2024 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 (Sakura Matsuri) at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens! Explore the richness of Japanese culture through cultural activities, delicious food, vibrant music, and thrilling martial arts demonstrations. This is a free, family-friendly event. Please note that parking spaces at the venue are limited. We kindly request your cooperation in carpooling as much as possible!

<Guests and Activities> *Subject to change

Alabama Bonsai Society・Asha Kiran・Birmingham Museum of Art・Birmingham Quilter's Guild・Birmingham Sister Cities・Briarwood Japanese Children's Club・Calligraphy・Chiharu Roach・Crows Like Candy・Consul General of Japan in Atlanta・Daikin Taiko Force・Glitter Critter Studios・Holbein Pottery・Hometown Supermarket・Ikebana・Nori Thai and Sushi・North Shelby Library・Origami・PaperWorkers Local・Shinkendo of Birmingham・Teal Teacup・UAB Japanese Culture Club・Urasenke Birmingham Association

Please visit our Facebook event page For the latest updates, including the performance schedule.

We welcome volunteers and sponsors to join us in making this event a success. For more information or inquiries, please contact us at officemanager@jasaweb.org.

今年も桜まつりの季節がやってきました！今年も、様々なパフォーマンス、折り紙・書道体験、茶道実演、盆栽展示、お弁当販売などを企画しています。お祭りの最新情報は、Facebookイベントページをご確認ください。

入場は無料です。ぜひ、ご家族やお友達をお誘い合わせの上、ご来場ください。なお、会場の駐車台数には限りがございますので、出来るだけお車に乗り合わせの上お越しいただきますよう、ご協力お願い申し上げます。

Hilda Lockhart holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from The Florida State University and is a well-respected international business expert who has helped countless Alabama companies explore new markets and opportunities in every corner of the globe.

Ms. Lockhart retired in 2022 from her position at the Alabama Department of Commerce having served as director of Commerce’s Office of International Trade for 24 years. During her tenure at Commerce, Ms. Lockhart coordinated trade missions involving Alabama companies that traveled to over 51 different nations, worked tirelessly to advocate for fair and free trade on behalf of Alabama’s manufacturers, innovators, service providers, and farmers, and built connections to better the perception of Alabama to the world.

She has a long history of involvement in international trade and development particularly with Japan. During her tenure at the Alabama Department of Commerce, she served as the State Coordinator for the Southeast U.S. Japan Association. The annual conference between SEUS-Japan and the Japan-U.S. Southeast Association is held on a rotational basis in Japan and the southeastern U.S. Alabama was honored to host this prestigious event in 2015 in Birmingham. Ms. Lockhart also coordinated the activities of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Senior Trade Advisors hosted by Commerce’s International Trade Division. These individuals were retired Japanese executives focused on building Alabama’s trade with Japan. Ms. Lockhart was awarded the Samuel Ullman Award in 2007 by the Japan-America Society of Alabama. 

Before her successful tenure with Commerce, she served as the first executive director for The Japan-America Society of Alabama. While in this position she served on the board of the National Association of Japan America Societies. She continues to serve on the board of the JASA.

Ms. Lockhart also served the international community with roles at the Alabama International Trade Center, the Japan-America Society of Georgia, and the Florida Department of Commerce International Division. Ms. Lockhart held many professional affiliations supporting the advancement of global trade including acting as president of the Japan-America Society of Alabama and the Alabama World Trade Association. She served on the boards of the State International Development Organizations, Alabama District Export Council, and the Alabama India Business Partnerships.

Miho is a passionate media creator who graduated with a degree in Film Studies from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. With over 8 years of work experience in Japan, she embarked on a journey to find opportunities that would allow her to apply her media production skills. Being selected as a Vice Consul in charge of culture and information at Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is a great honor for her.

After an internship experience in the United Nations Information Center Tokyo (UNIC), she decided to raise awareness of global topics by using media technologies. She strongly believes that media has great power for reaching people’s recognition beyond the barrier of distance, and it can create a lasting impact on and more in-depth understanding of audiences. A communication intern experience at the UNICEF Tokyo Office in 2023 strengthened her will to work for the stronger relationship between nations, which led her to apply for this role to deepen her understanding of the U.S.-Japan friendship.

She said this opportunity at Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta certainly empowers her to pursue her goals and enhance her ability. She is motivated to enlighten people on global topics and work for a stronger relationship between nations. She is heartily grateful for this opportunity and very much looks forward to working for the stronger friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

JFLA Spring Japanese Course

Registration opens March 7th!

The Japan Foundation of Los Angeles will be offering spring Japanese classes at the beginner level for both in person and online classes. Registration begins March 7th, and costs include the tuition and the textbook they will use. For more information, check out the learn more link below!

Learn More

I Am Vestavia Festival

March 18th, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

@ Vestavia Hills High School

Join JASA at VHHS's cultural festival this March! The event is free and will feature an opening ceremony of the school's EL students and their home country's flags, guest speakers, student and professional arts performances, showcases to celebrate diversity, and booths like JASA's to learn more about other cultures! 

Japanese Rising Sun Session



March 21, 6:30 - 8:45 p.m.

@ Pinot's Palette: 8 Parade St, Suite 102, Huntsville, AL

Price: $39

If you like painting and drinking, Pinot Palette offers classes throughout the month where you can flex your skills and sip and chat with those around you. They offer several classes that revolve around Japanese imagery this month. Join a session so you can have your own hand-crafted painting and connect with others with similar interests! If you'd like to paint this particular image, join the session linked above. For more information about the studio and to see other sessions, click the learn more link.

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38th Annual Sakura Festival in Tuscaloosa

March 23, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

@ Mildred Westervelt Warner Transportation Museum

Price: Free admission

Tuscaloosa will be hosting its 38th annual Sakura Festival this March on the 23rd! Activities will include traditional Japanese papermaking, a cosplay contest, origami tree and face painting, photo ops, and announcing the winners of their haiku contest. Join for a day filled with festivities and celebration of spring at this family-friendly event! For more information, click the link below to visit their site.

Learn More

Toyota Alabama Kicks off Production on New Engine Line After $222 Million Project

The Huntsville engine plant has started production on its i-FORCE 2.4 liter turbo engine line. This new hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.4-liter engine with a 48-hp electric motor. With this, Toyota demonstrates its commitment to listening to consumer demand and providing diverse powertrains in its vehicles. This is yet another milestone for Toyota in Huntsville which has been operating for just over 23 years now. The completion of the engine line also “supports job stability for [their] 2,000 employees” according to Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama. This engine line is the sixth building expansion undertaken by the plant and has increased its total investment to $1.5 billion. 

The plant is also a key community player and an important piece of Huntsville’s economy. In continuing with this streak of innovation and dedication to expanding operations, last year they announced two more initiatives in Alabama: a new $49 million solar array that will supply more than 70% of Toyota Alabama’s energy needs when completed. Not only does this demonstrate a commitment to greener energy, but also represents valuable partnerships between Alabama and Japanese businesses as this is being undertaken by Huntsville Utilities and Toyota Tsusho. The second initiative is providing grants of up to $6.7 million for Huntsville City Schools’ students pursuing STEM careers.

Alabama Exports Soar to Record Total in 2023, Topping $27 Billion

Japan is the 6th largest destination for Alabama exports.

Alabama companies have set a new annual record for the second consecutive year by exporting goods and services worth over $27.4 billion in 2023. This is a 6% raise in value from last year, and compared to 2020 export value has risen by almost 43% overall. The major goods raising this export value include Alabama-made vehicles, aerospace parts, and minerals and metals. Transportation equipment remains the number one export for Alabama and totals at approximately $14.8 billion. The top five destinations for Alabama exports were Germany ($5.1 billion), Canada ($3.9 billion), China ($3.8 billion), Mexico ($3.2 billion), and South Korea ($1.2 billion) with Japan ($952 million), Brazil, Poland, India, and Saudi Arabia making up other leading destinations.

Site Development Efforts Get $30 Million Boost with Alabama’s First SEEDS Grants

The Site Evaluation and Economic Development Strategy Act, or SEEDS, is a grant program under Governor Ivey’s “Game Plan” package of economic development bills from last year. Its purpose is to build up quality industrial sites to stimulate further economic development. Organizations can apply for grants for site assessment and development grants, and the funds help identify potential areas for industrialization and aid current organizations in their early stages of development. 

So far it has been approved by SIDA (State Industrial Development Authority) to grant $30.1 million which will further be matched by $38.4 million in local funds at 29 different industrial sites. The approved grants are spread across Alabama in both large cities and smaller, rural communities. According to the article, the grants have been met with optimistic views so far. There is much hope riding on the act to increase Alabama’s national competitiveness in terms of economic development.

Japan Economy Shrinks Unexpectedly in Final Quarter of 2023

Japan dropped a spot to the world's fourth-largest economy, behind Germany, the Wall Street Journal reports. Tourism spending failed to offset sluggishness in domestic private consumption and capital spending. While Japan's GDP has shrunk for two consecutive quarters, it is debatable that its economy is in recession as business surveys and labor market data tell a different story. 

Japan's Nikkei average closes above 40,000, led by booming chip stocks

Japan's Nikkei Stock Average surged to 40,000, driven by semiconductor stocks benefiting from the anticipated demand for generative artificial intelligence. Tokyo Electron and Advantest notably rose, but large-cap stocks like Fast Retailing declined. Investors are optimistic about continued AI-driven semiconductor demand. The Nikkei's rise has been supported by foreign investment, governance reforms, and a weak yen. Despite the rally, the market doesn't seem overheated, with a reasonable price-to-earnings ratio. Wage negotiations and shareholder-friendly policies are seen as key indicators of Japan's economic strength. Foreign exchange fluctuations could pose risks, but inflows are expected to persist if corporate returns continue to improve. The main risk remains a return to deflation, though chances are considered low.