Japan/America News

Thanks to JASK members and companies,we were able to raise and donate over $75,000 to the Tsunami Relief in Japan. Part of this money was quickly put to use by "Hands-On-Tokyo" who used it to support the building of the Ogatsu Community Center, located in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture. The house will act as a community and cultural center for the people of the devastated town. 

Kentucky's Japan Office Representative Completes

Nearly Three Decades of Service to Kentucky

Kentucky’s economic development agent in Japan to end historic career as a top recruiter for Japanese business, investment

 

Frankfort, KY. (June 3, 2013) - After 28 years on the job as Kentucky's economic development representative in Japan, Jiro Hashimoto is retiring from his vital role as Kentucky's only economic development representative in Japan. 

The Tokyo native is leaving at the end of June, having worked with the administrations of seven Kentucky governors. During his tenure, more than 150 Japanese companies have located in Kentucky, which today employ more than 38,000 Kentuckians.

"Jiro Hashimoto has been a tireless advocate for all Kentuckians, and we owe hime a debt of gratitude for his decades of service to the Commonwealth," said Gov. Steve Beshear. "His efforts have been crucial in securing thousands of jobs for Kentuckians and billions of dollars in investment from Japanese companies. His representation helped build the tremendous relationship that exists between Japan and Kentucky, and for that, we will always be grateful."

In 1983, Hashimoto left a 19-year career with a large Japanese trading company to begin recruiting businesses to Kentucky. Gov. John Y. Brown Jr. first established an economic development office in Japan, with Hashimoto as the first employee.

Kentucky maintains two international economic development offices – one in Tokyo and the other in Hamburg, Germany. There are 155 Japanese-owned facilities in the Commonwealth, making Japan a clear frontrunner in boosting Kentucky’s foreign direct investment success. Germany ranks second with approximately 60 German-owned facilities across the state.

“Kentucky has a lot going for it, with our strategic location, low cost of business and tremendous workforce. But for Japan, a country that puts such a high value on relationships, it’s imperative to have a personal connection. Jiro has provided that critical relationship in an exemplary way throughout his career, spanning three decades,” said Cabinet for Economic Development Secretary Larry Hayes. “We will miss him greatly and are thankful he will be involved in the transition.”

The Cabinet for Economic Development will begin the process of selecting a new office representative to oversee Kentucky’s ongoing economic development efforts in Asia. 

“We have accomplished a great deal over these many years, and I am proud of the benefits that this partnership has brought to Kentucky and to Japan,” said Jiro Hashimoto.

 

Some of the highlights in Kentucky’s relationship with Japan include:

 

·      1974 – Mazak starts its U.S. machine tool operation in Florence.

·      1983 (April 19) – Kentucky’s economic office in Japan opens.

·      1984 (December) – Topy Industries announces the establishment of its wheel plant in Frankfort.

·      1985 (January) – Hitachi announces the establishment of Hitachi Automotive Products in Harrodsburg.

·      1985 (December) – Toyota Motor announces the establishment of its first independent U.S. manufacturing plant in Georgetown.

·      1987 – Japan America Society of Kentucky formed.

·      1996 – Sumikin Bussan/Kentucky Steel Center in Berea becomes the 100th Japanese-owned company to locate in Kentucky.

·      2005 – Kentucky participates in the World Expo in Aichi, Japan and hosts “Kentucky Week” in May at the U.S. Pavilion.

·      2010 (November) – Jiro Hashimoto inducted into Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) Hall of Fame.

·      2013 (April 19) – Kentucky’s Japan office marks its 30th anniversary.

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The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for encouraging new jobs and investment in the state. Business investment in Kentucky in 2012 totaled nearly $2.7 billion with the creation of more than 14,000 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available atwww.ThinkKentucky.com.

JASK would like to welcome our two new Summer Interns, Mina Honda and Jack Goblirsch. Mina is from Fukuoka, Japan, and will be with JASK full time until the end of August. She is currently a Junior at Keio University in Tokyo, Japan. Jack Goblirsch is currently a senior at Centre College in Danville, KY and will be interning part-time with JASK for the summer. See below for their respective introductions and feel free to contact them to welcome them to JASK at info@jask.org. 

JASK would like to offer their congratulations to all the members of the Georgetown Toyota Plant for being selected as the first North American plant to begin production of the Lexus! Another example of the ever forming strong ties between Kentucky and Japan!

Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Japan's gift of the Cherry Blossom Trees to the United States in 1912, Toyota Motor Mfg. Kentucky recently planted a Cherry Blossom Tree (descended directly from the original trees in Washington D.C.) outside of their facilities. 

JASK Members,

Starting in February, JASK welcomed to the family Josh Moore as it's new Project Manager. Below is a brief letter by Josh, please take time to read it and welcome him to JASK.

Hello JASK Members. My name is Josh Moore and I am excited to be welcomed to the JASK family as the new Project Manager.

I am originally from Louisville, KY and attended college at Centre College in Danville, KY. After graduating, I went to Japan on the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme as an Assistant English Teacher for 2 years. I was placed on the small Island of Tokunoshima in Kagoshima Prefecture where I had an amazing experience and was able to connect with the people and culture there. Coming back to Kentucky and joining JASK, I hope to foster better cultural and business relations between Japan and America.

Personally, I like to try new things and interact with new people. I enjoy hiking, biking, reading, Kendo, and studying Japanese.

I look forward to working with all of you in the coming year. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact me at programs@jask.org or 502-209-9630 with any questions, comments, or suggestions.

Sincerely,

Josh Moore

会員様

この度、プロジェクトマネジャーとしてJASKに勤める事になりました、ジョシュ・モアと申します。

この間の新年会で多くのメンバーとお会いすることが出来ましたが、改めて自己紹介をさせて頂きます。

ケンタッキー州のルイビル市で生まれまして、センター大学に行きました。そのとき、四ヶ月ほど山口県立大学に留学をしました。卒業後、JET（語学指導等を行う外国青年招致事業）を通して日本に戻って、鹿児島県の徳之島という離島に二年間ほど住んでいました。様々な体験が出来て、良い思い出になりました。ケンタッキー州に帰って、日本とアメリカ（特にケンタッキー州）がより良い関係を築くよう一生懸命頑張っていきたいと思っております。

個人的に、私は何でも好きで、趣味が多いです：ハイキング、自転車乗り、読書、剣道、日本語の勉強、そして新しい人と会うのが私の楽しみです。

日本語ではまだ分からない事ばかりだと思いますが、日本語での対応が可能ですので、どうぞprograms@jask.org又502-209-9630にお気軽にご連絡ください。

今後ともどうぞよろしくお願い申し上げます。

ジョシュ・モア

JASK was recently out of the office helping to interpret for a group of visiting Junior and High School students from Lexington's Sister City of Shinhidaka, Japan. 9 Japanese students and 3 Chaperons arrived in Lexington on Monday, March 25th and stayed with a host family until Saturday, March 30th. They experienced tours at the State Capitol, Aviation Museum, KY Horse Park, as well as accompanied their American counterparts to a typical day at a high school. 9 American students will make the journey over to Japan this summer to complete the exchange. 

Some 300,000 people still homeless two years after Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The Japan/America Society of Kentucky donates over $75,000 for relief efforts.

A triple disaster of earth, water and nuclear struck Japan on March 11, 2011 when the biggest earthquake in its history ripped the seafloor sparking a tsunami that killed nearly 19,000 people. The massive earthquake and tsunami, followed by nuclear fallout, are part of a heartbreaking memory that's still fresh in the minds of the Japanese people.

The magnitude 9.0 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami shattered lives. The destruction surprised the world, because few expected a quake or tsunami of that size even in seismic-active Japan. Some 300,000 people are still homeless and living in residential camps, according to the Japanese government.

The Japan/America Society of Kentucky, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, recently donated over $75,000 to the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief and Recovery Fund.

The Japan/America Society of Kentucky received generous support from individuals, communities, businesses, educational institutions, churches and organizations in Kentucky.

On March 14, 2011, The Japan Center for International Exchange USA (JCIE) launched the Japan NGO Earthquake Relief & Recovery Fund to aid Japanese organizations taking part in the immediate relief effort as well as those with a long-term focus on rebuilding communities. To date, it has raised more than $1.6 million. Initially, half of the funds raised were allocated to the Center for Public Resources Development's "GiveOne" initiative for groups providing emergency relief, while half was set aside for the long-term recovery. As the situation on the ground evolved, JCIE has shifted toward directing all new contributions to the recovery stage.

The Japan NGO Earthquake Relief & Recovery Fund is supporting Japanese nonprofit organizations that are helping communities recover from the March 11 disaster. Funding has been provided to around 40 groups who focus on three priority issues: Rebuilding Community Ties, Revitalizing the Economy and Support Senior Citizens.

Established in 1987, the Japan/America Society of Kentucky (JASK) is a nonprofit, nonpolitical membership organization dedicated to promoting a better understanding of the business, cultural and social practices and customs of Japan and Kentucky. Headquartered in the Kentucky State Chamber of Commence in Frankfort, JASK provides services and organizes events throughout Kentucky to facilitate Japan/America connections.

A before and after picture taken one year after the disaster

Check out the latest TOPS Magazine for pictures of JASK's Annual Shinnenkai Event! 

In March of 2014, Kentucky's newest Congressman, Andy Barr from the 6th district, made a request to the Japan/America Society of Kentucky to arrange a meet and greet with the newly appointed Ambassador from Japan, His Excellency Kenichiro Sasae. David Carpenter, Executive Director of the Japan/America Society of Kentucky, escorted Congressman Barr to the Embassy of Japan in Washington D.C. His Excellency expressed his appreciation and promised to visit Kentucky in the near future.