The Power of Local U.S.-Japan Partnerships
June 1 may have brought the season’s first golf ball-sized hail to Denver, but in nearby Parker at The Pinery Country Club, golfers only had to dodge a few raindrops at the annual Colorado–Japan Charity Golf Tournament. It was a day of friendly competition, informal networking, and cultural connection. Proceeds from the event benefit Japanese education programs in Colorado. Tom Migaki, JASC Board member and tournament co-organizer, kicked things off by winning the pre-tournament putting contest. Attributing his win to a combination of good luck and the putting gods, Tom said it was “a great way to sink a putt and benefit the many education programs offered by the Japan America Society of Colorado.” After 18 holes of strategy (and again maybe a little luck), Eric Hiraga’s team (Eric, Justin Gilmore, Will Hillen, Jimmy Miller) emerged as the victors and will have their names engraved on the tournament trophy. "The best part of the tournament wasn't winning,” said Hiraga, “It was spending the day with great friends and colleagues while supporting an organization that plays an important role in strengthening ties between Colorado and Japan. Winning just gave us a little extra bragging rights until next year." Golfers got a short break along the course at hole L1, where they had the chance to test their origami skills by folding sheets of colorful paper into tiny sumo wrestlers. It was equal parts hilarious to see the golfers struggling with the correct folds and impressive to see so many tiny wrestlers emerge, even if not all looked quite like the example! Among the top winners were Oliver Garnica and board member Sherry Cree, who proved they could handle both a golf club and a delicate paper fold with equal skill. The fun continued into the evening with a sushi dinner prepared by famed chef Miki Hashimoto and attended by several special guests, including Consul General Okajima, Toshiro and Yuri Wakasugi of the Japanese School of Denver, JASC Board President Stephanie Garnica, and JBAR President Minori Matsuda. Their presence underscored the strong ties between Colorado and Japan and the importance of supporting cultural and educational programs that bring our communities closer. As JASC Executive Director Claudine Locascio noted at the end of the day, "The support we see at this tournament each year shows how deeply our community values the connection between Colorado and Japan. Every person here today helped strengthen that connection." A heartfelt thank you to United Airlines, our presenting sponsor; lunchbox sponsor Sumitomo Corporation of Americas; driver sponsors Mount Princeton Hot Springs, Sakata Farms, and Terumo Blood & Cell Technologies; and all other sponsors who made the tournament possible. Your support helps ensure that Japanese language and cultural education continues to thrive in Colorado. And of course, a big thanks to all our golfers for their enthusiastic participation. We’re already looking forward to next year’s tournament. Until then, congratulations to the winners—on the course, on the putting green, and at the origami table!
CU Boulder Students Explore Global Careers with JASC Mentors
Every year for more than a decade, for a few days in early summer, the skies near Denver have been filled with colorful magic. Hundreds of kites—some with intricate designs, others simple colored diamond shapes with long tails—have delighted children and adults alike. These kites were inspired and created under the guidance of Edo Kite Master Mikio Toki , who visited Colorado annually from his town of Chiba, Japan. At the invitation of the Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC), Master Toki shared his love of kite making and its place in Japanese culture with Coloradans of all ages from 2014 through 2025, inspiring the creation of over 6,400 kites over the years.
JASC Executive Director Claudine Locascio was honored to serve on a planning committee recognizing the newest “sister” relationship between Colorado and Japan. The committee hosted an event this month to celebrate the fact that Colorado Scenic & Historic Byways Council and Scenic Byways Hokkaido Promotion Council have established a “Sister Byways” relationship. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Hokkaido last month, with several Colorado representatives attending in person. Last week our celebratory event was held in Golden, along the Lariat Loop Scenic Byway. Representatives from state and local governments along with Consul General of Japan in Denver Hiroyuki Okajima were all in attendance. Representatives from Hokkaido joined virtually live from Hokkaido.The purpose of establishing such a relationship is so that Colorado and Hokkaido can work together to revitalize scenic byways, create joint initiatives, and create guidelines with the goal of contributing to tourism and preservation of cultural heritage. JASC member Courtney Ozaki performed at the event through her Japanese Arts Network, showcasing a beautiful trio of taiko, shamisen and Japanese flute shinobue. JASC Member Misaki Restaurant (Stanley Marketplace) catered a beautiful meal for all attendees. We look forward to continuing to shepherd this unique and beautiful relationship into the future.
JASC looks to deepen Colorado Japan relations in 2025 with two new officers and two new directors.
On September 16, 2023, the Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC) had the honor of participating in the International Day of Denver Startup Week. This event brought together innovators and entrepreneurs from various backgrounds to share insights and foster connections.JASC Executive Director Claudine Locascio and Board Member John Hayato Branderhorst led a session titled "Understanding Japan through Business, Education & Cultural Synergy." The session aimed to explore the unique opportunities for collaboration between the U.S. and Japan in these key areas. We were privileged to have the session introduced by Mr. Yoichi Mikami, the Consul General of Japan in Denver, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships.As we look ahead, JASC is excited to welcome more international startups to Denver, particularly those from Japan. Together, we can create meaningful connections that enhance cultural exchange and drive innovation.Stay tuned for more updates on our upcoming events and initiatives!
On September 4, 2024, an unforgettable ceremony took place at the residence of Consul-General Yoichi Mikami in Denver. During this special occasion, the Commendation of the Consul-General of Japan was presented to Claudine Locascio, Executive Director of the Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC), recognizing her exceptional contributions to strengthening the bonds between Japan and Colorado.
On Monday, July 29, 2024, the Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC) had the distinct honor of hosting Shigeo Yamada, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the United States. This private luncheon was a significant occasion, as Ambassador Yamada was in Colorado for a series of important meetings, including one with Governor Jared Polis.
Last week, Claudine, our Executive Director at JASC, had the honor of attending Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s speech to the joint session of Congress in Washington, DC. Invited by Colorado Congressman Jason Crow, District 6, Claudine witnessed a momentous occasion that showed the strong relationship between Japan and the U.S.
