President’s Note for May 2024
Hi Friends,
I can hardly believe that we’re already in Golden Week – it seems like 2024 has been flying by!
April was a particularly busy month at Japan Society, starting with our Annual General Members Meeting. Inspired by the excellent FX mini-series Shogun (highly recommended!), we featured a great panel discussion by JSNC members who shared their perspectives on the novel, author James Clavell (a former JSNC Award of Gala Awardee), and the huge impact of the new and original Shogun mini-series on American interest in Japan.
We followed our AGMM with a very well-received intro to Japanese theater (Kabuki, Noh, Kyogen), an outstanding panel discussion on the state of the gaming industry in Japan and the US, and a booth at the annual cherry blossom festival in JapanTown (thank you to our 20 volunteers and team members who helped staff our booth, as well as those of you who stopped by to say hello!).
April had a strong finish with two of my favorite programs all year – a wonderful VIP/Leadership Circle dinner with John and Susie Roos, and an amazing Kyogen performance (Japanese traditional comedic theater) presented in English by our partner, Theater of Yugen.
As most of you probably know, John Roos was the US Ambassador to Japan under President Obama from 2009-2013. John and Susie remain very highly regarded in Japan for their steadfast support of Japan following the Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011. John shared personal stories of some of the harrowing moments following the disaster, and his work to launch the Tomodachi Initiative which continues to support educational and cultural exchanges as well as leadership development programs in Japan.
John also became the first sitting US ambassador to Japan to visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. His visit helped pave the way for President Obama’s historic visit to Hiroshima in 2016, and left a lasting legacy of goodwill with the Japanese people.
Finally, I thoroughly enjoyed a performance of a kyogen dance (Komai) and Boshibari (“Tied to a Pole”) by the Theater of Yugen in San Francisco. Performed in English by some of Theater of Yugen’s veteran performers, it was a funny, engaging and wonderful performance of a classic Kyogen play about two servants who get into their master’s sake supply. If you have a chance, I highly recommend a visit to Theater of Yugen (and I see they have several performances coming up in May).
We have many more programs planned in the coming weeks, including the start of summer term of our Group Language classes this week, a tour of Hakone Garden on May 5, a taiko workshop for our Young Professionals Group on May 18, and an online program on Planning Your Dream Trip to Japan scheduled for May 30 (event announcement coming soon!). Please be sure to keep an eye on our website for future events and activities!
For more information about joining our Leadership Circle check here or contact me directly.
Thank you and hope to see you soon!
