Feb 17, 2022

JASH Weekly Update: Good Luck to our Japan Wizards Competition Teams

Dear Members and Friends of JASH,

Join us in wishing GOOD LUCK to all of our high school teams competing in this weekend's Preliminary Round of our Japan Wizards Competition (JWC)!

Teams of three from public and private schools throughout the state will put their knowledge of Japanese culture, language, history, economy, pop culture, and MORE to the test this weekend in hopes of qualifying for next week's Final Round. The top-scoring teams will win educational trips to Japan!

The JASH Japan Wizards Competition challenges Hawaii high school students at various levels of Japanese study to continue learning about Japan outside of their classrooms. By including a wide variety of topics, the JWC encourages holistic knowledge of Japan, supplementing the subjects learned at school.

MAHALO to the team advisors, volunteers, and our incredible sponsors for continuing to support the JWC.

Upcoming Programs

Please join us on Tuesday, February 22 at 4:00PM (HST) for our annual JUMP event, which will be an interactive Zoom program on the topic of "The Critical Role of the U.S.-Japan Alliance in the Pacific." This event is open to the public. Thanks to the generous support of Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA and National Association of Japan-America Societies, there is no cost to attend.

This year, we are honored to welcome keynote speaker Suzanne Vares-Lum, president of the East-West Center, and panelists Casimira Rodriguez and Rena Sasaki of the Pacific Forum’s U.S.-Japan Next Generation Leaders Initiative. This program will be moderated by Barbara Tanabe, owner and founder of Hoʻakea Communications, LLC and JASH Board Director. Opening remarks will be given by Consul General Yutaka Aoki of the Consulate General of Japan in Honolulu, and Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA Director of Programs Shanti Shoji. For more information, visit jashawaii.org/2022jump.

The Japan U.S. Military Program (JUMP) connects past and present service members, families, and government civilians who have served in Japan through social networks and grassroots events. JUMP is the only national program to do so, providing a powerful foundation for sustaining the alliance between the U.S. and Japan. To learn more about JUMP, visit https://www.jumprogram.org/.

SAVE THE DATE for our annual Japan Currents program, this year titled Japan Currents: Political and Economic Challenges in the U.S.-Japan Relationship on Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

This will be a HYBRID program, with the in-person component starting at noon (HST) and the virtual livestream beginning at 1:00PM (HST).

More information is coming soon.

Mahalo to the Embassy of Japan and the National Association of Japan-America Societies for sponsoring this event.

SAVE THE DATE for our 32nd Annual JASH Friendship Golf Classic, which will be on Monday, July 18, 2022 with shotgun start at 11:30AM at the beautiful Mid-Pacific Country Club. As always, we’re working hard behind the scenes to plan a course full of fun entertainment and delicious treats.

To learn more about our Golf Classic, please contact Justin George at justin@gsehawaii.com.

Mahalo to our Title Sponsor, Pacific Guardian Life for their longtime continued support of our Golf Classic.

Shared Programs

By Japan Foundation, New York

Japanese Film Festival Online 2022

Feb. 14 - 27

Online

The Japan Foundation, New York is excited to announce the finalized lineup for Japanese Film Festival Online (JFFO) 2022! From February 14-27, you will be able to watch 16 Japanese films for FREE! For the complete lineup, click here and select your host country to see the full list of films available to you. You will need to create your free account to watch the films, which you can do by clicking here. While you wait for the film festival to start, click here to check out the JFFO homepage where you can read up on the latest Japanese news and interviews with prominent film directors and industry insiders.

By Hawai‘i Contemporary

Hawai‘i Triennial 2022 Feb. 18 - May 8 Citywide Exhibition

JASH is proud to return as a community partner for the Hawai‘i Triennial 2022 (HT22), an annual art event organized by Hawai‘i Contemporary. HT22 will be framed around the fluid concept of Pacific Century - E Ho‘omau no Moananuiākea, interweaving themes of history, place, and identity within the context of Hawaiʻi’s unique location at the confluence of Asia-Pacific and Oceania. Curated in collaboration with Dr. Miwako Tezuka, HT22 invites a number of Japanese and Nikkei artists from around the world, including Ai Iwane, ‘Elepaio Press (Richard Hamasaki and Mark Hamasaki), Masanori Handa, Mika Tajima, Yuree Kensaku, and many other incredible creators. For details and to register, click here.

Scholarship Opportunity

By the Seattle Foundation

Atsuhiko Tateuchi Memorial Scholarships

1) College & Graduate Program

2) Vocational & Trade Program

Deadline to apply:

Mar. 1, 9:59PM (HST)

Ina Goodwin Tateuchi and her late husband, Atsuhiko Tateuchi, both came from hard-working families and were taught to appreciate and respect education. They wish to provide $5000 scholarships for students who are residents of the Pacific Rim states (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington) who demonstrate hard work, dedication and sincerity. Students must have financial need and be of Japanese or other Asian ancestry, including multi-ethnic Asians. These scholarships will be renewable for up to four years. College & Graduate Program: Students from middle income families and students attending college, university, or graduate schools are encouraged to apply. For details and to apply, click here. Vocational & Trade Program: This program is for students pursuing a vocational or trade degree or certification (e.g. auto mechanics, carpentry, nursing, plumbing, electrician, manufacturing, etc.). For details and to apply, click here.