Japan America Society of Southern California upcoming events

Professionals Workshop: Navigating Uncertainty - Finding Your Core (Saturday, July 25, 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 21:15:00 GMT

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 117th Anniversary Dinner & Gala Celebration (Thursday, September 17, 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 01:30:00 GMT

Thursday, September 17, 2026

6:30pm Check-in
7pm Reception
8pm Dinner & Gala Celebration

PLACE

The Biltmore Los Angeles
506 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Map & Directions

ATTIRE

Cocktail or Business

PARKING

Parking will be complimentary as we will provide validation

Tickets, Sponsorships, and Silent Auction Opportunities

Click here for the 117th Gala Sponsorship Brochure

Individual Seats are $450 per guest
Table Sponsorships begin at $6,500

Your participation will make JASSC programs possible, including the Kite Workshops that benefit children attending Title I programs (i.e., schools serving a high percentage of children from low-income families) and Japan Bowl of California.

スポンサーシップ

アニバーサリーディナーの寄付金や協賛金は、南加日米協会が開催する教育プログラムを継続するための重要な資金源となっております。Title I プログラム（NCLB第 1 章で定められた不利な状況にある児童・生徒の学力の向上に向けた取組に対する財政支援）に参加している学校に通う低所得層の生徒が対象で、和凧作製ワークショップや、ジャパンボウルオブカリフォルニアなどのプログラムを開催しています。

For additional information about attractive sponsorship opportunities, please contact Chie McHaffie at mchaffie@jas-socal.org.

GALA TRIBUTE BOOK
Increase your company's visibility and marketing outreach! To place an ad in the Gala Tribute Book, please contact Chie McHaffie at mchaffie@jas-socal.org.

International Citizens Award - 国際市民賞

YOSHIKI

YOSHIKI is an internationally acclaimed composer, musician, producer, philanthropist, and cultural ambassador whose influence extends far beyond the world of music. As the leader and co-founder of X JAPAN, he helped redefine Japanese rock music and became one of the country’s most influential artists. His remarkable career has expanded across classical music, film scoring, fashion, and international collaborations, earning him worldwide recognition while introducing Japanese artistry and culture to global audiences.

Beyond his artistic achievements, YOSHIKI has devoted himself to humanitarian efforts and charitable initiatives throughout his career. He has generously supported disaster relief, children’s charities, medical research, and educational programs in Japan, the United States, and around the world. Through both his philanthropy and his music, he has inspired hope, resilience, and compassion across cultures.

As a cultural ambassador, YOSHIKI has built meaningful bridges between Japan and the United States through creativity, innovation, and mutual respect. His ability to unite people through music while using his global platform to support humanitarian causes reflects the very spirit of international friendship.

This year, we are proud to honor YOSHIKI with the Kokusai Shimin Sho (International Citizens Award) in recognition of his extraordinary achievements in music, his humanitarian leadership, and his enduring commitment to strengthening the relationship between Japan and the United States.

Japanese Kite Workshops 2026 (Thursday, October 01, 2026)

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

- JASSC will contact selected schools directly with additional information -

Benkyoukai 2027 (Friday, February 05, 2027)

Sat, 06 Feb 2027 01:00:00 GMT

Registration opens in January 2027

What is the "Benkyoukai?"

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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