Japan America Society of Minnesota

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1 Japan America Society of Minnesota 通信 The Tsūshin is a membership publication of the Japan America Society of Minnesota March 2013 VOL. 22, No. 03 J-Quiz 2013 Inspires The atmosphere was bustling for seven a.m. on a Saturday. The chatter of students filled the air as teams quizzed each other, joked and huddled for a game plan in anticipation for J-Quiz 2013, the Upper Midwest High School Japanese Language and Culture Competition. The event took place on Saturday, February 16 at Normandale Community College. Students gathered from 10 Upper Midwest high schools to test their knowledge of Japanese language and culture; all in hopes of winning the Grand Prize to compete at the Japan Bowl 2013 and attend the Sakura Festival in Washington D.C. Entertainment was provided! Students not only demonstrated their language skills, but also showcased their many talents. Nō theatre, martial arts, and J-Pop were only a few of the exhibits. Congratulations to the winners in each division of J-Quiz! In the Level I Margaret O Brien and Kailey Kraus from Apple Valley High School won. In Level III, the team of Daniel Holmrast, Erick Huft and Tiffany Lukk from Edina high school took first place. In Level IV, Anna Kelly, Matthew Benbenek and Maxwell Tong of Southwest High School won their division. We very pleased to have funding from the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago for J-Quiz. A special thank you to everyone who made this event possible: students, teachers, schools, volunteers, JASM staff and business sponsors. Let it be known that J-Quiz is only possible because of your hard work and contributions. お疲れ様です! Students from AppleValley High School gearing up for J- Quiz 2013 Corporate Roundtable Enlightens Glen Fukushima (2nd from right) with Ben van Lierop, Dick Stahl, Mirja Hanson and David Smith At the first Corporate Roundtable of the New Year on Wed., Feb. 20, JASM was pleased to invite Glen S. Fukushima as the speaker in an event jointly sponsored by the National Association of Japan America Societies. Mr. Fukushima is currently a Senior Fellow at the Center for America Progress, in Washington, D.C. A global professional with experience in academia, journalism, law, government, business, and nonprofit organizations, Mr. Fukushima spoke on the theme, How the Trans-Pacific Partnership Will Benefit Both the United States and Japan. The meeting was held in downtown Minneapolis at the offices of Dorsey & Whitney, LLP. The program began with a special introduction of Mr. Fukushima by Walter F. Mondale, former U.S. Vice President and Ambassador to Japan. Speaking first about the political and economic developments that led to Japan s interest in potentially joining the TPP, Mr. Fukushima spoke about how the rapid economic emergence of Asia is motivating Japan to pursue FTAs (free trade agreements), EPAs (economic partnership agreements), and EIAs (economic integration agreements). This is in the context of the Obama Administration s Asia Pivot/Rebalance, in which the U.S. is focusing more attention and resources to Asia. Article on Glen Fukushima presentation continues on Page 3. Remembering Tohoku on March 11th A community gathering to remember the victims of the Great East Japan (Tohoku) Earthquake and Tsunami will be held at the University of Minnesota s Carlton School of Management, room The gathering is set to take place Monday, March 11th at 7:00pm The film Pray for Japan will be shown.

2 はじめまして : Chan はじめまして 私はチャンチャン リューリューと申しますします 今年今年の一月一月からベンジャミンベンジャミンさんのさんの後任後任でイベントコーディネーターイベントコーディネーターとして働くことになりましたくことになりました よろしくおよろしくお願いしますいします Hello everyone! My name is Chan Liew and I will be working as the new Events Coordinator. Currently, I am a graduating senior at the University of Minnesota with economics major and Japanese minor. I am originally from Seoul, Korea and I ve been living in the United States since Since Japan is located relatively close to Korea, I have had several chances to travel around Japan and I was so pleased to experience the cultural heritage of Japan. As an events coordinator, I would like to use my knowledge about three different cultures to develop more interesting events for the future. Furthermore, I am ready to contribute to the organization and to the members of JASM as well. はじめまして : Johnna Harriet Stuart Spencer *** Harriet Stuart Spencer passed away in her home December 23, Born on February , she was 84 years old. Harriet married her husband Edison White Spencer in Together they lived in a variety of different places such as: Sioux City, Iowa; Barquisimeto, Venezuela and in Tokyo, Japan. They eventually settled in Minnesota in The Spencers were active collectors of Japanese art. Spencer and her husband were founding members of JASM. In 2002, the Harriet and Edson became Mondale Award recipients. Loyal and generous members of JASM, they joined the Sakura Circle. A community builder and friend to many, Harriet Spencer will never be forgotten. JASM Membership News Please welcome the following new JASM members: Emily Richardson, Lance Inimgba, Joseph Montgomery, Scott & Louise Lystiq Fritchie Thanks to the following renewing JASM members: Toshie Doyle, Richard Russel, Makiko and Eiji Ikeda, Miechelle Norman, Deborah Hansen, Aki Yonehara, Yoko Breckenridge, Jonathan Ellgen, Kyoko and Teruyuki Morimura, Nao Ikeda, Kyoko Haines, Hiroe Hosna, Nobby and Megan Hashizume, Magara Maeda, Hiromi Mizuno My name is Johnna O Keeffe, and I am interning at JASM as the Membership Coordinator. I am a junior at Macalester College where I am studying Russian and Japanese. Last year, I was fortunate enough to be able to spend summer in Japan. It was an incredible and valuable experience. I intend to go back this summer. I am originally from Portland, Oregon, but my father is Chamorro and was born and raised on Saipan. Saipan and its people were exposed to a lot of Japanese culture. As a result, there were some influences of Japanese culture in my own childhood. I am grateful that interning at JASM enables me to contribute something to the Japan related community in Minnesota, and to the enrichment of the relationship between Japan and the Midwest. I hope to use this experience in the future as I contemplate career paths. Thanks to our renewing Corporate members: Concordia Language Villages. Total Private Members: 371 Total Corporate Members: 61 Find us at Facebook (Japan America Society of Minnesota), call the JASM office, or follow us on Twitter (@MNJAPAN) for latest JASM updates

3 Corporate Roundtable Enlightens continued The main elements of this policy include strengthening security alliances, developing relationships with emerging powers, engaging regional institutions, expanding trade, increasing military presence, and advancing democracy. The TPP is a comprehensive economic agreement being negotiated among 11 countries (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, and the U.S.) covering over 20 different areas including market access, investment, financial services, intellectual property protection, and others aimed at enhancing trade and investment, and supporting the creation and retention of job. Mr. Fukushima urged members of the JASM audience doing business with the 10 (and potentially 11, if Japan joins) TPP partner countries to study provisions of the agreement in order to take full advantage of its businesspromotion potential Shinzo Abe, the newly elected Prime Minister of Japan, faces opposition to the TPP from domestic agricultural interests, which have persuaded many politicians to oppose Japan s entry to the TPP. However, joining the TPP will benefit Japan economically and strengthen its ties with the U.S. and other TPP member countries. This issue was likely to be a major agenda item when Mr. Abe visited Washington, D.C. in February to meet for the first time with President Obama. JASM would like to thank Dorsey & Whitney for generously hosting the event. Editor s comment: This article was written by Benjamin Fahey with editorial oversight by Glen Fukushima. Spotlight on: Concordia Language Villages JASM welcomes back a renewing corporate member Concordia Language Villages. Concordia Language Villages is a cultural and language immersion program. Their mission, stated below, describes their effort to work with students to be positive representatives in the global community. "The mission of Concordia Language Villages is to prepare young people for responsible citizenship in our global community." Concordia Language Villages provides services for age groups ranging from preschool to adult. They also provide individual as well as family programs. For more information go to: Please thank our members with your support! Corporate Benefactor Members Daikin McQuay International, Inc. Delta Airlines, Inc. Corporate Sustaining Members 3M Company Amano McGann, Inc American Medical Systems, Inc. Andersen Corporation Boston Scientific Corporation Dorsey & Whitney, LLP DRC, Inc. Fredrikson & Byron, PA Gray Plant Mooty Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, PC Hubbard Broadcasting Lion Precision Mall of America St. Jude Medical Taiyo International, Inc. The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd. Vital Images, Inc. Proto Labs, Inc. Corporate Contributing Members Asian Foods Bloomington Sister City Organization Briggs and Morgan, P.A. Comcast Cable Compart Family Farms Davisco Foods International, Inc. Devicix, LLC Fish & Richardson, P.C. Japan Lifeline Co. Ltd. Leonard, Street and Deinard Professional Instruments Company Schwegman, Lundberg, Woessner, P.A. Sysco Asian Foods Wilson Learning Worldwide Partners in Service Dave Steffens Automotive & Conway Auto Clinic Fujiya Restaurant Gnarus Medical Consulting, Inc. J&K Trading, LLC Kiku Enterprises KW Commercial Midwest Origami Restaurant St. Paul Saints Sakura Restaurant & Sushi Bar Saint Paul Convention & Visitors Authority Satellite Industries Suishin Restaurant Tomodachi Nonprofit Members Aikido of Minnesota Anime Twin Cities, Inc. BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota Concordia Language Villages JETAA Minnesota JETRO Chicago KCC Japan Education Exchange Macalester College Asian Language & Culture Department Minneapolis Japanese School Minnesota International Center Minnesota Trade Office Mu Performing Arts N-Dimensional Japan US-China Business Connections Winona State Univ. Global Studies Dept.

4 Tom Haeg Reviews: Memories of a Geisha Memoirs of a Geisha By Arthur Golden Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. 1997; 428 pages; $28.00, Amazon $6.99 First, Memoirs of a Geisha was well researched - if you don t believe me, well, the author reminds you in his Acknowledgements. Second, it is difficult to rebut its New York Times Review, - impressive and unusual (disclaimer: the author has a familial and pecuniary interest in the Times). Third and finally, Memoirs perhaps has some redeeming merits if Hollywood decided to invest and make it into a movie - let me pause to think about this one. That said. Sumimasen, but, Memoirs is quite frankly a major opus disappointment. Written in 1997, if it was dated then it is antiquated now. Let s be honest. It is more autobiography than memoir. A memoir is intended to grasp a suspended period or event in one s life. Memoirs is an entire life. No doubt the publisher found the term memoirs more exotic than autobiography. Again, Golden probably did his due diligence to peep behind the curtain to make it accurate. Yet that does not perforce elevate it to literary achievement. If that is so, I would just go down to my neighborhood courthouse and check out a 100 page affidavit in a divorce action rather than read a book titled Memoirs of a Wife. The narrative by our heroine protagonist, Sayuri, erstwhile Chiyo, is dull, forced and seemingly contrived like a medieval alchemist attempting to make a gilded novella from clay (see: Seinfeld episode when Mr. Petterman hires Kramer as his biographer). She is not convincing. The War narrative was especially suspect by its conspicuous absence of any detailed reckoning of the horrific, civilian carnage from enemy fire bombing and atomic bombardments. Instead, she simply observed in the end that the enemy gave candy to the children Some history. Question: is this really the perspective of a Japanese geisha or rather a post-war, American born, male author? Reading was ennui. To be succinct, it cries out for tone. To be sincere, it lacks sustained imagery. And, to be sure, the metaphors are atrophied ( Like a pig trying to survive in a waterhouse. ) Question: where is a good editor when you need one? Well, Golden s editor at Knopf was someone who was a lot of fun besides. ; fun and editors are rarely wedded. The characters are clichéd hacks, facile in identification. I just knew there was going to be a wicked witch in the geisha house. What a surprise: voila. Our supposed fictional ( the character and story are completely invented ) heroine develops her geisha craft and grows old, but her character development is static. The story was too predictable; in the end she tries to alarm us by gainsaying that passion must surely fade with age, but the support is dribble. The plot and various sub-plots are arranged well and believable, but maybe too believable. It cries out for subtlety. Girl leaves small fishing village, meets boy (after boy, after boy, ) at work, loses boy, meets Prince Charming (at work), loses Prince Charming, and, of course, winds up with Prince Charming (the Chairman) and lives happily ever after in the Waldorf Astoria in. New York City! New York City? This, too, is confusing. All of a sudden we are on the Fifth Avenue high rent district. But, is she selfbanished because she conceived an illegitimate son? Is it shame? Is she no longer Japanese? But, if not Japanese, what? She certainly is not American. In New York she then spends her idle time with a group of Japanese writers and artists as if she still is in Japan. An aside: Writers? There is no precursor in the text for writers. Wait. Our male author is a writer who coincidentally lived in New York City. There doesn t necessarily have to be closure, but the ending screams for a breath of dramatic structure. If you want to read good literature, take a pass on Memoirs. If you are just drawn to best seller lists, then okay, read. But, if you are truly interested in geisha, you could do better. Ironically, the best is a source Golden used, Mineko Iwasaki, who coincidentally sued Golden for defamation of character (Golden promised to protect her anonymity if she revealed to him her life as a geisha, but included her name in his Acknowledgements thereby compromising the geisha traditional code of silence; Editor wa doko desu ka? ). Her book, Geisha, a Life, fortunately, is a much better read than Memoirs. Maybe Hollywood will come out with a new movie, Memoirs (uh, Autobiography). Tom Haeg is Executive Secretary of JASM and sits on the Board of Directors JASM Book Club 03 月 28 日 Avid readers should participate in JASM s new monthly book club. The club meets at Espresso Royal Café in Minneapolis, MN on the last Thursday of every month at 7pm. The book for this month s discussion will be announced at a later date. If you have any questions regarding this club or the book of the month, please contact Tom Haeg by at tomhaeg@msn.com or phone at Please bring any notes and ideas you wish to share. Happy reading!

5 Cross-Cultural Leadership Important Skill for Global Endeavors As a Japanese student, I was fortunate to participate in the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Conference in Washington, D.C.. There were approximately 900 students from 59 nations who attended the conference. Attending the conference has helped me understand and reconsider American politics and the importance of leadership in the global society. I learned that we need to have leaders from different professional backgrounds to face local, state, national, and global issues. After the conference, I developed a passion for learning about cross-cultural leadership. Japanese culture does not emphasize the importance of leadership as much as American culture; however, Japanese people might need to reconsider and reevaluate the importance of leadership skills in the global society. I strongly believe that Japan could contribute more to economic and educational development by promoting more leadership training in academic and professional fields. My current curiosity is to learn more about the JASM members cross-cultural leadership experiences from multiple perspectives. What kind of cross-cultural leadership skills have been used by professionals in Japan and the United States? What kind of crosscultural leadership will be demanded to promote the relationship between Japan and the United States? I am really looking forward to pursuing opportunities to understand further JASM members cross-cultural leadership experiences. この度私は 日本人の学生として ワシントン D.C. で行なわれた 2013 Presidential Inaugural Conference に参加する機会に恵まれました この会議は 4 年に一度 米国大統領就任式に合わせて行われ 今回は 59 カ国から約 900 名の大学生と大学院生が参加しました この会議で 身近な問題 地域の問題 国家の問題 国際問題などに向き合うには様々な分野のリーダーが必要であることを学び アメリカの政治と国際社会におけるリーダーシップの重要性を改めて考えさせられました また 異文化間でのリーダーシップとは何かという事に大変興味を持ちました 日本文化においては 米国文化ほどリーダーシップという概念は強調されませんが 日本は国際社会におけるリーダーシップの重要性について考え直さなければならないと思います そうすることで 今まで以上にリーダーとしての役割を担い 経済発展や教育発展に貢献する事ができると信じています ところで 過去にはどのような異文化間のリーダーシップが日米間で取られてきたのでしょうか? どのような異文化間のリーダーシップがこれからの日米間で必要とされているのでしょうか?JASM メンバーの皆さんの異文化間のリーダーシップの経験やご意見をお聞かせ頂ければ幸いです Takehito Kamata Ph.D. Student, Higher Education University of Minnesota 鎌田武仁高等教育研究科ミネソタ大学 Music and Flowers Join members of the Minnesota Orchestra for a unique experience that cannot be found anywhere else. Music and Flowers is a special event where Professional Japanese Flower Arranger Yoshie Suzuki Babcock along with students will be displaying their Ikebana style flower arrangements. During this display A La Carte soloist will perform many selections of chamber music. This event is the best price, free! When: Sunday, April 7th 2 pm Where: University Club 420 Summit Avenue, St. Paul For more information call:

6 Como Park Japanese Garden Reemerges On April 17th, the Charlotte Partridge Ordway Japanese Garden will open for the first time since they began construction in The garden will include many new features. One of these components includes an indoor bonsai garden connecting to the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory. This new addition over looks the Japanese garden, making it enjoyable for viewing all year round. As one of the top ten Bonsai collections in North America, this garden will receive the recognition it deserves. The newly remodeled garden will open on April 17th, just in time to gather a group of friends, learn more about Japanese traditions and enjoy the nice Minnesota Spring weather. For more information go to: JASM Tour of Japan Features Famous and Unique Gardens in November アメリカで我が家を買うには? 日本人の若い方達は借家, アパート住いが常識ですが 私は此の Quote が好きです Don t ever believe that where you are now is the only possibility! 我が家も貴方次第? 米国市民権所持者, Green Card,(OK) Work Visa( 条件付 ) 大学卒初任給から ( 条件付で OK) 米国で我が家が買える時代. 金利も安く資格のある方には只今買手市場です. 概算で月給の約 1/3 は My Home の P.I.T.I として使えます P = 借金返済 ( 之は自分の貯金です家主の儲けではない. I = 利息 車のローンと異なり所得税減除の対象になる T = 不動産税 ( これも所得税減除の対象となります ) I = 火災保険 ( 災害にあっても家は守られております. アメリカ政府は My home を買うのを奨励し少ない頭金の Loan や低収所得者には特別資金 My home は減税, 貯金で月払いはアパートの家賃と同じ位で American Dream My Home を持つ事は確かに将来の成功へ第一段階. 例を引いて此処に小さな初心者向き売家があります. 4-Bed R, 2-Bath, 2 Car G. 歩いて学校, 公園, 湖の距離です値段 $165,900, 頭金 3.5% ($5,800 ー補助金貰えるかも? 毎月払い約 PI= $ =$ Tax=$177, I=$80 総計 = 約 $1,150. 第一ヶ月目は自分の貯金 -$252 で $93 ー不動産税 $177 を引算しますと此の 4 Bed R, 2 Bath, 2 Car Gar. の実費 ( 家賃に該当 ) は $ になりますね. 光熱費芝刈り除雪又は新しいカーペットペンキ塗りなどは自分でせねばなりませんこの家が借家ですと毎月の家賃は 2 倍から 3 倍位になると思います American Dream-My home. の根本を解剖してご紹介しました. 詳細, 正確の計算はどうぞ Toshie Metzger さんへ英語と日本語でも説明されます. Wintrust Mortgage TMetzger@WintrustMortgage.com Ritsurin Koen, in Takamatsu, Shikoku,, a landsape treasure Gardens have long been viewed as treasured arts of Japan. Greatly admired for their simple beauty and graceful landscaping, the gardens of Japan have fascinated people around the world. JASM, in cooperation with the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, is planning a tour of gardens in Japan November The tour will take travelers to some of the famous gardens and landscaped parks of Japan. There will be visits to less well-known gardens that are treasures for viewing, such as Rikugien in Tokyo and Sankeien Garden in Yokohoma. Other highlights include a visit to to Ritsurin Koen in Takamatsu, Shikoku and a cruise on the Inland Sea. The tour will continue to Kumamoto in Kyushu, and then to Hiroshima and Kyoto for visits to the famous moss garden, Kokedera, and other garden gems. The tour will take place Nov More information will be available soon from the JASM office. 985 Whitney Drive Apple Valley, MN Make Dream Come Home Yoko Breckenridge yoko@yoko4home.com

7 Advertise in the Tsushin! Advertisement Rates Style Size Cost/issue 1/4 page 5 x 3.5 in $ /2 page 5 x 7.5 in $90.00 Full page 10 x 7.5 in $ Classified 80 character line $10/ line (min. 2 lines) Ad production and design available in both Japanese and English for an additional charge. Deadline for completed ads and classifieds is the 20th of every month. Questions? Contact the JASM Office Tel: jasm@us-japan.org Japan America Society Calendar March Monday, 11th - Remembering Tohoku on 3-11 (Community Gathering at UMN) April Music and Flowers *If you would like to let JASM know about an upcoming event, us at jasm.interns@gmail.com** Kanna Club のお知らせ Kanna Club is currently under revision. A JASM monthly social club will be continued at a later time to be announced. Please stay tuned for new updates, and thank you for your active participation! Japanese Speaking Club The Japanese Speaking Club is an informal meeting place for those wishing to practice Japanese. We encourage those just beginning the language as well as native speakers to gather at the Espresso Royale Café in Downtown Minneapolis to meet new people, discuss experiences in Japan, or simply to speak Japanese. Come when you can, leave when you must. Date/Time: Every Saturday, any time after 3:00 p.m. Place: Espresso Royale Cafe 1229 Hennepin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 月のお楽しみ会 03 月 11 日 Nihonjin-kai Pot Luck- 日本人会においで下さい 毎月第二月曜日お昼から持ち寄りの昼食会を行っております ミネソタ在住の日本人との交流を楽しむことができます 毎月第四日曜日一時からは お菓子と飲み物で素晴らしい名案を話し合いましょう 場所 4231 Bloomington Ave S. MPLS, MN ( 日本語図書館では 本 ビデオ DVD の貸し出しは無料です ) Please come along to the Nihonjin-kai Pot Luck! We are having a pot luck party the 2nd Monday of every month at noon. You can mix with Japanese people who are living in Minnesota. Every 4th Sunday of the month, join Nihonjin-kai for great discussion with snacks and beverages beginning at 1p.m. Location : 4231 Bloomington Ave S. MPLS, MN (Use of the Japanese Library is FREE and open to the public.) Corrections Please report any inaccuracies you find in this publication to jasm.interns@gmail.com. We are always striving to provide our members with the best possible product and your input is important to us! Write Articles for the Tsushin! 日本やミネソタでの生活に関する小話など 文化交流の経験をぜひお聞せください 紙面の関係で内容を多少変更させていただく場合がありますがご了承下さい 毎月 20 日までに jasm@us-japan.org まで ご応募お待ちしています Please submit stories about your life in Japan or life in Minnesota based on cross-cultural experiences. We may change and edit your article for space considerations and matters of content. Please submit your article to jasm@us-japan.org by the 20 th of the month prior to publication. Become a JASM Member online! Support our mission and become a member! 1. Go to mn-japan.org 2. Click on Membership at the top 3. Select your membership type and read the benefits and instructions. Become a member on your smart phone! 携帯電話からも JASM 会員の登録ができます!

8 Japan America Society of Minnesota Riverplace EH Main Street SE Minneapolis, MN Tel: Fax: Tsūshin March 2013 The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a non-profit, non-political association engaged in bringing the peoples of Japan and the United States closer together in mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation. Through programs and interchange, it endeavors to promote an appreciation of cultural, educational, economic, public, and other affairs of interest to both peoples. Membership in the society is open to individuals, corporations, and other organizations interested in furthering its programs. The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies. 新年会 New Year Celebration