The NextGen Japan-U.S. Innovation Networking Event

*Invitation Only
*Registration is closed

Dear Esteemed Guests!

The Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco in cooperation with the Japan Society of Northern California and Japanese organizations in the Bay Area would like to invite you to join us for an evening of connection, collaboration, and cultural exploration at the NextGen Japan-U.S. Innovation Networking Event.

This event is for the Generation Z and Millennial communities to get together to promote and exchange their ideas while also connecting to the Bay Area’s Japanese and Japanese American communities.

Guests will also be to attend a special Sake lecture and tasting led by a Sake Sommelier. Discover the nuances of traditional Japanese sake while fostering meaningful connections with fellow attendees!

This event is by invitation only, but if you know someone you think would be interested in this event, please reach out and get in touch with djuan@usajapan.org.

*Please bring your ID, as we will only serve sake to those over 21.

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Organized by

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In Cooperation with

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Japantown San Francisco &
San Jose Community

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Catering is generously provided by 

Chef David Yoshimura

Nisei presents a contemporary approach to Japanese American cuisine by combining deep Japanese flavors, refined cooking technique, and Northern California’s finest ingredients. The restaurant is a personal reflection of Chef David Yoshimura’s unique experience as a chef and second generation Japanese American, or Nisei.Within one year of opening, Chef David Yoshimura and his team earned one Michelin Star, Michelin’s “Young Chef Award” from Michelin.

Chika_

Chika Ohata, Sake Sommelier

Chika Ohata (大畑知佳) is a bilingual certified sake sommelier from Japan based in San Francisco/Bay Area. (She is also a mother of two cats named Steph and Klay.)

Chika was born in a land of rice and craft sake (and more of delicious food): Iwate Prefecture. She was 6 years old when her family and she moved back to Iwate from Germany. The local fresh food and drinking culture of Iwate gave her a strong influence on her love of food and sake.

About WPS+I (Women, Peace, and Security + Innovation)
November 2023, Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa visited San Francisco to attend the APEC Leaders’ Meeting and engage with Japanese Americans at two events: a meeting with community leaders in Japantown and a WPS+I (Women, Peace, and Security + Innovation) panel discussion with next-gen leaders. She actively supports the Japanese American community, particularly in cultivating relationships with next-gen Japanese Americans who will play significant roles in shaping future Japan-US relations. In response to her initiative, we are organizing this event to empower next-gen Japanese American and Japanese professionals in the Bay Area, fostering collaboration among our communities while providing opportunities for their personal and professional development.