Nov.-Dec. 2014

(l to r) Ambassador Sumio Kusaka, Ms. Kusaka, Ms. Onuma and Mr. Fukuoka
Mr. Jose Adan Perez	Ms. Noda

We celebrated our 107th Anniversary on Friday, December 5th at the Harvard Club. President Susan Onuma gave a welcome speech. Ambassador Sumio Kusaka congratulated JAA for its rich history in supporting the community and for our new JAA office and Community Center. We received congratulatory messages from Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Mayor Bill de Blasio, among others. The Gala started with duet of "Baby, It’s Cold Outside." by our MC’s Lainie Sakakura and Koh Mochizuki accompanied by Paul Fujimoto. 178 guests enjoyed delicious food, good conversation and great company. Entertainment was provided by the renowned opera singer, Mr. Jose Adan Perez. The keynote speaker, award winning biological scientist, Professor Shin-ichi Fukuoka talked about his work as a scientist and as an avid fan of the painter Vermeer. At the closing, our JAA Executive Director, Michiyo Noda, discussed finding many important historical documents during the move. She promised JAA’s continuing support of the community. A grand Silent Auction was created by Hiroko Onoyama who ended the evening with the auction results. We wish to thank our generous sponsors and donors who joined us for the evening and made generous contributions to JAA and our silent auction.

Dr. Fukuoka’s Exhibition "RE-CREATE NYC 2015: Discovering "The Life and Works of Johannes Vermeer" will be shown at Open House Gallery 201 Mulberry Street (subway at Canal St. Station) Feb. 26 – March 21, 2015
Opening Reception on Feb. 26, 2015 7-8PM

At the General Election meeting of December 3rd, officers and directors for the year 2015 were nominated and elected. Ms. Susan Onuma was re-elected as President. Ms. Hiroko Onoyama, Ms. Riki Ito and Dr. Kamal Ramani were elected as new Vice Presidents.

Our Officers for 2015
President: Susan Onuma
Vice Presidents: Julie Azuma, David Hiromura, Shunichi Homma, Keiko Ishida, Riki Ito, Makoto Iwahara, Tsuneko Mitsunaka, Satoru Murase, Hiroko Onoyama, Joe Oshima, Seiko Oshima, Suki Terada Ports, Kamal Ramani, Koji Sato, Katsuo Takeda
Secretary: Koji Sato
Assistant Secretary: Julie Azuma
Treasurer: Joe Oshima
New Directors: The complete listing of all directors will appear in the next issue of the JAA News.

New Director: Susan Hamaker
Susan Hamaker is half Okinawan and half American. She is the current president of the Okinawa Kenjinkai and has a website called JapanCulture NYC, an English-language resource showcasing Japaneserelated events, New York’s Japanese Donor list on page 5 community, and information for non-Japanese interested in Japanese culture. Her goal in starting the website was not only to educate non-Japanese people about Japan, but to strengthen the Japanese and Japanese American community in New York. She grew up in a small town in North Carolina where she was not exposed to Japanese culture. Having lived in New York City for 15 years and becoming engaged with the community and organizations such as JAA has enabled her to find the intersection between traditional and contemporary Japanese culture while becoming more familiar with her roots.
Susan is excited to be a part of the JAA Board, and she is looking forward to contributing to the organization’s events.
JAA welcomes her as a new director!.

Through generous funding from the Honjo Foundation, JAA is looking for qualified candidates for its 2015 JAA – HONJO Scholarships. This is open to students who will be enrolled in a full time course of graduate study (except music, arts and medical) at an accredited U.S. university in the Greater New York area in academic year 2015-2016. The student should be able to demonstrate an interest in and ideally is already involved in furthering U.S. – Japan relations. The deadline for applications is 2/17.
www.jaany.org/honjo_scholarship.html

The 8th Annual Senior "Week" was held from Nov. 8th to Nov. 23rd at New JAA Community Center. This event was developed by the JAA Committee on Aging Issues and co-sponsored by JAMSNET (Japanese Medical Support Network) with support from the Consulate General of Japan in New York. Due to the enthusiastic participation of numerous service providers, a variety of seminars and workshops were held on health and other issues including but not limited to, Dual Nationality of Children by Consul Yoshikatsu Aoyagi, Tips on Getting One’s Affairs/Documents in Order by Susan J. Onuma, Esq., Inheritance & donation: International Basis by Mr. Joe Oshima, Eligibility for Japanese Pension by Shuji Ichikawa, Women in New York by Aiko Brody, Estate Planning & Medicaid Planning & Consultation on Wills by Helen Irie, Esq. and Reiko Takikawa Esq., and a tour of senior housing at Isabella House. Also held were workshops on activities to encourage enjoyment of daily living and good health such as Tea Ceremony, Flower arrangement, calligraphy, chorus, yoga, taichi, and massage. Lions Club offered seminars on Manners for Adults, Beginners Class for Using the Smart Phone.
Senior "Week" was a huge success with 60 programs and about 1,500 participants. Our sincere thanks go to the Consulate General of Japan, JAMSNET and all of the service providers for their participation and support of Senior Week.

JAA Holiday Bazaar

A Holiday Bazaar was held at New JAA Community Center on December 13th with eager shoppers waiting at the door before 10 am! In spite of the short time to prepare due to the October move, we raised $8,000. Our kitchen volunteers were busy cooking Noodles and Curry with electric heaters. Thank you to all our volunteers, donors and shoppers.

APPLE KIDS

December 7th: Lecture / Meeting "The system of the NY public middle schools" was held. Four parents talked about the experiences with their children attending public middle schools. A Q&A was held after the lecture which was an informative session with 38 people in attendance.

December 19th: 20 families joined "Playing with Kids and Parents". In 2015, we will have many more interesting new books in the Children’s Library at JAA.

A Holiday Party was held at JAA Community Center on Dec.17th. In addition to sushi from Dainobu, Benjamin Steakhouse generously provided beef and side dishes which were served to 70 people, most of whom are our volunteers. President Onuma gave a speech of appreciation to the JAA volunteers. The party started with JAA Chorus and Holiday music were played by NY ya Cent, Yoshi Koyama, Kuni Mikami and K. Iwaki. Dance demonstration was given by professional ballroom dancer, Mr. Nagahama.

Congratulations!
JAA member, Ms. Setsuko Hata

Ms. Hata and Ambassador Kusaka

*JAA member, Ms. Setsuko Hata received the Consul General’ s Commendation for 2014 on November 14, 2014. She joined Ikebana International in 1965 and ran the organization for 50 years. She was appointed the New York Branch Director of Sogetsu, a position she held for 21 years from 1970 to n1991 by Mr. Sofu Teshigawara, head master of Sogetsu School in Japan. She is still active visiting Philadelphia, Schenectady, Northern Westchester, teaching and lecturing on Ikebana and Japanese culture.

Congratulations!
JAA Honorable President, Gary S. Moriwaki and
JAA
President, Susan J. Onuma

(l to r) Ms. Onuma, Mr. Moriwaki, Mr. Takei and Ambassador Kusaka

JAA Honorable President, Gary S. Moriwaki and JAA President Susan J. Onuma received the Foreign Minister’s Commendation on November 25th, 2014. As activists and attorneys, they have dedicated their special knowledge for the improvement of life in the Japanese and Japanese American communities. Among the 80 guests were movie star and activist, George Takei, and Ms. Irene Hirano Inouye of U.S – Japan Council, widow of late Senator Daniel Inouye.

Suki Ports is our coordinator for applicants for OBAMA CARE. Suki is working with the Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc. (KCS). Free consultation on Affordable Care Act will be held on January 7th, 17th, 21st , February 4th and 9th with Ms. Grace Kim and Ms. Keiko Higa. Please contact KCS Public Health and Research Center 212-463-9685 if you need help. To start your coverage from 1/1/2015 you must join the health plan by Feb.15.

JAA membership renewal form has been sent to you at the end of December. We are organizing information of our members for emergency purposes and to upgrade our services. Please complete the renewal form if you have had any changes, otherwise, please return the form back with your membership fee. Emergency contact is very important and necessary; please make sure to write your most recent information. Members’ information will be kept confidential and will not be disclosed to outsiders except in an emergency.

We have been sending JAA News and information updates via e-mail. It’s much quicker and less costly than regular mail. If you would like to receive your newsletter and other information by e-mail, please send your request to info@jaany.org Don’t forget to include your full name when you e-mail us.

Ms. Chiyo Ota (right)

Ms. Fujita (left) and Ms. Oshima

Sachiyo Ito and Company

November 20th, Thanksgiving Day Keirokai
A total of 160 delicious Thanksgiving dinners were prepared and generously donated by Chef Takayoshi Kato who spent three days in preparation. The tender roast turkey and creamy delicious pumpkin pie were enjoyed by all. Before the lunch, JAA Chorus (conduct by Sachie Ueshima) sang beautiful Japanese songs and K’Iwaki band played music and sing along songs to end this happy event. To celebrate our member, Ms. Chiyo Ota Sansone’s 100th years birthday, a silver cup and a letter from the Japanese Prime Minister Abe was presented by Ambassador Kusaka. Chiyo Ota Sansone was born in 1915. Married Frank Sansone in 1966 and came to the U.S. She has worked at Nippon Club. She is currently residing at Isabella House.

December 18th, Year End Keirokai
Osechis were served at the Year End Keirokai. 180 lunch dishes were prepared by our volunteers who worked for three days for Osechi. Shopping Coupons of $50 from Sun Rise Mart’s President, Tadao Yoshida were presented to JAA senior members. The K. Iwaki Band played popular music of USA and Japan. Sachiyo Ito & Company performed beautiful dances.

[Sachiyo Ito and Company] is a not-for profit (501-C-3) arts organization , dedicated to creating a bridge between East and West through artistic performances and educational and exchange programs that promote Japanese culture through the arts, particularly dance works choreographed by Sachiyo Ito, which preserve the aesthetics of traditional Japanese dance.. The Company offers three times a year Salon Series, an ongoing series of informative lecturedemonstrations and performances on the performing arts of Japan.

•Naoko Sackser (86) passed away on December 10, 2014 at Belleview Hospital. JAA assisted her and her family in Japan before and after her death.

•Walter Morton (92) , long time JAA member, passed away on December 25, 2014, services were held on January 4, 2015 at St. Paul Episcopal Church.

General & Scholarship
Delta Air Lines $20,000
($5,000 for 2015 JAA –Delta Air Lines Scholarship & $15,000 for web site and other)

Jiro Murase Fund total $6.655.00
Murase, Satoru $5,000
and Tak Furumoto, Akemi Ishida, Ayako Ishizuka, Masaki Noda, Hoshin Seki, Toshihiro Uezu,
Yomitime Inc. and Yoshiko Zenda

$1,932.00 from free hair cut by Ms. Michi
Tahara, Mr. Shunsuke Takahashi, Mr. Shige Kosuda, Mr. Toshitsugu Kubota and Mr. Nori Sasaki

107th Anniversary Gala Support
$10,000 and above
Emy, Robert K. MD
Kida, Shigeo
Sato, Noboru & Kikue
Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)

$5,000 and above
Inagaki, Chieko
Different Roads to Learning, Inc.
J.C.C. Fund at the Japanese Chamber of Commerce
and Industry of New York
Japanese Medical Society of America, Inc.
Kiso, Toshio
Moriwaki, Gary S.
Onoyama, Hiroko
Onuma, Susan J.

$1,000 and above
Ashikari, Roy, MD
Davey, Miyoko
Gorgeous Entertainment, Inc.
Iwahara, Makoto, MD
JRG Partners, Inc.
Kawano, Saori
Matsumoto A,
Mitsui & Co. (USA), Inc.
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical America, Inc.
MUFG-Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group
New York ANA Senior Kai
NHK Cosmomedia America, Inc.
NTT America, Inc.
Onuma J. Susan
Orient Corporation of America
Osaki, Kozo
Oshima, Joe
Relo Redac Inc.
Shimmyo Group
Shizuka New York, Inc.
Taylor & Taylor Associates, Inc.
Terao, Nozomi
Tokio Marine Management, Inc.
Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Yuzawa, Rubin Pat

$500 and above
Arysta LifeScience America, Inc.
Asian American Federation
Asian Americans for Equality
Bannai, Kathryn
Ishida, Keiko
ITO EN (North America) Inc.
Ito, Mary
JACL – New York Chapter
J. One Corporation
Kato, Shizuko
Kato, Satoko
Korn, Chizuko
Mitsunaka, Tsuneko
Morrison & Foerster LLP
Nakagawa, Naoto
New York Asian Women’s Center, Inc.
New York Buddhist Church
Noda, Michiyo
NRS Logistics
Sakurai, Motoatsu
Sanyo Corporation of America
Sasaki, Yoko
Sato, Koji
Shibutani, Kinichi, MD
Shibuya, Matsuko
Tahara, Michi
Tamura, Hazue
Toray Industries (America), Inc.
Urasenke, Inc.
Urban Company Real Estate
Watanabe, Tsugie
Yamamoto, Yoko As of 12/5/2014

Donation for silent auction
Agnes Gund, Allegiance, the Musical,
Ambassador Sumio Kusaka,
Asia Society, Bouley Restaurant,
Brother Int’l Corp. , Delta Air Lines,
Different Roads to Learning, Linda Dujack,
Gallery 91, Sonia Grineva, Haworth CC,
Jado Sushi, Japan Society,
Kamakura Shirts New York,
Kikuichi New York Inc., Kiteya Soho New York,
Korin Japanese Trading Corp, .
Hiroshi Nishiyama, New York Botanical Garden,
Toshio Ohi, Hiroko Onoyama, Susan J. Onuma,
Restaurant Nippon, Sakura Shoji, Inc.,
Hiroshi Senju, SHIZUKA new york,
Soba Totto, Sony Corporation of America,
Sushiden America, Inc.,
T.I.C. Group (Hasaki, Sakagura, Sobaya),
Gregg Takata, DMD, The Kitano New York,
Tokyu Hotel, TOTO USA