Online Content

Japan Currents-COVID-19 Recovery: Public Health & Resumption of Travel

February 24, 2021

Thanks to the generous support of the Embassy of Japan and the National Association of Japan-America Societies, attendance for this event was free and open to the public. JASH hosted experts from the U.S. and Japan to share their country’s experiences, policies, and plans moving forward regarding COVID-19 recovery in the public health and travel sectors. Speaking on public health, we welcomed Lt. Gov. Josh Green, physician and 14th Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii, and Dr. Norio Ohmagari, director of AMR Clinical Reference Center and director of Disease Control and Prevention Center of National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM) in Japan. Presenting the latest information on the resumption of travel, we welcomed Mr. John De Fries, president and chief executive officer of the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority (HTA), and Mr. Eric Takahata, managing director of Hawaiʻi Tourism Japan (HTJ). The program will be moderated by Ms. Barbara Tanabe, owner and founder of Hoʻakea Communications, LLC (a public affairs company) and JASH board director.

Japan-US Military Program (JUMP) Honolulu

February 16, 2021

Thanks to the generous support of Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA and National Association of Japan-America Societies, this event was free and open to the public. For this year's program, Admiral Philip Davidson, 25th Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and Vice Admiral Yoji Koda, former Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Commander in Chief, Self-Defense Fleet (Ret.) spoke on "The US-Japan Alliance: History, Current Challenges, and Opportunities." The program was moderated by Barbara Tanabe, owner and founder of Hoʻakea Communications, LLC and JASH Board Director.

"Why Be Happy?" with Dr. Scott Haas - Author Spotlight Talk-Story

January 21, 2021

Have you been feeling on-edge lately? Stressed and fatigued from current events, shifts at work, or strains in your personal life?? Have you ever wondered why Japanese people say sumimasen for literally everything??? Join JASH in welcoming clinical psychologist and writer Dr. Scott Haas to discuss his book "Why Be Happy?: The Japanese Way of Acceptance." Learn about how the Japanese concept of ukeireru 'acceptance' may help you reduce stress and anxiety, and how toncurate your own personal toolkit of values and perspectives to improve your mental well-being; better navigate your personal and professional relationships; and be more understanding in intercultural situations. You may find that those life lessons from obaachan and ojiichan were onto something after all!

Women Who Lead: Serving the Community through the Cherry Blossom Festival

December 10, 2020

For this third installment in our "Women Who Lead" talk-story series, we welcomed the 68th Cherry Blossom Festival Court to share their experiences serving the community through the COVID-19 pandemic and their hopes for the future. Moderated by Kim Takata Endo.

JASH 2020 Annual Gala Reimagined

November 14, 2020

This year, our theme is Mirai "Our New Future," which we found fitting as we take on this unpredictable time and reimagine the ways that we can operate as a community organization. We are pleased to present the Sony Corporation with the Bridge Award for their exemplary leadership in fostering a relationship between Japan and the U.S., and are honored to welcome Mr. Hiroshi Kawano, Senior Vice President of Sony Corporation, who will be accepting the award on behalf of Sony. We are also honored to welcome Mr. Corbett Kalama, President of Friends of Hawaii Charities to deliver this year's keynote speech.

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This year we have an exciting, world-class line-up of entertainment planned for you! Enjoy incredible performances by Hikariyama Torao, Keauhou, and Kenny Endo and the Taiko Center of the Pacific.

Mahalo to our Title "Reimagined" Sponsor, Central Pacific Bank Foundation.

Women Who Lead: Strengthening Our Spirit

October 15, 2020

JASH welcomed speakers Phyllis Look of Forest Bathing Hawaii, Cristina Moon of Daihonzan Chozen-ji, and moderator Colby Takeda of Blue Zones Project - Hawaii to discuss the roles of spirituality and mindfulness, and why it's especially important to care for your mental health and wellbeing during these difficult times.

Natsumatsuri

August 13, 2020

The NexGen Leaders of JASH produced an evening celebrating the best of Japanese Summer Festivals! This inaugural JASH Natsumatsuri featured international entertainment from Japan and Hawaii; cultural segment on differences in matsuri between Japan and Hawaii; a sake etiquette lesson by sake sommelier Keith Nakaganeku of The Cherry Company; and an interactive game with prizes.

Mahalo to our Title Sponsor, Island Insurance Foundation. 

Women Who Lead: Resilience Through Crisis

August 5, 2020

Join JASH for another installment in our Summer 2020 Talk-Story Series as we shared the stories of two extraordinary women, Bella Hughes and Amanda Corby-Noguchi, who are successfully leading their companies through the COVID-19 crisis. Learn how they are managing to persevere and rise above challenges that many of us are all facing today. Moderated by Barbara Tanabe.

Hachijōjima: The Language Isle

July 30, 2020

JASH was fortunate to welcome linguist Dr. David Iannucci to speak in our Summer 2020 Talk-Story Series. Dr. Iannucci presented on the small volcanic island of Hachijojima and its severely endangered Hachijo language. He explained the history and current vitality of the Hachijo language, how it differs from Standard Japanese, and provided anecdotes of his experiences conducting fieldwork in communities on the island.

Tohoku Earthquake: From Devastation to Resilience

July 16, 2020

JASH welcomed longtime JASH member and photographer Ray Tabata to share his photos and stories of his volunteer projects in Tohoku following the 3.11 earthquake and tsunami. 

JASH Japan Travel Update

June 17, 2020

Guest speakers addressed questions such as: What is Japanese sentiment in terms of travel to Hawaii and travel as a whole? What has the loss of the Japanese visitors meant in dollars to our economy? What will it take to attract the Japanese visitor back to Hawaii? You don’t want to miss this JASH Japan Travel Webinar as Hawaii begins the process of re-opening our state.