October 2021
In This Issue
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Southeast-U.S. Association Video Presentation Available for Viewing |
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This year’s Southeast-U.S. Association annual in-person conference, which had been scheduled to take place in Tokyo, was canceled due to the pandemic. The member states and Japan co-produced a video presentation in lieu of the event, which is now available for viewing at this link:
https://arrangementmaster.com/events/japan-seus/video
The video includes messages from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and governors of other member states and also features three Japanese companies with a significant presence in the Southeast U.S. Each of these companies has a very strong presence right here in Tennessee.
A message from Virgil Miller, Chairman for the U.S. side, regarding this year’s virtual programming:
On behalf of the member states of the SEUS-Japan Alliance and as Co-Chair for this year’s summit, it is my pleasure to share a video presentation of the 2021 Annual Joint Meeting of the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association and the Southeast U.S./Japan Association. While we are unable to gather in-person this year, the alliance continues in its commitment to enhancing strong economic and diplomatic ties, and deepening connections with our Japanese friends. This video highlights the enduring strength of our bilateral partnership - developed over five decades – and recognizes the importance of Japanese businesses in our region. I would like to extend my gratitude to Chairman Asada, and all of our partners as we continue to work together to support this alliance throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. It has been an honor to serve as Co-Chair of this important association, and I look forward to joining together in Florida next year. |
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Global Town Hall With Ambassador of Japan to the United States Mr. Koji Tomita
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Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States Mr. Koji Tomita will speak at a Global Town Hall on November 2nd at Belmont University in Nashville. Ambassador Tomita will discuss the U.S.-Japan relationship, economic developments, strategic challenges, and much more. Registration and networking will begin at 5:30 p.m. CDT. The program starts at 6:00 p.m. CDT. The Global Town Hall is presented by the Tennessee World Affairs Council in association with Belmont University Center for International Business, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Sister Cities of Nashville and the Japan-America Society of Tennessee. To find out more and to register, please click here
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Celebrating Japanese Culture in Memphis on November 7th!
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The Memphis Japan Festival, celebrating Japan’s people and culture, is returning to Memphis Botanic Garden on Sunday, November 7th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CST.
The Memphis Japan Festival is a fun, family-friendly day of Japanese culture and will include tours of the Japanese Garden of Tranquility (Seijaku-En), martial arts on the lawn, Japanese cuisine, anime vendors, children’s activities and performances by St. Louis Osuwa Taiko, Japanese rock band KAZHA and the Kent Family Magic Circus. For more Festival information, please visit www.memphisjapanfestival.org.
Many thanks to our generous civic-minded sponsors who are providing primary funding for the Festival: Diamond Sponsors - Brother Industries (U.S.A.), Inc., Shelby County Government and The City of Memphis; Grantmaking Sponsor - Tennessee Arts Commission; Gold Sponsors - FedEx, Greater Memphis Chamber, Japanese Traders and Manufacturers Association, Memphis Light, Gas and Water, NKC of America, Inc. and The Mitsui U.S.A. Foundation; and Bronze Sponsors - First Horizon Bank, The Belz Foundation and TVA - Tennessee Valley Authority.
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2021 Women’s Leadership Forum & Networking Luncheon Coming in December
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Living Our Best Lives: Leading the Way to A Shared Future
Our annual Women's Leadership Forum & Networking Luncheon brings into focus the critical need to invest in the advancement of women everywhere, but specifically in the U.S. and Japan. We highlight the benefits of societies free from gender bias, advancing social and economic equality, future jobs growth, economic and political stability and inclusive prosperity.
This year, the Women’s Leadership Forum will be an opportunity for JAST members and friends to connect and build relationships again after a period of distance.
Date, speakers and venue coming soon.
Stay tuned! |
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View from Tennessee by Mina Johnson |
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Guest writers with connections to Japan living in Tennessee and and connections to Tennessee living in Japan have been invited to share their thoughts, sentiments and experiences.
In this issue, we are featuring an article by Mina Johnson. As the first Japanese-American elected to Nashville’s Metro Council in 2015, Mina served on the Planning, Zoning and Historical Committee; the Public Works Committee; and the Rules, Confirmation and Elections Committee until September 2019. |
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Becoming the first Japanese-American Metro Nashville Council member
A few years after I moved to the United States, my mother shared a conversation she had with my grandmother. My grandmother told my mother that when I was just a little girl, I said, “I'm going to America when I grow up, and I’ll bring my mom, too.” “And, she is really gone now.”, my grandmother said. I vaguely remember saying that to my grandmother. It makes me wonder why a child, prior to kindergarten age and who didn’t even know where America was, told such a story.
I left Japan in 1989 when I was entrusted with the responsibility of opening a new restaurant in Atlanta. I came to Atlanta alone, setting up a company, contracting a lease, renovating the interior, hiring local employees, obtaining visas for Japanese employees, to open a restaurant from scratch in a city where I knew no one. At that time, I didn't speak English very well, so I always carried a small English/Japanese dictionary with me wherever I went. Apparently, the concept of a sushi bar, Italian food and live jazz music must have been too far ahead of the times. When the company decided to close, I had an option of going back to Japan, but for some reason I felt more comfortable in the American atmosphere. I moved to Cincinnati and managed a restaurant division of the Omni Netherland Hotel before moving to Nashville in 1994. Since then, I have become a naturalized American citizen, and in 2005, I brought my mother from Japan to live with me and my husband.
During my school days, I had no clear vision about my future. So, why was I elected to the Nashville Metro government Council in 2015? People often ask me if I've always been interested in politics, but that wasn't the case at all. I had never thought about becoming a Metro Council representative until my predecessor recommended me. When none of my colleagues who had been involved in community activities with me for more than 10 years raised their hands, I decided to run. I ran with a sense of mission that I had to do it.
It may be unusual for a Japanese woman to run for an elected position, especially in an adopted country. However, I think that the soul of sincerity and integrity cultivated during my high school kendo club era resonated with the volunteer spirit of Tennessee. I had been accepted by the local people who looked beyond my appearance.
Now, out of Metro Council, I currently serve on the Metro Nashville Planning Commission as a representative of Mayor John Cooper, and the Metro Nashville Historic Zoning Commission. I am also greatly involved in Sister Cities of Nashville. I would like to continue to be a bridge that connects people by applying the Southern hospitality of Tennessee and “Omotenashi”, the heart of Japanese hospitality installed in me.
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Test your knowledge of Japan!
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Japan is famous for its various and entertaining manga series. Which of the below is the longest running manga series still in publication?
A) One Piece
B) Golgo 13
C) Detective Conan
D) Baki the Grappler
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Looking for a new podcast to binge? Check out this month’s JAST Pick, Japan Eats!, a podcast about Japanese cuisine. Join host Akiko Katayama, a Japan native, New York-based food writer and director of the New York Japanese Culinary Academy, and learn about real Japanese food and food culture. With guests ranging from sake producers with generations of experience to American chefs pushing the envelope of Japanese gastronomy, Japanese cuisine is demystified here! You can listen to Japan Eats! here |
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Join the Japan-America Society of Washington D.C. for Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki cooking class! Okonomiyaki is a type of savory pancake. Both Osaka and Hiroshima are famous for their different styles of okonomiyaki, with Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki being famous for including soba noodles and its unique cooking method! |
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Come learn about the Japanese art of chadō (The Way of Tea)! For centuries, 茶の湯 (Chanoyu) has been refined by countless "masters" dedicated to this art. The respect for nature, the appreciation of the seasons, the sense of tranquility embedded in the ceremony, and the purity of its aesthetics are all part of what makes chadō unique.
By engaging in the preparation and serving of matcha tea to others, one can enjoy a great variety of experiences. Lindsey Strirek will introduce chadō and dig into the philosophy, history, and aesthetics of this centuries-old artistic practice. She will also introduce you to the multi-faceted art of making a bowl of tea. You will also learn how to be a proper guest at a tea ceremony and how to make a delicious bowl of matcha at home! |
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Japanese-American artist Na Omi Shintani explores her heritage and the loss of it through altering and honoring kimonos |
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Guide to Daily Living in Tennessee |
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JAST's Guide to Daily Living in Tennessee is now available! It's for newcomers and long-time residents originally from Japan to familiarize them with essential information on aspects of daily life that may differ from life in Japan and other parts of the world where they may have lived before relocating to Tennessee. Please let your Japanese friends know about this guide. We hope this will be helpful to our Japanese community! https://www.jptnguide.org/ |
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Partner Resources COVID-19 |
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JAST is generously supported by these outstanding partners
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Austin Peay State University
Baker Donelson
Jack and Barbara Bovender
DENSO Manufacturing Tennessee, Inc.
Clay and Cathy Jackson Humanities Tennessee
Komatsu America Corp.
The Mitsui U.S.A. Foundation T-Mobile |
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