February 2024 Newsletter

Save the Date! Cherry Blossom Festival

Saturday, March 30, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

@ Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Join us for our 2024 Cherry Blossom Festival at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens! Our free, family-friendly event will be filled with Japanese culture and delicious food for guests to experience as they walk the gardens. Follow us on social media and keep an eye out for future newsletters with more information on the full lineup of performances!

We are also seeking volunteers, sponsors, and vendors for the event. If interested, please contact us at officemanager@jasaweb.org.

Save the date and stay tuned!

Honorary Consul General Strengthens Ties:

Visit to Ambassador Yamada

Mark Jackson, the Honorary Consul General of Japan in Alabama, recently visited the Ambassador of Japan to the United States of America, Yamada Shigeo. This visit aimed at reinforcing cultural, economic, and diplomatic bonds between Japan and the USA, with a special emphasis on the collaborative efforts between Japan and Alabama.

Reflecting on the encounter, Mark Jackson stated, "I laid out some agenda items for Japan and Alabama for 2024. The items include Samford University's global effort to create university partnerships in Japan, the possibility of a Japanese baseball team playing at Rickwood Field, and recruiting several new Japanese business entities. It was a very good meeting and I am looking forward to Ambassador Yamada's visit to Alabama soon. "

Looking ahead, we anticipate the positive impact of this diplomatic dialogue, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation between Japan and Alabama.

Stay tuned for updates on this promising alliance!

Upcoming Events

February Kayoubikai

February 20, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

@ Nori Thai and Sushi: 4704 Cahaba River Rd, Birmingham, AL 35243

Join us for our February Kayoubikai at Nori Thai and Sushi! It's a great opportunity to meet new friends with similar interests, practice Japanese, and strengthen connections within our JASA community. Whether you're a JASA member or new to the community, all are welcome!

Please RSVP at least one day in advance to secure your spot. While there's no cost to attend this event, please note that everyone will be responsible for their individual bills after the meal. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP HERE!

Become a JASA Member!

We are grateful to have the support of our corporate members and individual members at all levels!

Our members enjoy basic benefits as well as special support from JASA for welcoming Japanese guests, coordinating events, and more. Whether you are Japanese or American, represent a group related to Japanese business and culture, or just have an interest in Japanese culture, we welcome all members.

If you are interested in our membership program or would like more information, please contact us at officemanager@jasaweb.org or visit our website.

JASA 2024 Spring Intern

We're glad to introduce our Spring intern, Hope Burch! Hope is a senior at Auburn University majoring in international studies with a concentration on East Asia. She went abroad this past summer to study Chinese at Cheng Kung University in Tainan, Taiwan. She has always had a passion for studying languages and culture, and she has a special interest in politics and pop culture and how the two mesh, especially in our globalized world.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given through JASA as an intern to learn new skills and expand my knowledge of Japanese culture. So far my experience has been fruitful and delightful, and I look forward to the future events I will be part of.”

Other News and Opportunities

Kami-Con: Alabama's largest Anime & Gaming Comic Con

Date: February 9th - 11th

Where: BJCC in Birmingham, AL

Kami-Con is a 3-day convention that celebrates Japanese culture, geek culture, anime & manga, cosplay, tabletop & video gaming, comics, TV shows, movies, and much, much more!

Kami-Con is also a uniquely interactive convention in that it features events which allow congoers to affect the outcome of its story!

Tickets and Information

Toshokan Time

Date: February 14

Time: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m.

Where: Albertville Public Library

Fan of Japanese culture? Then this is the program for you! Explore the world of anime and manga at this program for ages 11 to 18.

Learn More

Ouchigohan! – Japanese Teatime

Date: February 4

Time: 5:00 p.m.

Where: Online

Ticket Prices: $15 for nonmembers. $10 for members

Interested in Japanese tea and snacks? The Japan Society will have a special edition of their cooking class, Ouchigohan!- Japanese Home Cooking, in February. This class will include instruction on how to prepare traditional sweets and how to brew classic Japanese tea.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Japan Society's page below.

Learn More

Japanese Trial Lesson

Date: February 12

Time: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Online

The Japan Society is offering free trial lessons for Beginners. If you're interested in learning Japanese and considering classes, this is a great place to start! RSVP is required as space is limited for the class, so be sure to grab a spot as soon as possible.

For more information and to RSVP, email language@japansociety.org and visit the Japan Society's page below.

Learn More

Born From the Earth: Japan's Yakishime Ceramics

Date: February 20

Time: 7:00-7:40 p.m.

Where: Online

Japanese art historian Meher McArthur will be giving a lecture on yakishime ceramics in partnership with the Japan Foundation late February. If you're interested in traditional art, tune in to this free lecture!

For more information and to RSVP, visit the Japan Foundation's page below.

Learn More

2024 KKC Japan Study Tour: Applications Now Open!

Application Due: March 1, 2024

Dates of the Program: June 24 -July 2, 2024 (Tentative)

Program Type: Education Exchange, Public Affairs

Contact: Email: kkcfellowship@us-japan.org

Contact Phone: 412-856-8608, Ms. Katsuko Shellhammer

Keizai Koho Center (KKC), in cooperation with the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS), will offer the “KKC Study Tour to Japan 2024” for U.S. and Canadian grade 6-12 social studies teachers.

The program aims to deepen participants’ understanding of Japan and contribute to international mutual understanding across the Pacific. Their experiences and findings in Japan have significant value to their students, who will build future ties with Japan.

Learn More

2024 Junior Fellows Leadership Program: Applications Now Open!

Application Due: February 9, 2024

Open to U.S. high school students from 9th to 11th grade, this program is a culturally immersive learning experience for high school students who possess the potential for strong leadership and demonstrate the skills necessary to be future leaders. During this program conducted in New York and Japan, Junior Fellows have the opportunity to build networks with current industry leaders and program alumni, stay with a host family in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima (Northeast Japan), participate in activities at a local high school, and experience Japanese history and culture through hands-on experiences and historical site visits.

For more information, contact the Education Department at Japan Society at (212) 715-1275/1216 or at jfellows@japansociety.org.

Learn More