Japan America Society of Chicago (JASC)

03/18/2021

Our Spring English course begins soon!

03/18/2021

The current emperor of Japan is Naruhito!

03/17/2021

Charles L. Evans has served as president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago since September 2007. In that capacity, he serves on the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC), the Federal Reserve System’s monetary policymaking body. Before becoming president in September of 2007, Evans served as director of research and senior vice president, supervising the Bank’s research on monetary policy, banking, financial markets, and regional economic conditions.

His personal research has focused on measuring the effects of monetary policy on U.S. economic activity, inflation, and financial market prices and has been published in peer-reviewed journals.
Interested? Register here: https://jaschicago.org/event/the-federal-reserve-bank-perspectives-on-the-u-s-economy/

03/16/2021

In Japan, McDonald is pronounced as “Ma-kku” マック! 🍔🍟

03/15/2021

Three more days until this event! Register here: Register here: https://jaschicago.org/event/dawes-1931-diplomatic-mission/

03/12/2021

Looks great to us! #FunFactFriday

03/10/2021

Charles Gates Dawes (1865 – 1951) was the Honorary President of the Japan America Society of Chicago from its founding in 1930 until February 1942, when the Society suspended activities after the outbreak of the Pacific War. Mr. Karr will provide insight into Dawes’ character, the criticality of his role in Paris at that time, and a fresh understanding of the events that were unfolding in Manchuria that eventually led to war in the Pacific. Register here: https://jaschicago.org/event/dawes-1931-diplomatic-mission/

03/08/2021

Three more days until this event! Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ho68PFtsSMSTutqyPgmzDw

Join the Osaka Committee on Thursday, March 11 from 12pm – 1pm for the 10th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Since 2012 the Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International has collaborated with partners across Chicago under the banner of Kizuna 絆, meaning “bond” or connections between people in Japanese.

The theme this year is Inochi (meaning Life) – A Decade of Resilience. This event will feature videos from the people of Tohoku, such as the former Mayor of Kamaishi, who was in Kamaishi when the earthquake happened, a staff member of the Ishinomaki Newspaper Museum, and more. The video will give insight into how people have rebuilt their communities over the last 10 years.

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ho68PFtsSMSTutqyPgmzDw

03/03/2021

Join the Osaka Committee on Thursday, March 11 from 12pm – 1pm for the 10th Anniversary Commemoration Ceremony of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Since 2012 the Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International has collaborated with partners across Chicago under the banner of Kizuna 絆, meaning “bond” or connections between people in Japanese.

The theme this year is Inochi (meaning Life) – A Decade of Resilience. This event will feature videos from the people of Tohoku, such as the former Mayor of Kamaishi, who was in Kamaishi when the earthquake happened, a staff member of the Ishinomaki Newspaper Museum, and more. The video will give insight into how people have rebuilt their communities over the last 10 years.

Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Ho68PFtsSMSTutqyPgmzDw

03/02/2021

Ever heard of Hinamatsuri? It’s tomorrow!

03/01/2021

Three more days to register for this event. Register here: https://jaschicago.org/.../covid-19-memorial-crane-project/

02/26/2021

Karla Funderburk is an artist and the owner of Matter Studio Gallery, located in the Mid City neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. She started The Memorial Crane Project to honor loved ones lost in the U.S. to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Since launching this exhibition in May 2020, she has received a lot of media coverage which, along with social media, has led to an outpouring of support and origami crane contributions.

Though Karla had initially installed the Memorial Crane Project in her studio gallery with some 2,000 handmade origami cranes, by September the exhibit held 8,000 cranes. It currently consists of well over 40,000 cranes and 1,950 names, which are featured on the memorial’s ‘Wall of Remembrance.’

Come join Karla as she tells her story about how a single crane has turned into a local and global call for peace. Karla will take us on a virtual tour of her studio, and will end her presentation with a origami crane folding session. Whether it is your first time folding a crane, or you are a origami master, your crane represents a larger collective journey.
Register here: https://jaschicago.org/event/covid-19-memorial-crane-project/

02/25/2021

One thousand paper cranes is a traditional custom and legend that is still relevant to this day in Japan. This is usually created through the collective effort of friends, classmates, and colleagues.

02/24/2021

Have you ever seen an elevator in Japan without an option for the fourth floor?

02/23/2021

Even if you drop your wallet, there is a high chance someone will find it and bring it to the police station!

02/22/2021

3 more days to register for this event:
Na Omi Shintani creates to express and understand her family’s time in the Tule Lake American Concentration Camp during WWII. Art and storytelling offers a deeper way to connect to history and compassion, going beyond the history textbook. Register here: https://jaschicago.org/event/from-oysters-to-barbed-wire/

02/18/2021

Have you ridden a train in Japan? Did you notice how they’re always on time?

02/17/2021

Na Omi Shintani creates to express and understand her family’s time in the Tule Lake American Concentration Camp during WWII. Art and storytelling offers a deeper way to connect to history and compassion, going beyond the history textbook. Register here: https://www.jaschicago.org/event/from-oysters-to-barbed-wire/
Na Omi Shintani’s artistic career focuses on community engagement, art concerning culture, the Japanese American Incarceration, and women’s issues. She recently had a solo exhibition at the Triton Museum of Art in Santa Clara, CA. Shintani earned her Masters in Arts & Consciousness, Transformative Art from JFK University, Berkeley and her Bachelor’s of Science in Graphic Design from San Jose State University.

02/16/2021

In light of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Japan just three days ago, here are some ways Japan is prepared for earthquakes and other natural disasters as they are no stranger.

02/15/2021

Have you ever been to this onsen?

02/11/2021

This non-melting ice cream was invented by scientists at Biotherapy Development Research Center Co. in Kanazawa. In effort to help strawberry farmers from the repercussions of the Tohoku Tsunami and Earthquake, Japanese chef was tasked to find a way to use polyphenol, an organic compounds extracted from strawberries, instead of wasting them. Thus, non-melting ice cream was created!

02/09/2021

Interested in learning Japanese? Email [email protected] to register!

02/09/2021

Japanese Etiquette #1: tipping is not required, and it simply does not exist. Even if you do try to tip, they will refuse it. The best way is to thank them politely and tell them how much you enjoyed their service!

02/08/2021

The young Mendelssohn embarked on his first solo trip abroad at age 20 when he travelled from his native Germany to England, Scotland and Wales, whose countryside and people later inspired many of his most beloved works, including the Scottish Symphony and the Hebrides Overture. During this significant trip Mendelssohn completed his beautiful string quartet op. 12 which will be featured in this program alongside the music from Miyazaki’s film Howl’s Moving Castle by the renowned Japanese composer Joe Hisaishi which portrays another journey – that of Sophie aboard the young Howl’s fantastic flying castle!

Please join the Italian-Japanese-Chinese- American Scimemi family on this poetic musical journey!
Register here: https://jaschicago.org/event/mendelssohn-miyazaki/

02/05/2021

Liam and Kenzo Flesner enjoyed making their very own maki with their babysitter at the Japan America Society of Chicago's past From Setsubun to Maki event! They did an amazing job - true sushi chefs in the making!

02/04/2021

What’s surprising is that even with limited trash bins, Japan is known for its cleanliness. You don’t really find any trash on the streets, even Tokyo, the busiest city in Japan!

What I did (a JASC intern here!) when I went to Japan last year was to carry a plastic bag where I would put all my disposals and hold it with me the whole day. It was something I definitely was not used to but it’s important to adhere to Japanese manners and societal rules!

02/03/2021

Join JETAA Chicago for the 17th Annual JETAA Chicago Shinnenkai! To welcome the new year, JETAA will celebrate over three days from Friday, February 5 through Sunday, February 7! Each day will have a different focus to celebrate the culture of Japan & our community’s continued connection to it.
Registration and information here: https://www.jetaachicago.com/post/the-annual-shinnenkai-returns

02/02/2021

Happy Setsubun!

Setsubun marks the end of winter and beginning of Spring! This day is celebrated by throwing roasted soybeans targeting family members wearing an oni (ogre) mask which symbolizes purification of evil spirits. Eho-maki, the entire roll, is eaten on this day but in silence; This is believed to bring good luck for this new year!

02/02/2021

Japan America Society of Southern California - [Webinar] All About PPP 2.0 and the Lucrative Employee Retention Credit

https://www.jas-socal.org/event-4146548

The Japan America Society of Southern California was founded on February 21, 1909 to build economic, cultural, governmental and personal relationships between the people of Japan and America. A recognized 501(c)3 non-profit, non-political educational organization consisting of individuals and corpor...

02/01/2021

Three more days until this event! Register here: https://jaschicago.org/event/an-american-salaryman-in-tokyo/

01/29/2021

These oni-themed sweets have us excited for Setsubun!

01/29/2021

Have you ever tried or heard any of these foods?

There’s also a saying that if you love natto, you’re a true Japanese at heart!

We will be hosting an Eho-maki demonstration event featuring Chef Hemmi from Ringo Japanese Restaurant this coming Tuesday!

Register here: https://lnkd.in/gC-gbV6

01/28/2021

3 more days to register for this event! Register here: https://lnkd.in/gC-gbV6

01/27/2021

At this event, author and Chicago native Michael Howard will discuss his romp through four Japanese companies during his recent decade as an immigrant-turned-salaryman in Tokyo. Attendees will hear the painfully funny and insightful truths Howard discovered about modern salaryman life—and all it reveals about the US–Japan culture gap. He will also discuss how he created his fun, illustrated book and comic about Tokyo middle-class life, his partnership with a professional Japanese manga artist, and how anyone can use Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing platform to self-publish a book. Register here: https://jaschicago.org/event/an-american-salaryman-in-tokyo/

01/26/2021

Have you always wondered what goes into a Eho-maki and what the seven fillings represent? Chef Hemmi from Ringo Japanese Restaurant, will give a virtual demonstration on how to make this colorful luck filled roll, followed by a hands on demonstration. Find your inner sushi chef, and learn how to make your own version of this roll with seven ingredients of your choice. Chef Hemmi will briefly speak about the importance of Eho-maki, which is customarily eaten during Setsubun (February 2), as well as explain the correct way to eat the roll to bring extended good luck. A list of ingredients and items needed for the hands on demonstration will be sent prior to the event date.
Register here:
https://jaschicago.org/event/eho-maki-demo-and-workshop/