Japan/America News

JASK is going to Bowling Green tomorrow to host a reception with the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce.  The event was previewed in the Daily Herald in Bowling Green.  Special Guest: Consul General Hiroshi Sato, will speak alongside local leaders, thanking Japanese businesses for their contribution to Kentucky. 

Read the full article here.  Register for the event here. 

For the first time since 1955, except for a brief hiccup in 1993, Japan's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will not run Japan.  The Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), campaigning on change and a voice for the people, won 308 of 480 seats in the lower house of the Diet.  The LDP took just 119 seats.  Yukio Hatoyama will be named Prime Minister on September 16.  Mr. Hatoyama is a graduate of Tokyo University with a PhD in Engineering from Stanford University.  He is known for his free spirit; American and other foreign partners of Japan wonder what, precisely, may change.  Time only will tell.  What is clear is that citizens of Japan wanted a new... something - they have given power to a new party with hopes for a new day.  With national debt rising to nearly 200% of GDP and China on track to overtake Japan as the second largest economy in the world, the DPJ must deliver quickly. 

Relevant to JASK Members: Mr. Ichiro Ozawa, whose initiative for grassroots exchange led to the Manjiro/Whitfield Exchange Program that Kentucky hosted in 2008, has been named Secretary General of the DPJ. 

John Roos was sworn in on Monday, August 17, and is now in Japan, hoping to quickly convince the Japanese of his ability to develop the paramount Japan/America relationship.  Roos was a dark horse nomination, in league with big names such as Harvard scholar: Joseph Nye, and former Vice President, Walter Mondale.  His arrival comes earlier than expected, but Roos began quickly, telling press at the Narita airport: "[the] two most innovative nations in the world can address new measures against climate change and energy security."  With a nuclear North Korea and Japan's most important modern election on the near horizon, Ambassador Roos has a full agenda. 

Read more here from the Japan Times.

In corollary news - Thomas Schieffer, who most recently served as Ambassador to Japan, is now a front-runner for Governor of Texas.  

... And, Wat Misaka nearly toppled our beloved Adolph Rupp and the UK Wildcats at Madison Square Garden in 1944.  Misaka, a 5'7" guard, grew up in Utah during the internment era and played for the University of Utah.  In the 1944 NIT tournament he held UK star Ralph Beard to just one point.  Misaka's history is being remembered across the country since a recent documentary: Transcending, exhumed his history.  Misaka played for the New York Knicks in 1947, the inagural season of the BAA, predecessor to the NBA.  Misaka's unique history also includes service in Hiroshima as a translator for the U.S. Military.  His story is relevant for Americans and for Japanese as he represents both with distinction.  Misaka is an engineer and still resides in Utah.  

Many of you know that JASK went to Japan last week with a group of Kentuckians and many other Americans. 

What made the trip so poignant was that besides just "seeing" Japan, the guests of the 19th Annual America/Japan Grassroots Summit saw "The Real Japan."  In other words, because we each got to home-stay with a Japanese family, we experienced the daily lives of our hosts.  In the process we observed many intricacies of Japanese life that are not visible to the every-day tourist. 

We have posted a slideshow of our pictures here.  Upcoming articles will share reflections from the adventure from the participants. 

In March, 2010 America will begin counting all the people within her borders.  The ten-year census data is used for many policy and research decisions; accuracy is important.  Stand up and be counted!

Both Americans and Japanese living in the U.S. should stand up and be counted.  JASK encourages all its members to complete the surveys and answer the questions posed by Census employees. 

Many people will have questions about the Census.  JASK is partnering with the Census Bureau to provide guidance about the Census.  Click here for more information or contact JASK if you have specific questions. 

Often, folks want to share or sell something Japanese.  Our new "Special Offers" tool is a forum where you can explore services and items related to Japan that are being offered at special rates. 

This tool is more than a classified ad platform; it is a way for people with interest in Japan to connect with each other, to share and exchange Japanese goods and services. 

The forum is just getting off the ground.  In order to really be valuable, we need your participation.  Does your company, or do you, have something you can offer the Japan/America community in Kentucky?  Items should be related to Japan in some way or intended for a Japanese audience.  We encourage posting in Japanese or mixing Japanese and English.

To add an item or special offer, just fill out this form.  We will review all submissions and post approved offers promptly. 

Our "Special Offers" page generates an RSS feed so that you can stay current on new offers through any feed aggregator. 

Do you enjoy Japanese culture as much as we do?  We could use your helping hands on Saturday, August 22, when Kentuckians gather in Lexington for JAPAN! Summer Festival.  Easily submit your name here.

Volunteers help with games, selling tickets, information, parking, crowd control, and other engaging tasks.  Time is carefully scheduled so you will know where to be and when.  We will provide food for volunteers committing more than two hours and ensure that each volunteer has time to also enjoy the Festival.

This is Kentucky's Japan Festival, a project that thrives with your support.  We hope you will consider taking time to volunteer during the Festival and help Kentuckians enjoy Japanese culture as much as we do!

Most JASK members know that we initiated Kentucky's first "Japanese Idol" Competition for a grand prize two round-trip tickets to Japan.  The buzz is spreading, this is certainly going to be a great contest.  From Louisville to Lexington, Kentuckians have selected songs from different genres and decades of Japanese music.

We have nearly twenty applicants so far.  However, we have had nearly 500 visits to our website pages where we describe the contest.   People are certainly talking about the contest; most of you are curious - don't try to hide it! 

Maybe you still don't have the guts to pursue the glory, but at least you can cheer for your favorite contestant at the JAPAN! Summer Festival.  Our ten finalists will compete live on stage at the Festival.  Audience enthusiasm points count for 20% or contestants' score.  The winner takes home two round trip tickets to Japan.

The Japanese Idol contest has already drawn a crowd and will certainly capture attention during the Summer Festival.  We hope you will be there on stage or in the audience, cheering on your favorite Idol.

Dr. P.P. Karan, UK Professor well-known to members for his book: "Japan in the Bluegrass," was recently honored by the Association of Japanese Geographers with their annual award for contributions to geography and interchange between nations.  He was invited to Japan to receive the award.

Professor Karan's research on the Himalayas, Japanese migration to and investments in the U.S., and on Japan's megalopolis, along with his efforts to work with researchers throughout Asia and the United States, contributed to his notoriety within the Association.   Only one award is given each year.

JASK members contribute to the Japan/America connection in many ways.  We are proud of Dr. Karan and this achievement.  We look forward to learning more about Japan and America through his research. JASK Members may be interested in his new book: "Japan in the 21st Century: Environment, Economy, and Society."