100th Anniversary of Japan's cherry trees

100 years ago, Japan donated cherry trees to the United States as a symbol of our friendship. The cherry trees remain to
this day in the Tidal Basin area of Washington, DC. Since then, Japan has also donated many cherry trees to Cincinnati,
where they grace our parks.

The Japan America Society of Cincinnati (JASGC) is forming a committee for the 100 year celebration of the cherry trees
donated to the United States by Japan, to be held in April, 2012.

Cincinnati has a special connection with this gift as it was Mrs. Taft (then First Lady) who helped make this happen. JASGC
is working on a grand celebration in April -- most likely the last weekend in April.

Possible events:

* A Sumo/Japanese Marial arts demonstration at Cincinnati State

* Zen garden at the Krohn Conservatory

* A Dolls of Japan exhibit at Boone County library, to lead the celebration off in March

JASGC would like to arrange:

* An art contest in local area schools

* A Japanese Language contest

* Movie history -- show the U.S. remake of original Japanese films (e.g.7 Samurai / The Magnificent 7)

JASGC will hold an organizational meeting on November 10th, 2011 1:00pm

Chamber of Commerce
300 Carew Tower
441 Vine Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202

If interested, please contact:
Carla Romanelli
cromanelli@gccc.com

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Job opportunity at Cincinnati Art Museum

Dr. Hou-mei Sung, Curator of Asian Art at the Cincinnati Art Museum, anticipates receiving a grant to prepare a catalog of
Japanese art in the CAM collections.

She needs a person who is able to read and translate Japanese and prepare requests for images from other museums.

The ideal candidate will have some art history background

The full-time position would last one and a half years and include benefits.

For more information, please contact Dr. Sung at 513-639-2330.

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Operation Tomodachi

Tomodachi means "friend" in Japanese, and the US Navy has indeed been a true friend to our friends in Japan.

Learn about the US Navy´s efforts to help Japan in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami.

Operation Tomodachi

Presented by Vice Admiral Dirk J. Debbink
Chief of Navy Reserves
Commander, Navy Reserve Force

Tuesday, August 30th
10-11am

CincinnatiUSA Regional Chamber
300 Carew Tower
441 Vine Street
Downtown Cincinnati

RSVP: http://www.JASGC.org

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Peace Bell Celebration, July 9, 2011

This year we met again on July 9 to pray for peace and for the souls of people who were lost in the recent tsunami in Japan.
We were blessed with good weather, pleasant temperatures and a great view of the Cincinnati skyline.

Venerable Daiun Iba officiated.

Afterwards, we retired to Aoi Japanese Restaurant for food and fellowship.

Special thanks to Sean Dunn for the photos.
--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

World Choir Games Kick-off on Fountain Square

On Monday, July 11, 2011, several Gifu Sister City Committee members participated in the noontime World Choir Games kick-off
celebration on Fountain Square. Thanks to our friends at Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati and to the
enthusiastic crowd, the event was a great success.

Here you see GSCC chairman Justin Kluemper in his Gifu City Nagara River Ukai (cormorant) Fisherman's happi coat, doing
"Your Name in Japanese" calligraphy on bookmarks for people who visited our booth.

Justin slings a mean katakana.
--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

PEACE DAY Celebration

The Sister Cities programs in America were founded with the goal of achieving international understanding and peace through
citizen diplomacy. The city of Gifu, Japan has been a valued Sister City of Cincinnati, Ohio since May 11, 1988.
Cincinnati and Gifu have a rich history of cooperation, exchange, respect and friendship.

We commemorate those who fell in the bombing of Gifu City on July 9, 1945 by reaffirming our commitment to world peace.

We recognize that peace is a difficult process, but the first step is to work together and build strong relationships. We
offer our Peace Ceremony as a sign of hope in the future and as a sign of our support of the efforts of all those working
towards world peace.

There will also be a PRAYER FOR JAPAN´S EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS

Reverend Daiun Iba of the Cincinnati Buddhist Vihara will officiate.

Gifu Sister City Committee, the City of Cincinnati and the City of Gifu welcome everyone in Greater Cincinnati and
surrounding areas to share your support by attending:

The Peace Ceremony
Saturday, July 9, 4:30 PM

General James Taylor Park
307 Isabella Street
Turn North off Route 8 (4th or 5th Street in Newport) onto Columbia Street
Columbia Street dead-ends into Riverboat Row
Turn Left/West and follow Riverboat Row to the shelter in Taylor Park.

Google map here:
http://tinyurl.com/68d4hwy

Reception to follow at Aoi Japanese Restaurant, Newport on the Levee
If you wish to attend the reception, please RSVP to:

chair@cincinnati-gifu.org

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Toyota Camry named Most American Car

Congratulations, Toyota!

From United Business Media's PR Newswire:

"Cars.com announced today that the Toyota Camry once again took the top spot in the site's annual American Made Index. This
is the third consecutive year the Camry has held this position, despite many newcomers to the list including the Ford
Explorer, the Chevrolet Traverse and the GMC Acadia. The Camry, which is assembled in Georgetown, Ky. and Lafayette, Ind.,
is followed by the Honda Accord and the Chevy Malibu, which rank No. 2 and No. 3 respectively."

"Cars.com's annual American-Made Index ranks the most-American vehicles based on percentage of their parts that are made
domestically, where they are assembled and how many are sold to U.S. buyers."

You can read the whole story here:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/camry-most-american-car-according-to-carscom-study-124581948.html
--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

World Choir Games Kickoff Event - July 11 - Fountain Square

The World Choir Games come to Cincinnati in July 2012.  

To prepare for this amazing event, the World Choir Games planning committee is organizing a one year countdown to the Games,
beginning with a kick-off event:

Monday, July 11
Cincinnati Fountain Square
11:30-2:00

The committee has nationally signed entertainment acts, various local leadership and a special announcement to make during
the kick-off event. 
  
We plan to have a booth at the kick-off to represent Japan and Gifu to help create an atmosphere where passers-by and
attendees get a feel for the arts and culture of our Sister City.  

We'd love to have your help. We'd especially like to hear from you if

* You have materials to display 
* You can dress in Japanese traditional attire
* You can write Japanese
  
If you're interested or have questions, please contact :

Justin Kluemper: 
chair@cincinnati-gifu.org

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Sister Cities Needs Your Help

Thanks to a generous grant from Fifth Third Bank to the Cincinnati Parks Board, the 4th of July Fireworks at Sawyer Point
Park have been reinstated.

The Cincinnati Park Board has asked us to provide volunteers to sell beer and soft drinks at booths throughout the venue.
Cincinnati USA Sister Cities will be significantly compensated for this activity. Both people from the Park Board and
Christian Moerlein Beer will be present in each both to assist in monitoring the sales process.

You will have a reserved parking space.

Each volunteer who completes their shift will receive a voucher good for a Cincinnati Reds Ball Game at home.

The money we receive will be used to fund Sister City expenses like insurance and Sister City International dues and for
joint sister city activities such as the Mayor´s Sister City Summit 2012 and educational programs and promotions.

Here's what you need to do:

To sign up, email your contact information to Sue Heidel at : Heidisue15@yahoo.com

Be sure to include:

Your name
Your email address
Your phone number
Your street address (including city, state and zip code)

And please indicate whether you're under or over 21 years of age ... you don't need to share the gory details, just let us
know whether you're 21 yet or not.

Sign up by June 28th so that the parking pass can be mailed to you.

Then on July 4th:

Show up at Sawyer Point Volunteer Check In at 5:30 PM
There will be a 20 minute training course on selling alcohol prior to actual sales in the booths.

Volunteers 21 or older will sell alcohol from 6:00 to 9:30 PM
Volunteers 18 to 21 will help sell tickets and provide ID bracelets from 6:00 to 9:00.

Please wear appropriate clothing.

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

HOME HOST OPPORTUNITIES!

HOME HOST OPPORTUNITIES! 
July 29 - 31st, 2011

31 Japanese Students
There is an opportunity to host Japanese students in your home who are coming to Cincinnati from Ohio University.

There are a total of 31 boys and girls aged 15 to 17 who would love to spend time with you for the weekend of July 29th to July 31st.

This is a chance for these exchange students to meet and visit with a real American family after staying in dorms on a college campus.

Don't miss out on a chance to change their lives and yours with just one weekend!

 

If you are interested, please contact : mharpenau@cincyworldaffairs.org

Still Walking - a film by Hirokazu Kore-eda

From Hirokazu Kore-eda
Still Walking
Sat May 7 6:00 + Tue May 10 7:30 
The Carnegie Arts Center  

More information and ticket sales:
http://www.cincyworldcinema.org/x_110507sw.php

STILL WALKING is a wistful and subtly humorous snapshot of contemporary Japanese family life, sharing the precious and
sometimes vexing aspects of family relationships.

Regarded as one of the best Asian directors currently working, Hirokazu Kore-eda creates delicate yet profound revelations
of love, tension, longing for acceptance, regret and respect in a family that is transitioning between generations.
 
Still Walking ranked in the top five at MetaCritic of all movies for 2009; and has a Rotten Tomatoes score of 100%, but was
not shown in the Cincinnati market when released in 2009.

The post-film discussion will examine the nature of Japanese culture, particularly the sense of family and community in
relation to coping with personal loss. We'll also learn more about culture and family in the context of reaction to the
current devastation in Japan.

Discussion leaders include Mr. Mikio Nishizu of Frost Brown Todd (Saturday) and Ms. Carolyn Barricklow of the Japan America
Society (Tuesday).
 
Come early for the social hour, cash bar and a la carte dinner-by-the-plate one hour before the screenings, catered by
Europa Bistro & Caf.

STILL WALKING screens Saturday, May 7, 6:00 pm and again Tuesday, May 10, 7:30 pm at the Carnegie Arts Center in Covington.

Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door, with discounts for students and ETA members.

Film, ticket, director and speaker details are available at the website
http://www.cincyworldcinema.org/x_110507sw.php
or by calling 859 781 8151.

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Sakura Ladies perform in a fund-raiser for Japan Relief

The Sakura Ladies Chorus will be performing a concert series entitled

Musical Tribute to Japan´ s Suffering

The series is a fund-raiser for the
Greater Cincinnati Japan Relief Project

5/7 (Sat) 3:00pm - 4:30pm
"Charity Concert" at Northern Kentucky University

5/22 (Sun) 3:00pm
"Charity Concert" at Univ of Cincinnati - Raymond Walters College

For Information, contact :
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/sakura_cincinnati
sakuraladieschorus@gmail.com

Supported by :
University of Cincinnati
Japanese American Student Society
Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati
Northern Kentucky University
Executive Leadership and Organizational Change
Willis Music, Florence Superstore
Japanese Language School of Greater Cincinnati

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Dr. Farrell / From Black Ships to a Black President talk, April 13

Here's an update from the Japan America Society about Dr. Farrell's upcoming talk.
We hope to see you all there.

======================================================

Dr. William Farrell, Chairman of National Association of Japan America Societies to
Speak in Cincinnati on April 13.

Nationally recognized Japan expert Dr. William Farrell will speak in Cincinnati
about the history of US-Japan Relations.  His presentation, titled:  "From Black
Ships to a Black President, Images and Reality in US-Japan Relations" will portray
how Japan and the United States have viewed each other since Commodore Matthew
Perry´s black ships steamed into Yokohama in 1853 to open up Japan to international
trade.

Presented by the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati and hosted by Taft,
Stettinius & Hollister LLP,  Dr. Farrell will speak on Wednesday, April 13, 2011
from 5~6:00 pm at the Taft Center (425 Walnut Street, Cincinnati). The cost is $10
for the general public, free for students.  

More information is available at the Japan America Society web-site, www.jasgc.org,
or at 513-579-3114.

Dr. Farrell holds a PhD in International Relations from the University of Michigan;
his connection to Japan began with the Defense Department in 1968.  He has since
served as Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Tokyo, and as
chairman of a consulting company focused on Asia.  

The presentation in Cincinnati will use woodblock prints, postcards (the internet of
the 1890´s), and political cartoons to tour through the history of US-Japan
interaction from the time of Perry through modern times, placing today´s
international situation in perspective.

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

THUNDA in the ROTUNDA - Taiko at the Museum Center

The Cincinnati-Dayton Taiko Group will perform at the Asian Culture Fest at the
Cincinnati Museum Center (Union Terminal) on Saturday April 16.

Try your hand on the BIG drums at the workshop:
3:15 in the Dining Room

Thunda in the Rotunda
Taiko performance in the Rotunda
4:00

All events are free.
The Asian Culture Fest is part of the Museum Center's Passport to the World event
series. More information here:
http://www.cincymuseum.org/explore_our_sites/special_exhibits_events/special_events/P
assporttotheWorld.asp
--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Sakura Matsuri / Japan Relief Fundraiser

2011 SAKURA MATSURI Fund Raising for Japan Relief

SAVE THE DATE:

Friday, May 6, 2011, 5:30~8:30pm
Hyde Park Country Golf & Country Club

Featuring Special Guest from Japan: Mr. Maki Kaji, the Godfather of Sudoku

PLUS Food, Kimono Fashions, Raffles & Extras for Japan Relief - Details coming soon
--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

History of JAPAN-US Relations Media Presentation Rescheduled

From our friends at the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati (JASGC)

History of JAPAN-US Relations Media Presentation Rescheduled:

Dr. William R. Farrell, Chairman of the National Association of Japan America
Societies (NAJAS) is coming back!

Using woodblock prints, postcards (the internet of the 1890´s), and contemporary
political cartoons, he takes the audience on a lively tour through history,
examining events such as Perry´s arrival, the Road to Pearl Harbor, World War II,
the Occupation, and trade wars, up through current international situations.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 5:00~6:00pm at The TAFT CENTER, 425 Walnut Street,
Cincinnati, OH 4520

JASGC Members & Friends, $10:00
Students, Free

Register on-line:
http://jasgc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=39

Or send an e-mail to jasgc@gccc.com
Or call the JASGC office at 513-579-3114

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Ohanami ... flower viewing

From our friends at the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati (JASGC)

Spring is here:  Hanami - - Cherry Blossom Viewing!

Ault Park has built a new shelter adjacent to our Cherry Blossom Grove and has
invited us to help celebrate the park's 100th Birthday under the Cherry Blossoms.

What:        
Ault Park Centennial & Cherry Blossom Celebration

Where:
Ault Park Cherry (Sakura) Grove, 3600 Observatory Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45208

When:        
Sunday, April 10, at 2:00 pm

Who:        
Bring the family-there will be children´s activities and light refreshments, but
feel free to bring a picnic!

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

UC Pianopalooza to benefit Earthquake/Tsunami victims

Students at the University of Cincinnati have organized a piano concert extravaganza
called Pianopalooza 2011 to raise money to provide Earthquake/Tsunami Relief for
Japan.  Pianopalooza will feature UC´s talented piano faculty and students. 

Date: Sunday, April 17th, 2011

Time: 7 PM

Place: Corbett Auditorium at College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati

Tickets: $15 general admission, $10 non-UC students, UC students (donations at their
discretion)
--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Japan Relief Information and Resources

General Information:

http://www.google.com/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

About the danger from radiation ... this puts it into realistic perspective:
http://radioboston.wbur.org/2011/03/22/radiation-japan
(Read the comments too)

World Health Organization (WHO) Earthquake-related Links
http://www.who.int/hac/crises/jpn/en/

Donations:

From the Consulate General of Japan in New York
299 Park Ave. 
New York, NY 10171

Memo: Donation for Japan earthquake/tsunami
Note: If you require a charitable tax deduction for your contribution, please
consider donating directly to an organization that
has the relevant charitable status, three of which are listed below.

American Red Cross
http://american.redcross.org

Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, Inc. (JCCI)/
Nippon Club
http://www.jcciny.org/japanearthquake.aspx

Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA)
http://www.jcie.org/earthquake

Japanese Red Cross Society --- Japan/Earthquake Donation
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html

Japan Society Earthquake Relief Fund 
https://www.japansociety.org/japan_earthquake_relief_fund

As to the many offers we have received from volunteers willing to travel to Japan,
we respectfully request that such volunteers
remain in the United States, as Japan is not yet in the position to properly receive
and deploy them.

For information on the whereabouts and welfare of American nationals in Japan,
please contact the U.S. State Department by phone
at 1-888-407-4747 or at 1-202-501-4444, or by email at JapanEmergencyUSC@state.gov.
 

In consideration of phone service interruptions, the Consulate-General of Japan is
also releasing a list of phone-based message
systems in Japan to check the well-being of friends and family.

Landline Phones

NTT East
http://www.ntt-east.co.jp/saigai_e/voice171/index.html

Mobile Phone Systems

Docomo (NTT)
http://dengon.docomo.ne.jp/Etop.cgi?es=0

Softbank
http://dengon.softbank.ne.jp/pc-e1.jsp

EZweb (KDDI)
http://dengon.ezweb.ne.jp/E/service.do

Willcom
http://dengon.willcom-inc.com/dengon/Top.do?language=E

EMnet (E-Mobile)
http://dengon.emnet.ne.jp/en/service.do

Local resources/events/fundraisers:

The Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati's Sakura Matsuri has been turned
into a fundraiser for earthquake victims.
The Society's News Page http://www.jasgc.org/ is a good source of other earthquake
information and resources

The Japanese community newspaper, J-Angle, distributed through Japanese restaurants
and  grocery stores in OH, KY, IN, MI and IL
offers free advertising for any funding activities or events supporting Earthquake
victims.

  

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Special Japanese Buddhist Ceremony

Information about a Special Japanese Buddhist Ceremony
  For the people who are the victims of the huge earthquake and tsunami in Japan in March ,  and also for their early and full recovery from this disaster. 

Date and Time;  March 20^th(Sunday)  4pm~5pm
Place; Ohio Buddhist Vihara(Temple)
      (address) 1831 Miles Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231-2117
      (phone)  513-825-4961 / house  513-253-4196 / cell / contacting person Ven.Daiun Iba

2011 Northeastern Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

A massive 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific Ocean nearby Northeastern Japan at around 2:46pm on March 11 (JST) causing damage with blackouts, fire and tsunami. The largest earthquake in its history for Japan triggered tsunami warnings for countries all around the Pacific Ocean.

 

 

For detail information, please visit;

 

http://www.google.com/intl/en/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html

 

Our Treasurer Steve and his wife Helen Rindsberg were in Gifu at the time it happened, however, they are safe and fine.

 

We really appreciate your thoughts and prayers.

 

 

Sister City relationships Reception

On February 3rd,  Japanese Consul General Matsuda from Detroit hosted
"Ohio-Japan Sister City Celebration" at the Residence Inn in Troy, Ohio.
Mr. & Mrs. Konuma and Kaz Sato attended the celebration from
Gifu Sister City Committee.  Main guests were the six mayors from surrounding

areas, and others had Japanese companies located in their cities.

Other notable guests included Ohio State Senator Eric Kearney.
Please refer to the sister city relationships we have in Ohio below.

The event began with the Consul General's welcome remarks thanking
attendees for their contribution in "forty years of goodwill, exchange and
friendships between the states, cities, businesses, schools, communities and
families."  After the remarks from distinguished guests, there was
traditional Japanese dance performance by Mrs. Toyoshima and her daughter.

The reception that ensued was liberally supplied with fine Japanese foods including
sushi made to order by the chef of Sakai restaurant in Troy.  All of the attendees had
some kind of connections with Japan.  There were representatives of Japanese
companies in the area, JET alumni, Japanese American Citizens League,

the businesses that work with Japan and Japanese college professors and doctors.

 It was a somewhat mixed crowd, but many good conversations went on in the reception.

Everyone enjoyed the fine Japanese dishes tremendously.

Consul General Matsuda expressed his willingness to hold similar meetings in the future.

SISTER STATE AND CITIES

State of Ohio / Saitama Prefecture

Dayton / Oiso-machi, Kanagawa

St.Mary's / Awaji-shi, Hyogo

Milan / Yawata-shi, Kyoto

Cincinnati / Gifu-shi, Gifu

Troy / Takahashi-shi, Okayama

Middletown / Osaki-shi, Miyagi

Bellefontaine / Suzuka-shi, Mie

Euclid / Naraha-machi Fukushima

VanWert / Sumoto-shi, Hyogo

Celina / MinamiAwaji-shi, Hyogo

Lima / Harima-cho, Hyogo

Worthington / Sayama-shi, Saitama

Toledo / Toyohashi-shi, Aichi

Mansfield / Tamura-shi, Fukushima

William Farrell's Black Ships talk canceled due to weather

Thursday 27 January 2011

We've just learned this morning that this evening's presentation by Dr. William
Farrell is canceled. Dr. Farrell is snowed in; no flights are leaving New England.

We're sorry to learn of the cancellation. If and when the event is rescheduled,
we'll let you know.

Stay warm!
--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Free Lecture: Kabuki – Japan’s Outrageous Dramatic Tradition

The Cincinnati Asian Art Society is pleased to announce

Kabuki - Japan´s Outrageous Dramatic Tradition
An Illustrated Presentation by Helen Rindsberg

Kabuki began as a riverside variety show in the early 1600s and grew into THE pop
culture phenomenon of the 1800s.

Its outrageous actors became the rock stars of Edo Era Japan complete with rabid fan
clubs. Their fame was spread near and far by woodblock prints of exciting bold
design that Ms. Rindsberg will use to illustrate her talk.

Sunday, February 20, 2011
2:00 PM

Cincinnati Art Museum Auditorium
Reception to follow in the Castellini Room

This event is FREE and open to the public.
Invite your friends to join us!

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Japanese Language Contest

For high school and university students who are studying Japanese -- Meet other
Japan-o-philes and win great prizes!

How:  Write an original speech (under 3 minutes), tape it and send in with
application by January 28, 2011.  

Finalists will present on Sat., Mar. 5, 2011 at the OSU Campus in Columbus.

More information and application forms are availble here:

http://jasco.osu.edu/
http://jasco.osu.edu/events/2010/JASCO_2011_SpeechContestFlyer_Application_4pages.pdf
--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Travel to Japan

Japan Travel Opportunity!

The 21st America-Japan Grassroots Summit will be held June27-July 4 in Kochi Pref.
in Japan.

The trip is open to all and has four features you do not normally find on trips to
Japan:  

1)  Interesting, rarely visited location; Kochi Prefecture on Shikoku, with locally
organized events

2) Home stays for 3 nights arranged by the summit organizers with local families

3) Great price- $2200 (depending on departure city) including airfare, 6 nights
stay, most meals

4) A chance to participate in the 5-day grassroots summit activities

NAJAS (National Association of Japan-America Societies) is a partner of the Center
for International Exchange, the organizer of these summits for 20 years. It´s a
great tradition of grassroots contact and a terrific opportunity to see Japan
reasonably.  

You can find the electronic brochure on the NAJAS website:

http://www.us-japan.org/.  

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

GANTZ - a live action movie based on Anime

Coming to Cincinnati on Thursday, January 20 at 8:00pm!

NEW PEOPLE and NCM Fathom are bringing the world premiere of GANTZ to Deerfield Town
Center and Springdale Showcase Cinemas for a one night live event on Thursday,
January 20th at 8:00 pm ET.  This live-action feature, based upon the popular
Japanese manga and anime series, is the ultimate survival game. It will be English
over-dubbed exclusively for this big screen event.  

Following the feature, the two stars, Kazunari Ninomiya and Kenichi Matsuyama will
participate in an exclusive live interview.

View the announcement poster at
http://jasgc.org/uploads/flyers/GANTZ%20Premiere%20Flyer.pdf

Learn more and purchase tickets at
http://www.fathomevents.com/originals/event/gantz.aspx

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

From Black Ships to a Black President

On Thursday January 27, the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati (JASGC) will
present a lecture by Dr. William R. Farrell, "From Black Ships to a Black President
(Images and Reality in US-Japan Relations).

Thursday January 27, 2011
5:30 pm
The Taft Center, 425 Waltnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202

Open to all
Admission: $10.00 ($5.00 for students)

Register at http://www.jasgc.org

From the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry and the Black Ships in 1853 to the
historic election of America's first African-American president, Japan and the US
have looked at each other through stereotypical lenses. If cultural misconceptions
were commodities, each nation would have run a surplus.

Using woodblock prints, postcards (the internet of the 1890s) and political
cartoons, Dr. Farrell takes us on a lively tour through history, viewing events such
as Perry's arrival, the Road to Peral Harbor, World War II, the Occupation, trade
wars and the current international situation. Cultural observations that influenced
domestic and international policy in the past remain with us today, so now is a good
time to journey back and place today's actions in perspective.

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com

Tea Tasting and Lecture at Essencha

On Wednesday, 5 January from 6:30 to 7:30pm there will be an open lecture and tea
tasting given by Akihiro "Akky" Kita, president & farmer at Kyoto Obubu Tea
Plantations, a 4-person agricultural social venture in the Wazuka valley of Southern
Kyoto that has made education consumers about Japanese tea and tea farming its
mission.

Each year, the president and vice president of this group travel the world to
demonstrate how to make Japanese tea, talk about tea farming, and introduce farm-
fresh Japanese tea to those living outside of Japan.

This event is expected to be very popular, so reservations are
strongly recommended if you want a seat! Please call 513.533.4832 to
make your reservation.

10% off Obubu Japanese teas for participants!

Time
Wednesday, January 5 · 6:30pm - 7:30pm

Location:
Essencha Tea House & Fine Teas
3212 Madison Rd
Cincinnati OH 45209

513-533-4832

--
Steve Rindsberg
http://www.pptools.com
http://www.pptfaq.com