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| The Japan-America Grassroots Summit |
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The 23rd Japan - America Grassroots Summit 2013 will be held in Shimane prefecture, Japan.
Shimane situated in the southwest part of Japan's main island, isolated from hustle and bustle of city life by a large mountain range in the middle of the island. It is abundant with the beauty of untouched nature and traditions inherited since ancient times and filled with warm-hearted people.
The Opening Ceremony and Welcome Reception are planned on July 3rd at Izumo Grand Shrine and Shimane Winery in Izumo city. The 11 local session programs are prepared by volunteers of 11 cities and towns all over Shimane.
Please visit the 2013 Shimane Summit webiste below for more informaton. |
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The 2011 Kochi Japan-America Grassroots Summit video is now available on CIE webiste. |
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"For those who have been to Japan but have not had a homestay, it's a great way to connect with a local area and participate in real Japanese life"
"For those who have not been to Japan or don't speak Japanese, the trip is very well organized and there is nothing to worry about. Your only concern will be how to repay the graciousness of your hosts." |
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| Ira Shapiro has been elected as Chairman |
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The National Association of Japan-America Societies announces that Ambassador Ira Shapiro has been elected as chairman of the board of directors at its annual meeting in Dallas, Texas on August 29th. Mr. Shapiro practices international trade law at Greenberg Traurig, LLP in Washington, DC. He came to Washington DC in 1975 and spent twelve years in senior positions in the U.S. Senate before serving as general counsel and chief trade negotiator with Japan and Canada in the Office of the United States Trade Representative during the Clinton administration. He brings more than thirty years’ experience with Japan, as a negotiator, diplomat, lawyer and friend, to NAJAS.
Mr. Shapiro commented: “The relationship between the United States and Japan is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. And the vibrant network of 37 Japan-America Societies all around the United States provides a unique grassroots connection between our countries. I am delighted to have the privilege of supporting this network which has done so much to foster friendship between the U.S. and Japan. I am also honored to follow in the footsteps of Bill Farrell, who has been so important to NAJAS in the chairman’s role and am pleased that Bill will remain on the board.”
Mr. Shapiro is the author of the recent, critically-acclaimed book, The Last Great Senate: Courage And Statesmanship In Times Of Crisis.
At the meeting, Bill Farrell was elected to a one year term on the executive committee, Celso Mataac to a one year term on the executive committee and as Treasurer and Douglas Erber, President of the Japan America Society of Southern California, to a one year term on the executive committee. Ambassador Michael MIchalak and Barry Hirschfeld were elected to two year terms on the Board of Directors. Vice-chairman Richard Wood noted Mr. Michalak’s service as Deputy Chief of Mission in Tokyo and Ambassador to Vietnam.
NAJAS president Peter Kelley welcomed Mr. Shapiro to the chairman’s role, saying “A solid selection process has produced a strong new Chairman. I am pleased to welcome Ira Shapiro to our network and look forward to working closely with him.” |
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Relief Efforts Updates |
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- The total funds raised by NAJAS Member Societies reached $24 Million (Member Section) - February 17, 2012
- Secretary of State Clinton notes JAS fund-raising: In a wide-ranging speech to the US-Japan Council Annual Conference on October 7, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton referred directly to our network’s fund-raising efforts, saying ”Japan-America Societies across this country raised over $20 million for relief efforts in Japan”. Please see the entire speech at the State Department website, as well as the video. Her reference to the network is between 7:41 and 7:50 on the video clip. The entire speech is well worth reading and you may want to share it with your members. - October 12, 2011
- Transition: Rescue and Reconstruction, Update from Tohoku & Report from Onagawa from Peter Grilli, President of the Japan Society of Boston - August 4, 2011
- Japan-America Society of Dallas/Fort Worth met the executive members of Tohoku Japan-America Association - July 29, 2011
- A letter from The Honorable John V. Roos, Ambassador of The United States of America, Tokyo, expressing appreciation for JAS fund-raising efforts - July 13, 2011
- A letter from former Ambassador of Japan to the US Yoshio Okawara, expressing his gratitude for JAS fund-raising efforts - July 1, 2011
- A message from The Honorable Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador of Japan to the United States of America - June 3, 2011
- A letter to you from Dr. George Packard, President of the United States-Japan Foundation, expressing appreciation for JAS fund-raising efforts - May 4, 2011
- A Message from the Chairman and Vice-Chairman - April 18, 2011
- A Message from American Chamber of Commerce in Japan (ACCJ) - April 3, 2011
- Tohoku America-Japan Society President sends thanks to JAS for tsunami relief efforts - April 1, 2011
- Tetsu Hasegawa (JX Nippon Oil on loan to Keizai Koho Center), who NAJAS has worked closely for the KKC Teacher Fellowship, was interviewed by The Washington Post, and his story shows the Japanese spirit in a difficult time. - March 17, 2011
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NAJAS Member Societies' Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Funds |
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We are all saddened by the tragic events in Japan and united in our desire to aid and the relief recovery efforts. Many JAS have established funds to help in the relief effort for the Tohoku-Kanto earthquake and tsunami.
The following is a compilation of these efforts, from the societies' websites, to help you understand the scope and nature of the network's efforts. |
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2011 Japan Relief Fund
by Japan America Society of Southern California |
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Brother's Brother Foundation
in cooperation with Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania |
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Earthquake Donations
by Japan America Society of Southern Colorado |
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Earthquake Relief
by Heart of America Japan-America Society |
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Earthquake Relief Fund
by Japan America Society of Colorado |
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Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund
by The Japan-America Society of Georgia |
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Japan Earthquake / Tsunami Relief Fund
by Japan America Society of Chicago |
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Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund
by Japan-America Society of Greater Austin |
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Japan Earthquake Relief
by Japan-America Society of Hawaii |
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Japan Earthquake Relief Fund
by Japan Society, New York |
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Japan Earthquake Relief Fund
by Japan-America Society of Indiana |
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Japan Earthquake Relief Fund - JASSTL
by Japan America Society of St. Louis |
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Japan Relief Donations
by Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati |
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Japanese Community Night~Japan Earthquake Tsunami Relief Fundraiser
by Japan Society of San Diego and Tijuana |
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Japanese Disaster Relief Fund-Boston
by Japan Society of Boston |
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JASA- Japan Earthquake Relief Fund
by Japan-America Society of Alabama |
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JASMIS Japan Relief Fund
by The Japan-America Society of Mississippi |
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JASN Earthquake Tsunami Relief Fund
by Japan America Society of Nevada |
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JASW Japan Relief Efforts
by The Japan-America Society of Washington DC |
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JSNC Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund
by The Japan Society of Northern California |
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Kentucky-Japan Relief Fund
by Japan/America Society of Kentucky |
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NOLA Japan Quake Fund
by Japan Society of New Orleans |
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Oregon Japan Relief Fund
by Japan-America Society of Oregon |
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Philadelphia-Japan Disaster Relief Fund
by Japan-America Society of Greater Philadelphia |
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SA Hearts Japan
by Japan America Society of San Antonio |
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SeattleJapanRelief
by Japan America Society of the State of Washington |
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Sendai Relief Fund
by Japan America Society of Dallas Fort Worth |
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Tennessee Tomodachi Fund
by Japan-America Society of Tennessee, Inc. |
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Tohoku Earthquake Donations
by Japan-America Society of West Michigan |
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| KKC Teacher Fellowship 2012 |
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The Keizai Koho Center (Japan Institute for Social and Economic Affairs) in cooperation with the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) will sponsor a ten day Fellowship to Japan this summer for educators in the U.S. and Canada. The Fellowship allows teachers to learn first hand about contemporary Japanese society and enhance their classroom teaching of global perspectives...more |
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| Former NAJAS President Sam Shepherd honored |
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The Government of Japan announced that His Majesty the Emperor of Japan has decorated Mr. Samuel M. Shepherd, currently a resident of Shoreline, Washington, with The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette. The award was made on November 3, 2010, Japan time, which is officially designated as "Culture Day" in Japan. Mr. Shepherd received the medal in recognition of his "contribution to strengthening of the relations between Japan and the United States through educational exchanges and internationalization of education in Japan...more |
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| National Forum Series |
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Launched in 2006, the National Forum Series is the NAJAS Network speaker caravan program collaborated with the Embassy of Japan, Nippon Keidanren, the Japan Foundation-Center for Global Partnerships and the Astellas USA Foundation. Speakers travel to US cities to speak with local business and university audiences, as well as meet with the regional Consul-General. Those interested in Japan or current events/foreign policy are invited to attend...more |
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| Japan-America Society of Indiana |
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Japan Update 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
The “Japan Update” symposium is an annual forum providing an outlook for the New Year, including discussion of key developments in the Japan-U.S. relationship, particularly in the Pacific, with respect to businesses and communities in the Midwest...more |
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| Japan America Society of Colorado |
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Why Japan Matters in 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013 from 11:15am to 1:30pm
Join us for this very special luncheon event focused on Colorado-Japan Economic Development: Keynote Address by Ambassador John V. Roos, U.S. Embassay, Japan; Mayor Michael B. Hancock, City of Denver; Dr. Cindy Yoshiko Shirata, Tsukuba University, Japan...more |
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