on the stage and played games together.

Wismettac Sake & Food Expo

A sake and food trade show was held on July 13th in Anaheim by Wismettac Asian Foods, an importer and distributor of food-related products that mainly deals with Japanese food.

This was an annual event for retailers, restaurants, and other industry professionals.
However, it had to be canceled due to the pandemic, and this was the first in-person event in 5 years.

20 companies participated in the sake section with Japanese sake, beer, and shochu being introduced.

41 companies participated in the food section. Proposals were made for products that match alcoholic beverages, and business meetings took place.
In addition to Japanese food, Asian food vendors also participated.

The recent trend is smaller packs for personal consumption in retail stores.
For commercial use, the demand for high-quality semi-cooked food products is increasing due to labor shortage issues.
Japanese restaurants are also becoming more specialized in particular dishes and ingredients as well.

This year’s Wismettac Sake & Food Expo was held in 4 locations across the US. In LA, the event attracted about 1,350 visitors and was busy throughout the day.

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July 28th 2024 O.A.

2024 Nisei Week Opening Ceremony

Sunday, July 14th was the opening ceremony of Nisei Week at the Little Tokyo JANM.

This year marks the 82nd time of Nisei Week, a celebration of Japanese culture and traditions in the US. Nisei Week Foundation President, Joann Shin Cordeiro first announced this year’s theme “Connection,” and shared her enthusiasm for the event.

Followed by the sponsors of the opening ceremony, representatives from JAPAN HOUSE LA and the Japan Business Association (JBA) of Southern California stating their greetings along with JBA giving their donation money.

The two official songs for this year’s Nisei Week are “Wasshoi, Nippon” by Takashi Hosokawa and “Fuyumi no Soran Bushi” by Fuyumi Sakamoto. The dances were choreographed by Hanayagi Rokufukumi and were performed at the event.

The Grand Marshal is ABC 7 news anchor, David Ono. And the Parade Marshal for the Grand Parade on August 11th will be actor and comedian, Amy Hill. And to add color to the festivities, the 6 candidates for this year’s Nisei Queen were announced.

Amy Ryoko Kubo of East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Community Center.

Anita Sumi Yayi Komatsu of Gardena Evening Optimist Club.

Carina Akiko Sakimura of Pasadena Japanese Cultural Institute.

Caitlyn Tera Sasaki of Orange County Nikkei Coordinating Council.

Seia Loraine Watanabe of the Japanese Restaurant Association of America.

Morgan Mayuko Gee of Venice-West Los Angeles Japanese American Citizens League and Venice Japanese Community Center.

The candidates will compete in the coronation ball the night before the Grand Parade, and the queen will be chosen by a panel of judges.

The 82nd Nisei Week Japanese Festival will be held for nine days from August 10th through 18th.
Various events will be happening in Little Tokyo. Please visit the Nisei Week website for more information.

Dodgers Japanese Heritage Night

Tuesday, July 2nd was Japanese Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium.

The Dodgers hold events to interact with various local communities, and the Japanese American community was introduced this day.

On the stage of Centerfield Plaza, artists from Japan and the US put on a unique show. The KoushinTaiko drummers, DJ Crew, singerAnna Aya, and rock guitarist MIYAVI excited the audiences.

Before the game, a press conference was held for the “Yakyu-Baseball” exhibition connecting Japanese and American baseball which will happen next year at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in New York.

Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, manager Dave Roberts, and Torey Lovullo of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who had previously played for the Yakult Swallows in Japan attended the conference.
Otani and Yamamoto donated their favorite baseball bats and gloves for the exhibition.

Consul General Kenko Sone of the Consulate General of Japan in LA and the Nisei Week Queen were introduced on the field to promote Nisei Week, which will be held in Little Tokyo in August.

The event also honored Yoshiko Miwa, the oldest person to have experienced Japanese American incarceration during WWII.

And then the ceremonial first pitch.
MIYAVI was the first to throw.
And after the national anthem was sung by Aisha, actor George Takei appeared and threw a powerful pitch.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto caught the ball and answered to the cheers of the fans.

Commemorative jerseys inspired by Japanese ukiyo-e and free onigiri rice balls were handed out, and fans enjoyed the game while appreciating Japanese culture.

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July 14th 2024 O.A.

Anime Expo 2024

Anime Expo was held for 4 days from Thursday, July 4th through Sunday, July 7th at the LA Convention Center.

Anime Expo is held by the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Anime, and the largest Japanese anime convention in North America.
This year is the 33rd time.

There were long lines forming from day 1 for the AX limited edition goods and good finds, as well as for the latest anime news.

Many fans dressed up as their favorite character and enjoyed socializing with each other like talking pictures.

Not only were there merch booths but also competition areas and a concert area for virtual YouTubers attracted many people.

There also was an area named “AX Crossing” at the plaza of the convention center.
About 50 Japanese food booths were available, and a mini J-pop concert was held there too.

Various events were held, including panel discussions featuring creators of popular anime, and a workshop introducing maiko culture, featuring a maiko invited from Yamagata Prefecture to promote tourism to the Tohoku region.
From traditional culture to subculture, a wide range of Japanese charms were introduced to the guests.

About 1,000 booths participated in this year’s Anime Expo.
Large booths of major companies were noticeable compared to previous years impressing the importance of Anime Expo within the industry.

JETRO set up a booth called “Geek Street,” gathering 16 companies under categories like “Anime,” “Kawaii,” and “Trends.”
They supported the overseas expansion of various Japanese content.

Each company showed off new anime that will be aired in the US starting this fall, new games that will be released next year, and new products that have just been released and are not available anywhere else in the US besides this event.

There was a stage at Geek Street where companies could give presentations.

Tickets for this year’s Anime Expo were sold out.
About 100,000 people attended.

2024 Jokun Recognition Community Luncheon

Sunday, June 9th was the Jokun Recognition Community Luncheon of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Foundation at Quiet Cannon in Montebello.

Every year, the Japanese government honors those who have contributed to the promotion of Japan-US relations and friendship, and the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California (JCCSC) holds a celebration to honor these recipients.

Kate Leonard majored in Japanese studies during college and studied in Okayama, Japan in 1973.
After returning home, she became the director of the Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana and a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan.
She has served as the Honorary Consul of Japan in San Diego since 2012.

Haruo Takehana has been served as a board member and president of various Japanese American cultural and business organizations like JCCSC, the Japanese Community Pioneer Center and Kenjinkai since 2004.

Akiko Bourland founded the San Diego Chapter of the Ohara School of Ikebana in 1973. She served as the president for 35 years, and was the first person in the US to receive the title of “Founder Advisor” from the highest advisor of the Ohara School of Ikebana in Japan.
She has been an instructor of ikebana at local universities for over 50 years and taught thousands of students.

About 200 people attended the event including family members of the honorees, related individuals, and representatives of various Japanese organizations. Consul General Kenko Sone and other attendees gave their words of congratulations, and recipients were presented with commemorative plaques sharing the joy of being recognized.

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June 16th 2024 O.A.

Kaizuka Meditation Garden

The restoration work for “Kaizuka Meditation Garden”, a Japanese garden in Culver City has finished, and a commemoration was held on May 12th.

“Kaizuka Meditation Garden” was donated by Kaizuka city in Osaka prefecture.
The garden was originally built in 1974, celebrating the two Sister Cities who established their relationship in 1965.

The garden was being restored as part of a commemorative project for the 60th anniversary of sister city relations and the 50th anniversary of the completion of the garden.

Kaizuka Mayor Ryo Sakai attended the ceremony.
In addition, a team of internationally known garden masters along with gardening specialists from Japan, LA, and London worked on the project with the Sister Cities Committee.
A celebration was held to mark the project’s completion.

The mayors of both cities planted a commemorative tree in the garden wishing for stronger friendship and mutual development between Culver City and Kaizuka.

Koreisha Senior Care & Advocacy Bazaar 2024

Sunday, May 26th was the Fundraising Bazaar held by the Koreisha Senior Care & Advocacy (KSCA) at Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple in Costa Mesa.

KSCA is a non-profit organization that ensures the welfare of seniors by advocating for the continuance of Japanese culturally sensitive healthcare facilities and senior services.

This Fundraising Bazaar is held to rebuild the Nikkei nursing home, and and this is the 3rd time.

62 SoCal organizations including the Japanese Prefectural Associations, cultural groups, and businesses brought a variety of used and second-hand goods.

Many of the participants were elderly, but there were young volunteers too.

Many Japanese American community members who came to the US after WWII are now older than 65 and need assistance with health and daily living issues.
Additionally, KSCA promotes the need for a nursing home by holding health fairs and offering online medical seminars.

The event raised approximately $11,000 this day.

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