Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 15 - Final Project Meeting

Meeting #15 - April 18

On April 18, 2022, the Seishun 18 Leaders convened to once again discuss details regarding the Final Project.

The Seishun 18 Leaders were broken into their four (4) designated groups based on regions of the Houston area.

The roles within each group were outlined as well: Communications Lead, Video Editor, and Music/Voiceover Editor.

From here, the Seishun 18 Leaders will move ahead with choosing their Japan-related locations to visit and tape in order to create their own final video submissions.

JASH looks forward to seeing how the Seishun 18 Leaders will showcase Japan in Houston.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 14 - Sumitomo Corporation of Americas

Meeting #14 - April 4

On April 4, 2022, the Seishun 18 Leaders joined to hear of the work being done at Sumitomo Corporation of Americas from Assistant Manager for the Americas Atsuki Kawakami and Vice President Satoshi Kitagawa of SC Global Tubular Solutions.

Kawakami-san and Kitagawa-san shared the background and history of Sumitomo, and highlighted the wide variety of projects Sumitomo is involved in across the Houston region.

It was especially enlightening to hear about Sumitomo’s leadership philosophy, and how their over 400-year-old founding principles are being utilized still to this day to guide business practices.

JASH is grateful to Kawakami-san and Kitagawa-san for offering their time and sharing insight into Sumitomo and their experiences as leaders.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 13 - Final Project Discussion Meeting

Meeting #13 - March 28

On March 28, 2022, the Seishun 18 Leaders convened to discuss and prepare for their Final Project as well as the Community Leader Interviews.

The Seishun 18 Leaders learned important details about their upcoming Community Leader Interviews.

Additionally, the concept for the Final Project was decided to be a “Japan in Houston” video project.

The Seishun 18 Leaders will be divided into groups based on their location around the city and tasked with creating a video submission showcasing various Japan-related locations in their part of the Houston metro area.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 12 - Ikigai Connections

Meeting #12 - March 7

On March 7, 2022, the Seishun 18 Leaders gathered to hear from Kasia Lynch, founder of Ikigai Connections.

Kasia-san introduced the concept of “hou-ren-sou.” Not to be confused with “spinach,” “hou-ren-sou” is an acronym made up of the three main pillars of Japanese business communication:

• “houkoku” (報告), which means to report;

• “renraku” (連絡), which means to inform; and

• “soudan” (相談), which means to discuss.

In addition to providing multiple real-life examples of “hourensou” in the Japanese work environment, Kasia-san shared how “hourensou” can be useful in daily life in America. Resources were also provided for continued education on the topic.

JASH would like to give a special thank you to Kasia Lynch for joining from Michigan to educate the Seishun 18 Leaders on a core tenant of Japanese leadership.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 11 - Daikin North America

Meeting #11 - February 21

On February 21, 2022, the Seishun 18 Leaders convened to learn about leading HVAC manufacturer Daikin from President & CEO Satoru Akama of Goodman Global Group, Inc. and Senior Vice President Nathan Walker of Goodman Manufacturing,

Akama-san and Walker-san provided insight into the growth of Houston-based Daikin Texas Technology Park and the Daikin’s vision to achieve the number one position in both the domestic and the commercial air conditioning markets.  Additionally, Akama-san and Walker-san shared how Daikin’s commitment to people-centered management is propelling the company forward. 

JASH is grateful to Akama-san and Walker-san for providing a model for leadership success that embraces diversity in management and improves not only the bottom line but also the daily lives of people around the world.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 10 - Kintsugi Demonstration

Meeting #10 - February 7

On February 7, 2022, the Seishun 18 Leaders convened to learn about kintsugi – the art of mending broken ceramics.

Artist Haruhi Mase of Kyoto gave a presentation on the cultural significance, history, and modern uses of kintsugi in Japan. Kintsugi, which is roughly translated as ‘golden joinery,’ embraces the flaws and imperfections of aged/broken objects by highlighting them with a natural lacquer dusted with gold or silver powder.

Following the presentation, Mase-sensei demonstrated select steps in the kintsugi process utilizing traditional tools and materials in her art studio. Mase-sensei also took time to share some of her completed kintsugi pieces.

The Seishun 18 Leaders received their own personal kintsugi kits to try this traditional art on their own.

A special thank you to Haruhi Mase-sensei for joining us from Japan and for teaching us that kintsugi as an art form can inspire creative reuse. Mottainai! Waste not, want not!

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 9 - Wagashi Workshop

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Meeting #9 - January 24

On January 24, 2022, the Seishun 18 Leaders convened to try their hand at creating wagashi or Japanese sweets.

Led by wagashi master Toshiko Sugii Steffes of Kohakuto in Cleveland, Ohio, the Seishun 18 Leaders learned about wagashi and its cultural importance in Japan.

Following a short presentation, Sugii-sensei guided the Seishun 18 Leaders in creating their own wagashi. Each participant made 4 wagashi in total — 2 sakura (cherry blossom) wagashi and 2 kiku (chrysanthemum) wagashi.

The event closed with participants brewing some green tea and tasting their freshly made wagashi together.

A special thank you is owed to Toshiko Sugii Steffes for joining us virtually to share the art of wagashi with the Seishun 18 Leaders.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 8 - Discussion Meeting

Meeting #8 - January 10

On January 10, 2022, the Seishun 18 Leaders convened to continue discussions concerning their Final Project.

The Seishun 18 Leaders have been tasked with creating a new offering for Japan Festival Houston.

Having brainstormed a wide array of ideas, the students explored how each idea might function and have a positive impact on their community.

A final vote on the Project was taken shortly after the meeting. More details to be unveiled in the coming months regarding this exciting undertaking.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 7 - Bōnenkai (End-of-Year Party)

Meeting #7 - December 11

On December 11, 2021, the Seishun 18 Leaders gathered at the JASH office for a Bōnenkai end-of-year party.

The event marked the the first occasion that the Seishun 18 Leaders were able to meet in person. Participants learned how to make temaki hand roll sushi featuring ingredients from Houston’s Daido Market, played games, and discussed final project ideas for Japan Festival Houston 2022.

The Seishun 18 Leaders welcomed special guest Ms. Junko Nagawa, wife of JASH Vice President and ANA Houston General Manager Mr. Yuzuru Nagawa. Her attendance provided ample opportunity for the Seishun 18 Leaders to practice their Japanese and to share what they have learned throughout the program so far. Ms. Nagawa also joined Ms. Ikuyo Katayama of JASH in providing valuable feedback on the Seishun 18 Leader’s shodo artwork, which each participant presented at the meeting.

The meeting ended with Japanese Christmas cakes from Houston’s Chez Kobayashi Japanese bakery.

We wish all of our Seishun 18 Leaders a wonderful holiday season and look forward to continuing the program, refreshed and reinvigorated, in 2022.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 6 - Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.)

Meeting #6 - November 22

On November 22, 2021, the Seishun 18 Leaders convened to learn about Mitsui & Co. (U.S.A.).

Mr. Akira Hayasaka (Southern States Regional Officer) and Mr. Susumu Maeda (Director of Financial Management Division) shared information regarding the history of Mitsui & Co., their global presence, industries, and their decarbonization vision.

JASH is grateful to Mitsui & Co. for providing the Seishun 18 Leaders with a deeper look into how the company is working to realize a better tomorrow for the earth and for people around the world.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 5 - Shodo Cultural Activity

Meeting #5 - November 8

On November 8, 2021, JASH hosted the 5th meeting of the Seishun 18 Leaders. This meeting provided the Seishun 18 Leaders with their second Japanese cultural activity of the program series.

The activity allowed participants to learn about the background and cultural significance of Shodo, or Japanese calligraphy. The event was led by 16-year Shodo practitioner Ms. Ikuyo Katayama.

Following a presentation, the Seishun 18 Leaders learned the proper techniques of holding the brushes, using the correct amount of ink, and more. They were then able to learn how to create the “ei” kanji (永), “seishun” kanji (青春), and “tora” kanji (寅).

The event closed by tasking the Seishun 18 Leaders with perfecting their own “tora” kanji. Participants will submit their rendition of “tora” in December and one entry will be chosen to be featured in JASH’s New Year greeting on the JASH website!

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 4 - Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)

Meeting #4 - October 25

On October 25, 2021, the Seishun 18 Leaders convened to learn about Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas).

Mr. Minoru Aizawa (General Manager, Houston Branch), Mr. Nobukazu Shimada (Department Manager, General Affairs & Regional Strategy), and Ms. Therese San Miguel (Department Manager, Human Resources) shared information regarding the history of Mitsubishi Corporation, their decarbonization vision, and their local contributions in Texas.

JASH is grateful to Mitsubishi Corporation for providing the Seishun 18 Leaders with insight into the company’s corporation philosophy and work.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 3 - Onigiri Action

Meeting #3 - October 11

On October 11, 2021, JASH hosted the 3rd meeting of the Seishun 18 Leaders. This meeting provided the Seishun 18 Leaders with their first Japanese cultural activity of the program series.

The activity allowed participants to learn about the history and cultural importance of onigiri while supporting the Onigiri Action campaign. The social media campaign created to help provide meals to students in need is a program by Table For Two.

Following a short presentation on the history and significance of onigiri, the Seishun 18 Leaders made two varieties of onigiri: okaka and yukari.

The event closed with a call for everyone to create their own Texas-themed onigiri for Onigiri Action’s 2021 theme of “Unite the States Through Onigiri”.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 2 - Consulate-General of Japan in Houston

Meeting #2 - September 27

On September 27, 2021, JASH hosted the second meeting of the Seishun 18 Leaders as well as the first presentation of the program, which featured the Consulate-General of Japan in Houston.

Consul-General Hideo Fukushima provided opening remarks wishing the Seishun 18 Leaders well and encouraging them on their journey.

Deputy Consul-General Masaya Sagawa then gave an eye-opening presentation detailing three key topics: Japan-U.S. Strategic and Security Relations, Japan-U.S. Economic Relations, and Japan-Texas Business Relations.

JASH is grateful to the Consulate for providing the Seishun 18 Leaders with deeper insight into Japan-U.S. and Japan-Texas relations.

Seishun 18 Leaders Meeting 1 - Orientation

Meeting #1 - September 20

On September 20, 2021, JASH launched the Seishun 18 Leaders Program.

Seishun 18 Leaders is a youth leadership program supported by the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership that provides Houston-area high school students with the opportunity to explore Japanese culture and U.S.-Japan business ties in Texas.

The first meeting of the Seishun 18 Leaders served as an orientation session bringing together the inaugural program cohort: 13 students from across Greater Houston.

• Zayna Abdel-Rahim                                     

• Catherine Bertram                                          

• Alexander Flores                                            

• Diego Flores                                                   

• Hermann Iriarte                                               

• Arisa Iwanaka                                               

• Hayagreev Jayaram

• Sinddy Lopez

• Charlotte Murray

• Alisa Noro

• Erin Rodriguez

• Cade Sickles

• Emma Wang

During the orientation, the Seishun 18 Leaders were given insight into the program’s origin, name and goals. Seishun 18 Leaders is a reference to the Seishun 18 Ticket, or 青春１８きっぷ (Seishun Jyuuhachi Kippu) in Japanese. This train ticket in Japan is meant to broaden the horizons of young adults by allowing them to explore the country.

Through the Seishun 18 Leaders Program, participants will be able to interact with Japanese business leaders in the Greater Houston area and engage in U.S.-Japan relations.

JASH is excited to see the Seishun 18 Leaders learn and grow through this journey.