JASC hosted Japan Cup IN PERSON after a long 2-year wait! What a day it was- we had 70 Japanese language students from 5 schools. Students travelled from as far as Grand Junction to compete, have fun, and interact with other language learners. Thank you to everyone who made this day possible- generous sponsors, encouraging teachers, motivated students and dedicated volunteers!

Yoko Watanabe, the JOI Coordinator at JASC, has continued to expand her reach north. She recently spent a week up in Fort Collins interacting with students to share Japanese culture- ranging from calligraphy to food to kimono. The students got a more in-depth look at Japan and Yoko got a a more in-depth look at Colorado! We consider this a win-win for everyone!

Want to have a Japanese cultural presentation come to you? Contact Yoko to inquire availability!

Sitting here on March 11th it's impossible not to think back to eleven years ago today. My kids were young and they could see how upset I was, sitting in front of the television all day and all night watching the horrendous aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. Not since September 2001 had I felt so helpless. Yet somehow, time and again, we see tragedy bring out the best in people and that's where I chose to focus. The United States response, with Operation Tomodachi, was brilliantly executed by our government and military. Volunteers the world over traveled to Tohoku to help. Even here in Colorado, Japan America Society of Colorado led efforts to raise funds and have every dollar sent directly to the three hardest hit prefectures in the Tohoku region. This tragedy somehow managed to highlight the incredible U.S.-Japan friendship and the importance of that alliance. It's this friendship that our efforts at JASC bring to the forefront through our work and programs. Let's take a moment today to remember the 15,900 people in Japan who died that day and the 2,500+ who remain missing. And let's also remember to hold our friends close.

-Claudine Locascio
JASC Executive Director