JAPAN UPDATE HOUSTON CONFERENCE

Over the last several years, Houston and Harris County have welcomed a large number of new Japanese companies and residents.  During this period, the greater Houston area has witnessed substantial new Japanese investment in the areas of oil and gas exploration, construction and ownership of LNG facilities, air conditioning, electrical equipment, manufacturing, petrochemicals, environmental services, aerospace, medical technology and services and process engineering.

The inaugural Japan Update Houston Conference, which was held on February 19, 2016, at the Petroleum Club of Houston,  allowed JASH to draw attention to this growth in Japanese-affiliated business in Houston and to share with the Houston community information on the evolving opportunities for U.S.-Japan cooperation.

In addition, the Japan Update Houston Conference served to bring together over 100 high-level American and Japanese business people in a way that allowed for meaningful exchange.

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KEYNOTE SPEAKER

• Admiral Dennis Blair

Chairman of the Board and CEO of Sasakawa USA

Former director of U.S. National Intelligence

Former Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Command

PANELISTS

• Ambassador Thomas Schieffer

Former U.S. Ambassador to Japan

• Bob Harvey

President and CEO, Greater Houston Partnership

• Marc Watts

President, The Friedkin Group Inc.

• George Avdey

President, Kuraray America, Inc.

• Prof. Hisanori Nei

Professor, National Graduate Institute for Policy Study

• Dr. Michelle Foss

Chief Energy Economist, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas at Austin

• Tadashi Ishizuka

Chief Operating Officer, Mitsui & Co. LNG Investment USA, Inc.

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PRESENTATION MATERIAL

Click here to access Prof. Nei's presentation.

For material presented by Dr. Foss, click here.

27th Annual Houston Regional Japanese Language Speech Contest

Students of the Japanese language from across Greater Houston and neighboring cities competed in the 27th Annual Houston Regional Japanese Language Competition on February 13, 2016.

Over 60 participants from eleven schools showcased their determination, devotion and tenacity as language learners for the chance to advance to the TEXAS STATE JAPANESE LANGUAGE COMPETITION, which will be held on March 12, 2016.

Special recognition was given to the top three contestants in each category.  The top two contestants from will advance to State.

Congratulations to the following students:
POETRY:    
1st      Khanh Vu, Morton Ranch High School
2nd   Alice Liu, Bellaire High School
3rd    Gustavo Rivera, Westside High School
    
HAIKU:    
1st       Yu Sun, Bellaire High School
2nd    Tin-Yi Lii, Bellaire High School
3rd     Camilla Chen, Cinco Ranch High School
    
SKIT:    
1st     “Unexpected Result,” Bellaire High School
    – Susan Yu, Eunice Valenzuela, Anthony Hoang, and Harvey Gao
2nd    “Nina’s Heart," Bellaire High School
    – Yenny Nguyen, Emma-Leigh Crooks, Anh Nguyen, and Alan Barron
3rd    “Untitled," Bellaire High School
    – Hana Bryson and Kendra Shelvin
    
FREE SPEECH WITH TEXT:    
1st     Bernice Tsao, Bellaire High School
2nd   Daniel Hingco, Westside High School
3rd    Indah Rahmadina, James E. Taylor High School
    
FREE SPEECH – AURORA:    
1st     Fiona Yeung, Bellaire High School
2nd   Danna Najjar, Cinco Ranch High School
3rd    Aisha Aslam, Westside High School
    
FREE SPEECH – COLLEGE / UNIVERSITY:    
1st     Jessica Ramirez, Texas A&M University
2nd   Amanda Petty, Texas A&M University
3rd    Yves Perez, Lone Star College

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SPECIAL THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THE CONTEST POSSIBLE:

• Consulate-General of Japan in Houston
• Japanese Teachers Association of Texas
• University of St. Thomas Center for International Studies
• All Nippon Airways
• LaVerl Daily
• Countless volunteers

Journey Through Japan - JASH Gala 2015

JASH Gala 2015 was held on October 31, 2015 at the Omni Hotel and Resorts Galleria Houston. 

Co-chaired by George Avdey, CEO and President of Kuraray America, Inc., and Miwa Sakashita, the event showcased Japan's splendid blend of traditions and modern culture through a "Journey Through Japan: From Antiquity to Today."

Joining in the celebration was Honorary Chair Hideki Kunugi, Senior Vice President and General Manager of The Americas of All Nippon Airways (ANA), who played a key role in making possible the daily non-stop flight between Houston and Tokyo by ANA from June of this year.

Keynote Speaker Harris County Judge Ed Emmett also honored JASH with his presence and special stories from his own Japan journeys.

The annual gala, which features a cocktail reception, a silent auction, and a seated dinner, is JASH's primary fundraiser and secures support for programs that highlight the important and increasingly dynamic cooperation between Japan and the United States.

We are grateful to all our sponsors, donors, guests and volunteers for their generous support.

CHIYODA SPONSORS

• Kuraray America, Inc.
• Dr. John Stroehlein and Miwa Sakashita

HANZOMON SPONSORS

• The Friedkin Group
• Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
• Satake USA Inc.

MITA SPONSORS

• Air Liquide Large Industries US, L.P.
• Chemic Engineers
• JGC Energy Development (USA) Inc.
• Joe and Merrill Hafner
• Dr. Ritsuko Komaki and Dr. James Cox
• Mayer Brown
• Yasuhiko and Akemi Saitoh
• Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
• William and Linda Weiland
• Yokogawa Corporation of America

UNDERWRITERS

• Kuraray America, Inc.
• BakerHostetler
• INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA

HOST COMMITTEE

• A.O. International
• BDP International
• Beirne, Maynard & Parsons, L.L.P.
• Cole Chemical & Distributing, Inc.
• Harold S. Goldstein
• Glen and Kathy Gondo
• U.S.-Japan Council
• Nanako and Dale Tingleaf
• Tokio Marine
• Vale Russell

DONORS

• Computerdojo, Inc.
• FDIII LLC
• F-O-R-T-U-N-E Personnel Consultants of Houston, Inc.
• Gantrade Corporation
• Mr. and Mrs. Yukio Inagaki
• A.R. “Tony” and Maria J. Sanchez Family Foundation
• George O. Suman, Jr.
• Mr. and Mrs. Barry Hunsaker
• Mrs. Tomiko Mita-Mayo
• Mr. and Mrs. Koushik Mitra
• NA Industries, Inc.
• Mr. and Mrs. Yukio Inagaki
• Mrs. Akiko Sato-Fredricks
• Mrs. Chiharu Hakone
• Mrs. Tomoe VonGruenigen
• Ms. Joanie Patrick
• Prof. and Mrs. William Cunningham

Special thanks go to:

• Consul-General Nozomu Takaoka and Mrs. Yumi Takaoka
• Mistress of Ceremonies Shara Fryer
• Kuraray America, Inc.
• Mrs. LaVerl Daily and The Tachibana Ikebana Center
• Our many volunteers, particularly those from Satake USA, Inc.

Happy Trails to You, Consul-General and Mrs. Takaoka!

After two-years in Houston, The Honorable Consul-General Nozomu Takaoka and Mrs. Yumi Takaoka will be returning to Japan. 

JASH bid farewell to Consul-General and Mrs. Takaoka in a Texas-themed soiree on November 19.

At the event, Consul-General Takaoka was named an honorary member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) by HLSR President and CEO Joel Cowley.  President Cowley was joined by HLSR Board Members Jim Brock and Sharleen Walkoviak to present Consul-General Takaoka with an HLSR jacket and belt buckle.

We thank Consul-General and Mrs. Takaoka for their support of JASH and their dedication to the promotion of friendship and ties between Houston and Japan.  

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It's the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here's a happy one for you.

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.

Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again.

-Lyrics to "Happy Trails" by Dale Evans Rogers

Annual Fall Garden Cleanup

Despite the forecast of rain, nearly 30 friends came out for the Annual Fall Japanese Garden Cleanup on Saturday, November 7th. 

お疲れ様 and ありがとう to all who volunteered their time to tidy the tea house and groom the garden grounds.  We greatly appreciate your help!

Japanese Garden Restoration and Renovation

The Japanese Garden in Hermann Park will be under construction from November 9, 2015 through April 23, 2016. 

Please expect partial path closures as certain portions of the garden may be blocked for safety during construction.

To learn more about garden restoration and renovation project, click here.

Now Extended: Due To Popular Demand

photos: Thomas Dubrock

Many thanks to Glasstire for naming I am Content With What I Lack: The Poetics of Japanese Gardens as one of the Top 5 Exhibitions in Texas this week.  Click here for more.

Due to popular demand, I am Content With What I Lack: The Poetics Of Japanese Gardens is now extended through Saturday, September 26.

The exhibition features the work of four local Japanese artists in a beautiful garden setting:

• Keiji Asakura
• Terry Hagiwara
• Mari Omori
• Masaru Takiguchi

Admission is free. 

Times vary by day of the week.  Contact JASH at 713.963.0121.

Tuesday, Wednesday:  11AM - 3PM or by appointment

Thursday, Friday, Saturday:  11:30AM - 5:30PM

A Little Bit Softer Now

JASH's inaugural exhibition, I am Content With What I Lack: The Poetics of Japanese Gardens, has been named one of Houstonia Magazine's top picks for arts, culture and events in Houston this week!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at the exhibition opening reception on Friday, September 11 from 6-8 PM at 4411 Montrose.

Read more here about the exhibition here: www.houstoniamag.com

Sayoonara, JJ Naoki

Long-standing JASH leader, esteemed Chairman Emeritus Junjiro "J.J." NAOKI, will be returning to Japan this week after over 15 years in Houston.

Mr. Naoki first came to Houston in 1998 as the President and CEO of Satake U.S.A. Inc., the industry leader in optical sorting technology for the food industry.  Recognizing that global thinking and cultural understanding are powerful business tools, he wasted no time in becoming a leading advocate of U.S.-Japan friendship in the community.

His achievements/contributions include:

• Serving on the JASH Board over 10 years and as JASH Board President since 2011
• Supporting the formation of the Japanese Association of Greater Houston
• Securing gardeners from Japan to renovate and maintain the Japan Garden in Hermann Park and guiding the formation of an advisory council to ensure the garden’s upkeep
• Forming a delegation to visit Japan in honor of the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Houston and Chiba City
• Organizing The Manjiro Society for International Exchange, Inc.’s Grassroots Summit in Houston in 2002
• Welcoming the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Training Squadron on their stop at the Port of Houston in 2006
• Providing leadership and monetary support to ensure the sustainability of annual Japan-related community events, from the annual Bento Contest, Regional and State Japanese Language Speech Contests, and Japan Festival Houston

In recognition of his contributions to the City and citizens of Houston, Mr. Naoki was appointed Honorary Citizen of Houston and selected to serve as a Goodwill Ambassador of Houston.

We thank Mr. Naoki for his long-standing leadership of JASH and his dedication to the promotion of Japanese culture in Houston.  We will miss you, JJ!!

2015 Houston-Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassador Exchange

The 2015 Houston-Chiba Sister City Youth Ambassador Exchange Program (Program) offered four (4) middle school students from Chiba City the opportunity to contribute to an enduring relationship between the U.S. and Japan by serving as goodwill ambassadors to Houston from August 16-29, 2015. 

While in Houston, the Chiba Youth Ambassadors visited NASA, Battleship Texas, San Jacinto Monument, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and more.  The students also tried their hand at kayaking and ice skating, and even had the opportunity to visit with Mayor Anise Parker, who took time to explain the City of Houston seal. 

The highlight of this year's Program was undoubtedly the week spent at River Oaks Baptist School (ROBS).  The Chiba Youth Ambassadors attended classes alongside their host sibling or school buddy.  They also took the time to share Japanese culture through dance in a performance of the "soran bushi" in front of the entire school.

We commend the Chiba Youth Ambassadors and their ROBS hosts for having the initiative, courage, and maturity to embrace this opportunity to foster mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Houston and Chiba.

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History of the Houston-Chiba Friendship

The Houston, Texas—Chiba City, Japan sister city relationship was established in 1972.  Over the years, there have been many official and private exchanges and visitations between citizens of the two cities.  As a two-way program, shared by both communities, the sister city relationship brings together both the municipal and volunteer community resources, and offers a mechanism for individuals and organizations, youths and adults, to be involved in the rewarding field of international relations.

Annual Youth Ambassador Exchange

The backbone of the Houston-Chiba Sister City relationship has long been the annual middle school student exchange program, which has been active since 1982.  In alternating years, middle school students and a chaperone from each city participate in a homestay for two weeks.  Students stay with host families, meet city officials, attend classes at middle school, interact with teens their age, make cultural presentations, and enjoy visiting local sights, while experiencing home and school life in a culture very different from their own.  Participants gain new insights into another culture as well as their own, increase maturity and independence, make life-long friends, and become a part of a global community. Students are selected based upon their ability to demonstrate flexibility and an open mind, have an above-average academic record, and are involved in community and extracurricular activities.