JASC’s Junko Goodwin with Tagawa Gardens’ Lauren having a great time on camera!

JASC’s Junko Goodwin joined Lauren at Tagawa Gardens this past month to bring a fun and lively online workshop focused on Japanese gardens and aesthetics to our community. The program culminated with how to create your own kokedama (moss ball) at home. Support our event partner by purchasing a prepared DIY kit from Tagawa Gardens ($40). Alternatively, you can purchase materials on your own from any garden supply store. Click here for the materials list. Once you have your materials, view the kokedama workshop video on JASC’s YouTube channel and try out your green thumb at home!

As you may know, Japan America Society of Colorado is one of 38 societies who are part of the National Association of Japan America Societies (NAJAS). This week, from Aug. 31 - Sept. 2 JASC is honored to be hosting the NAJAS Annual Meeting. Attendees will include Executive Directors and Board representatives from 30 Japan America Societies from around the country and virtual participation from other U.S. societies and partner societies in Japan. This is a way for all JAS to connect and learn from one another. The meeting will open with a live, virtual Keynote Address via Zoom from Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States, Tomita Koji. His talk will be followed by in-person talks from Congresswoman Diana DeGette (Denver-1), and former Tokyo Bureau Chief of the Washington Post and current JASC Board Member T.R. Reid. Other distinguished speakers will include Joseph Young, former Charge d'Affaires, U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and Ambassadors Masafumi Ishii and Kurt Tong on the topic of Geopolitical Strategy. Presentations will be offered by the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission, Japan Foundation, and Sasakawa Peace Foundation. All of this shared knowledge is re-invested right here at Japan America Society of Colorado as we use what we learn to provide quality programs for our members and gain access to new speakers for future events. We are excited to welcome our national partners to Denver!

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