Yoko Watanabe has joined JASC from Japan and will be with us for 2 full years. We are SO EXCITED to have her with us! She arrived in August through the Japan Outreach Initiative Program. A joint initiative of The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership and Laurasian Institution, the JOI Program brings volunteer Japanese coordinators to regions of the U.S. where Japanese culture has been less accessible. Get to know Yoko below!

Hello everyone! I’m Yoko, the coordinator for the Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI). I will work for Japan America Society of Colorado for 2 years to increase opportunities for cultural exchange. I really like sports and belonged to a Judo club for 6 years during childhood.

I graduated with a degree in education from Teikyo University and got a teacher license. But I also have an interest in business, so after graduating, I worked as sales for a global logistics company conducting global business. I had the opportunity to take a short-term study abroad to New York City. I love dance, creating kids' clothes and wearing Kimono! I’m also interested in environmental issues. Hopefully, we can enjoy exchanging cultures and discussing these issues. I look forward to seeing you soon.

E: yoko@jascolorado.org  |  Instagram: yoko_japancolorado

In the start of August, JASC will have a new staff member arriving from Japan. She will join our team for 2 years on a full time basis! This lovely lady will be serving some of our farther out Colorado communities and we want to help her get there. If you have a car that you are considering selling, please contact us! We are looking to purchase a vehicle that is safe to drive in all Colorado weather conditions and will make it up through our Rocky Mountains without trouble. JASC’s budget is $5000 or less.

On a similar note, did you know that JASC also has a car donation program? You can support JASC by donating an unwanted car!
Click here to learn more.

Team Nichi-Bei-GO at the CODA Regatta

The JASC Dragon Boat team, Nichi-Bei-GO, had a fun-filled start to the season out on Mann-Nyholt Lake in Adam’s County this past Saturday. With just a few sprinkles to keep things cool, the team paddled in 3 races along with a tug-o-war competition on the water. Most of our paddlers were novices, so we did a quick workshop on land and then moved into the boat to learn and practice how to paddle. We paddled our hearts out, smiled, laughed, got wet and in general had a fantastic day. It was a joy to mingle and paddle with other teams and engage with the Dragon Boat community. A big thanks to CODA (Colorado Dragon Boat Alliance) for organizing the regatta and for all the support they have lent us as we grow our team this year. We are looking forward to more smiles on the water this summer season!