ANA QUARANTINE PACKAGE CAMPAIGN

In compliance with Japan's requirements for entry and to help prevent the further spread of COVID, All Nippon Airways (ANA) has announced the start of their Quarantine Package Campaign.

This comprehensive Japan-entry package includes COVID testing, hotel accommodation and private transportation for customers who plan to stay abroad for an extended period of time before returning to Japan. Additionally, for customers returning to Japan who may have difficulty making hotel arrangements and are restricted from using public transportation, ANA is offering a variety of hotel plans for those who need to quarantine as well as transportation services.

To learn more about this program, click the button below:

Happy New Year 2021

In this year of the “Ushi” (cow/ox), the Texas longhorn serves as a fitting visual symbol of resilience and new growth.

As we remember what we have endured and achieved together in 2020, we are eager to take on the many challenges and opportunities before us in 2021. We will continue to work towards strengthening the core tenants of our mission – raising the profile of Japan in Houston while cultivating constructive, resonant and dynamic relationships between the people of the U.S. and Japan.

Our signature programs — from the Japan Currents Houston Conference to the Texas State Japanese Language Speech Contest — will continue virtually.  JASH will also carry on with online Japanese language classes.  In addition, throughout the year, JASH will be taking time to develop a new array of programs that foster mutual understanding, appreciation and cooperation between the people of Texas and the United States. 

All of this would not be possible without the support of individuals, corporations and foundations, and we are grateful to those who help us bring the people of Japan and the United States closer together. Your support is, and will continue to be, critical to our success.

With much hope and Texas grit, we look to the GOOD THINGS TO COME and wish you a healthy and prosperous year.

今年は丑年！ Resilience ー回復力ーと新たな成長を感じさせるテキサスロングホーンは、今年を象徴します。

この resilience に支えられて、私達はヒューストンでの日本の知名度を高めながら、日米間の建設的で共鳴し合うダイナミックな関係を築くというJASHの使命の基盤を強化するためにさらに努力を続けていきたいと思っております。

Japan Currents Houston ConferenceやTexas State Japanese Language Speech Contestを含む JASHの主要なプログラムは、引き続き2021年もバーチャルな形で実施いたします。 また、オンラインでの日本語クラスの提供も継続していきます。 さらに、JASHでは、テキサスや米国の人々との相互理解、感謝、協力を促進するための新しいプログラムも年間を通して展開していう予定です。

JASHのすべての活動は個人、企業、そして団体からのご支援なしには実施することができません。日本とアメリカの人々が互いに理解、感謝、そして協力することを通じて、より親密な絆を築くために、皆様のご参加とご支援を引き続きどうぞよろしくお願い申し上げます。

多くの希望とテキサス級のグリットと共に、本年の皆様方のご健勝とご多幸をお祈り申し上げます。

MOTIA's Investment and Trade Mission to Japan

Image provided by MOTIA

The Mayor's Office of Trade and International Affairs (MOTIA) together with the Greater Houston Partnership and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) hosted a bi-lateral, virtual trade mission to Japan. The trade mission focused on the themes of transportation, resiliency, and economic development to align with Mayor Sylvester Turner’s priorities.

It was kicked off with a virtual flight hosted by All Nippon Airways to celebrate the new round-trip flights between Houston and Tokyo's Haneda airport. Leadership meetings with the Mayor of our Sister City of Chiba, JETRO, Mitsubishi Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, and the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) highlighted the robust partnership between Houston and Japan. The mission culminated in a Trade and Investment Seminar with over 300 Japanese investors scouting Houston as their next business destination.

Japan is Houston’s 9th largest trading partner. For the past 10 years, trade between Houston and Japan averaged $5.8 billion annually and was valued at $9.2 billion in 2019. There are over 70 Japanese companies with a business presence in Houston and the surrounding area. This trade mission further cultivated Houston’s strong relationship to Japan and explored new business opportunities that may enhance the local economy, creating jobs and investment across the city.

Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation to William H. Weiland

The Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) is thrilled to share that the Government of Japan has recognized our very own William H. Weiland with the 2020 Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation.

Mr. Weiland has served on the JASH Board of Directors at various periods over the past 30 years.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Mr. Weiland, working with fellow JASH Board Member Joe Hafner, the President of Riviana Foods, and then Japanese Consul General Yasuo Hori, devoted substantial personal time and effort to the development and construction of the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park.

In 2013, Mr. Weiland was asked to take on the role of Vice-President of JASH and soon thereafter was elected President, a role he served in until 2019.

Because of Mr. Weiland’s dedication and leadership, the Japan-America Society of Houston is well positioned to continue to perform its core mission of uniting Houston’s diverse community, local businesses, and individuals to advance the mutual interest of, and the strong bonds between, the people of Japan and the United States.

Mr. Weiland has led our organization with both honor and distinction, and we are delighted that he has been recognized for his contributions to U.S.-Japan ties.

Mr. Weiland is to receive an award certificate and a commemorative gift in recognition of his contributions promoting the mutual understanding between Japan and the United States in Houston.

JASH & SATAKE USA, Inc. Bring "Okome no Gakko" to Houston

On Thursday, October 8th, JASH kicked off its participation in the 2020 #OnigiriAction campaign by celebrating onigiri’s main ingredient – rice.

“Okome no Gakko” or “School of Rice” was presented in partnership with SATAKE USA, Inc. to provide insight into Japan’s rice culture.

SATAKE USA, Inc. President and CEO, Mr. Motoharu “Max” YOSHIMASA greeted guests and shared information about the company.

SATAKE Corporation, which was founded in 1896, produced Japan’s first milling machine and has been leading post-harvest technology ever since. SATAKE was introduced to the US market in 1960, and in 1980, SATAKE USA, Inc. was established in Houston. As SATAKE USA, Inc. celebrates the 40th anniversary of the establishment of its Houston office, they continue to dominate market share in their industry. Satake has retained a market share of over 95% in US, which essentially means SATAKE has been milling all rice produced in the US for the past 60 years. Their technology is also now utilized for wheat, corn and soybeans and in many other industries.

While the leading provider of technology for the processing of rice and grain, SATAKE actively supports sustainable agriculture and food education. In 2005, the company launched “Okome no Gakko” and has reached more than 10, 000 participants of all ages in Japan.

“This program offers opportunity to learn how rice carefully grown, how to process after harvesting, health benefit of eating rice.”

-Mr. YOSHIMASA, SATAKE USA, Inc. President & CEO

Following, YOSHIMASA-san's remarks, members of the SATAKE Group team from Hiroshima gave the first ever “Okome no Gakko” lecture in English for a US audience. Rice sommelier Naoji OTAKI, with the assistance of Ikuo NISHINA, provided an entertaining presentation covering rice structure, different varieties of rice, and rice cultivation in Japan. OTAKI-san and NISHINA-san also provided insight into post-harvest rice processing using Satake’s own advanced technology and shared the health benefits of rice along with tips for cooking and keeping storing rice.

“After my lecture, you will eat rice tasty and healthy. I believe that!”

- Mr. OTAKI, Rice Sommelier

We are delighted that, through “Okome no Gakko,” JASH was able to highlight the significance of rice in Japanese culture and promote healthy eating habits with rice at the core of one’s diet.

Join JASH & TFT for Onigiri Action in October

This October, the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) will support TABLE FOR TWO's Onigiri Action 2020 campaign.

Onigiri Action is an annual social good campaign in autumn connecting the simple act of taking a photo with helping to feed school children in need. Every time someone takes a photo of a Japanese rice ball and posts with #OnigiriAction, five school meals are donated to children in need around the world.

World Food Day on October 16 was established by the United Nations as a day for everyone to think about food problems in the world. To celebrate World Food Day, TABLE FOR TWO (TFT) holds Onigiri Action with a goal to deliver 1 million meals to children in need every year. TFT first started in Japan and featuring Onigiri celebrates rice, one of the major Japanese agricultural products, and showcases the Japanese tradition of making onigiri for loved ones.

10月16日は国連が設定した世界食糧デー。今年もヒューストン日米協会（JASH)は、開発途上国の飢餓と先進国の肥満や生活習慣病の解消に同時の取り組む日本発のNPO「TABLE FOR TWO」の「おにぎりアクション2020｣をサポートします。

日本食のシンボルであるおにぎりの写真やおにぎりと一緒の写真を１枚投稿することで、食事を必要としている子供達に給食５食分が寄付されるこのキャンペーン。おにぎりのイラスト、クラフトなどおにぎりに関係した写真の投稿も大歓迎です。また、投稿数の制限はありません。ご家族、お友達と一緒におにぎりの写真を投稿して、子供達に給食を届けませんか。

ANA Resumes Houston-Haneda Flights in October

All Nippon Airways is pleased to announce that flights between Houston (IAH) and Tokyo Haneda (HND) will resume beginning in October with three (3) round trip flights per week (Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays).

Other planned changes include an increase in flights between Haneda and Sydney, Haneda and Paris, Narita and New York, and Narita and Mexico. Additionally, the Narita to Honolulu route will resume 2 round-trip services in October in order to meet the demands of passengers for studying or working purposes.

Currently, ANA has:

• Daily operations from LAX (Los Angeles) to NRT (Tokyo Narita)

• Daily operations from from ORD (Chicago) to NRT

• Three (3) flights per week from SFO (San Francisco) to NRT

• Three (3) flights per week from JFK (New York) to NRT

• Three (3) flights per week from YVR (Vancouver) to HND

• Three (3) flights per week from IAD (Dulles) to HND

• Three (3) flights per week from LAX to HND

• Five (5) flights per week from MEX (Mexico City) to NRT

---

---

Tsukuba University's 9th Art Writer Award for High School Students

Image provided by Tsukuba University

The School of Art & Design at Tsukuba University is hosting the 9th Art Writer Award for High School Students contest. This competition allows students to develop the ability to convey their ideas and thoughts about art in their own words through a 1000-word essay.

The contest will be held over the course of two (2) years and is divided into two (2) categories: English essays and Japanese essays. Essays in English will be collected and judged in 2020 and essays in Japanese in 2021.

The essay topics for this year are:

• Japanese Art
  Write about Japanese art.

• Creative Experience
  Write about a personal experience creating an art work.

• Art and Life 2020
  Write about art and life in contemporary worldwide situations.

---

 ELIGIBILITY

 To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be high school students or students attending a public institution equivalent to an upper secondary school (in Japan, mostly ages ranging from 15 to 18 years old) at the time of the application.

ESSAY REQUIREMENTS & HINTS

• The essay must be written by the individual.

• The essay must have a title.

• Students may think and write logically about the topic like a short thesis.

• Students may talk about personal feelings as one might when reminiscing.

• Students may also focus on reporting a topic in a journalistic style.

Please note: Although “Art” will be assumed to describe visual arts focused on art and design, the essay writer is free to define art according to his or her own view.

---

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN WRITING THE ESSAY

Title and Other Information

• Fill in the file name (applicant's last name_first name), country, school name, title of the essay and the applicant’s name at the top of the essay.

Main Text

• Applicants may use sub-headers throughout the main text if necessary.

Quotes and References

• If quoting the thoughts or words of another person, use double quotation marks around the text (“ ”) and clarify within the body of the essay who the author is.

  • For example: McClellan stated, “Art museums have never been more popular” (McClellan 2008, 1). (Author’s surname, publication year, quoted pages).

Make a list of references and place it after the essay.

• From a book:

  • McClellan, Andrew. 2008. The Art Museum from Bullée to Bilbao. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press.
    (Author's surname, first name. Publication year. Title of book. Location: Publisher.)

• From a journal article:

  • Ashton, Alex. 2016. “Drawing on Philosophy – An Investigation of Theory in Praxis.” International Journal of Education Through Art, 12: 271-289.
    (Author's surname, first name. Publication year. “Article title.” Journal title, volume number: page numbers.)

• From the internet:

  • School of Art and Design. 2019. “History of the School of Art and Design.” Accessed April 1, 2019. http://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp.
    (Author's name. Publication year. “Article title.”Accessed date. URL)

Make a list of figures and place it after the essay.

• If you quote images from a book or other materials, list the reference as shown below:
  Figure 1. A page from the instruction book for professional painters. Hokusai Katsushika, Ehon Saishikitsu, 1848, 54-55.

  • (Title of the image. Author’s name, Book title, publication year, page numbers)

• If you show images of your art work, list them as below:
  Figure 2. Alex Ashton, Untitled; a drawing from my sketchbook, 2020. Photo by the author.

  • (Artist’s name, Title of the work, year of creation. The photographer’s name, etc.)

• These examples use Chicago Manual of Style. Other standard styles, such as The Modern Language Association (MLA), are acceptable.

• The list of reference materials is not included in the word count.

Pictures and Photographs

• Show as many of the images and art works you refer to in the essay as possible.
  However, rather than pasting lots of images at once in the essay, try to effectively place necessary images throughout the essay in a way that ensures things can easily be seen.

• Directly paste the images within the essay file, and use the “text wrap” setting within Word so that the images and text do not end up on top of each other.

• If any artistic works are used in the essay, provide a brief explanation of the work in parentheses (Artist’s name, Title of work, size, materials used, technique used, year of creation, place housing the work, etc.) in the body of the essay. Alternatively, you can provide these explanation as a caption below the image.

  • For example, put text in a textbox and place it below the image.
    Then, use the grouping function in Word to group the text and image together.
    This makes the layout easier to maintain.

• If more than one image is placed within the essay, add a number to the caption for the picture in the chronological order that it appears, such as Figure 1.

• Note that if the contest hosts decide to publicly display a submitted essay, the work may be presented with images removed for copyright reasons.

---

HOW TO APPLY:

• Write your essay using the Template file - download [here].

• Save the file for the essay using the applicant’s name in English (last name_first name).
  For example, Mr. Pablo Picasso’s essay would be “picasso_pablo.docx”.
  Only documents submitted in “.docx” or“.doc” Microsoft Word formats will be accepted.

• Fill out the online application [here].
  You can save and resume your progress by clicking “Save” at the bottom of the form.

• Attach your essay file by clicking “Upload." Check that you have filled all the items and click “Submit” at the bottom of the form.
  The message “Your application was submitted.” will be shown. You will receive an e-mail notifying you that your submission has been completed.

Applications are being accepted online through September 30, 2020.

For additional details, please click on the link below:

http://www.geijutsu.tsukuba.ac.jp/~awa/

---

SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS

Hosted by:

• School of Art and Design, University of Tsukuba

Endorsed by:

• Ibaraki Prefecture

• National Association of Art and Craft Education in High School

• International Society for Education Through Art – InSEA

Directed by:

• Art Environment Support

• University of Tsukuba Social Contribution Project

With Cooperation from:

• Turner Color Inc.

From Hiroshima to Houston: Dr. Ritsuko Komaki Cox, MD, FACR, FASTRO

Hiroshima’s Children’s Peace Monument

Houston’s MD Anderson Proton Therapy Center

As the U.S. and Japan celebrate the 75th anniversary of peace, we remember not only those lost, but also those who have dedicated their lives to the betterment of others in the aftermath of the horrifying tragedy.

It was the childhood experiences in the wake of the bombing of Hiroshima that led Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) supporter and accomplished radiation oncologist Dr. Ritsuko Komaki Cox (Emeritus Professor from UT MD Anderson Cancer Center and Adjunct Professor of Radiation Oncology and Scientific Research Departments at the Baylor College of Medicine), to her decision to become a cancer investigator and physician.

Dr. Komaki was born in Amagasaki City, Hyogo prefecture between Osaka and Kobe. Born to parents originally from Hiroshima, the family returned to their hometown when she was four years old to assist family that had survived the atomic bomb.

During her elementary school years, she made friends with a classmate, Sadako Sasaki. Sadako, at the age of 11 after exposure to atomic bomb radiation, was diagnosed with leukemia and passed nine months later. While she was in hospital, Sadako attempted to fold 1,000 origami paper cranes, believing, as many Japanese do, that if she folded 1,000 cranes, she would recover from her illness.

After the loss of her friend, Dr. Komaki, with the help of Sadako’s older brother and their classmates, raised funds and built the Children’s Peace Monument in Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park in honor of Sadako and the many other child victims of the atomic bomb.

Soon after, Dr. Komaki began to study medicine at the University of Hiroshima where she focused on the affects of A-Bomb radiation on the human body. Having grown up with friends and family affected by this radiation, Dr. Komaki felt it her mission not only to treat those who suffered, but also work towards a world where those lost are not forgotten and that a war that took so many lives is not repeated.

Dr. Komaki’s passionate fight to rectify the damage caused by radiation has been highlighted in The New York Times, People Magazine, USA Today, ABC News and more.

---

---

Dr. Komaki’s full story can be read in Aya Fujiwara and David R. Marples’ newly released book,  Hiroshima-75: Nuclear Issues in Global Contexts.

Watch Dr. Komaki speak from 2:14

---

Dr. Komaki’s interview broadcast on the August 6, 2020 edition of “Houston Matters” discusses how growing up in Hiroshima inspired her medical career.

Listen to Dr. Komaki speak from 13:04

---

[UPDATED] ANA Suspends Houston-Haneda Flights Through SEPTEMBER 30

Photo by Akiyoshi Inoue

updated 8/4/2020

All Nippon Airways has reached a decision to extend the current suspension of its IAH-HND flight beyond August 31 to the end of September.

Currently, ANA has:

• Daily operations from LAX (Los Angeles) to NRT (Tokyo Narita)

• Daily operations from from ORD (Chicago) to NRT

• Three (3) flights per week from SFO (San Francisco) to NRT

• Three (3) flights per week from JFK (New York) to NRT

• Three (3) flights per week from YVR (Vancouver) to HND

• Three (3) flights per week from IAD (Dulles) to HND

• Three (3) flights per week from LAX to HND

• Five (5) flights per week from MEX (Mexico City) to NRT

---

---

We look forward to the return of ANA operations from Houston to Tokyo Haneda as soon as safely possible.

In the meantime, we hope that all our All Nippon Airways friends stay healthy.

JFEST 2020 Cancelled

It is with much disappointment and sadness that the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH) announces the cancellation of the 27th Annual Japan Festival Houston.

Out of an interest for public health and safety in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and taking into account the uncertainty of whether the high caseload of viral infections in Houston can be brought under control in time for a festival that in past years has been attended by between 25,000 and 30,000 individuals, the decision was reached to avoid the scheduling of a large in-person event during early fall.

“As much as we have looked forward to the Festival serving as the kickoff in Houston of the celebration of the 2020 Japanese Summer Olympics, we feel it essential that we do our part to curb the spread of COVVD-19. The safety and well-being of our community remains our top priority.”

– Laird Doran, President of Japan-America Society of Houston

With the Tokyo 2020 Olympics now rescheduled for July 2021, Japan-America Society of Houston is looking forward to the return of Japan Festival Houston in the spring of 2021 with an event highlighting Tokyo.

非常に残念ですが、ヒューストン日米協会は、第27回ジャパン・フェスティバル・ヒューストンの開催を中止することを決定致しました。

ここ数年のフェスティバル参加者数が25,000人から30,000人と多いことから、ヒューストンの高いウイルス感染者数と、COVID-19のパンデミック下の公衆衛生と安全を十分に考慮して、今年の秋にフェスティバルを開催することは避けることが妥当との決断に至りました。

「日本での2020年夏季オリンピック開催を盛り上げるため、ヒューストンでのキックオフイベントとして、当フェスティバル開催を望んでいましたが、それと同等以上にCOVID-19の感染拡大を抑制するために私たちの役割を果たすことが不可欠であると考えています。私たちにとって、コミュニティの安全と福祉は、最優先事項です。」

―ヒューストン日米協会レアード・ドラン会長

東京2020オリンピックが2021年7月に延期されたことから、ヒューストン日米協会は、2021年の春に東京に焦点をあてたフェスティバルを開催することを予定しています。

City of Houston Mayor and Council Members Sign Anti-Hate Letter

“We appreciate Mayor Turner, Council Member Kamin, and all of Houston’s City Council for taking the time to condemn coronavirus-related hate and promote respect for all Houstonians.”

-ADL Southwest Regional Director Mark Toubin

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and members of Houston’s City Council signed a letter denouncing hate and the disproportionate impact of Coronavirus, while calling on all residents to treat each other with respect.

The letter was introduced by Council Member Kamin and was prompted by a rise in anti-Asian hate, antisemitism, racism and discrimination across the country. It notes that hate incidents and crimes are rising as the Asian and Pacific Islander community, Jews, Muslims and immigrants are being blamed for the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 and draws attention to the disproportionate impact of the virus on marginalized communities. It also highlights that COVID-19 is a health issue, not a racial, religious or ethnic one, and stigmatizing specific communities for the disease creates an inexcusable risk to all community members.

The letter denounces antisemitism, anti-Asian bigotry, and hateful rhetoric against the Asian and Pacific Islander, Jewish immigrant and other communities, and affirms the city’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all community members and to curbing hateful acts. It also encourages people to report incidents to the proper authorities and agencies for investigation.

JETRO Completes Fifth Survey Exploring COVID-19's Impact on Japanese Companies in the US

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has completed a new survey exploring the impact of COVID-19 on Japanese companies doing business in the United States.

The fifth survey in the series was conducted between June 26th and July 1st, with 961 companies responding.

JETRO Houston has produced a video summarizing the survey results. Special attention was given to the effects of the Presidential Proclamation on Non-Immigrant Visas on Japanese companies in the United States.

As JETRO Houston Chief Executive Director Masahiro Sakurauchi notes:

Japanese expatriates will continue working together with Americans and hope that [the] business environment continues to be friendly to creating new goods, services, and innovation.

---

For additional COVID-19 related business information in Japanese, please visit the JETRO Worldwide information portal or the JETRO North America information portal.

For inquiries to JETRO Houston, email inqu-hou@jetro.go.jp

2020 JLPT in the U.S. has been Cancelled

The American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) regrets to announce that due to COVID-19, the 2020 Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) in the U.S. has been cancelled.

The AATJ hopes to hold the next test in 2021, on the first Sunday of December.

More information on the JLPT can be found on the official JLPT website. Click the button below:

Tanabata at MECA Houston Camp a Success

JASH is always pleased to work with Michael Martin and our friends at Houston Kendama Meetup, and this past July 7th was no exception.

Our latest collaboration brought the Japanese Star Festival Tanabata traditions to life at MECA Houston’s Sunburst Arts Summer Camp.

Camp participants were able to learn about the Tababata legend, create traditional decorations and art, and write paper wishes.

“So many wishes, hopes, and dreams. Some small, some big. But they all represent our want for a better and fuller life.”

Michael-sensei

See some of the children’s wishes below:

Images provided Michael Martin and Houston Kendama Meetup

"Born With It" Film Screening & Panel Discussion about being Black in Japan

Image provided by Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr.

“The tragic or highly romanticized single-story narratives about Black Japanese people are dangerous because they deny us the wonderful range of who we can be.”

-Dr. Mitzi Uehara Carter

JASH and Japan Society in New York came together on June 25th for a live screening and panel discussion of the short film, Born With It.

The film tells the story of a half Japanese half Ghanian boy on his first day of school in a small Japanese town, while he tries to prove to his new classmates that his dark skin is not a disease.

Director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr., author and activist Baye Mcneil, author, singer/songwriter Michael Yano, and cultural anthropologist and writer Dr. Mitzi Uehara Carter followed the screening with a meaningful conversation on race and racism.

---

RESOURCES

BOOKS

(click on the options below to view the resource)

• Hapa Japan Book

• Transpacific Racism

• Alegal

• Dream of the Water Children

FACEBOOK GROUPS FOR MIXED RACE ISSUES

(click on the options below to view the resource)

• Mixed Roots Japan

• Hafu Japanese

---

MEET THE PANELISTS

WEBSITE: https://www.emmanuelok.com/

Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Jr.

Emmanuel is an award-winning writer-director born and raised in Houston, Texas.  He started his career in Japan where he developed a passion for telling authentic, sensitive human-centered stories.

His films have screened and won awards at over 50 film festivals internationally including Cannes, Toronto, Palm Springs, the NBC Short Film Festival, Pan African Film Festival, and more.  As a commercial director, his work for brands such as Mitsubishi, Phillips 66 and Tenaris has garnered 6 Addy Awards. 

He received his B.A. in Film Studies from Stanford University and completed his Masters of Fine Arts in Film at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.  Emmanuel is a Disney-ABC TV Directing Program alumnus and is currently finishing up his first feature film produced by Amazon Studios.

---

WEBSITE: https://www.bayemcneil.com/

EMAIL: baye@bayemcneil.com

TWITTER: @bayemcneil

INSTAGRAM: @locohama

Baye McNeil

Baye is an author, columnist and activist from Brooklyn, NY, who moved to Japan in 2004.  

He is the author of two critically-acclaimed books on life in Japan: “Hi! My Name is Loco and I am a Racist” and “Loco in Yokohama”. His monthly column, “Black Eye”, featured in The Japan Times, raises awareness of issues related to “blackness” in Japan.  

In 2015, Baye spearheaded a successful campaign against the airing of a blackface minstrel show on Japanese TV. His activism in Japan has garnered global attention, featured on the BBC, in The New York Times, Huffington Post, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, etc.  

He also conducts workshops and seminars at companies and universities across the country on human rights and race issues, in his continuing effort to help Japan achieve its desired and inevitable goal of greater inclusiveness and diversity.

---

Michael Yano

Michael Yano is one-third of the vocal unit The Yano Brothers.

Melding Japanese lyrics with a lively African rhythm, the trio of brothers of Ghanaian and Japanese descent is known for creating “Jafrican” music born of a fusion of genres.

Identified by Mainichi News as the face of a changing Japan in the “Heisei Transformation,” the Yano Brothers have embraced their role by turning their experiences with prejudice and racism into songs.

The brothers were born in a small village in Ghana to a Ghanaian mother and a Japanese father.  Their father, an architect, was in Ghana to build the Noguchi Hideo Memorial when he met their mother.  After spending 6 years in Ghana, they moved to Tokyo.  However, due to difficulties adjusting to their new life in Japan, the Yano parents divorced, and the boys spent the next 8 years in orphanage school.

Eldest brother Michael became a pioneer in the sport of soccer as the first Japanese professional soccer J-League player with African roots. Following an early retirement and a career in professional mixed martial arts limited by health issues, Michael turned to music.  He quickly rose to fame upon winning TV Tokyo’s first ever “RYUHA-R” (流派-R) Battle. Since, the rapper, singer and songwriter has been featured in songs by Aki Yashiro (矢代亜紀) and MAX, and has written songs for Hiroshi Tamaki (玉木宏), Maki Goto (後藤真希), Korean Boy Bands 2PM and U KISS, sports celebrities, tv dramas and more.

---

TWITTER: @gritsnsushi

Mitzi Uehara Carter, Ph.D.

Dr. Mitzi Uehara Carter is a Cultural Anthropologist and freelance writer.

A committed advocate of social justice work, Uehara Carter enjoys applying her academic knowledge to real life issues, particularly in the field of social change.

Uehara Carter served as a Fellow at the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and conducted extensive research and field work collecting personal stories of Okinawan families.  Her work on ethnographic methodology and mixed-race Okinawans has been published in numerous books and journals.  She also contributed to the documentary Nuchi Du Takara: Tales of the “Battle of Okinawa” Survivors in California. 

Uehara Carter received her B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Duke University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from UC Berkeley.  

She currently teaches East Asian Studies and Anthropology in at Florida International University. Uehara Carter also serves as an executive board member of Hapa Japan, an organization based at the University of Southern California.

---

JETRO: COVID-19's Continued Impact on Japanese Companies in the United States

The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) has continued to conduct surveys of Japanese companies doing business in the United States to examine the impact of COVID-19.

The fourth survey in the series was conducted between May 27th and June 1st, with 834 companies responding.

JETRO’s Houston office has produced a video summarizing the survey results, including how they compare to the previous survey.

As JETRO Houston Chief Executive Director Masahiro Sakurauchi notes:

According to the results of today’s survey, it looks as though some companies are using the coronavirus as an opportunity to further expand supply and production in the United States more than ever before. Japanese companies are increasing their activities in the United States and we at JETRO Houston anticipate that they will contribute to America's employment and economic recovery.

---

For additional COVID-19 related business information in Japanese, please visit the JETRO Worldwide information portal or the JETRO North America information portal.

For inquiries to JETRO Houston, email inqu-hou@jetro.go.jp

Texas Radio Taiso Challenge

On Saturday, June 13, 87 people from across Texas, the U.S., Japan, and Peru came together to enjoy and experience Japan’s most popular morning exercise routine, Radio Taiso.

The Texas Radio Taiso Challenge was co-hosted by the Japan-America Society of Houston (JASH), the Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth (JASDFW), and the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin (JASGA).

Special guests who welcomed all the participants included the Consul-General of Japan in Houston, The Honorable Hideo Fukushima, Wataru Ito from Cirque du Soleil, and Sam Windsor and Taylor Howden of the Houston SaberCats professional rugby team.

“[Radio Taiso] is good for [your] health. It’s easy, efficient, effective…”

-Consul-General Hideo Fukushima

Former NHK Radio Taiso instructor Arisa Oshimi lead everyone through the thirteen movements that constitute the exercise. Under her guidance, all participants were able to enjoy learning this nearly 100 year old historic physical routine. While not extremely strenuous, Radio Taiso exercise is designed to be a full body workout.

“[It] was awesome and a great way to stretch your body and get the heart rate up a little bit and feel really good.”

-Taylor Howden, Houston SaberCats

With COVID-19 limiting our activities and keeping us apart from friends and coworkers, we are delighted that the Texas Radio Taiso Challenge was able to promote community, togetherness and good health through physical activity.

We wish you continued health and wellness.

---

VIEW IMAGES FROM THE TEXAS RADIO TAISO CHALLENGE

In the spirit of promoting meaningful understanding

In the spirit of promoting meaningful understanding, we share a useful resource that explains in #日本語 the background of the protests taking place in the U.S.

It is our hope that this essay, respectfully written by a Japanese businessman living in Los Angeles, California, will help facilitate informed conversation as communities and corporations bring people together to discuss the issues of injustice.

Quoting the author, Tetsuro Miyatake:

ただ、この記事が一人でも多くの人にこの気持ち、この課題意識を広げることができればと思ってます。一つのツイートや記事が変化を及ぼさないかもしれないが、全員の力で人のマインドセットや思考を変えることができるかもしれない。

Statement on the Death of George Floyd

Japan-America Society of Houston joins Houstonians and citizens across America in reflection during this time of tremendous pain, frustration, and sadness. The senseless killing of George Floyd and others in the African American Community has laid bare the greater need for unification as people from all walks of life try to move forward together for a more diverse, inclusive, equitable, and just society.

Friendship, mutual respect, and meaningful understanding – these are the principles upon which the Japan-America Society of Houston was founded, and we renew our commitment to embracing diversity, promoting exchange across cultures, and making our communities stronger. Houston has proven there is hope when we unite in empathy and compassion, and we will work to contribute to this unity by encouraging continued people-to-people connections and community-to-community engagement.

ヒューストン日米協会は、この著しい痛み、不満、悲しみの中、ヒューストン市民、そしてアメリカ市民と共にあります。ジョージ・フロイド氏や他の犠牲者に象徴される、アフリカ系アメリカ人コミュニティーで起こった不幸な出来事が、より多様で、包括的で、公平で、公正な社会のために、人々が協調して前進しようとすることの重要性と必要性を明確にしました。

友情、相互尊重、真の理解–これらはヒューストン日米協会の設立時からの理念です。そして、多様性を受け入れ、文化交流を促進し、コミュニティーの絆をより強くする、という私達の活動目標を再確認しています。 ヒューストンは共感と思いやりを持ち団結することで、人々に希望があることを示しました。そして私達は、人と人、コミュニティーとコミュニティーの絆をより強く深くできるよう、今後も活動を通じて貢献していきます。