Contents
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- The 56th JAA Scholarship & The 20th Honjo Scholarship Award Dinner
- The 30th JAA Art Exhibition of Japanese & Japanese American Artists in New York
- The 18th Sakura Health Fair
- The 21st JAA Sakura Matsuri
- The 5th Japan Parade in New York
- 第The 40th JAA Foreign Minister’s Cup Softball Baseball Tournament
- Summer Flea Market
- メMemorial Day Service
- 3/11 Volunteers
- JAAYP + JS
- Samurai Blue Watch Party
- JAA Spring Japanese Language Education Committee
- 2026 JAA Annual Meeting
- 2026 New Year’s Business Card Exchange Celebration
- NY State Legislature Visit
- Thirty Okinawan Students Visit JAA
- Fred Korematsu Day
- Member News
- JAA Events in the Second Half of 2026
- Social Service
- Obituary
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The 56th JAA Scholarship &
the 20th Honjo Scholarship Award Dinner
The 56th JAA Scholarship Awards Dinner was held on May 27 at 6 p.m. at the Harvard Club, attended by 150 people, including Consul General of New York Ambassador Satoshi Katahira and his wife, scholarship donors, recipients, and their families. The event began with opening remarks by Koji Sato, JAA Chairman, and Hiroshi Kawano, Co-Chair of this year’s scholarship program committee and Executive Chairman of the Board of MUFG Americas Holdings Corporation, followed by a congratulatory speech by Ambassador Katahira. Then, Joshua W. Walker, PhD, Chairman of Japan Society, gave the keynote speech, encouraging the recipients by saying that U.S.-Japan relations are supported by personal connections, drawing from his new book, ‘JAPAN, Beyond the Genkan.’
After the dinner, the sixteen awardees who will be starting university this fall were granted a total of $92,500 in scholarships, two round-trip ANA tickets to Japan, and, for the Honjo Scholarship recipients, four U.S. graduate students contributing to Japan-U.S. relations research received a total of $30,000 in scholarships from the Honjo Foundation. Representing the awardees, Yuuki Donnelly, recipient of the Hiroko Murase Family Award, and David Anderson, recipient of the Honjo Award, shared their hopes for the future and gratitude to their families. Congratulations to all the awardees! Finally, Satoru Murase, JAA Vice President, Co-Chair of the Scholarship Program Committee, expressed thanks to the guests and donors, concluding the event. Once again, we are truly grateful for the support we received from many people and companies. On page 6, please find the 2026 JAA Scholarship Awardees, Dinner Benefactors, and the biography of keynote speaker Dr. Joshua W. Walker.
Keynote Speaker
Joshua W. Walker, PhD
President & CEO of Japan Society.
He has held leadership roles at Eurasia Group, APCO Worldwide, and the 2017 World Expo. A former U.S. government advisor, he holds degrees from Richmond, Yale, and Princeton. Raised in Japan, he is bilingual and bicultural. He is also the author of Japan, Beyond the Genkan, a forthcoming book that blends memoir and geopolitical analysis, drawing on his lived experience to offer a rare “insider-outsider” perspective on the U.S.–Japan relationship.
2026 Annual JAA Scholarship Dinner Benefactors
Platinum Sponsors:
・MUFG Bank, Ltd.
・Orient Corporation of America
Gold Sponsor:
・ITO EN (North America), Inc.
・The Murase Family
Silver Sponsors:
・Japanese Medical Society of America, Inc. (JMSA)
・Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)
・Orix Corporation USA
・Smith Gambrell & Russell, LLP
・Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP
2026 56th JAA General Scholarship Committees
Co-Chairpersons: Hiroshi Kawano and Satoru Murase
Members: Eri Kakuta, Koji Sato, Rona Tison and Naoki Yaguchi
2026 20th JAA Honjo Scholarship Committee
Chairperson: Gary S. Moriwaki
Members: Stephanie Kato, Susan J. Onuma, Koji Sato and Katsuo Takeda
We thank you for your contributions and express our gratitude to the award donors and sponsors. Please support us through contributions and join us in our volunteer charitable activities which each year help thousands in the community and support better US Japan relations. The Japanese American Association of New York, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with over 110 years of history helping others.
56th JAA Scholarship Awardees (Total $92,500)
(for graduating high school students)
1. The Hiroko Murase Family Scholarship ($12,000 plus Round-Trip Air Ticket to Japan, courtesy of All Nippon Airways)
Yuuki Donnelly / Rocky Point High School, will attend Yale University
2. MUFG Scholarship ($10,000)
Hannah F. Nakagome / Stanford Online High School, will attend Cornell University
3. Mika Hayashi Scholarship ($8,000)
Julien Crampe / Garden City High School, will attend the United States Military Academy at West Point
4. Eri Kakuta Scholarship ($8,000)
Erika Kawakami / Jericho Senior High School, will attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology
5. Dr. Soji Tomikawa Scholarship ($7,500)
Mioko S. Martin / Ardsley High School, will attend Washington University in St. Louis
6. Mitsubishi Corporation (America) Scholarship ($5,000)
Christopher Ogawa-John Stamataky / Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, will attend University of Pennsylvania
7. Mitsui USA Foundation Scholarship ($5,000)
Eisei Kori / Stuyvesant High School, will attend Bowdoin College
8. Orient Corporation of America Scholarship ($5,000)
Tiana Kaga / Edgemont Junior-Senior High School, will attend University of California, Los Angeles
9. Tokio Marine America Scholarship ($5,000)
Ryan Shintani / Ridgewood High School, will attend Duke University
10. Yayoi Asoma Memorial Scholarship ($5,000)
Seiji Yoshihira / West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, will attend Carnegie Mellon University
11. Dr. Robert K. Emy Scholarship ($5,000)
Shun J. Nagata / Rye High School, will attend Northwestern University
12. Ichinohe & Horishige Scholarship ($5,000)
Alice Oshima / Hunter College High School, will attend Vassar College
13. Dr. George Nagamatsu and Mrs. Kazuko Nagamatsu Scholarship ($5,000)
Justin K. Codner / Stuyvesant High School, will attend Cornell University
14. NHK Cosmomedia America Scholarship ($3,000)
Ami Vina Connie Densmore / New Paltz High School, will attend University of Miami
15. Ambassador Shinichi Nishimiya Scholarship ($3,000)
Julian Weaver / Brooklyn Technical High School, will attend University of Pennsylvania
16. ANA Japan Travel Scholarship ($1,000 from JAA plus Round-Trip Air Ticket to Japan, courtesy of All Nippon Airways)
Masato J. Clarke / Chaminade High School, will attend Rice University
20th JAA Honjo Scholarship Awardees (total $30,000)
(for graduate students)
1. David Anderson, who is studying for his Ph.D. in Princeton, an award of $10,000
2. Mohamed Wafyedeen Gasmi, who is also studying for his Ph.D. in Princeton, an award of $7,500
3. Honami Iizuka, studying at Columbia University, School of International Affairs, for a Master, an award of $7,500
4. Kanako Tajima, also at Columbia studying for a Ph.D., an award of $5,000
The 30th JAA Art Exhibition of Japanese &
Japanese American Artists in New York
Photos by Masao Katagam
 Artists who received certificates of appreciation (from left): Mizue Sawano, Ushio Shinohara, Ambassador Satoshi Katahira, JAA President Koji Sato, Junko Yoda, and Toshihisa Yoda. |
A landmark celebration, the “30th Anniversary Celebration: Japanese and Japanese American Artists Active in New York Exhibition,” was held at the JAA Hall from May 7 to May 23, with support from the Consulate General of Japan in New York, NY Seikatsu Shimbun, and Yomi Time. After welcome speeches from Chairman George Hirose and JAA President Koji Sato, Ambassador Satoshi Katahira delivered his congratulatory message. Nearly 200 people enjoyed the exhibition at the JAA Hall. Eight artists who have exhibited since the first event in 1996 were recognized, and certificates of appreciation were presented to Mizue Sawano, Ushio Shinohara, Junko Yoda, and Toshihisa Yoda. Those who could not participate included Masaaki Noda, Shunji Sakuyama, Kenjiro Sasaki, and Masaaki Sato. In addition to the above, the exhibiting artists were Sachie Hayashi, Miho Hiranouchi, George Hirose, Kumi Hirose, Kazuko Hyakuta, Atsuko Kawai, Sonomi Kobayashi, Mariko Kusumi, Ryoichi Miura, Hiromitsu Morimoto, Kazuya Morimoto, Yasumitsu Morito, Miki Nagano, Hiroko Ohno, Tomomi Ono, Alex Kukai Shinohara, Noriko Shinohara, Katsumi Suzuki, Akemi Takeda, Keico Watanabe, and Yoichiro Yoda. Special exhibition: Kunio Iizuka, Hitoshi Nakazato, Ansei Uchima, Toshiko Uchima, and Steve Wada. This year, 12 works were purchased ($24,380), with half of the proceeds generously donated by the artists to JAA.
The 18th Sakura Health Fair
Professor Keiko Nishida delivering her lecture, “The Spirit of LARA Busshi.”
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JMSA Life Science Forum Kids 2026
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BC Network Breast Cancer Symposium
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Chair Yoga
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Baby & Toddler Massage
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Let’s Celebrate “Kodomo no Hi”
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NY Sukusuku-kai’s Primama and Pripapa Course
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Understanding Back & Neck Pain by Mr. Kosaki
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JAMSNET Dr. Yoshikuni
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JAA Apple Kids: Eurhythmics & Japanese Storytime “Yoppi”
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Enjoy Chatting and Laughing for a Happy, Lively Life
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JAA Chorus Open Class
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Held from April 5th to May 3rd, the 18th annual Sakura Health Fair was organized by JAA and supported by the Consulate General of Japan in New York, the Japanese Medical Society of America (JMSA), the Japanese Medical Support Network (JAMSNET), Mitsui USA Foundation, an Asian American Federation Grant, and the NY Japanese American Lions Club. We prepared a variety of engaging programs for all ages using the JAA Hall and online, covering topics like dementia, breast cancer, medical care and insurance, caregiving information in Japan and the U.S., health and happiness strategies for later in life and when returning to your home country, as well as a Children’s Science Forum, Children’s Day events, Japanese language education and parent-child classes, plus introductions to Japanese culture like exercise, calligraphy, tea ceremony, and origami. This time, we held a screening and lecture about the history of JAA and Japanese baseball, which many people attended. New program providers and organizations also joined, and over 2,500 people participated in more than 50 programs.
The 21st JAA Sakura Matsuri
 25 Years of Planting Sakura Trees, Photos by Masao Katagami |
 Annual Sakura Tree Planting |
 (From left) New York State Assembly Member Ron Kim, JAA President Koji Sato, NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, and Ambassador Satoshi Katahira. |
New York Okinawa Club
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Soh Daiko
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Hanagasa Ondo Dance
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Tenri Drum & Fife Corp
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Tea Ceremony
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JAA Chorus
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This year, the 21st Sakura Festival was co-hosted by New York City and JAA and was held on April 18 in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park under clear skies, with the double cherry blossoms in full bloom. 25 years since these cherry trees were first planted, JAA President Koji Sato gave a welcome greeting, followed by speeches from the Consul General of Japan in New York, Ambassador Satoshi Katahira, and New York State Assembly member Ron Kim, who presented a certificate of appreciation to recognize JAA’s many years of contributions to New York State. Tricia Shimamura, a Japanese American appointed as Commissioner of the New York City Parks Department, also attended and gave a speech. Anthony Sama, the person in charge of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, spoke as well, and local residents mentioned that they look forward to the Sakura Festival every year.
JAA members and fellow New Yorkers enjoyed the gorgeous day thanks to the efforts of its organizer and JAA VP Susan McCormac, and performances by Soh Daiko, the JAA Chorus & Harmony Tomo, The Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY, Inc., New York Okinawa Club, Tenri Drum & Fife Corp, and JAA’s Tea Ceremony Class. At the end, local people also joined in and enjoyed the Hanagasa Ondo dance. This year, we planted cherry trees to thank former JAA Vice President Hiroko Onoyama for her many years of support to JAA. JAA is very grateful for the donations of $6,000 from George Hirose and $1,000 from Hiroko Onoyama and Yoshie Mooney. Also, this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival was organized by Chairperson Susan McCormac, Advisor Suki Terada Ports, committee members Haruka Kokaze and Michiyo Noda; the photographer was Masao Katagami; and volunteers included Kenji Nakano, Yukihiro Urisaka, Yumiko Hirose, Mari Morimoto from the NY Japanese American Lions Club, and Hikaru Aono, Hiroko Shimizu, Motoe Yakiyama, Namie Suzuki, Naomi Miyakita, Kuni Mikami, and Yoshiko Nakamura. Additionally, ten volunteers from ABeam Consulting NY participated. We also received tea and a donation from Ito En.
The 5th Japan Parade in New York
 Ambassador Satoshi Katahira |
 JAA members marching in JAA logo T-shirts |
JAA Calligraphy Class Tent
On Saturday, May 9th, the 5th Japan Parade was held to express gratitude to New York, introduce Japanese culture, and promote solidarity within the Japanese community. About 2,700 people from 106 Japanese organizations marched along Central Park West, led by Ambassador Satoshi Katahira in a Happi coat, receiving applause and cheers from 50,000 New Yorkers. Despite the rain partway through, the JAA team, from the Young Professionals Group to seniors, marched proudly wearing T-shirts with the JAA logo. It was a wonderful day for the Japanese and Japanese American community in New York!
The 40th JAA Foreign Minister’s Cup
Softball Baseball Tournament
Starting April 26, 11 teams participated in Central Park and Randall’s Island, and exciting matches have been taking place. As of June 14, four games have been completed (three weeks were canceled due to rain), and currently the ‘Junks’ are on top with 3 wins and 1 draw. For more details, please check the blog below.
www.jaabaseball.blogspot.com
Summer Flea Market
We held our summer flea market, which usually takes place every August, on June 13th this year. New York, buzzing with the basketball championships and the FIFA World Cup, welcomed visitors despite city traffic restrictions. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., we were blessed with nice weather all morning, and guests kept coming all day long. We managed to raise about $8,000. Many thanks to everyone who donated items, attended the event, helped with setup and cleanup, and prepared the delicious food at our café corner. We are currently holding an after-sale. Also, please look forward to our bazaar on November 7. The after-sale will go on for a few weeks. There are plenty of great items, so please come and check them out. Any leftover clothing will be donated to the Salvation Army.
Memorial Day Service
At Mount Olivet Japanese Cemetery
Ambassador Satoshi Katahira
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Asako Tamura, soprano
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Volunteers who cleaned the cemetery the day before
On Memorial Day, May 25th, the annual graveside memorial service was held at Mount Olivet Japanese Cemetery in Queens. Chaired by Katsuo Takeda, Vice President of JAA, everyone offered incense and flowers while the NY Buddhist Association’s head priest chanted sutras. Attendees included Japanese Consul General Satoshi Katahira, JAA President Koji Sato, representatives from the Japanese American United Church (Pastor Stanley Wayne) and the Buddhist Association (Head Priest Kurt Lai), members of the NY Japanese Lions Club (President Nobuo Miki), and about 50 students and parents from the Japanese School of New York (Principal Esaku Morimoto) and the NY Ikuei Gakuen (Principal Hidetoshi Takeda). Also attending were Robin Takami, the great-grandchild of Dr. Yutaka Takami, who worked devotedly to acquire these cemetery plots, and David Takami, his grandchild, along with their families. Soprano singer Asako Tamura offered beautiful renditions of “Kimigayo” and “Inochi no Uta” at the grave. The gravestones, cleaned the day before by volunteers from the New York Japanese Lions Club, were decorated with handmade small Japanese and American flags by Ikuei Gakuen students. Currently, nearly 100 Japanese, Japanese Americans, and unnamed souls rest in this cemetery. Flower wreaths were offered by the Japanese Consulate General, the NY Buddhist Association, the Japanese American United Church, the NY Japanese Lions Club, the Japanese Medical Society of America and JAA.
3/11 Volunteers
On March 11, 34 volunteers from JAA, the Consulate General of Japan in New York, and the Japan-related community came together to serve at The Bowery Mission and Food Bank For NYC. Though it has been 15 years since the triple disaster in Tohoku, we continue to help people around us in need while connecting with other communities, to honor those lost on 3.11. We served 202 lunches at The Bowery Mission and over 190 dinners at Food Bank for NYC, helping provide meals for 400 guests who appreciated the hot meals.
We are grateful to NHK WORLD-JAPAN and Yomiuri Shimbun Online for their coverage of our volunteer efforts. Thank you to MUFG via Noriko Furuhata for generously supporting our event, and to all who took time to volunteer in remembrance of 3.11, making our community stronger.
JAA Young Professionals Committee (JAA YP)
On March 24, JAA YP launched its first event of the year in partnership with Japan Society, bringing together emerging leaders from across the U.S.-Japan community for an evening of candid conversation and genuine connection. This featured a fireside chat with Joshua W. Walker, PhD, President and CEO of Japan Society, moderated by Haruka Kokaze, JAA Board Member and Workplace Mental Health Research Associate at One Mind. The discussion explored what it means to build a global career across cultures and sectors, and how leadership is shaped by identity, experience, and responsibility.
JAA Young Professionals programming is made possible through the support of the George Hirose Family and ORIX CORPORATION USA.
Samurai Blue Watch Party
On June 14 and 25, the JCCI/NC/JAA Young Professionals (YP) hosted FIFA World Cup watch parties for the Japan vs. Netherlands match at Playwright Irish Pub. The events drew a total of 200 attendees.
JAA Spring Japanese Language Education Committee
Zoom Workshop
The Spring Japanese Language Workshop was held on Zoom on April 11, with 51 participants. We started by remembering Mr. Kazuo Tsuda, who passed away a year ago, and acknowledged his contributions in establishing the foundation for Japanese language education in North American middle and high schools. This time, the lecturer was Mr. Kitaura from Japan Society, who gave a presentation titled “Reviewing the Introduction and Practice of ‘Verb + Tense’ for Beginner Japanese Learners Whose First Language is English — Through Corpus Analysis.” It was a good opportunity to think about how to effectively communicate with learners whose first language is English. (Report: Nobuko Kodama, Chairperson of the Japanese Language Education Committee)
2026 JAA Annual Meeting
The Annual JAA General Meeting was held online on January 27th. JAA President, Koji Sato gave his thoughts on his fifth year as President, and Director Kumiko Hasegawa presented the financial report for 2025. This was followed by the introduction and approval of this year’s officers, directors, chairpersons of each committee, and honorary officers.
2026 Honorary Officers, Officers, Directors
Honorary Advisor
・Ambassador Satoshi Katahira, Consul General
Consulate General of Japan in New York
Honorary Members
・Kotaro Tameda, President
Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, Inc.
・Tetsuo Kawate, President
The Nippon Club, Inc.
Life Trustees
・Robert K. Emy, MD, Toshio Kiso, Gary S. Moriwaki
Honorary Directors
・Hiroko Onoyama, Joe Oshima, Suki Terada Ports
Honorary President
・Susan J. Onuma
Officers
・President: Koji Sato, fifth year as president
・Vice Presidents: Yuzuru Anzai, M.D., Julie Azuma, David Hiromura, George Hirose, Shunichi Homma, M.D., Keiko Ishida, Riki Ito, Makoto Iwahara, M.D., Yuki Kaneshige, Maki Kano-Lueckerath, M.D., Susan McCormac, Tsuneko Mitsunaka, Satoru Murase, Kamal Ramani, M.D., Katsuo Takeda
・Secretary: Nobuhisa Ishizuka
・Assistant Secretary: Yuki Kaneshige
・Treasurer: Kumiko Hasegawa
・Assistant Treasurer: Masaki Shimomura
Directors
Yuzuru Anzai M.D., Julie Azuma, Aiko Brody, Tak Furumoto, Kumiko Hasegawa, David Hiromura, George Hirose, Ryoko Hirose (new), Shunichi Homma M.D., Keiko Ishida, Nobuhisa Ishizuka, Riki Ito, Makoto Iwahara M.D, Yuki Kaneshige, Maki Kano-Lueckerath, M.D., Keiko Kato, Stephanie Kato (new), Nobuko Kodama, Haruka Kokaze (new), Naoki Matsunaga, Susan McCormac, Tsuneko Mitsunaka, Gary Moriwaki, Satoru Murase, Michiyo Noda, Kimihiko Oishi, M.D., Toru Okamoto, Susan Onuma, Kamal Ramani, M.D., Koji Sato, Masaki Shimomura, Michi Tahara, Wendy Takahisa, Katsuo Takeda, Naoki Yaguchi, Robert Yanagisawa, M.D.
2026 JAA COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS
Standing Committees
・Planning & Finance: Makoto Iwahara
・Membership Corporate: Satoru Murase
・Individual: Julie Azuma
・Communications (JAA News, Brochure & Web): English: Yuki Kaneshige (social media), Japanese: Michiyo Noda
・Archives: Michiyo Noda
・JAA Social Service: Riki Ito, Yuzuru Anzai
・Scholarship: Satoru Murase
・Legal: Gary S. Moriwaki, Nobuhisa Ishizuka, Naoki Yaguchi
・Nominating: Susan J. Onuma
・Audit: Susan J. Onuma
Special Committees
・External Affairs: Susan M. McCormac, Susan J. Onuma
・Honjo Scholarship: Gary S. Moriwaki
・Oral History Project: Julie Azuma
・House: Gary S, Moriwaki
・Charity Golf Tournament: Shige Kosuda, Koji Sato, Michi Tahara
・Art Exhibition: George Hirose, JAA Office
・Sports & Baseball Tournament: Kasei Chen, Kamal Ramani
・Memorial Day Services (Bosankai): Katsuo Takeda
・Japanese Language Workshop: Nobuko Kodama
・Bazaar/Flea Market: JAA Office
・Young Professional Committee: Keiko Kato
・Sakura Matsuri-Flushing Meadows Corona Park: Susan McCormac
・Committee on Aging Issues: Susan Onuma, Michiyo Noda
・JAA Women in Business Committee: Kumiko Hasegawa, Keiko Ishida, Tsuneko Mitsunaka
・Apple Kids: Kuni Mikami
・Tanabata Festival: Yuki Kaneshige
・Holiday Party honoring JAA Volunteers: JAA Office
・Sakura and Autumn Health Fairs: Aiko Brody, Maki Kano-Lueckerath, M.D., Michiyo Noda
・Digital Museum of the History of Japanese in New York: Shunichi Homma, Susan J. Onuma
・Community Services: Yuki Kaneshige
・Music: Nobuhisa Ishizuka
・119th JAA Gala Dinner – Dec.4th 2026
2026 New Year’s Business Card Exchange Celebration
(From left) Deputy Consul General Mase, JAA President Sato, The Nippon Club President Tameda and JCCI NY Chairman Matsui.
Our Board of Directors attended the 2026 New Year’s Business Card Exchange Celebration at The Penn Club of New York, hosted by the Consulate General of Japan in New York and co-organized by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York – JCCI NY, The Nippon Club, Inc., and JAA. It was wonderful to reconnect with friends and colleagues, make new connections in the U.S.-Japan community, and begin the year with a feeling of strong partnership in New York’s Japanese and Japanese American community. We were also grateful to hear remarks from Ambassador Satoshi Katahira, along with community leaders including JAA President Koji Sato, and JAA Honorary Members Toru Matsui, CEO of Mitsui and Co. (USA), Inc., and Kotaro Tameda, President of Sumitomo Corporation of Americas.
NY State Legislature Visit
On May 28, representatives of the Japanese and Japanese American community in New York visited the New York State Legislature in Albany and exchanged views with members of both the State Senate and the State Assembly.
Thirty Okinawan Students Visit JAA
On March 23, students from Okinawa who were visiting the U.S. as part of the “TOFU Thinking About Okinawa’s Future in America” program organized by the Consulate General of Japan in New York came to JAA. They participated in an exchange of ideas with JAA Board Member Susan McCormac, JAA Vice President Julie Azuma, and others. It was a wonderful evening of cultural exchange and bridge-building!
Fred Korematsu Day
The Borough of Fort Lee, NJ, together with Tak & Carol Furumoto, proudly recognized Fred Korematsu Day on January 30th. Mayor Mark Sokolich opened the program, followed by speakers including Amber Reed of AAPINJ, Ambassador Satoshi Katahira, JAA President Koji Sato, and Dr. Karen Korematsu, with keynote remarks by Charlie Pellegrino and emceed by Tamiko Ooka. Each speaker delivered timely and powerful messages honoring justice, courage, and civil liberties. Thank you, Fort Lee Today, for the wonderful coverage.
Member News
Congratulations!
Ms. Suki Terada Ports, Honorary Director of JAA, received a special award from Ambassador Satoshi Katahira, Consul General of Japan in New York, during AAPI Month, in recognition of her long-time work as a Japanese American community leader and civil rights champion. Congratulations!
JAA Events in the Second Half of 2026
・July 11 (Sat): Tanabata Festival
・September 10 (Thu) – October 4 (Sun): Online & JAA Hall: The 20th Autumn Health Fair
・September 28 (Mon): The 32nd JAA Charity Golf Tournament
・Mid-October: Autumn Japanese Language Education Workshop
・November 7 (Sat): Grand Bazaar
・December 4 (Fri): JAA 119th Anniversary Dinner
・December 10 (Thu): Year-End KeiroKai
・December 18 (Fri): Holiday Party/Volunteer Appreciation Gathering
**Dates may change.
Social Service: Keirokai
We held ten Keirokai senior luncheons from January to June 2026. Each gathering welcomed about 70 seniors to JAA Hall, where they enjoyed music, lectures, friendly conversation, and birthday celebrations. Another 50 obento were prepared for delivery or pickup, and in total 110–120 meals were ordered each time.
 Happy birthday for January |
January
January 22: JAA celebrated January birthdays at keirokai, with a performance by the Iwaki Band, and ‘Laughter Yoga’ led by Yoshiko Yamamoto.
 Happy birthday for February |
February
February 12th: a Japanese Shakuhachi performance by Adam Robinson with a piano accompaniment by Hideo Nakamura took place.
February 26th: “Hinamatsuri Keirokai” Shizuko Kato decorated with flowers and hina dolls, and everyone sang along to the cheerful Hinamatsuri songs performed by the Iwaki Band.
We also held a birthday party for those born in February. Donations of “matcha dorayaki with chocolate” were distributed by JFHANY and Sunrise Mart.
 Happy birthday for March |
March
March 12th: Under the guidance of Ms. Tomoko Tanaka, the JAA Chorus (20 participants on the day) performed their songs.
March 26th: There was a March birthday party and a performance by the Iwaki Band.
 Happy birthday for April |
April
April 9th: Pianist Kuni Mikami and vocalist Sarah Curtis performed a concert.
April 23rd: A birthday party for those born in April, a performance by the Iwaki Band, and a lecture on health by Dr. Yuzuru Anzai.
 Dr. Yuzuru Anzai |
 Sara Curis & Kuni Mikami |
 Happy birthday for May |
May
May 14: Ms. Momoyo Sakae sang Amami Oshima Minyo.
May 28: A birthday party for those bord in May and performance by Iwaki Band.
 Ms. Momoyo Sakae |
 Happy birthday for June |
June
June 25: A birthday party for those in June, a performance by Iwaki Band.
●JAA member Akira Shinozaki passed away on May 27, 2026, at the age of 89. He served as a JAA Board Member from 1996 to 1997, and after retiring, he and his wife participated in senior gatherings.
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