One of Many Thank You Videos from Japan

There are many expressions of thanks that have been posted on the Internet from the people of Northeast Japan. Thanks for the friendship, for the assistance, for the financial aid … Here is one that was recommended by our President John Gill. It mentions friendship, so appropriate to our mission. And to the topic of the upcoming Speech Competition: Hope for Japan/Message to Japan
If you wish to see the comments made on the Internet, watch it directly from Youtube.

It is not clear who is the creator of this particular video, but it is posted on the Youtube account of “johnkobayashitokyo”

Japanese Speech Contest Scheduled for Feb 26 (Sun) in San Jose

On February 26 (Sunday), a speech contest and a recitation contest will be held at the San Jose Public Library downtown (Martin Luther King Junior Library, San Fernando and 4th Ave) during the hours of 1:30 to 5 PM in the second floor meeting room, 225-229. It is open to area High School Students of varying degrees of Japanese Language training. The topic of the Speech Contest is “Hope for Japan / Message to Japan”. Speeches will be from 2 to 3 minutes long. There are three categories of competitiors, depending on the years of training. Materials for the Recitation contest will be distributed prior to the competition day. Information and registration materials is avaliable by clicking the link in the grey box on the right. Note that contenstants may enter either or both competitions.

We encourage you to help spread the word in the community, either to students or to Japanese Language teachers. The San Francisco Japanese Consulate have expressed their desire to attend the event.

Jimi Yamaichi to be Honored February 24 (Friday)

We have been advised that the award to Jimi Yamaichi conferred by the Japanese government will be made on Friday, February 24 at the Fairmont Hotel. The Consul General of San Francisco will present the award. The award is the Order of The Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays. This is in recognition for support of Japanese Americans and related programs. Of course we all know of the key roll Jimi continues to play in the local Japanese American Community (and in the national dialog as well). As an organization, we appreciate that he is one of our advisers.

Here is a link to the complete information about the event (pdf, 650K). The fee for the dinner/award is $100 per person.

The question goes unanswered... Firefly or Firebug?

Member Kazuko Green says that they teach the term “firebug” in Japan, using British English. Seeingly strange to my ears. Trying to understand, we used Wikipedia to check. It says “firefly” is used in North America. OK’ then.

But today a British newspaper (DailyMail) published shown some wonderful images taken in Okayama Prefecture. Click Here to take a look. If you have time, check out the photographer’s blog (link on the newspaprer page).
Bob Green

Congratulations to Okayama Marathon Runner

Twenty four year old Japanese runner Risa Shigetomo pulled away from the pack in the later half of the Osaka Women's Marathon last Sunday. We understand it was her first national level winning performance. She is an Okayama native.