During this
new decade JASSA continues to support
annual events and develop new venues to
promote the cultural interchange between
Japan and San Antonio. In 2001,
JASSA participated for the first time as
an organization at the Texas Folklife
Festival held by the Institute of Texan
Cultures and placed 3rd in
food category. The 15th anniversary of
the Kumamoto Sister City relationship
was celebrated in 2002 by a
reciprocal exchange of JASSA and
Kumamoto delegations between the two
cities. That year also marked the
homecoming of the Jingu Family to the
Japanese Tea Garden, which was created
in 1917 by Eizo Jingu and other
immigrants. The two Japanese gardens,
Kumamoto-en and the Tea Garden, are of
ongoing interest to the Society. In
2003, JASSA and the San Antonio
Public Library pooled resources to
co-host the October Matsuri at the
Central Library. This cooperation was
successful and continues to this day.
In September
2004, JASSA members attended a
Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce
luncheon held at the Marriott, one of
JASSA’s corporate members, where Mr. T.
J. Tajima discussed plans for the San
Antonio Toyota plant. JASSA member Dr.
Katsuhiko Shimizu discussed “Doing
Business with Japan” at a lecture held
in October. The Society also
participated in the planning sessions
for Japan Nohgaku Association’s San
Antonio performance of Noh and Kyogen
sponsored by the Japan Foundation, the
Consul General of Japan, the City of San
Antonio, and Arts San Antonio. Society
members personally welcomed the
performers with a luncheon and provided
translation service at a workshop held
at the International School of Art.
As JASSA
celebrates its 20th anniversary in
2005, it continues to work closely
with the community. The Institute of
Texan Cultures sponsored the Japanese
quilt exhibit “Transcending 9/11:
Quilters’ Reflections” in January. Over
100 pieces made by Japanese and Texan
quilters expressing their sympathy for
the 9/11 tragedy were displayed. JASSA
assisted by translating the Japanese on
the quilt pieces and sponsoring an
opening reception. The McNay Art Museum
opened the “Taisho Chic” exhibit in
March to show examples of western
influences in Japan from the early 20th
century. JASSA members assisted in the
planning, reception, flower arrangement,
and tea ceremony. The McNay Museum’s
"Family Day" featured JASSA members
performing Japanese and Okinawa dance as
well as Ryukyu Taiko Drum. In April,
JASSA and the San Antonio International
Affairs Department co-hosted Mr. Masaaki
Imai’s “Kaizen” lecture at San Antonio’s
International Center. In June, the
Society won 2nd prize in food
category at the Folklife Festival. In
2005, the Lenora and Walter F. Brown
Asian Art Wing at the San Antonio Museum
of Art
opened with 15,000 square feet of
Japanese, Chinese, Indian, and Korean
exhibits and artifacts.
2006
begins with a very successful Shinnenkai
at the Girl Scout Office. The Asian
Festival in February is heavily
attended, and JASSA provides a
successful food booth.
On
February 28, Mrs Shirane is recognized
as Citizen of the Year by the World
Affairs Council. JASSA sponsors a table
and has over a dozen members attend the
gala at the convention center.
JASSA is
accepted as a member of the
National Association of Japan America
Societies, joining the societies in
Austin, Dallas, Ft Worth. Over 55
volunteers participate in the
Kumamoto-En children's day on May 6. Two
weeks later, the Makhelat Hashachar
Japanese Christian Chorus from Kyoto
conducts a concert at the Josephine
theater. JASSA supports the golf
tournament sponsored by the Japanese
companies to support the Hoshuko
Japanese school on June 17. On Sep 22,
many JASSA members supported an evening
of Japanese Dance, Art and Culture" at
the Radius, for the San Antonio Dance
Umbrella organization. The fourth
Matsuri festival at the San Antonio
Public Library on Oct 14 is a great
success.
On October
26, JASSA conducted a Corporate
Membership Drive and Social at the San
Antonio Museum of Art. Dignitaries
included Mrs Anita Bush, First Lady of
the State of Texas, Consul-General Kamo,
Mrs Miho Tajima and other
representatives from Toyota. The event
raised over $10,000 for future JASSA
work and helped to raise the visibility
of JASSA in the business community.
On November
17, Mike Nishimuta represented JASSA
along with 400 invited guests to the
"Line Off" of the first Toyota Tundra at
the new south side plant. JASSA
President Norio Seki is among JASSA
members who are working in support of
Toyota or its 21 onsite supplier
companies. On November 18, JASSA
supported the 3rd annual Asian American
Chamber of Commerce Awards Presentation
Gala at the Hilton Hotel.
Dignitaries
including Dr Henry Cisneros, Mayor
Hardberger, and Judge Nelson Wolff were
on hand as Mrs Naoka Shirane was
presented with a lifetime achievement
award. In his remarks resenting the
award, Dr Cisneros emphasized the role
of Mrs Shirane in the important
groundwork which is now coming to
fruition with the opening of the Toyota
Factory. He said the Japanese community
will be even more important in this
community in the coming years.
2006 concluded with the annual Bonenkai
dinner at Sushi-Zushi restaurant, and a
presentation to outgoing president Norio
Seki by incoming president Rosemary
Kowalski.
2007 began
with the annual Shinenkai Dinner at
Trinity Baptist Church, with over 80
participants, and presentation of the
newly installed officers and board
members. Ms Rosemary Kowalski, as
returning president, led a group to the
Houston Regional meeting of the National
Association of Japan-America Societies.
In February,
JASSA supported the UTSA fundraising
"Great Conversations" event at the
Institute of Texan Culture. Ms Naoko
Shirane was the table discussion leader
for the table that JASSA and the RK
Group sponsored.
In the
Spring of 2007, JASSA was notified that
it was selected to receive one of the
Outreach Coordinators sponsored by the
Japan Foundation Center for Global
Partnership and the Laurasian
Institution. Ms Tamaki Masuda will be
assisting JASSA for the next two years
in public outreach and support of JASSA
goals.
Mr Tom
Willems orchestrated a gala evening to
bid farewell to Consul General Kasuhiko
Kamo and his wife, who are ending their
time in Houston. A large crowd of civic
leaders, including Dr Henry and
Councilmember-Elect Alice Cisneros, Ms
Naoko Shirane, local business leaders,
and members of JASSA honored Consul
General with a stunning gala. The new
President of Toyota Manufacturing Texas,
Mr Ken Fukuta, joined JASSA for this
event.
JASSA is a
member of the Greater San Antonio
Chamber of Commerce and the Alamo Asian
American Chamber of Commerce. Corporate membership has increased
significantly in 2006, with Toyota Motor
Manufacturing becoming a member. JASSA welcomes
new members – individual, family,
non-profit, corporate – to join in
promoting educational, cultural and
economic exchanges between San Antonio
and Japan.
