2013 JETAA National Conference

1. 2013 JETAA National Conference Using the Opportunities Present to Maximize the Community Benefit Mirja P. Hanson Honorary Consul General of Japan at Minneapolis

2. Japan America Society of MNA constellation approach: Offering programming to diverse audiences through volunteer teams and leadership

3. Advantages • “Department store” of Japan organizations, offerings, programs and opportunities Each is a window to the culture and values of Japan • Opportunities for major Japan collaborations • Japan Week (1990’s) • Tohoku Earthquake/Support and anniversaries • Centennial Celebration of the Gift of Cherry Trees • Midwest U.S. Japan Association Conference

4. Challenges • Every organization has constant or occasional need for: • Participants • Members • Volunteers • Funds • Homestays • Increasing the visibility of Japan in the community • Collectively implementing major Japan-related ventures

5. Japan-related Organizations in Minnesota The following is a representative overview of the many types of organizations that offer programming related to Japan on a regular basis

6. Japan Organizations Japan America Society of Minnesota Lantern Lighting Festival Network JETAA

7. Sister Organizations Cities Schools Churches State/Prefectures Teams Societies Exchanges

8. Japanese Traditional VISUAL Arts Ikebana International Minnesota Chapter Minnesota Bonsai Society Calligraphy, kirie, sumi, pottery, fabric groups

9. Traditional Japanese PERFORMING Arts Dance – Mikaharu-kai – Sansei Yonsei Kai Tea Ceremony Mu Daiko, Kogen Taiko Koto Mumin Japanese Women’s Chorus Chura-Ryukyu Okinawa Sanshin-Kai

10. Japanese MARTIAL Arts Judo Aikido Kendo Kyudo Others

11. Japanese Garden Organizations Como Ordway Bonsai and Japanese Garden Normandale Japanese Garden Committee Carleton College Garden University of MN Landscape Arboretum Upper Midwest Koi Club

12. Japanese Nationals Organizations Hoshuko – Japanese schools Nihonjin-kai N-Dimensional Japan – University of MN Student Association Japanese Christian Union Church/ Japanese Fellowship Church

13. Popular Culture Organizations Anime Twin Cities Harajuku Lolita Fashion Social Media “clans”

14. Alumni Organizations American/International Schools Veterans Missionaries

15. Public Sector Minnesota Trade Office – Japan Trade Representative Governor’s Office Congressional Delegation Meet Minneapolis Visitors and Convention Association

16. Education Organizations Japanese and Japanese Language Studies Departments High School Japanese Language Programs Study Abroad Programs American Association of Teachers of Japanese Kobe College and Japan Education Exchange Concordia Language Villages – Mori No Ike Japanese Language Village

17. Japanese Cuisine Diplomacy Sushi-ya Obento-ya Izakaya Sake-tasting Other Japanese Restaurants

18. International and Asian Organizations Minnesota International Center International Institute of Minnesota Festival of Nations Consular Corps Council for Asian Pacific Minnesotans Asian Press Dragon Festival MSP Multi Cultural Club

19. Cultural Institutions Art Museums – Minneapolis Institute of Art Craft Museums Northern Clay Center, Center for Book Arts, Saori Weaving Studio Film Festivals Theatres – Mu Performing Arts

20. The Quest How can we better communicate, coordinate, collaborate for mutual benefit? • Community Directory and e-Calendar • E-Clearinghouse – “one stop Japan connector” • Interchange roundtable • Volunteer, homestay host registry • Other forms of “wire-archies” to connect “hierarchies”