1565 Metro Place South, Suite 300 • Dublin, Ohio 43017 © JASCO 2019

2018 Year in Review

www.jas-co.org2

Table of Contents

2018 JASCO Corporate Members ................................................................4

2018 JASCO Board of Directors ..................................................................6

JASCO Staff & Interns ....................................................................................7

SIGNATURE EVENTS

19th Annual Japanese Speech Contest ...............................................8

JASCO Japanese Career Exploration ...............................................10

20th Anniversary Reception ..............................................................11

19th Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser ..............................................12

Economic Business Seminar ..............................................................13

BUSINESS AND NETWORKING EVENTS

Networking Events ...............................................................................14

JETRO Seminars ..................................................................................15

Communication Seminars .................................................................16

CEPEX Seminars ..................................................................................17

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Table of Contents

CULTURAL EVENTS

Cultural Workshops.............................................................................18

Kimono .............................................................................................18

Indigo Dyeing ..................................................................................19

Calligraphy .......................................................................................20

Koto ...................................................................................................20

Awa Odori Performance & Workshop .............................................21

Asian Festival ........................................................................................22

Tanabata Matsuri .................................................................................23

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Art Curator Lecture .............................................................................24

Japanese Language Classes .................................................................25

School Outreach ...................................................................................26

JASCO’s Core Values ....................................................................................27

www.jas-co.org4

Benefactors• Corna-Kokosing

Construction, Co.• Honda of America Mfg., Inc.• Honda R&D Americas, Inc.• Honda Trading America• Meijer• PNC

2018 JASCO Corporate Members

• Belletech• Change 4 Growth• Chrono Management Group• Columbus 2020• Dublin Building Systems• Dublin Technical Systems, Inc.• Embassy Suites Dublin• Ernst & Young• Funai Service Corporation• GBQ Partners• Hidaka USA, Inc.• Homewood Suites Dublin• Honda Engineering NA• Humble Construction• JASStek Inc.• Kirk Williams Co.• KTH Parts Industries, Inc.• Nifco America Corporation• Nippon Rika, Inc.

Thank you for your continued support!

Patrons• American Electric Power• Honda Logistics North

America• Honda Transmission Mfg.• Schneider Downs• TS Tech Americas, Inc.• Yachiyo of Americas, Inc.

• Nissin Travel Services (U.S.A). Inc.

• Optimed Research, Inc.• Pacific Food, Inc.• Plante Moran• Pricewaterhousecoopers LLC• Reliant Mechanical• The Schumacher Group• THK Manufacturing of

America• Toagosei America Inc.• Tosoh America, Inc.• United Healthcare• USI Insurance Services• Vorys, Sater, Seymour and

Pease LLP• Weastec, Inc.• Yamato Transport

Contributors

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2018 JASCO Corporate Members

• City of Delaware• City of Dublin• Columbus Regional Airport

Authority• Denison University• JETRO Chicago• JobsOhio• Logan County Area Chamber of

Commerce• The Ohio State University

Institute for Japanese Studies• The Ohio State University

Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures

• Katie Blumenschein (adecco)• John Beeler

(Porter Writer Morris & Arthur LLP)

• Anand Ekbote (Anand Strategic)• Mark Headlee (Red Architecutre

+ Planning)• Tracy Imamura (Fort Hayes Arts

and Academic High School)• Masatoshi Inoue (New York Life

Insurance Company)• Jun Kawabe (Mirai InterCultural

Language & Consulting)• Randy Lowe (Korda/Nemeth

Engineering)

Thank you for your continued support!

• Ohio University• Ohio Wesleyan University• Shadowbox Live• TraVerse: English Language

Training, OSU• Union County-Marysville

Economic Development• Wittenberg University• Women for Economic

Leadership & Development• Worthington International

Friendship Association

Not-for-Profit Members

• Akiko Miyamoto (Nihon-de-Columbus, LLC @ Re/Max 24/7)

• Mika Murakami DeMura (Milestone Memories Photography)

• Megumi Musick (Local2Global, LLC)

• Takashi Nagaoka (Creo Consulting, LLC)

• Lisa Reaves (Reaves Opthalmology Center)

• Masao Tachibana (Plex Systems)

• Chikara Tanaka (Tanaka & Company LLC)

Professional Individuals

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OfficersDr. Mari Noda, PresidentThe Ohio State University

Mr. Isao Shoji, Past PresidentThe Schumacher Group

Mr. Anthony Weis, President-ElectVorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP

Mr. Akio Seino, TreasurerGBQ Partners, LLC

Mr. Doug Muszynski, SecretaryPNC Corporate Banking

Honorary Board MemberMr. Toshiyuki Shimabara, Honda of America

Manufacturing., Inc.

2018 JASCO Board of Directors

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2018 JASCO Board of Directors

JASCO Staff & Interns

Board MembersMr. Phil Barth, Former Honorary Consul of Japan in

OhioMr. Mark Cobetto, Schneider Downs

Mr. Matt Ference, Corna-Kokosing Co.Mr. Hiroshi Fukuda, Nissin Travel Services, Inc.

Mr. Yoshihiro Hidaka, Hidaka USA, Inc.Ms. Sachiyo Isoda Peterson, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and

Pease LLPMr. Scott Kuehn, American Electric Power

Ms. Noriko Mills, Honda R&D Americas, Inc.Mr. Nick Moulakis

Mr. Tim Myers, Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.Mr. Greg Norval, Honda Trading America Corporation

Mr. Eric Riehl, Humble ConstructionMs. Deborah Scherer, Columbus 2020

Ms. Monica Wilson, USI Insurance Services

Benjamin PachterYuko Rader

Risako Tanaka

Ayana MayElinor Lindeman

Moe Oyagi

www.jas-co.org8

March 10, 2018Dublin Community Recreation Center

The Annual Japanese Speech Contest is an event that offers an opportunity for Japanese-language learners to showcase achievements. This competition not only provides highly motivated students across the state with the chance to improve their Japanese language skills, but also inspires and encourages others to broaden their understanding of Japan, its culture, and the strong ties between Japan and United States.

20 High School, College, and Advanced finalists were invited to Dublin to give their speeches in front of a panel of judges: Ms. Yuki Sakai, Deputy Consul General of Japan in Detroit; Mr. Hiroshi Fukuda, COJAC/Nissin Travel Services (U.S.A.) Inc. ; Ms. Noriko Mills, JASCO/Honda R&D Americas Inc.; and Ms. Allyson Larimer, Echo Japanese Interpreting, LLC.

Support was provided by The Japan Foundation Los Angeles, the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit, the Ohio Association of Teachers of Japanese, the Central Ohio Japanese Association of Commerce, The OSU Institute for Japanese Studies, the City of Dublin, and the OSU Japanese Students Organization.

2018 Japanese Speech Contest

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First Place - Hyerin Noh (Orange County Japanese School)Second Place - Brent Luttmer (Benjamin Logan High School)Consul General Award - Zach Shafer (Marysville High School)

First Place - Yang Han (Case Western Reserve University)Second Place - Tianchu Gao (The Ohio State University)Consul General Award - Rohit Kumar (The University of Toledo)

First Place - Xiyue Zhang (The Ohio State University)Second Place - Zane Casimir (The Ohio State University)

2018 Japanese Speech Contest

High School Winners

College Winners

Advanced Winners

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March 10, 2018 Dublin Community Recreation Center

Held in conjunction with the 2018 Japanese Speech Contest was the JASCO Japanese Career Exploration. The Career Exploration provides students studying the Japanese language and English-Japanese bilingual job seekers with an opportunity to interact with local business leaders and learn about career paths available to them, as well as learn about various Japanese language learning opportuties in Ohio.

The participating companies and organizations in the 2018 Career Exploration were:

COMPANIES CREO Consulting, LLC Dublin technical Sustems, Inc. THK Manufacturing of America, Inc. TS Tech Americas, Inc.

UNIVERSITIES AND NON-PROFITS The Ohio State University Department of East Asian Languages and

Literatures The University of Findlay TraVerse English Language Training at The Ohio State University Wittenberg University

JASCO Japanese Career Exploration

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This annual event is a celebration of the organization’s anniversary, as well as an opportunity to discuss and evaluate the year’s past and upcoming programs. Each year, we welcome a number of special guests and visitors to the reception, such as Consul General Mr. Mitsuhiro Wada from the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit.

April 12, 2018Vorys, Sater, Seymour, and Pease LLP

Consul-General of Japan in Detroit, Mr. Mitsuhiro Wada

21st Annual JASCO Anniversary Reception

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The 20th Annual JASCO Golf Outing was held at The County Club at Muirfield Village on June 11, 2018. The weather was mixed on the day that 54 golfers took to the course, but all the same everyone enjoyed nice afternoon on the course.

The Annual Golf Outing is one of JASCO’s most important fundraising events, while also bringing together its corporate and individual members together for a round of golf.

June 11, 2018The County Club at Muirfield Village

20th AnnualJASCO Golf Outing Fundraiser

Thank you very much for all of the sponsors and golfers!

1st Place Team - Hidaka USA

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The 2018 Annual Economic Business Seminar was held on November 8th at the Dublin Community Recreation Center. The year’s topic was “Future of the Workforce,” exploring current trends across the workforce and new strategies to succeed in an evolving market.

Following a speech by Ms. Yuki Sakai, Honorary Consul General of Japan in Detroit, the keynote presentation was given by Mr. Tim Harman, Director, Customized Workforce Recruitment & Development, Columbus 2020. Mr. Harman was then joined for a panel discussion and Q&A session by Ms. Laura Tooops, Human Resources Director, Stanley Electric, Mr. Jeff Spain, Supervisor, Workforce Innovation, Columbus State Community College, and Mr. Jeff Sprague, Division Manager, NEX Transport. The panel discussion and Q&A moderator was Ms. Deborah Scherer, Managing Director, Global Trade and Investment, Columbus 2020 and JASCO Board Member.

JASCO Economic Business Seminar

November 8, 2018 Dublin Community Recreation Center

Tim Harman, Columbus 2020

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We held two Networking events in January and May 2018, offering JASCO members and community members a chance to interact and get to know each other and the host organizations.

In January, we gathered at the Plante Moran offices in downtown Columbus, while in May we met at The Ohio State University at the Hagerty Hall courtyard.

Thank you very much to Plante Moran and The Ohio State University for hosting these events!

January 18 and May 10, 2018

Networking Events

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Throughout 2018, we partnered with JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Chicago to offer a series of business seminars and networking oportunities.

The first event was on March 14, when we held a special KIZUNA TOHOKU UPDATE highlight recovery efforts in the Tohoku region of Japan, with a special emphasis on food and drink industries. Speakers included Yoshiyuki Takasago, Director-General for International Affairs, Business and Tourism Commerce, Miyagi Prefecture; Yasushi Kotouno, Executive Officer, Suenaga Kaisan Company Ltd., and John Gauntner, sake sommelier and the world’s leading non-Japanese sake expert. The presentations were followed by a reception featuring food and drink frmo the Tohoku region.

JETRO Seminars

March 14 and July 23, 2018

Ralph Inforzato, JETRO Chicago

On July 23, meanwhile, we held a special update on the Trump administation’s trade policies and tariffs, with updates provided by representatives from both the JETRO Chicago and JETRO New York offices. Thank you to JETRO Chicago for helping to bring these exciting and informative events to Central Ohio!

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On August 2, JASCO partnered with JETRO Chicago, JobsOhio, and Columbus 2020 to present a special program entitled “Strengthening the Japan-US Economic relationship. The program featured a Keynote Presentation by The Honorable Hiroshige Seko, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan. This was the first time that a Minister from the Japanese government has visited Central Ohio, and was part of a series of visits he made to locations in the Midwestern United States.

Also featured on the program were remarks by Mitsuhiro Wada, Consul General of Japan in Detroit; Shigeki Maeda, Executive Vice President, JETRO; and Tom Shoupe, Executive Vice President, Honda of America Manufacturing, Inc.

August 2, 2018 Hilton Columbus at Easton, Columbus

Strengthening the Japan-US Economic Relationship

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Our final business seminar of the year was held in partnership with CEPEX (The Center for Professional Exchange) and Funai Service Corporation.

Entitled “Japanese Innovation and Experiences Implementing New Technology in the U.S.: From ‘Product Out’ to ‘Market In,’” the seminar featured presentations by Yukio Tada, Sunrock Institute and Yoshihiro Sasaki, Funai Service Corporation, and special guest remarks by Tsutomu Nakagawa, Consul General of Japan in Detroit.

CEPEX Seminar

December 3, 2018 Ohio University Dublin Integrated Education Center

In May and October 2018, we offered two seminars on communication styles and leadership. The May event focused on Business Communication Styles for Women Engaged with the Japanese Community, was co-presented by Women for Economic and Leadership Development and Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP, and was led by Susan Alexander of Rosebud Coaching & Consulting.

In October, meanwhile, we offered a Japanese-language DiSC management seminar similar to that which has held for several years at Honda North America.

May 17 and October 17, 2018

Communication Seminars

Susan Alexander, Rosebud Coaching & Consulting

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Cultural Workshops

As part of JASCO’s mission to create opportunities for cultural enrichment and understanding, and to foste education about Japan and Japanese culture, we offered a number of cultural workshops throughout 2018. In partnership with several Japanese cultural-related organizations based in Central Ohio, we were able to offer hands-on workshop experiences:

• kimono• indigo dyeing• calligraphy• koto

Kat and Liz from Columbus Kimono gave a presentation on different types of kimono and the various pieces of clothing worn as part of a full outfit.

The presentation also included a kitsuke demonstration, showing how to properly dress someone in a kimono.

KIMONO w/ COLUMBUS KIMONO

January 20, 2018Dublin Integrated Education Center

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Continuing from the January kimono workshop, in February we partnered with Columbus Kimono, Mika Murakami DeMura of Milestone Memories Photography, and hair/makeup artist Stephanie Whitcomb to offer a special kimono portrait session for individuals and families.

Cultural Workshops

KIMONO PORTRAIT SESSIONFebruary 24, 2018

R&L Digital Studio, Columbus

JASCO partnered with the Mashiko International Exchange Association to offer a hands-on workshop at the Dublin Arts Council about indigo dyeing as it is done in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture (Dublin’s Friendship City).

Participants learned about the history of indigo dyeing and dyed a variety of items including t-shirts and handkerchiefs.

INDIGO DYEING w/ MASHIKO INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE ASSOCIATION September 29, 2018

Dublin Arts Council

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Cultural Workshops

JASCO staff and volunteers led participants through the basics of shodo, or Japanese calligraphy. After learning about basic strokes and writing practices, participants practice writing their favorite words and phrases.

CALLIGRAPHYOctober 27, 2018

DEC Training Center

The Columbus Koto Ensemble presented a special koto performance and workshop of December 8. The koto is the national instrument of Japan, a string instrument used in a variety of musical settings.

Following performances of both traditional and modern songs, Columbus Koto Ensemble members helped participants try their hand at playing the instruments.

KOTO w/ THE COLUMBUS KOTO ENSEMBLEDecember 8, 2018

Kaltenbach Community Center

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Awa Odori Performance & Workshop

On March 29, JASCO partnered with The Ohio State University Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures to present a special performance and workshop by TAKARABUNE, Japan’s first professional awa odori troupe.

Awa odori is one of the most well-known traditional dances in Japan, native to Tokushima Prefecture. TAKARABUNE pushes the limits of this art with an aggressive and vigorous dance style.

Following their performance, TAKARABUNE members presented an awa odori workshop for the audience, walking them through the basic steps of the dance.

March 29, 2018 The Ohio State University

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Asian Festival

Over Memorial Day weekend, JASCO participated in the Asian Festival at Franklin Park in Columbus. This event is one of the largest pan-Asian festivals in the United States, with more than 100,000 visitors to the festival over Memorial Day weekend.

This year, JASCO was in charge of the Japan tent in the Community Square, an area where you can share cultural activities with festival attendees. We presented summer festival games such as yoyo fishing and (rubber) goldfish and superball scooping. Visitors could also try their hand at origami and Japanese calligraphy. The Columbus Koto Ensemble also stopped by to offer a free hands-on experience.

May 26-27, 2018 Franklin Park

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Tanabata Matsuri

Nearly 300 people came to Kaltenbach Park on Saturday, July 7 to celebrate Tanabata. Also called the Star Festival, this festival celebrates the once-a-year meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi (represented by the stars Vega and Altair respectively).

There was a special potluck dinner with a variety of Japanese and Western foods brought by members of the community. Adoring the entrance to the pavilion were bamboo branches where festival attendees

could write their wishes on tanzaku, small pieces of colored paper.

There were also a number of Japanese festival games and an origami station.

July 7, 2018 Kaltenbach Park, Dublin

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On Thursday, June 7, JASCO partnered with the Columbus Museum of Art to present a lecture by Sinead Vilbar, curator of Japanese art at the Cleveland Museum of Art. The lecture was part of the Richard J. Wood Art Curator Series funded by a grant to the National Association of Japan-America Societies from the US-Japan Friendship Commission.

Dr. Vilbar’s talk was entitled “From Jeptha Wade to Kelvin Smith: Col-lecting Japanese Art in Cleveland.” The Cleveland Museum of Art has been collecting important works of Japanese art since its opening in 1916. While there have been a number of notable donations of works, the collection strategy of the Museum has largely been one of curators and directors guiding the museum to make important acquisitions. Dr. Vilbar explored this collection strategy, highlighting the impact of former director Sherman Lee (1918-2008) and patrons like Mr. and Mrs. Kelvin Smith.

Art Curator LectureJune 7, 2018

Columbus Museum of Art

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One of the educational services that JASCO offers its members is the opportunity to learn the fundamental elements of the Japanese language. In 2018, JASCO offered five different levels of classes that build upon the grammar, vocabulary, and context learned in previous sessions to develop a practical use of the language.

These popular classes are currently offered quarterly on weekday evenings. The program is overseen by Ms. Jun Kawabe, Lecturer in Modern Foreign Languages at Ohio Wesleyan University and director of Mirai InterCultural Language and Consulting, and taught by Ms. Kawabe and Mirai InterCultural Language and Consulting instructors.

10 Week SessionsWinter, Spring, Summer, Fall

Dublin Entrepreneurial Center

Japanese Language Classes

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As part of its mission to support education about Japan in Ohio, JASCO staff regularly travel across the region to give presentations and lectures at schools about different facets of Japanese culture.

Schools visited during 2018 were:• Benjamin Logan High School • Case Western Reserve University• Dublin Jerome High School• Kent State University• Marysville High School• University of Cincinnati• University of Findlay• Univeristy of Mount Union• The University of Toledo

Presentation topics included:• High school life in Japan• Japanese idol music• Matsuri• The Ohio-Japan relationship• Taiko

School Outreach

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• Creating Cultural Understanding – We facilitate enrichment opportunities that create and deep-en mutual respect between the Japanese and American cultures in Central Ohio.

• Improving Japanese Business Success – We support the growth, sustainability, and success of Japanese-owned businesses located in Central Ohio.

• Building Relationships – We serve as a conve-ner of families and children, while helping to build relationships for community sustainability, and improving people’s lives.

• Fostering Education – We educate individuals and businesses in Central Ohio about the Japa-nese culture, people, and traditions, while demonstrating the significance to Central Ohio.

JASCO’s Core Values

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565 Metro Place South, Suite 300Dublin, Ohio 43017 Phone: (614) 300-3054Web: www.jas-co.orgE-mail: jasco@jas-co.org

To enrich lives by bringing Ohio’s Japanese and American communities together.

The Japan America Society of Central Ohio (JASCO) is the premiere organization for deepening understanding of and appreciation for Ohio’s Japanese and American cultures. Lives are changed for the better and businesses succeed when meaningful cross-cultural relationships are intentionally cultivated. Located centrally in the capital city of Ohio, Columbus, JASCO provides the gateway for connecting people and fostering friendships among those who are interested in the Japanese culture. By working collaboratively and leveraging relationships with state-level leaders, JASCO serves as a catalyst for helping Japanese-owned businesses succeed.

You can visit us online at jas-co.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JASCentralOhio, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/JASCO

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