Navigating Uncertainty - Finding Your Core
不確実な時代の中で、自分の軸を見つけよう

Join us for a bilingual workshop and networking event for professionals in the U.S.-Japan community.

Since 2020, the career landscape has shifted beneath all of us — pandemic, layoffs, AI. If you've felt uncertain or disconnected from your career path, you're not alone. And you're not behind.

This workshop is a warm, honest space to step back from the noise and reconnect with what truly matters to you. We'll start by naming the reality of today's labor market, then go deeper — into your values, what you're longing for, and what your next step actually looks like. You'll leave with more clarity than you came in with, and a concrete direction that's genuinely yours.

日米コミュニティで活躍する社会人のための、バイリンガル・ワークショップ＆ネットワーキングイベントに参加しませんか？

2020年以降、私たちを取り巻くキャリア環境は大きく変化しました。

パンデミック、レイオフ、そしてAIの急速な進化――。もし今、自分のキャリアに不安や迷い、違和感を感じているなら、それはあなただけではありません。そして、決して「遅れている」わけでもありません。

このワークショップは、日々の忙しさや情報のノイズから少し距離を置き、自分にとって本当に大切なものを見つめ直すための、温かく率直な時間です。現在の労働市場のリアルを整理しながら、自分の価値観、本当に求めていること、そしてこれからの方向性について考えていきます。

ワークショップを終える頃には、参加前よりも少し視界がクリアになり、自分らしい“次の一歩”が見えているはずです。

* The workshop will be conducted primarily in English, but Japanese support will also be available. Those who are not fully comfortable with English are warmly welcome to join.
* ワークショップは主に英語で進行しますが、日本語でのサポートもございますので、英語に自信のない方も安心してご参加いただけます。

All professionals are welcome — not just the “young” ones!

2:15 PM (PT)　　Registration Begins
2:30 - 4:00 PM (PT)　   Program                            
4:00 -5:00 PM (PT)　    Networking Reception   

Location: Lawndale Library - Meeting Room (In Person Only)
14615 Burin Ave, Lawndale, CA 90260

Fee: JASSC Members & Students: $10
Non-members: $15

* Please bring a pen and paper for journaling.
* ジャーナリング用に、ペンとノートをご持参ください。

Featured Speaker

Nao Fujisawa
Leadership and Career Coach / HR Professional 
https://naofujisawa.carrd.co/

Born in Japan and based in the US for nearly two decades, Nao brings a cross-cultural perspective to career coaching that is rare and deeply practical. With 15+ years in HR across Silicon Valley's tech industry, she understands firsthand how easy it is to lose sight of what you actually want — and what it takes to find it again. ICF-certified coach. She combines coaching depth with real-world HR insight.

日本出身・米国在住約20年。シリコンバレーのテック業界で15年以上HRに携わり、異文化経験を活かした実践的なキャリアコーチングを提供している。ICF認定コーチとして、コーチングの専門性とリアルなHR経験を掛け合わせながら、一人ひとりが自分らしいキャリアや人生の軸を見つけるサポートを行っている。

- JASSC will contact selected schools directly with additional information -

Registration opens in January 2027

The Japan Bowl® of California “Benkyoukai” is a virtual study and cultural exchange program hosted by the Japan America Society of Southern California for high school students participating in the National Japan Bowl®.

For 2027, the Japan America Society of Southern California offered the "Benkyoukai" sessions to student of ALL LEVELS (Level 2, 3, and 4) free of charge!

Session Schedule

Session 1: Friday, February 6 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (PT)
Session 2: Friday, February 13 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (PT)
Session 3: Friday, February 20 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (PT)
Cultural Day: Friday, February 27 | 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM (PT)

*Schedule subject to change
*Students are welcome to join even if they cannot attend all sessions

Session Details

Each session will feature original lectures by Japanese university students on a wide range of topics related to Japanese society, culture, and current trends.

After each presentation, participants will be divided into small breakout rooms by language proficiency level to enjoy Japanese conversation with the university students and other attendees.

Who Can Participate in the "Benkyoukai?"

Benkyoukai is open to high school students across North America who are studying Japanese.
Due to limited capacity, registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please Note:
Benkyoukai is mainly intended for students studying for the National Japan Bowl. While parts of the presentation may feel challenging for beginners, conversation practice will be organized by proficiency level.

*The content of Benkyoukai may be recorded and could be shared externally.

What is "Cultural Day?"

Cultural Day is the final session of Benkyoukai, designed for participants to enjoy a fun and engaging cultural lecture as a reward for all their hard work. We invite a special guest speaker from either Japan or the U.S. to present on a fascinating topic related to Japanese culture.

▼ Cultural Day Guest Speaker

Misato Wheeler
Founder of IKIGAI MATCHA®, a Japan-born matcha lifestyle brand

Misato Wheeler is the founder of IKIGAI MATCHA®, a Japan-born matcha lifestyle brand. Through the Japanese concepts of ikigai and matcha, she inspires people to nurture both mind and body while embracing a healthier, more meaningful lifestyle.

A mother of two, Misato will relocate to Maryland, USA, in Spring 2027. She is the Founder and Representative of the International Matcha Advisor Association, a Certified Kanagawa Prefecture Tour Guide, an Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan exhibitor, and an Ambassador for the Kanagawa–Maryland Sister State Relationship. She also has extensive experience collaborating with luxury brand events.

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