Japan America Society Calendar

Japan America Society of Minnesota
The Tsūshin is a membership publication of the Japan America Society of Minnesota
February 2014 VOL. 23, No. 02
Shinnenkai 新年会 - Continued on Page 4 -
J-Quiz - Buzzers at the Ready!
It is nearly time for “J-Quiz” - the Upper Midwest
Japanese Language and Culture Competition that will be
held at Normandale Community College on Saturday,
February 15th. The annual contest is the culmination of
many hours of preparation by volunteers and is a
collaborative event that JASM presents in cooperation with
the Minnesota Council of Teachers of Japanese and with
the support of the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago.
This year over 80 students from 9 high schools, including
Memorial High School of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, will be
competing in J-Quiz. The contest tests the ability of
Japanese language and cultural knowledge at three levels
This year’s annual New Year’s celebration of high school curriculum: Level II, Level III and Level
Shinennkai - held on Sunday, Jan. 19th saw a record turnout as IV. The first place winners at each level are given a trip to
Washington D.C. to attend the Sakura Festival and to
hundreds of people filed into the Hopkins Eisenhower
compete in the National Japan Bowl © that will be held
Community Center to watch cultural Japanese performances,
April 10-11, 2014.
participate in mini-workshops, and enjoy delicious Japanese
J-Quiz, Co-leaders, Hiroko Shade and Michiko
food.
Kato Dressen, have been working diligently with their
Performers of the night were varied and ranged from
committee members well in advance in order prepare
traditional dancers (from Sansei Yonsei Kai and Mikaharukai) questions, recruit volunteers and arrange the facility for the
and koto players (Sakura Kai) to a group of young students
competition on Feb. 15th. The day of the contest starts early
Saturday morning with registration of teams of students at
(Thunder Wave) that danced to contemporary electro-pop
7:30 a.m. followed by the writing of essays (sakubun) and
Japanese music. Another highlight of the night was a
performance by the young founder of Sweets Kendamas, who the Preliminary Round that begin at 8:30 a.m. Following a
Bento Box lunch for each student, the real excitement can
demonstrated his impressive skills with the traditional
be seen at the Final Rounds of competition that begin in
Japanese cup-and-ball toy.
the Lorenz Auditorium at 12:20 p.m. Admission is free and
Besides performances, there were also short
open to the public.
In addition to the competitive sessions there will be
demonstrations on ikebana flower arranging from Sogetsu
cultural presentations in the morning for the students, such
Ikebana, bonsai tree art from the Minnesota Bonsai Society,
as the Art and Impact of Tea on the Japanese diet by
and a short lecture on tea by Mr. Yoshi Satoh. The silent
Yoshio Sato, professor of Japanese language at
auction also drew interest, as attendees were able to bid on gift
Normandale College. For more information about J-Quiz,
certificates for local restaurants, Japanese cookware and
please visit the JASM website at www.mn-japan.org.
pottery, and other graciously donated items from sponsors
including a traditional Japanese futon. Besides the silent
auction, a small Oriental Bazaar sold Japanese-style items
such as kimonos, books, and figurines.
Delicious Japanese food and desserts were also
available, including a free supply of traditional Japanese New
Year Ozouni soup, made with mochi rice cakes.
The crowd at this year’s Shinennkai included many
children, young students interested in Japanese culture, and
many others that have lived and worked in Japan or have
strong ties to the country. As the goal of Shinennkai is to bring
continued on page 4
Annual Meeting on February 20th
Join us for the 2013 JASM Annual Meeting on the
evening of February 20th, 2014. We will share with
everyone the successes and challenges of the past year,
elect new JASM Board Members and discuss some of
the exciting plans that JASM is planning for in 2014. Jon
Pratt, Executive Director of the Minnesota Council of
Nonprofits, will be the keynote speaker.
We welcome both JASM corporate and individual
members to attend this important JASM gathering. Light
refreshments will be served.
Event Timeline
7:00 PM JASM Annual Meeting Begins with light
refreshments
7:20 PM Annual Meeting Business Meeting Begins
7:40 PM Jon Pratt Presentation
8:00 PM Q&A
8:30 PM Annual Meeting Ends
Please RSVP by February 18th, 2014.
This event is free but seats are limited so sign up now!
We’re Hiring! - Program Manager
The Japan America Society of Minnesota is seeking to
hire a part-time Program Manager. This new position for
JASM will focus on the planning and organizing of the
events of the Society by providing leadership to the
office staff and by using social media in developing
programs and initiatives to expand the membership in the
Japan related community of the Upper Midwest.
JASM is looking for candidates with some of the
following qualifications:
 Four-year college degree or higher
 Strong organizational skills
 Computer skills that include familiarity with social
media
 International awareness and cultural sensitivity
 Native level Japanese language fluency and
proficiency in communicating in English desired.
However, will consider strong candidates with other
qualifications
This will be a part-time position (up to 30 hours per
week) with an annual salary of $21,000.00
compensation. Candidates should email or send cover
letter and resume by letter in English by Feb 17, 2014 to:
Japan America Society of Minnesota
Attn: Ben van Lierop
43 Main Street SE, Suite EH-131
Minneapolis MN 55414-1031
Email: [email protected]
Corporate Roundtable - Save the Date!
We are excited to announce that on Wednesday March 5th
the JASM Corporate Roundtable will feature a presentation
on “Hot Business and Legal Topics in Japan”. Miyako
Yoshida and Hiroki Kaga, two aspiring lawyers from Japan,
currently on special short-term assignment with Dorsey &
Whitney LLP, will be the presenters at this unique view of
current issues in Japan from a legal perspective. Their
remarks will center on the following topics: 1)
Globalization of Japanese companies; 2) the Merging and
Acquisition trend; and 3) the new legal structure in Japan
that can impact the Japan business activities of U.S. firms.
Miyako Yoshida received her law degree from
Waseda University and is currently on a leave of absence
from the Nisshin Seifun Group, Inc. Ms. Yoshida recently
completed her law degree at the University of Minnesota.
Hiroki Kaga graduated from Tokyo University and
is on a two-year leave of absence from the Nishimura &
Asahi, the largest law firm in Japan. While working at
Nishimura & Asahi for six years, Mr. Kaga worked with the
Merger and Acquisition division of Mitsui and Co. in
Tokyo.
The meeting will take place in downtown
Minneapolis on Wednesday, Mar. 5th. Additional details
and information for making your reservation will be
available soon.
Membership News
Thanks to the following
new JASM Members:
Chris Bercaw & Mary McKelvoy,
Phaeton Holland, Kazuyoshi Taniguchi,
Yumiko Ellingson, Liza Lundgren,
Ryan Polzin, Maria Lin, Edward Shields, Katherine Meyer, Elizabeth Fehrmann,
Debra Baumer, Sachiya & Hitomi Isomura.
Thanks to the following
renewing JASM Members:
Miechelle Norman, Suzuko Erickson,
Kathryn Klibanoff, Evan Williams,
Laura Johnson, Brandis Conroy,
Valerie Urban, Brett Kaminski,
Mindy Rechelbacher, Leah Henning,
Barbara Shields.
Thanks to our renewing
Corporate Member:
The Voyager Group
Thanks to our New Corporate Member:
Nagai Industries U.S.A. Inc.
Nichibei Lecture Series: Social Media & Future of Branding
Our next Nichibei Lecture Series will focus
on the topic of Social Media and the future of
Branding. Andrew Eklund will be our guest
speaker. He is the Founder and CEO of Ciceron, a
social media and digital business strategy company
helping organizations make the fundamental
changes necessary to thrive in a socially networked
world. Andrew is a frequent speaker and moderator
at national and international conferences, including
the E-Tourism Summit, MarketingSherpa, MIMA
Summit, and other influential organizations. Over the past two decades, Andrew has
led Ciceron through the invention of all things digital – and has emerged as an
industry veteran with a strong foundation in digital marketing. In 2007, Andrew was
named one of the “40 Under 40” business people to watch by the Minneapolis/St. Paul
Business Journal. In 2011, he was named as one of the “200 Minnesotans You Should
Know” by the Twin Cities Business magazine. And in 2012, Ciceron was named as
one of the “Top 100 Places To Work” by Minnesota Business magazine.
A social media strategy is vital in a world where consumers are now
continuously connected to their personal and business networks. Leveraging and
integrating elements of the social web across your brand experience and marketing
efforts will create cohesion and bring scale to every organization’s efforts.
Please join us on February 26th to learn from Andrew and to participate in a
discussion about social media in your company and in your personal lives!
Date: Wednesday, February 26th
Time: 6:15 p.m. Registration and Refreshments 6:30 p.m. Lecture begins
Place: Ciceron Inc.
126 N Third Street, Suite 200, Minneapolis, MN 55401
(Located in Downtown Minneapolis in the Warehouse District)
Please thank our members with
your support!
Corporate Benefactor Members
Daikin Applied, Inc.
Delta Airlines, Inc.
Corporate Sustaining Members
3M Company
American Medical Systems, Inc.
Andersen Corporation
Boston Scientific Corporation
Dorsey & Whitney, LLP
Design Ready Control, Inc.
Fredrikson & Byron, PA
Gray Plant Mooty
Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, PC
Hubbard Broadcasting
Lion Precision
Mall of America
Medtronic, Inc
Nagai Industries U.S.A. Inc.
St. Jude Medical
Taiyo International, Inc.
The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.
Corporate Contributing Members
Bloomington Sister City Organization
Briggs and Morgan, P.A.
Compart Family Farms
Devicix, LLC
Fish & Richardson, P.C.
Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd.
Leonard, Street and Deinard
Minnesota Orchestra Musicians
Professional Instruments Company
Proto Labs, Inc.
Sysco Asian Foods
Satellite Industries
Cost: JASM Members and students: $10.00 Non-Members and Guests: $15.00
Reservations: Please visit JASM website (http://mn-japan.org/2014/02/nichibeilecture-series-february-2014/), call 612-627-9357 or email: [email protected]
There is street parking available from 6:00 p.m. in front of the building and on 2nd
Avenue. Otherwise there is a parking ramp on 2nd Avenue and 4th street that most
people use – especially in this cold weather!
個人またはビジネスのネットワークを通じて消費者が繋がっている今
日では、ソーシャルメディア戦略は不可欠なものとなっています。次回の日
米レクチャー・シリーズは、ソーシャルメディアとブランドの将来について
焦点を当てます。
ゲストスピーカーとしてお招きするのは、ソーシャルネットワークの
世界において抜本的な改革をもたらし成功するために、さまざまな組織の
ソーシャルメディアやデジタル事業戦略を手助けしている「Ciceron Inc. 」の
創始者およびCEOであるエクランド・アンドリュー氏です。彼は、国内およ
び国際的なカンファレンスで多くのスピーチや司会を司会を務めるなど、過
去20数年以上の豊富な経験を持ち、デジタルマーケティングの確固たる基礎
を築き上げました。ミネアポリス／セントポールのさまざまな情報誌で注目
されている企業家および会社にも選ばれたこともあり、大変活躍されていま
す。
エクランド氏から現在のソーシャルメディアについて学び、組織や個
人のレベルでソーシャルメディアをどのように活用するべきかを考える良い
機会になると思います。皆様のご参加をお待ちしております。
Partners in Service
Fuji-Ya Restaurant
Kiku Enterprises
Origami Restaurant
St. Paul Saints
Sakura Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority
Suishin Restaurant
The Voyager Group
Tiger Sushi
Tomodachi
Nonprofit Members
Aikido of Minnesota
Anime Twin Cities, Inc.
BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota
Concordia Language Villages
JETAA Minnesota
JETRO Chicago
KCC–Japan Education Exchange
Macalester College Asian Language &
Culture Department
Minneapolis Japanese School
Minnesota International Center
Minnesota Trade Office
Mu Performing Arts
N-Dimensional Japan
US-China Business Connections
Winona State Univ. Global Studies Dept.
Shinnenkai 新年会 - Continued from Page 1 the traditions of Japanese New Year to Minnesota, JASM is grateful to all the different people that came to learn and to
teach.
Thanks to generous support from many people, volunteers and Japan related organizations, we had more people
than we ever had for the last 6 years. We hope that we can have a great Shinnenkai like this again. Looking forward
seeing you next year!
Special Thanks to the Sponsors:
Tomoko Drake & MOC (MN Oyaji Club)
We would like to thank the following leaders for their contribution:
Calligraphy: Tetsuya Shimano
Emcee: Michael Nilan
Entertainment: Asako Hirabayashi
Exhibition & Promotion: Maki Kawase & Richiko Kamata
Food: Tomoko Drake & MOC (MN Oyaji Club)
Japanese Curios & Collectables Area: Hiroki Kaga & Natalie Dmytrenko
Overall Coordination: Marc Blehert & Ben van Lierop
Photographer: Takehito Kamata
Registration: Andrew Manalo
Silent Auction: Yuhgo Maruta
Children’s Area: Brittany Linder
Sound System: Alex Ehret
Hajimemashite
J-Quiz Administrative Coordinator
©toyclouds photography
It’s nice to meet you!
My name is Alex Ehret.
I am a senior at the University
of Minnesota. My major is
Communications and I am
minoring in East Asian
Studies, Learning Abroad, and Management. My interest
in Japan started with Anime when I was a teenager.
However, as I grew older, I became aware of a gap in my
education regarding Asian history and culture. As a college
student, I took the initiative to fill this gap with a minor in
East Asian studies and with Japanese language studies.
Although I had only been studying Japanese for two years,
last spring semester I was an exchange student at
Hitotsubashi University. I had a wonderful experience that
inspired my interest in becoming involved with JASM
after returning home. My job as an intern at JASM is to
edit the Tsushin and be the Media Relations Coordinator.
I’m very happy to be here and am looking forward to
meeting everyone along the way!
はじめまして！私はアレックス アーレットと申し
ます。私はミネソタ大学の四年生です。私の専門は
Communicationsですが、アジア研究と日本語も勉強
しています。二年前から日本語の勉強をはじめて、
2013年の春学期には一橋大学に留学していました。
本当にいい経験でしたから、日本語の勉強を続け
て、ミネソタ日米協会に興味を持つようになりまし
た。ミネソタ日米協会での仕事は、Media Relations
Coordinationとして通信の編集などをすることです。
私はすごく嬉しくて、皆さんとお会いできるのを楽
しみにしています！どうぞよろしくお願いします！
Hi! My name is Amy Kelley. I am so happy to be this
year's J-Quiz Administrative Coordinator!
My involvement with Japan, it's land, language, and
culture, has been long and varied. I first began studying
Japanese when I was in high school. The town I lived in
did not have J-Quiz, but my friends and I found other
ways to motivate each other and build our language skills.
I co-founded, alongside the Japanese Student Association,
a Japanese Conversation Club at Wichita State University.
When I moved on to the University of Minnesota,
naturally, I wanted to continue my studies, and took a
minor in Japanese. With a second minor in Teaching
English as a Second Language, I was able to secure a
position with the Japan Exchange Teaching Programme.
As an English teacher, I lived and worked in Maebashi,
Gunma, and then in Hiroshima City. I enjoyed my time in
Japan greatly, especially the wonderful food, beautiful
scenery, and all my wonderful students.
Since returning to the U.S., I have continued to teach full
time, and been active with the Japanese Conversation
Hour, Concordia Language Villages, and, of course, the
Japan America Society of Minnesota. I know that my
relationship with Japan will continue to evolve and
strengthen throughout the years to come, and I am glad to
be helping a new generation on their Japanese journey by
helping to organize the 2014 J-Quiz!
Yuki Onna: Upcoming Opera Performances
Don’t miss the upcoming concert reading of Y uki Onna, a new opera about a Japanese Snow Witch. Music and lyrics
were written by Asako Hirabayashi, and with a libretto by Steve Epp. There are only two concert dates left in February,
so be sure to mark your calendar!
When: Friday, February 21st (Highlights Only), 12:00p.m.
Where: The Baroque Room,
275 East Fourth St, in the Northwestern Building, next to the Farmers Market in Lowertown Saint Paul
Free Admission
When: Saturday, February 22nd, 7:00p.m.
Where: The Baroque Room
$10 Admission; tickets available at the baroqueroom.com
For more information, visit: www.operayukionna.com
HONDANA / By Tom Haeg
GOODBYE
TSUGUMI
By Banana Yoshimoto
(Grove Press, New York,
186 pages, translated from the
Japanese by Michael Emmerich)
Banana Yoshimoto (nee
Yoshimoto Mahoko) burst onto
the Japanese literary scene in the
late 1980s (Kitchen). Her
simple, avant garde writing style
focusing on teenage relationships immediately won
applause from critics and awards from judges. Harper’s
Bazaar and the Chicago Tribune saluted her as a “master
storyteller”. A dozen books later, she has amassed a cult
following of Japanese readers who oftentimes refer to as, well, with all apologizes to John, Paul, Geoge and Ringo,
‘Bananamania’.
Goodby Tsugumi is a story about a friendship
between two teenage girls who just happen to be cousins.
The protagonist narrator, Maria (the good girl, cousin) tells
her story about Tsugumi (the bad girl, cousin). Maria is
drawn to her cousin not for her virtues (few) but to her sins
(many). “It’s true: Tsugumi really was an unpleasant
young woman.” What the plot reveals is layers upon
layers of epiphanies and explanations of Tsugumi’s
character to ultimately draw the reader’s attention to her
humanity notwithstanding her faults. Said in another way:
you begin the story loathing Tsugumi, then you tolerate
her, followed by sympathy, and in the end fall in love with
her.
This is a book about the end of childhood, love
and friendship, the clash between urban and rural,
imagination versus reality, knowing how and when to
leave and let go, and the real meaning of what is home and
family. The prose is excellent. The imagery is masterful.
The dialogue is riveting. Michael Emmerich’s English
translation from the Japanese enables the reader to
seamlessly connect with the Japanese characters and the
scenery.
Yoshimoto’s other novels are Kitchen, N.P.,
Lizard, Amrita , Moonlight Shadow, Sly, Hardboiled and
Hardluck, Daisy’s Life, the Lake and Asleep.
Must read.
Tom Haeg, JASM, Executive Secretary
For latest JASM updates, visit our website at
www.mn-japan.org, find us on our facebook
(Japan America Society of Minnesota),
or follow us on Twitter (@MNJAPAN).
Bloomington Sister City Organization
Taste of Japan
The Bloomington Sister City Organization's largest
and most important fundraiser, Taste of Japan, will be
held Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 6:00 p.m. at the
Hilton Minneapolis/Bloomington, 3900 American
Boulevard West.
Enjoy an evening with:
 Live music
 Taiko Drum group
 Silent Auction and Door Prizes
 Star Support and Spirit Awards
Advertise in the Tsushin!
月例日本人会のお知らせ
Advertisement Rates
毎月日本語図書館で日本人会の昼食会（Monthly Nihonjinkai ）を行っています。電話などでお誘い合わせの上、お
友達やお知り合いとご一緒においで下さい。可能の方は
どうぞ料理を1品ご持参願います。ミネソタ州在住の日本
人達で良い事を考え、ご馳走と日本語で楽しい時間を持
ちましょう。
日程：毎月第2月曜日正午より
場所：日本語図書館
(4231 Bloomington Ave S., Minneapolis, MN 55407)
Style
1/4 page
1/2 page
Full page
Classified
Size Cost/issue
5 x 3.5 in $50.00
5 x 7.5 in $90.00
10 x 7.5 in $150.00
80 character line $10/ line
(min. 2 lines)
Ad production and design available in both
Japanese and English for an additional charge.
Deadline for completed ads and classifieds is the
20th of every month.
Questions? Contact
the JASM Office
Tel: 612-627-9357
[email protected]
Japan America Society Calendar
February
J-Quiz - February 15th
Annual Meeting - February 20th
Nichibei Lecture Series - February 26th
March
Corporate Roundtable - March 5th
また、毎週土曜日午後2時からは、日本語図書館のお手伝
いしてくださる方の集まりがあります。是非ご参加くだ
さい。この図書館には、漫画や宗教誌約25000冊や約2500
本のビデオDVDがあり、希望者にはセルフサービスで日
本人会と同じく無料で貸出しています。お問い合わせは
下記までどうぞ。
Yoko Breckenridge
Cell phone: (612) 839-0008 E-mail: [email protected]
Nihonjin-kai monthly meeting on 2nd Monday noon
at 4231 Bloomington Ave S Minneapolis, MN 55407
Become a JASM Member online!
1.
2.
3.
Support our mission and become a
member!
Go to mn-japan.org
Click on ‘Membership’ at the top
Select your membership type and read the
benefits and instructions.
Japan America Society of Minnesota
O Membership Application O Change of Address
O Tax-deductible Donation
Japanese Speaking Club
_____________________________________________________
Name
The Japanese Speaking Club is an informal meeting place for
those wishing to practice Japanese. We
encourage those just
beginning the language as well as
native speakers to
gather at the Espresso Royale Café in Downtown
Minneapolis to meet new people, discuss experiences
in Japan, or simply to speak Japanese. Come when you
can, leave when you must.
_____________________________________________________
Name (2nd adult of a household membership)
Date/Time: Ever y Satur day,
any time after 3:00 p.m.
Place: Espr esso Royale Cafe
1229 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55403
Amount Enclosed:____________
(Please make checks payable to JASM)
_____________________________________________________
Address
_____________________________________________________
City
State
ZIP
___________________________
E-mail
___________________________
Phone
I would like to make an additional taxdeductable donation of
Individual Membership
Patron……………………$1,000+
Sustaining……………… $500+
Contributing……………. $100+
Individual ………………. $30
Student/Senior ………… $20
Household ……………... $50
(2 adults plus children under 18)
Japan America Society of Minnesota
43 Main Street SE Suite EH—131
Minneapolis, MN 55414
Japan America
Society of Minnesota
Riverplace EH-131
43 Main Street SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414-1031
Tel: 612-627-9357
Fax: 612-379-2393
[email protected]
www.mn-japan.org
Tsūshin
February 2014
The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a
non-profit, non-political association engaged
in bringing the peoples of Japan and the
United States closer together in mutual
understanding, respect, and cooperation.
Through programs and interchange, it
endeavors to promote an appreciation of
cultural, educational, economic, public, and
other affairs of interest to both peoples.
Membership in the society is open to
individuals,
corporations,
and
other
organizations interested in furthering its
programs.
The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a
member of the National Association of
Japan-America Societies.
(Please report any inaccuracies you find in
this publication to [email protected])
2014 Shinnenkai 新年会