In this issue:

2013 Winners Michael Basil, John Matune, Marinos Ioannides, and Don Rakoci

Thanks to the outstanding support from our sponsors, the hard work of our staff and volunteers and an enthusiastic field of golfers, the 2013 Paul J. Wilhelm Golf Outing was a success. The generosity of our sponsors and our golfers' loyalty to this event are constants for which we are truly grateful. That support allows the Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania to continue to expand our programs and outreach and pursue our mission.

Click here to see more photos!

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun Shiner

Join Eric Shiner, Director of The Andy Warhol Museum and JASP board member, for a 10-day journey through Japan.  Japan: Land of the Rising Sun Shiner, will take tour participants through Eric's personal favorites from the six years he lived in Japan.  Following the 10-day journey, you are invited to join Eric for an optional extension to Koyassan for a stay at a Buddhist monastery complex set in the high hills of Wakayama.

Please click here for more information.

The Silk Screen Asian Film Festival brings three Japanese films and a host of other Asian films to Pittsburgh over the next couple of weeks.  This weekend there are three Japanese films being shown – Key of Life on May 17 and Asura and Tatsumi on Anime Film Night, May 18.  Click here for detailed information about screening times and details about all the films in the festival.

Click here to see the full festival schedule.

The end of the school year is upon us and what a year it has been for the Japan in the Schools program offered by the JASP.  Volunteers, coordinated by Katsuko Shellhammer, have introduced over 3000 area students to Japanese culture, customs, language, food, storytelling and more.  Look at the schools we've served in the 2012-2013 school year!

EITC at JASP Deadline July 1

You can support the Japan in the Schools program through the educational improvement tax credits (EITC) from the State.  We need your help to receive those funds. Please consider sending your tax dollars to the JASP rather than Harrisburg. Time to apply is drawing near – new corporate applications must be submitted on July 1, 2013. Please find a link to the application by visiting www.newpa.org/eitc. Your support through the EITC program could fund the JIS for the next two years and allow the JASP to develop new outreach programs. 

The JASP welcomes new members:

Jim Knapp
Carol Winder
Oliver Schmidt

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Visits Pittsburgh

JASP member Sumitomo Corporation of America, together with its affiliate, Summit Discovery Resources, received a mission from Japan headed by Mr. Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in Pittsburgh on Saturday, May 4. He toured the Marcellus Shale development and production site in Butler County where Sumitomo participates in the development of shale gas together with the State College based company, Rex Energy.
 
Exporting LNG (liquid natural gas) exports from the US is a hot political and economical topic in the gas industry. The minister's visit to Pittsburgh followed his Washington, D.C. to discuss energy issues including LNG. 

Click here to view a Japanese TV news report about the visit.

Congratulations to Pittsburgh Taiko's new officers! 

President - Mark Holzer
Performance Coordinator - Jonathan Lui
Treasurer - Thomas Fulks
Webmaster - Roger Walker

The group performed at a reception for the "Japan is the Key" exhibit at the Carnegie Museum of Art on March 28.  Said Barbara Tucker, Director of Individual Giving, "The event was a one of a kind celebration that the august group of Carnegie Museum of Art Fellows are still raving about."


Pittsburgh Taiko is available to perform at your event. To schedule a performance, click here.