The Japan America Society of St. Louis (JAS) serves as the major source of Japan-related information and cultural experiences in the St. Louis Metropolitan Community. See what we have to offer, and consider joining today!
Other Upcoming Events
March 4: How Japan’s Female Board Members Can Drive Board Diversity in Japan offered by JAS Northern California
The movement to promote board diversity is intensifying globally as evidence is mounting that board diversity improves financial performance, financial reporting, and oversight. This rationale has been the basis for moves taken by Nasdaq, Goldman Sachs and the California government. Recent media commentary raised concerns and also serves as stimulus for greater attention to the issues holding Japan back from fully harnessing the merits of board diversity. While investors, stock exchanges and the Corporate Governance Code decide what standards to hold Japan to, female board directors themselves have a critical role to play in setting and achieving diversity goals. When these women rise to the highest roles of excellence, they have an extraordinary ability to influence.
Join this event to hear firsthand about experiences in the boardroom and what other players are doing to move Japan toward global standards.
This event is part of a Women’s Impact Network (WIN). More information can be found here.
March 18: Vulnerability, Authenticity & Feminism in Japan & Beyond Webinar offered by JAS Georgia
What is freedom? Why do men need feminism? Join us for a virtual talk on confronting gender expectations and how breaking the bonds of cultural limitations can lead to a true realization of an inclusive society.
Overview of Matsuri with Dr. Chikako UsuiDr. Chikako Usui, Chairman of the JAS, gave a virtual presentation on matsuri (festivals) in Japan at for the Missouri Historical Society. Her talk explored sights, cuisine, music, and atmosphere of these celebrations. | In Case You Missed It...On January 17, we held a virtual Shinnenkai (New Year party) to welcome 2021 - The Year of the Metal Ox. We were delighted to be joined by Consul General Okada to offer well-wishes and offer a New Year kampai as JAS president Greg Gorman and his family performed the kagami biraki ritual breaking of the sake cask. And, JAS chairman Dr. Chikako Usui offered a wonderful and informative overview of Japanese New Year traditions. If you missed it and would like to see it, you can view it here on YouTube. |
Information on COVID-19 During these uncertain times, we want to work closely with the Japanese Consulate in Chicago, and Honorary Consuls in St. Louis and the Midwest to coordinate efforts and disseminate information. Below are links to resources containing up-to-date information about COVID-19, some in Japanese language. St. Louis Japan Society's page on COVID-19 https://stljapanweb.wixsite.com/stljapansociety Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare https://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/ Coronavirus Data in Real Time https://coronavirus.1point3acres.com/en Coronavirus Symptom Chart Recent News from JAS
Annual EventsJAS offers at least nine annual programs each calendar year. They are scheduled throughout the year, and include a range of events from business/economic forums, cultural events, and social programs:
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JAS receives and answers about 150 inquiries about Japan in a given year, as well as requests for lectures, authentic cultural activities, and programs from local libraries, schools, and other organizations. We are happy to respond to requests and answer your questions as soon as we can. | Virtual Japanese Events around the Country As we all adjust to the "new normal" of COVID-19, many JAS chapters across the country are offering events accessible virtually. As we learn about them, they will be posted here.
Get to Know Kanagawa: Virtual Series Located just south of Tokyo, Kanagawa Prefecture is known for its breathtaking locales, from the grand Buddhist temples of Kamakura to the quaint hot spring town of Hakone. At this exclusive online series, join the Japan Society of Boston for a live sake webinar, a virtual exhibition of Kamakura-bori woodcrafts, a pop-up shop featuring delicious Kanagawa specialties, essays introducing the region, and more!  Ikebana 2020 Workshop Schedule Regular Workshop: $20 Members, $25 Non-members Sundays 1:30pm-3:00pm Mondays 6:30-8:00pm Tatehana Workshop: $30 Members, $40 Non-members Sundays 1:30pm-3:00pm Mondays 6:30-8:00pm To register for a date below, please click here. January 5, 6 Ikebana (Hatsuike-Shoka shofutai) 13 Ikebana (Tatehana) 26, 27 Ikebana (Free style) February 2, 3 Ikebana (Shoka) 9, 10 Ikebana (Free style for Valentine's Day) March 1, 2 Ikebana (Shoka) 8, 9 Ikebana (Free style) 15, 16 Ikebana (Tatehana) April 12, 13 Ikebana (Free style) 19, 20 Practice for Missouri History Museum Ikebana Exhibition May 2 Missouri History Museum event (Ikebana demonstration & display) 3,4 Ikebana (Shoka) June 28, 29 Ikebana (Free style) July 12, 13 Ikebana (Shoka) 19, 20 Ikebana (Free style) August 9, 10 Ikebana (Free style) 16, 17 Ikebana (Tatehana) September 5-7 Japanese Festival (Ikebana Demonstration & Exhibition) 13, 14 Ikebana (Shoka) 20, 21 Ikebana (Free style) October 4, 5 Ikebana (Shoka) 11, 12 Ikebana (Free style) 18, 19 Ikebana (Tatehana) November 1, 2 Ikebana (Shoka) 15, 16 Ikebana (Holiday arrangement) December 6, 7 Ikebana (Tatehana) 13, 14 Ikebana (Holiday arrangement) 20, 21 Ikebana (Holiday arrangement) 27, 28 Ikebana (Holiday arrangement) | Japan Currents - Global Impact of Anime & Manga
Our Japan Currents event, held on February 20th, 2020, was a great success! The panel and reception were held in the unique Moonrise Hotel on the Delmar Loop inside the beautiful rooftop Twilight Room. Our theme of the Global Impact of Anime & Manga was a deviation from our usual panels and it was met with a positive response from the community. Our audience was engaged and responsive to our speakers, whose presentations ranged from Japanese folklore and yokai, to Miyazaki Hayao, and the voice acting industry. This event also saw a much larger turnout of many new JAS attendees and a younger audience overall. To see more photos, click here. 2020 Shinnenkai Celebration -Year of the Rat
The Japan America Society of St. Louis kicked off 2020 with a great Shinnenkai at Sushi Sen Restaurant in Lake Saint Louis on January 12. A sold-out crowd enjoyed watching the New Year’s ceremony of kagami-biraki (sake barrel opening ceremony) and heard guest speaker Beth Eckelkamp share her experience growing up in Sapporo, Hokkaido and the custom of Omisoka (December 31) and the New Year. Other highlights included entertaining auction of kadomatsu (flower arrangement for the new year), a raffle of fukubukuro bags, and Chef Kenji Nonaka's course meal including osechi ryori (Special New Year's Meal and sake)! To see more photos, click here. 2019 Annual Dinner & Meeting
The JAS Annual Dinner held on November 6 was another great success thanks to our members, guests, and a new venue, Third Degree Glass Factory. Around 100 people mingled and celebrated inside a unique venue that offered a glass gallery and cash bar. A silent auction featured generous donations of antiques, sake, event tickets, and various gift packages. See photos and full article here. |
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