News

After much preparation and hard work, the 2016 students are finally in Japan to extend and strengthen the grassroots relationships between St. Louis and Ishinomaki!

So far during their program, our St. Louis students have participated in Japanese tea ceremony in traditional Japanese clothing...

Learned how to perform Ishinomaki's traditional Tairyo Dance...

and participated in a cultural exchange with students from Minato Middle School!

For more updates on the 2016 program, be sure to like our page on Facebook here.

The coordinators and host families on the Japan side for the 2016 St. Louis-Ishinomaki Friendship Program recently sent a welcome message and photo to all the American participants in the TOMODACHI Program...

Welcome to Japan
Welcome to Ishinomaki
Please enjoy the homestay in Ishinomaki
See you at Sendai Airport on July 22

I know our participants just can't wait to meet you all!

The Japan America Society of St. Louis is excited to announce a new partnership with the St. Louis Art Museum, beginning with SLAM's upcoming symposium, Conflicts of Interests: Art and War in Modern Japan, on Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22.

The Conflicts of Interest exhibit will be on display at SLAM from October 16 through January 8.

Our fourth annual “A Celebration of Japanese Culture” at the Missouri History Museum had a great turnout, drawing over 150 people. Visitors enjoyed both the beautiful May weather in Forest Park and a taste of Japanese culture inside the museum. Our friendly greeters, enthusiastic emcee, delicious refreshment, and attractive displays made all visitors feel welcome and at home. The skillful demonstrations of ikebana, tea ceremony, hair styling, and kimono modeling were accompanied by very interesting mini-lectures. The Q&A sessions were warm, lively, and even amusing at times. The special performances of Rakugo (sit-down comedy) drew much laughter. Both adults and children were mesmerized by the Kamishibai (folk storytelling). Of course, we also want to thank the Missouri History Museum for hosting and supporting our event.

"Faces Like the Enemy” was a very important  learning experience. Dr. Linda Lindsey, Senior Lecturer of American Culture Studies at Washington University, gave a historical overview of the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Dave Shimamoto and Robin Hattori added personal perspectives through family stories and photos. The powerful and moving documentary film, “442: Live With Honor, Die With Dignity,” brought to light the little-known Japanese-American regiment that fought prejudice to become themost decorated US military unit in WWII. Special thanks to the Missouri History Museum for hosting this program.

VIEW PHOTOS HERE

Registration was filled up (and then some!) for "Women in the Japanese Workplace" on April 28. Professor Mitsuko Horiuchi gave an interesting and informative talk on the Japanese government's recent policies designed to bring more women into the workforce.

Thank you to all who attended and for the wonderful and engaging questions for Professor Horiuchi. Special thanks to the Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA and to UMSL's International Studies and Programs; Department of Sociology, Gerontology and Gender; and Department of Language and Cultural Studies for their support.

VIEW PHOTOS HERE

Katsuhiko Miyasaka of Miyasaka Brewing, Timothy Sullivan of Urban Sake, and Adam McBrady of Urban Chestnut provided an informative and interesting talk followed by a tasting of premium sake, sushi reception, and Urban Chestnut beer for 80 guests. This sold-out event was a phenomenal success. View a slideshow of the event here.

With 64 members and friends in attendance, the JAS hosted a lively Annual Dinner at Wasabi in Warson Woods. Peter Kelley, President of the National Association of Japan America Societies, gave a wonderful speech, praising JAS-STL and its efforts. We had the chance to hear from three participants from the Ishinomaki Program, with presentations from a volunteer, a 2014 program participant and a member of one of the 2015 program’s host families. Bruce Buckland, Honorary Consul General of Japan in St. Louis and Vice Chairman of the JAS-STL, was presented with the Service Award. After another successful Annual Golf Tournament, the JAS was able to present the St. Louis Japanese Language School with a check for $3,300, bringing total donations to the Language School up to more than $54,000. Thank you to everyone who attended. We look forward to hosting next year’s Annual Dinner!