What a spectacular Cherry Blossom Festival it has been! We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who joined us amidst the blooming cherry blossoms to celebrate Japanese culture.

Special thanks to our dedicated volunteers, performers, and generous sponsors (Tennessee Valley Authority, Clayco, Page & Jones, Samford University, The University of West Alabama) for their invaluable contributions. Without your support, none of this would have been possible.

Congratulations to Ms. Ritsuko Asano for receiving the Consul General’s Commendation award. Her contributions as a Urasenke tea instructor for many years provide the Birmingham community with opportunities to experience the tea ceremony and Japanese culture. A heartfelt thank you to Consul General Maeda for gracing us with his presence and support throughout the festival.

We are also grateful for our partnership with the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and their volunteers for their tireless work for this festival.

This year, we achieved a new milestone with a record-breaking attendance of approximately 7,000 attendees! It's incredible to see so many individuals come together to celebrate the beauty of cherry blossoms and Japanese traditions.

As we bid farewell to another memorable festival, we already look forward to welcoming you back next year for even more festivities and cultural experiences. See you then!

Mary Beth Newbill serves as the manager of the Southern History and Genealogy Department of the Birmingham Public Library. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Birmingham-Southern College and a Master of Library and Information Studies Degree from the University of Alabama. She uses her 28 years of experience to assist genealogists, historians, students, and writers with their research projects. She lives in Hoover, Alabama with her husband and daughter.

Ms. Newbill regularly promotes the library’s special collections and unique resources. She has developed numerous original classes on various aspects of genealogy and local history research. These classes are offered to members of the public, community groups, lineage societies, and clubs. 

Over the years, Ms. Newbill has worked on library committees and events such as Alabama Bound, a book and author fair and Eat, Drink, Read, Write, a festival highlighting local literature and foods. As part of the celebration of Alabama’s Bicentennial, she curated the traveling exhibit “Sweet Home: Alabama’s History in Maps.” The exhibit consisted of over 50 maps carefully selected from the library’s cartography collection to visually depict Alabama’s history from the mid-16th century to the present day.

One of the most precious items in the library’s care is Miss Iwate, a Japanese Friendship Doll. Since 1927, Miss Iwate has resided at the Birmingham Public Library where she carries out her mission of friendship and goodwill as one of the 58 handcrafted dolls that were given to the United States by the people of Japan. Ms. Newbill, as Miss Iwate’s primary caretaker, has been deeply honored over the years to meet the many Japanese citizens and dignitaries who wish to see Miss Iwate. Most recently, Consul General Mio Maeda and his wife visited last November. Miss Iwate has also been on display at JASA’s Cherry Blossom Festival and at their annual dinner. Ms. Newbill is always on hand to tell Miss Iwate’s story and point out the fascinating details of the history and construction of the Friendship Dolls. 



As a newly elected JASA Board Member, Ms. Newbill is looking forward to more opportunities for cultural outreach. She is excited about the prospect of introducing new audiences to Miss Iwate and working on projects like the Satsuma pottery collection.

Hip Hop Hour: The Emergence of Hip Hop in Japan

Date: April 3

Time: 2:30 - 4 p.m.

Where: Hill Student Center, Room 318

Price: Free

UAB hosts a Hip Hop Hour series, an open forum for discussion and activity centered on a specific hip hop subtopic. This time will feature a discussion on the emergence of hip hop in Japan. Attendees will also have the chance to personally share how hip hop has influenced them and participate in an activity. There will also be free refreshments at the event.

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Earth Day Celebration

Date: April 20

Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Where: Mobile Japanese Gardens

Price: Free

Come and celebrate Earth Day at the Mobile Japanese Garden on April 20th! This admission-free event promises live music, food trucks, Koinobori (Carp Windsock) crafts at the Mobile Museum of Art, a complimentary tree giveaway, and so much more.

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Study Alabama Reception

Date: April 23

Time: 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Where: Wine Loft, Birmingham

Study Alabama was formed in 2016 through collaboration with the United States and Alabama Departments of Commerce. Study State consortia take different forms, but Study Alabama consists of twenty-one colleges, universities, and international high schools within Alabama that work towards global engagement. Their mission includes promoting Alabama as an international education destination as well as working to partner with businesses to promote global competency for the workforce and opportunities for international and domestic students with these skills.



To RSVP, click here.

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Daikin Festival 2024

Date: May 3

Time: 6:30 - 9 p.m.

Where: Point Mallard Park, Decatur

Price: Free

The Daiken Festival is back this year on May 3rd! Celebrating Daiken's 30th anniversary with a Bon Odori-style festival, this free event will have food, activities, and performances. Don't miss out on Daiken's "Taiko Force" drum team and the ending fireworks show at one of Alabama's largest Japanese festivals of the year!

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Alabama Bonsai 50th Anniversary Spring Show

Date: May 18 (10 a.m. - 5 p.m.) and 19 (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.)

Where: Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Price: Free

The Birmingham Botanical Gardens are hosting their Annual Spring Show this May. It will also be celebrating 50 years of the Alabama Bonsai Society this year. The indoor event will feature bonsai on display as well as on sale, and there will be vendors selling gardening supplies.

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Leadership Change at MTM in Madison

The founder of the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Madison, Masashi Aihara, is stepping down as president and Mitsunobu Mukaida will become the next plant president. He has been with Mazda for 35 years serving as CEO and president of the Mazda Powertrain Manufacturing in Thailand and recently as an executive officer in charge of global production. Click on the link above for more information.

Toyota Marks Record for Engine Production

Toyota Alabama supplies over one-third of all engine’s for Toyota’s North American operation. The plant in Huntsville has the capacity to build up to 900,000 engines per year, and in 2023 it reached a record production of 770,000 engines produced. To keep up with these high production demands, the plant currently employs more than 2,000 people. The plant itself is 1.3 million square feet and has four assembly lines that produce a multitude of different types of engines including those for hybrid and combustion engines. It is also the only plant in North America that builds the Twin Turbo V-6 engine. Other achievements for the plant include its status as one of two of Toyota’s designated model sustainable plants in North America with zero landfills, winning the EPA Energy Star Challenge for Industry award and the Toyota North America award for outstanding energy and water management. To learn more about Huntsville’s plants achievements and activities for the year, read the article linked above.

Report: 2023 growth projects to inject $6.4 billion into Alabama communities

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced over $6.4 billion in investments from companies launching or expanding operations in 2023, reinforcing the state's robust economic growth and job creation. The efforts resulted in 8,095 new jobs across 43 counties, with key sectors like automotive, metals, and information technology driving growth. Rural Alabama attracted significant investments, and foreign direct investment played a crucial role, contributing almost $3 billion and nearly 3,400 new jobs. Top global and domestic brands, such as Miele and Sierra Pacific, continue to choose Alabama for expansion. Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair emphasizes the state's commitment to creating 21st-century jobs and developing a comprehensive economic development strategy for the future. Governor Ivey highlights the importance of innovation and technology in sustaining Alabama's economic momentum, driving the need for new strategies and bold approaches.

Click here to see the 2023 Alabama New & Expanding Industry Report.

Alabama’s new commerce chief has a new deadline. Here’s how she’ll meet it

Alabama's Commerce Secretary Ellen McNair, in her three-month tenure, faces the Oct. 1 deadline set by Gov. Kay Ivey to develop a new economic strategy for the state, the first since 2016. McNair aims to assemble a team of consultants to analyze key industries and gather input from local officials and industry experts. Despite economic uncertainties such as COVID-19, McNair emphasizes the importance of adapting to industry changes and leveraging local partnerships for successful investment. With decades of experience in economic development, including her role in bringing Hyundai to Montgomery, McNair stresses the collaboration between state and local entities in attracting investment. She emphasizes the need for continual improvement in economic strategies to ensure competitiveness and future success.

Toyota to Headline SEUS/Japan Conference in North Carolina

This year’s Southeast U.S./Japan Annual Joint Meeting will be sponsored by Toyota. This meeting is aimed at attracting more Japanese investment to the Southeastern United States. This year it will be hosted in Charlotte, North Carolina from October 27 to 29th. For more information and comments from the governor, check out the article linked above.

Nippon Steel's acquisition of U.S Steel to be finalized by September 2024

Nippon Steel aims to finalize its $14.9 billion acquisition of U.S. Steel by September, per Nikkei Asia. The move would significantly bolster Nippon Steel's global capacity by 100 million metric tons of crude steel. Executive Vice President Takahiro Mori has actively engaged with U.S. Congress to highlight the mutual benefits of the deal. Nippon Steel emphasizes that the acquisition will enhance U.S. Steel's success, benefiting workers, industry, and national security. Despite reservations from U.S. President Joe Biden, Mori remains confident in approval, citing its importance to both nations' industries.

Japan Export Growth Surprises in February

Japan's exports surged by 7.8% in February, outpacing economists' expectations of a 3.5% rise. Led by increased shipments of autos and auto parts, this marked the third consecutive month of expansion. The robust trade data suggests potential economic growth, with experts predicting a smaller decline in Q1 GDP. Capital Economics now forecasts a 0.3% contraction in first-quarter GDP, an improvement from the previously projected 0.7% drop. Strong exports to the U.S. and the EU drove regional growth, while exports to China and Asia also saw modest increases, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing equipment.