Japan America Society of Southern California Celebrates 101st Anniversary With a Gala Dinner & Celebration

LOS ANGELES, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) will commemorate more than 100 years of loyal friendships and fruitful ties between the Japanese and Americans at its 101st Anniversary Dinner & Gala Celebration at Club Nokia in the LA LIVE entertainment district on Wednesday, June 9, 2010.  A very special guest and honoree will be present to receive the JASSC's Kokusai Shimin Sho International Citizens Award at the Gala Dinner.  Master of Ceremony William Whitaker (CBS news correspondent) will join as host, with entertainment for the evening including a theatrical performance by East West Players.

"In addition to being JASSC's 101st anniversary, 2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan," said Robert Brasch, chairman of JASSC. "JASSC will continue to play the important role in the overall U.S. –Japan relationship."

This 101st anniversary celebration, cocktail reception and dinner will serve as the JASSC's key fundraising event for the year.  Funds raised during this event will aid the organization as it continues to foster relationships between Japanese and Americans in the Southern California area and promote cultural and educational opportunities.

"At this milestone in the Society's important history, we hope to raise significant funding to help ensure the sustainability and expansion of our programs that fulfill the Society's mission, such as the Japanese Kite Workshop and the U.S.–Japan Green Conference," said Kappei Morishita of Panasonic, co-vice chairman of the JASSC.  The Japanese Kite Workshops are one of the educational programs sponsored by Hitachi, Ltd. in which a Japanese Kite Master visits from Japan to present hands-on workshops that teach young, underserved students how to build and fly a traditional Japanese kite of bamboo and washi paper.  The workshops expose the students to art, culture and science that they would otherwise not receive.  Each year, this program benefits up to 1,000 underprivileged students.

Additionally, another JASSC event -- the annual U.S.–Japan Green Conference -- provides an international platform to present global clean air initiatives, showcase innovative green products and technologies, and educate the business community on environmental marketing strategies.

The evening's festivities will begin at 6 p.m. on a private Club Nokia foyer with a spectacular schedule that includes a variety of entertainment, a special theatrical performance, a selection of silent auction items, as well as raffle prizes.  A handful of surprise appearances from Southern California-area dignitaries and entertainers will provide additional excitement for the evening.

"We are delighted to have the East West Players honor us with a private theatrical performance," said Nancy Woo Hiromoto, chair elect of JASSC.  "They personify the mission of JASSC as their performances emphasize the building of bridges across the Pacific."

Additional information and tickets for the JASSC 101st Anniversary Dinner & Gala Celebration are available online at www.jas-socal.org or by calling (213) 627-6217, ext. 207.

About Japan America Society of Southern California  

Founded in 1909 to build economic, cultural, governmental and personal relationships between the people of Japan and America.  It is the West Coast's premier educational and public affairs forum dedicated to the United States–Japan relationship.  JASSC is a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable education organization and is supported by 130 Japanese and American corporate members and 2,000 individual members.

About the JASSC's Kokusai Shimin Sho "International Citizens Award"

The perpetual Kokusai Shimin Sho "International Citizens Award" (previously known as the "Victor M. Carter Award") is awarded at the Japan America Society of Southern California's Anniversary Dinner & Gala Celebrations.  

The Award honors and recognizes "individuals, businesses or organizations that have substantively and significantly enhanced the Japan–United States relationship and that are committed to the strengthening of bonds between the two nations."  

SOURCE Japan America Society of Southern California