Japan Matters: Collaboration Through Entrepreneurship

The Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati presents-





Japan Matters:

Collaboration through Entrepreneurship



Yukiko Nakamura, Optima Japan CEO and Team Fujisaki panelist

returns to Cincinnati to help us find the "win-win" with Japanese
entrepreneurs

and Greater Cincinnati.



Kay Geiger, PNC Regional President

will address why Cincinnati is a vibrant hub for our successful "start up
ecosystem"　　　　　



and



The Brandery

Cintrifuse

Cincinnati Office of Trade & Development

Frost Brown Todd

HCDC



Date: February 25th Wednesday

Time: 7:30a.m. breakfast, 8:00-11:30a.m. program

Place: Frost Brown Todd

Fee: $25

Register at: www.jasgc.org





One year ago, JASGC hosted top economists and business leaders at our
"Japan Matters" conference.



They presented a comprehensive update on Japan and identified one of Japan'
s key challenges for the future - the first industrialized nation facing
negative population growth.



This past June, JASGC hosted "Team Fujisaki", led by Japan's former
Ambassador to the U.S.. This grassroots mission reiterated the shared values
of Japan & the U.S. - democracy, capitalism, private property rights, work
ethic and of course friendship. It was here that team member Nakamura-san
stated, -- Japan looks to Silicon Valley for entrepreneurial support.



On 2/25, JASGC will host "Japan Matters: Collaboration through
Entrepreneurship".

Ms. Yukiko Nakamura, Optima CEO and Team Japan panelist will return to
Cincinnati to

find the "win win" with the Greater Cincinnati Start Up Ecosystem. --

KAKEHASHI Project - Short-term study tours for Japanese-American students

The "KAKEHASHI Project-The Bridge for Tomorrow" is a youth exchange project,
promoted by the Ministry Foreign Affairs in Japan, to heighten potential
interest in Japan and increase the number of overseas visitors to the
country, as well as enhance international understanding of the "Japan
brand," and the nation's strengths and attractiveness, such as
Japanese-style values and "Cool Japan." The KAKEHASHI Project- Japanese
American Young Adults Invitation Program provides a fully funded short-term
study tour to Japan for undergraduate and graduate students (ages 18-25
years old at the time of application) in the United States.

The goals of Japanese American Young Adults Invitation Program are (1) to
continue building cooperation between Japanese Americans and Japan, (2) to
promote Japanese Americans a better understanding of Japan in a variety of
fields including politics, economy and culture, and (3) to encourage
Kakehashi alumni to be effective advocates in enhancing U.S.-Japan
relations.

Learn more about it here:
http://www.jacl.org/news/Kakehashi.htm

2013 Peace Bell Ceremony

On July 9, 2013 we enjoyed our annual Peace Bell Ceremony, commemorating the
lives lost during the allied bombing of our sister city, Gifu, Japan, on
August 9, 1945. We offer the annual ceremony to express our hope for peace
and international harmony now and in the future.



The ceremony took place once again at the Peace Bell Center in Newport,
Kentucky. This year, they arranged a special treat for us ... we got to
ring the bell.



Asami Ono, a citizen of Gifu, and a friend helped to ring the bell.



Enjoy the video here:



http://youtu.be/QB5w5yZNnhc

You're invited to our Peace Day Ceremony

You’re invited to our Peace Day Ceremony

July 9, 2013 at 4:00 PM

 

The Gifu-Cincinnati Sister City Committee commemorates 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.

 

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:

 

Cincinnati - Gifu Peace Day,

July 9, 2013, 4:00 pm

World Peace Bell (425 York St

Newport, KY 41071)

 

In case of bad weather, we'll announce alternate plans on our blog at http://cincinnati-gifu.blogspot.com/

and by email if you're on our mailing list.

 

Kabuki Onnagata demonstration

Here’s a great chance to experience Japanese culture!   During Shakespeare’s day, female actors were banned from the stage.  Boys played the female roles.  Just imagine … Juliet was really Joe!   The same was true of the Kabuki stage in Japan at around the same time, but instead of boys, highly skilled male actors called onnagata played female roles, and still do to this day.   Here’s your chance to meet Nakamura Gankyo, an onnagata performer.   Asian Culture Night, Saturday April 6, 2013, 7:00 p.m.  Special Feature: Kabuki & Onnagata, The Making of a Woman A lecture by Dr. Maki Isaka, Univ. of Minnesota   accompanied by  Kabuki Actor, Nakamura Gankyo who will transform himself for his female role.  Apollo Room, Student Union, Wright State University  Free Admission  Please spread the word and carpool when you can  For people who can't make it on April 6, there is also the same lecture by Dr. Isaka Thursday, April 4, 2013; 12:30 - 1:50 p.m. Room E 156, Student Union, Wright State University If any questions, call 937-775-2798

 

 

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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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