2018 Year in Review
565 Metro Place South, Suite 300 • Dublin, Ohio 43017 © JASCO 20191 Table of Contents
2018 JASCO Corporate Members...... 4
2018 JASCO Board of Directors ...... 6
JASCO Staff & Interns...... 7
SIGNATURE EVENTS
19th Annual Japanese Speech Contest...... 8
JASCO Japanese Career Exploration...... 10
20th Anniversary Reception...... 11
19th Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser...... 12
Economic Business Seminar...... 13
BUSINESS AND NETWORKING EVENTS
Networking Events...... 14
JETRO Seminars...... 15
Communication Seminars...... 16
CEPEX Seminars...... 17
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CULTURAL EVENTS
Cultural Workshops...... 18
Kimono...... 18
Indigo Dyeing...... 19
Calligraphy...... 20
Koto...... 20
Awa Odori Performance & Workshop...... 21
Asian Festival...... 22
Tanabata Matsuri...... 23
EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Art Curator Lecture...... 24
Japanese Language Classes...... 25
School Outreach...... 26
JASCO’s Core Values...... 27
3 2018 JASCO Corporate Members
Benefactors Patrons • Corna-Kokosing • American Electric Power Construction, Co. • Honda Logistics North • Honda of America Mfg., Inc. America • Honda R&D Americas, Inc. • Honda Transmission Mfg. • Honda Trading America • Schneider Downs • Meijer • TS Tech Americas, Inc. • PNC • Yachiyo of Americas, Inc.
Contributors • Belletech • Nissin Travel Services (U.S.A). • Change 4 Growth Inc. • Chrono Management Group • Optimed Research, Inc. • Columbus 2020 • Pacific Food, Inc. • Dublin Building Systems • Plante Moran • Dublin Technical Systems, Inc. • Pricewaterhousecoopers LLC • Embassy Suites Dublin • Reliant Mechanical • Ernst & Young • The Schumacher Group • Funai Service Corporation • THK Manufacturing of • GBQ Partners America • Hidaka USA, Inc. • Toagosei America Inc. • Homewood Suites Dublin • Tosoh America, Inc. • Honda Engineering NA • United Healthcare • Humble Construction • USI Insurance Services • JASStek Inc. • Vorys, Sater, Seymour and • Kirk Williams Co. Pease LLP • KTH Parts Industries, Inc. • Weastec, Inc. • Nifco America Corporation • Yamato Transport • Nippon Rika, Inc.
Thank you for your continued support!
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Not-for-Profit Members • City of Delaware • Ohio University • City of Dublin • Ohio Wesleyan University • Columbus Regional Airport • Shadowbox Live Authority • TraVerse: English Language • Denison University Training, OSU • JETRO Chicago • Union County-Marysville • JobsOhio Economic Development • Logan County Area Chamber of • Wittenberg University Commerce • Women for Economic • The Ohio State University Leadership & Development Institute for Japanese Studies • Worthington International • The Ohio State University Friendship Association Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures
Professional Individuals • Katie Blumenschein (adecco) • Akiko Miyamoto (Nihon-de- • John Beeler Columbus, LLC @ Re/Max (Porter Writer Morris & Arthur 24/7) LLP) • Mika Murakami DeMura • Anand Ekbote (Anand Strategic) (Milestone Memories • Mark Headlee (Red Architecutre Photography) + Planning) • Megumi Musick • Tracy Imamura (Fort Hayes Arts (Local2Global, LLC) and Academic High School) • Takashi Nagaoka (Creo • Masatoshi Inoue (New York Life Consulting, LLC) Insurance Company) • Lisa Reaves (Reaves • Jun Kawabe (Mirai InterCultural Opthalmology Center) Language & Consulting) • Masao Tachibana (Plex • Randy Lowe (Korda/Nemeth Systems) Engineering) • Chikara Tanaka (Tanaka & Company LLC)
Thank you for your continued support!
5 2018 JASCO Board of Directors
Officers Dr. Mari Noda, President The Ohio State University
Mr. Isao Shoji, Past President The Schumacher Group
Mr. Anthony Weis, President-Elect Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
Mr. Akio Seino, Treasurer GBQ Partners, LLC
Mr. Doug Muszynski, Secretary PNC Corporate Banking
Honorary Board Member Mr. Toshiyuki Shimabara, Honda of America Manufacturing., Inc.
6 www.jas-co.org 2018 JASCO Board of Directors
Board Members Mr. Phil Barth, Former Honorary Consul of Japan in Ohio Mr. Mark Cobetto, Schneider Downs Mr. Matt Ference, Corna-Kokosing Co. Mr. Hiroshi Fukuda, Nissin Travel Services, Inc. Mr. Yoshihiro Hidaka, Hidaka USA, Inc. Ms. Sachiyo Isoda Peterson, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP Mr. Scott Kuehn, American Electric Power Ms. Noriko Mills, Honda R&D Americas, Inc. Mr. Nick Moulakis Mr. Tim Myers, Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc. Mr. Greg Norval, Honda Trading America Corporation Mr. Eric Riehl, Humble Construction Ms. Deborah Scherer, Columbus 2020 Ms. Monica Wilson, USI Insurance Services
JASCO Staff & Interns
Benjamin Pachter Ayana May Yuko Rader Elinor Lindeman Risako Tanaka Moe Oyagi
7 2018 Japanese Speech Contest
March 10, 2018 Dublin Community Recreation Center
The Annual Japanese Speech Contest is an event that offers an opportunity for Japanese-language learners to showcase achievements. This competition not only provides highly motivated students across the state with the chance to improve their Japanese language skills, but also inspires and encourages others to broaden their understanding of Japan, its culture, and the strong ties between Japan and United States.
20 High School, College, and Advanced finalists were invited to Dublin to give their speeches in front of a panel of judges: Ms. Yuki Sakai, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Detroit; Mr. Hiroshi Fukuda, COJAC/Nissin Travel Services (U.S.A.) Inc. ; Ms. Noriko Mills, JASCO/Honda R&D Americas Inc.; and Ms. Allyson Larimer, Echo Japanese Interpreting, LLC.
Support was provided by The Japan Foundation Los Angeles, the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit, the Ohio Association of Teachers of Japanese, the Central Ohio Japanese Association of Commerce, The OSU Institute for Japanese Studies, the City of Dublin, and the OSU Japanese Students Organization.
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High School Winners First Place - Hyerin Noh (Orange County Japanese School) Second Place - Brent Luttmer (Benjamin Logan High School) Consul General Award - Zach Shafer (Marysville High School) College Winners First Place - Yang Han (Case Western Reserve University) Second Place - Tianchu Gao (The Ohio State University) Consul General Award - Rohit Kumar (The University of Toledo) Advanced Winners First Place - Xiyue Zhang (The Ohio State University) Second Place - Zane Casimir (The Ohio State University)
9 JASCO Japanese Career Exploration March 10, 2018 Dublin Community Recreation Center
Held in conjunction with the 2018 Japanese Speech Contest was the JASCO Japanese Career Exploration. The Career Exploration provides students studying the Japanese language and English-Japanese bilingual job seekers with an opportunity to interact with local business leaders and learn about career paths available to them, as well as learn about various Japanese language learning opportuties in Ohio.
The participating companies and organizations in the 2018 Career Exploration were:
COMPANIES CREO Consulting, LLC Dublin technical Sustems, Inc. THK Manufacturing of America, Inc. TS Tech Americas, Inc.
UNIVERSITIES AND NON-PROFITS The Ohio State University Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures The University of Findlay TraVerse English Language Training at The Ohio State University Wittenberg University
10 www.jas-co.org 21st Annual JASCO Anniversary Reception April 12, 2018 Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease LLP
Consul-General of Japan in Detroit, Mr. Mitsuhiro Wada
This annual event is a celebration of the organization’s anniversary, as well as an opportunity to discuss and evaluate the year’s past and upcoming programs. Each year, we welcome a number of special guests and visitors to the reception, such as Consul General Mr. Mitsuhiro Wada from the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit.
11 20th Annual JASCO Golf Outing Fundraiser June 11, 2018 The County Club at Muirfield Village
The 20th Annual JASCO Golf Outing was held at The County Club at Muirfield Village on June 11, 2018. The weather was mixed on the day that 54 golfers took to the course, but all the same everyone enjoyed nice afternoon on the course.
The Annual Golf Outing is one of JASCO’s most important fundraising events, while also bringing together its corporate and individual members together for a round of golf.
Thank you very much for all of the sponsors and golfers!
1st Place Team - Hidaka USA
12 www.jas-co.org JASCO Economic Business Seminar
November 8, 2018 Dublin Community Recreation Center
The 2018 Annual Economic Business Seminar was held on November 8th at the Dublin Community Recreation Center. The year’s topic was “Future of the Workforce,” exploring current trends across the workforce and new strategies to succeed in an evolving market. Tim Harman, Columbus 2020 Following a speech by Ms. Yuki Sakai, Honorary Consul General of Japan in Detroit, the keynote presentation was given by Mr. Tim Harman, Director, Customized Workforce Recruitment & Development, Columbus 2020. Mr. Harman was then joined for a panel discussion and Q&A session by Ms. Laura Tooops, Human Resources Director, Stanley Electric, Mr. Jeff Spain, Supervisor, Workforce Innovation, Columbus State Community College, and Mr. Jeff Sprague, Division Manager, NEX Transport. The panel discussion and Q&A moderator was Ms. Deborah Scherer, Managing Director, Global Trade and Investment, Columbus 2020 and JASCO Board Member.
13 Networking Events
January 18 and May 10, 2018
We held two Networking events in January and May 2018, offering JASCO members and community members a chance to interact and get to know each other and the host organizations.
In January, we gathered at the Plante Moran offices in downtown Columbus, while in May we met at The Ohio State University at the Hagerty Hall courtyard.
Thank you very much to Plante Moran and The Ohio State University for hosting these events!
14 www.jas-co.org JETRO Seminars
March 14 and July 23, 2018
Throughout 2018, we partnered with JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Chicago to offer a series of business seminars and networking oportunities.
The first event was on March 14, when we held a special KIZUNA TOHOKU UPDATE highlight recovery efforts in the Tohoku region of Japan, with a special emphasis on Ralph Inforzato, food and drink industries. Speakers JETRO Chicago included Yoshiyuki Takasago, Director-General for International Affairs, Business and Tourism Commerce, Miyagi Prefecture; Yasushi Kotouno, Executive Officer, Suenaga Kaisan Company Ltd., andJohn Gauntner, sake sommelier and the world’s leading non-Japanese sake expert. The presentations were followed by a reception featuring food and drink frmo the Tohoku region.
On July 23, meanwhile, we held a special update on the Trump administation’s trade policies and tariffs, with updates provided by representatives from both the JETRO Chicago and JETRO New York offices.
Thank you to JETRO Chicago for helping to bring these exciting and informative events to Central Ohio!
15 Strengthening the Japan-US Economic Relationship August 2, 2018 Hilton Columbus at Easton, Columbus
On August 2, JASCO partnered with JETRO Chicago, JobsOhio, and Columbus 2020 to present a special program entitled “Strengthening the Japan-US Economic relationship. The program featured a Keynote Presentation by The Honorable Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan. This was the first time that a Minister from the Japanese government has visited Central Ohio, and was part of a series of visits he made to locations in the Midwestern United States.
Also featured on the program were remarks by Mitsuhiro Wada, Consul General of Japan in Detroit; Shigeki Maeda, Executive Vice President, JETRO; and Tom Shoupe, Executive Vice President, Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.
16 www.jas-co.org Communication Seminars
May 17 and October 17, 2018
In May and October 2018, we offered two seminars on communication styles and leadership. The May event focused on Business Communication Styles for Women Engaged with the Japanese Community, was co-presented by Women for Economic and Leadership Development and Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, and was led by Susan Alexander of Rosebud Coaching & Consulting.
In October, meanwhile, we offered a Japanese-language DiSC management seminar similar to that which has held for several years at Honda North Susan Alexander, America. Rosebud Coaching & Consulting
CEPEX Seminar
December 3, 2018 Ohio University Dublin Integrated Education Center
Our final business seminar of the year was held in partnership with CEPEX (The Center for Professional Exchange) and Funai Service Corporation.
Entitled “Japanese Innovation and Experiences Implementing New Technology in the U.S.: From ‘Product Out’ to ‘Market In,’” the seminar featured presentations by Yukio Tada, Sunrock Institute and Yoshihiro Sasaki, Funai Service Corporation, and special guest remarks by Tsutomu Nakagawa, Consul General of Japan in Detroit.
17 Cultural Workshops
As part of JASCO’s mission to create opportunities for cultural enrichment and understanding, and to foste education about Japan and Japanese culture, we offered a number of cultural workshops throughout 2018. In partnership with several Japanese cultural-related organizations based in Central Ohio, we were able to offer hands-on workshop experiences:
• kimono • indigo dyeing • calligraphy • koto
KIMONO w/ COLUMBUS KIMONO January 20, 2018 Dublin Integrated Education Center
Kat and Liz from Columbus Kimono gave a presentation on different types of kimono and the various pieces of clothing worn as part of a full outfit.
The presentation also included a kitsuke demonstration, showing how to properly dress someone in a kimono.
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KIMONO PORTRAIT SESSION February 24, 2018 R&L Digital Studio, Columbus
Continuing from the January kimono workshop, in February we partnered with Columbus Kimono, Mika Murakami DeMura of Milestone Memories Photography, and hair/makeup artist Stephanie Whitcomb to offer a special kimono portrait session for individuals and families.
INDIGO DYEING w/ MASHIKO INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE September 29, 2018 ASSOCIATION Dublin Arts Council JASCO partnered with the Mashiko International Exchange Association to offer a hands-on workshop at the Dublin Arts Council about indigo dyeing as it is done in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture (Dublin’s Friendship City).
Participants learned about the history of indigo dyeing and dyed a variety of items including t-shirts and handkerchiefs.
19 Cultural Workshops
CALLIGRAPHY October 27, 2018 DEC Training Center
JASCO staff and volunteers led participants through the basics ofshodo , or Japanese calligraphy. After learning about basic strokes and writing practices, participants practice writing their favorite words and phrases.
KOTO w/ THE COLUMBUS KOTO ENSEMBLE December 8, 2018 Kaltenbach Community Center
The Columbus Koto Ensemble presented a special koto performance and workshop of December 8. The koto is the national instrument of Japan, a string instrument used in a variety of musical settings.
Following performances of both traditional and modern songs, Columbus Koto Ensemble members helped participants try their hand at playing the instruments.
20 www.jas-co.org Awa Odori Performance & Workshop March 29, 2018 The Ohio State University
On March 29, JASCO partnered with The Ohio State University Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures to present a special performance and workshop by TAKARABUNE, Japan’s first professional awa odori troupe.
Awa odori is one of the most well-known traditional dances in Japan, native to Tokushima Prefecture. TAKARABUNE pushes the limits of this art with an aggressive and vigorous dance style.
Following their performance, TAKARABUNE members presented an awa odori workshop for the audience, walking them through the basic steps of the dance.
21 Asian Festival
May 26-27, 2018 Franklin Park
Over Memorial Day weekend, JASCO participated in the Asian Festival at Franklin Park in Columbus. This event is one of the largest pan-Asian festivals in the United States, with more than 100,000 visitors to the festival over Memorial Day weekend.
This year, JASCO was in charge of the Japan tent in the Community Square, an area where you can share cultural activities with festival attendees. We presented summer festival games such as yoyo fishing and (rubber) goldfish and superball scooping. Visitors could also try their hand at origami and Japanese calligraphy. The Columbus Koto Ensemble also stopped by to offer a free hands-on experience.
22 www.jas-co.org Tanabata Matsuri
July 7, 2018 Kaltenbach Park, Dublin
Nearly 300 people came to Kaltenbach Park on Saturday, July 7 to celebrate Tanabata. Also called the Star Festival, this festival celebrates the once-a- year meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively).
There was a special potluck dinner with a variety of Japanese and Western foods brought by members of the community. Adoring the entrance to the pavilion were bamboo branches where festival attendees could write their wishes on tanzaku, small pieces of colored paper.
There were also a number of Japanese festival games and an origami station.
23 Art Curator Lecture
June 7, 2018 Columbus Museum of Art On Thursday, June 7, JASCO partnered with the Columbus Museum of Art to present a lecture by Sinead Vilbar, curator of Japanese art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The lecture was part of the Richard J. Wood Art Curator Series funded by a grant to the National Association of Japan-America Societies from the US-Japan Friendship Commission.
Dr. Vilbar’s talk was entitled “From Jeptha Wade to Kelvin Smith: Col- lecting Japanese Art in Cleveland.” The Cleveland Museum of Art has been collecting important works of Japanese art since its opening in 1916. While there have been a number of notable donations of works, the collection strategy of the Museum has largely been one of curators and directors guiding the museum to make important acquisitions. Dr. Vilbar explored this collection strategy, highlighting the impact of former director Sherman Lee (1918-2008) and patrons like Mr. and Mrs. Kelvin Smith.
24 www.jas-co.org Japanese Language Classes
10 Week Sessions Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall Dublin Entrepreneurial Center
One of the educational services that JASCO offers its members is the opportunity to learn the fundamental elements of the Japanese language. In 2018, JASCO offered five different levels of classes that build upon the grammar, vocabulary, and context learned in previous sessions to develop a practical use of the language.
These popular classes are currently offered quarterly on weekday evenings. The program is overseen by Ms. Jun Kawabe, Lecturer in Modern Foreign Languages at Ohio Wesleyan University and director of Mirai InterCultural Language and Consulting, and taught by Ms. Kawabe and Mirai InterCultural Language and Consulting instructors.
25 School Outreach
As part of its mission to support education about Japan in Ohio, JASCO staff regularly travel across the region to give presentations and lectures at schools about different facets of Japanese culture.
Schools visited during 2018 were: • Benjamin Logan High School • Case Western Reserve University • Dublin Jerome High School • Kent State University • Marysville High School • University of Cincinnati • University of Findlay • Univeristy of Mount Union • The University of Toledo
Presentation topics included: • High school life in Japan • Japanese idol music • Matsuri • The Ohio-Japan relationship • Taiko
26 www.jas-co.org JASCO’s Core Values
• Creating Cultural Understanding – We facilitate enrichment opportunities that create and deep- en mutual respect between the Japanese and American cultures in Central Ohio.
• Improving Japanese Business Success – We support the growth, sustainability, and success of Japanese-owned businesses located in Central Ohio.
• Building Relationships – We serve as a conve- ner of families and children, while helping to build relationships for community sustainability, and improving people’s lives.
• Fostering Education – We educate individuals and businesses in Central Ohio about the Japa- nese culture, people, and traditions, while demonstrating the significance to Central Ohio.
27 JASCO Mission Statement To enrich lives by bringing Ohio’s Japanese and American communities together.
JASCO Vision Statement The Japan America Society of Central Ohio (JASCO) is the premiere organization for deepening understanding of and appreciation for Ohio’s Japanese and American cultures. Lives are changed for the better and businesses succeed when meaningful cross-cultural relationships are intentionally cultivated. Located centrally in the capital city of Ohio, Columbus, JASCO provides the gateway for connecting people and fostering friendships among those who are interested in the Japanese culture. By working collaboratively and leveraging relationships with state-level leaders, JASCO serves as a catalyst for helping Japanese-owned businesses succeed.
Communicate with JASCO
You can visit us online at jas-co.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JASCentralOhio, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JASCO
565 Metro Place South, Suite 300 Dublin, Ohio 43017 Phone: (614) 300-3054 Web: www.jas-co.org E-mail: [email protected]
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