Aloha everyone. It’s a great honor for me to address the members of the Japan-America Society of Hawaii for the first time as President. Working in a nonprofit organization for a Board of Directors is a new experience for me. When you are continually responsible for both raising funds needed for the operation and using those funds to conduct programs, it’s a whole different world!.

I’ve had some time to work in the Society and see how it ticks. My report to you is that we are blessed with an extremely capable staff and a series of solid programs that are the envy of both the Hawaii community and our counterparts in Japan. Locally, we are blessed with the support of top corporate leaders who are committed to the Society and its programs that are visibly recognized by government leaders such as the Governor of Hawaii, the Mayor of Honolulu and the Commander of Pacific Command. In Japan, JASH is well known and well received by top government, corporate, and academic leaders. I recall a visit to the U.S. Embassy where I saw a memo to the Ambassador that singled out JASH as a key element in building and maintaining friendly relations between U.S. and Japan. Later, I visited Japanese government ministries, corporate groups, and foundations, and each received us with open arms. In short, JASH matters—both here and in Japan.

People ask me “but with so many organizations in Hawaii dealing with the Japanese-American community and U.S.-Japan relations, what is it that makes the Japan-America Society of Hawaii different?” Frankly, I’ve struggled to explain our many social, cultural, and educational programs with the mission statement of “promoting understanding and friendships between the peoples of Japan and the United States through the special and unique perspective of Hawaii.” What I’ve come up with is this: JASH’s purpose is to build bridges of understanding between U.S. and Japan, between Hawaii and Japan, and between Hawaii and the greater Asia-Pacific region to benefit the people of Hawaii, prepare the youth for tomorrow’s challenges, and preserve this wonderful relationship between two democratic and economic powers. JASH’s social, cultural, and educational programs all support this goal.

I realize that many organizations in Hawaii and in Japan already have vibrant well-established relationships. I also realize that many individuals and organizations will continue to establish or grow relationships. We do not need to be involved in or interfere with these. We should however seek to develop new relationships when a need exists or arises, or when requested to do so. We are able to do this because of the wide network of contacts JASH has developed through the years and the network of relationships of its members. We act as a “go-to” organization for Hawaii to outreach to Japan, and for Japan to outreach to Hawaii. Our “customers” include Hawaii’s businesses, students and teachers, government and military organizations, as well as Japanese counterparts interested in building similar relations between Japan and Hawaii.

So, you may ask, what are my goals and expectations? It’s simply this: build on the solid programs that have already been established and seek new opportunities for building and enhancing this great U.S.-Japan relationship for the benefit of everyone. And through it all, gain recognition and support from those we serve—the membership and the community. To the many like-minded organizations, I offer my hand in friendship, looking to cooperate on those programs with similar goals and interests. To the Board of Directors and senior advisory staff, I ask for your continued guidance. To our members and benefactors, I ask for your continued support.

I know it will be a lot of work, for me and my staff. Each day as I ride the elevator to my office, I have a chance to look at the “words of the day” that our building custodian places inside. One was attributed to Henry J. Kaiser and proclaimed, “Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.” In Japan, pride is placed on perseverance: there’s a saying that almost everyone knows that goes, “ishi no ue nimo sannen (literally, three years on a rock). These are good words to follow.

Mahalo, and Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu!

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