Japan-Related Organizations in Michigan & Ohio
Michigan and Ohio have a number of healthy, active organizations. Some were organized recently, while others have been around for many years.
- MICHIGAN -
Michigan-Shiga Sister State Program
Year founded: 1968
Mission
In 1968 the State of Michigan and the Prefecture (State) of Shiga created a “Sister-State Relationship”. The purpose is to promote friendship between the people of Michigan and the people of Shiga, Japan. Michigan and Shiga have “big lakes” in common: Michigan is the center of the Great Lakes region and Shiga Prefecture has the largest lake in Japan, Biwa-ko.
Address:
Michigan-Shiga Sister-State Board
P.O. Box 4715, East Lansing, MI 48826
Contact: Ms. Saeko Miyamura
Telephone: 517-373-2831
Fax: 517-335-4565
Email: shigaken[at]msu.edu
Home Page: http://www.pref.shiga.jp/multilingual/english/
Japan Business Society of Detroit and Japan Business Society of Detroit Foundation
Years founded: 1973 & 1992
Mission
It is the mission of the JBSD to establish and enhance understanding and mutual cooperation between Japanese and American businesses as well as the communities they serve. JBSD seeks to provide its members with a forum for the open exchange of ideas, information and resources.
Our activities are directed at helping businesses and individuals identify and maximize opportunities for the benefit of their companies' operation in the Detroit market. These activities include information sharing, multiple educational support programs and monitoring issues that may impact our members' success.
In the community, JBSD seeks to increase understanding and enhance relations between the Japanese business community and its constituents. It is our goal to help make the communities where we live and work better places for all.
The JBSD Foundation grants scholarships to students studying in Japan, as well as provides financial support to community organizations in areas of education and research, US-Japan relations and community enhancement.
Address:
Suite 606, 3000 Town Center,
Southfield, MI 48075
Contact: Mr. Shotaro Nakahama
Telephone: 248-355-4899
Fax: 248-355-5799
Email: jbsdmich[at]jbsd.org
Home Page: http://www.jbsd.org
Japan America Society of Greater Detroit & Windsor
Year founded: 1990
Mission
The Japan America Society holds popular social events called the “5:01 Club” The Japan America Society is a nonprofit nonpolitical organization with a membership of individuals and corporations. The Society is dedicated to strengthening the ties of friendship between the Japanese people and the citizens of the Detroit and Windsor area.
The Society will serve the community at large as a forum for discussion on important issues affecting relations with one another;
Provide a means for Canadians, Americans, and Japanese to gather and exchange ideas and information on their respective countries;
And serve the Society members and community as a resource for information and to assist in developing a common understanding of economic, political, and cultural diversity.
Address:
One Woodward Avenue, P.O. Box 33840,
Detroit, MI 48232-0840
Contact: Ms. Liseann Gouin Telephone: 313-596-0484
Fax: 313-964-0168
Email: jas[at]detroitchamber.com
Home Page: http://www.us-japan.org/gdwjas
Japan-America Society of West Michigan
Year founded: 1999
Mission
The Japan-America Society of West Michigan is a member supported, non-profit, non-political association engaged in bringing the peoples of Japan and the United States closer together in mutual understanding, respect, and cooperation. Through programs and interchange it endeavors to promote an appreciation of cultural, educational, economic, public and other affairs of interest to both peoples. Membership in the society is open to individuals, corporations and other organizations interested in furthering its programs.
Address:
Commerce Point, Suite 80 ,
77 East Michigan Ave.,
Battle Creek, MI 49017 Telephone: 269-962-4076
Fax: 269-962-6309
Email: jaswm[at]battlecreek.org
Home Page: http://www.us-japan.org/jaswm
Japanese External Trade Organization (JETRO)
Year founded:1958
Mission
A nonprofit, Japanese government-supported organization dedicated to promoting mutually beneficial trade and economic relationships between Japan and other nations.
Address:
JETRO
20255 Victor Pkwy, Livonia, MI 48152-7021
Contact: Mr. Andy Saito
Telephone: 313-256-9330
Fax: 313-256-9319
Email: andy-saito[at]jetro.us
Home Page: www.jetro.org
Grand Rapids Area Japanese Business Association
Year founded:1990
Mission
To support the local Japanese school, promote friendship both within the association and out to the community.
Address:
c/o Kawasaki Motors Corp., USA
5080 36 Street, SE Grand Rapids, MI 49512
Contact: Mr. Kazuo Hida
Telephone: 616-975-3120
Fax: 616-975-3103
Email: Keith.Hida[at]kmc-usa.com
Home Page:
Battle Creek Japan Club
Year founded:
Mission
Address:
c/o Koyo Corporation.
Contact: Mr. Toshikatsu Toyama
Telephone: 269-962-9676 Ext.120
Fax: 269-962-4975
Email: ttoyama[at]koyocorporation.com
Home Page
Japanese America Citizens League - Detroit
Year founded:
Mission
The Japanese American Citizens League was founded in 1929 to fight discrimination against people of Japanese ancestry. It is the largest and one of the oldest Asian American organizations in the United States. The JACL has over 24,500 members in 112 chapters located in 25 states, Washington D.C., and Japan.
Address:
Contact: Scott Yamazaki
Telephone: 734-455-1248
Fax: none
Email: none
Home Page: http://www.jacl.org
- OHIO -
Japan-America Society of Greater Cincinnati
Year founded: mid 1980s
Mission
The Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati is a non-profit, membership organization dedicated to promoting understanding and cultural awareness between people and businesses in Japan and Greater Cincinnati. To accomplish this, we focus on:
Promoting direct dialogue between local American and Japanese people.
Planning educational, social, cultural and professional events that will foster the development of mutual understanding.
Strengthening the business environment by encouraging respect, trust and mutually beneficial commerce between Japanese and American people.
Address:
300 Carew Tower, 441 Vine Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
Contact: Barry Scott Myers, Executive Director
Telephone: 513-579-3114/513-579-3150
Fax: 513-579-3101
Email: Bmyers[at]gccc.com
Home Page: http://www.cincinnatijas.com
Japan America Society of Central Ohio (Columbus & Area)
Year founded: 1996
Mission
The Japan-America Society of Central Ohio (JASCO) is a private, not-for-profit membership association of Americans and Japanese who desire to bring the Japanese and American communities together, promote goodwill through the sharing of knowledge about Japan, and provide a forum for informed discussion regarding the Japan-U.S. relationship. The Japan-America Society of Central Ohio is one of 36 Japan-America Societies located throughout the United States and is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies.
Address:
325 Oxley Hall, 1712 Neil Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210
Contact: Ms. Janet Stuckey, Executive Director
Telephone: 614-292-3345/614-292-4002
Fax: 614-292-4273
Email:
Home Page: http://oia.osu.edu/japan/japanamerica/
Japanese American Association of Toledo (JAT)
Year founded: About 1965
Mission
We promote Japanese Culture in American Society and strive to share and exchange ideas and cultures between America and Japan.
Address:
First Christian Church, 5271 Alexis Road, Sylvannia, OH 43560
Contact: Mr. Tak Kawasaki
Telephone: 419-882-3313
Fax: 419-882-5343
Email:
Home Page: none
Japan Association of North-East Ohio (JANO)
Year founded: About 1990
Mission
Most of our members are Japanese-speaking people who live in the North-East of Ohio. The purpose of our organization is to exchange information about life in America among members and to promote friendship within our group and with Americans in the community.
Address:
1573 East 214 Street,
Euclid, OH 44117
Contact: Mr. Miki
Telephone: 330-379-6810
Fax: 330-379-6945
Email: jano[at]gd6.so-net.ne.jp
Home Page: www.janosakura.org (Japanese only)
Friends of Findlay
Year founded: 1990
Mission
Address:
c/o GSW Manufacturing, Inc., 1801 Production Dr., Findlay, OH 45840
Contact: Mr. Ken Ukai
Telephone: 419-423-7111
Fax: 419-423-8999
Email: kenUkai[at]bright.net
Home Page:
Japanese American Citizens League - Dayton
Year founded: 1949 (chapter)
Mission
The Japanese American Citizens League was founded in 1929 to fight discrimination against people of Japanese ancestry. It is the largest and one of the oldest Asian American organizations in the United States. The JACL has over 24,500 members in 112 chapters located in 25 states, Washington D.C., and Japan.
Address:
4211 Wallington Drive,
Dayton, OH 45440
Contact: Mr. Ron Katsuyama
Telephone: 937-294-8815
Fax: 937-294-8815
Email: katsuyam[at]riker.stjoe.udayton.edu
Home Page: http://www.jacl.org
Japanese America Citizens League - Cincinnati
Year founded:
Mission
The Japanese American Citizens League was founded in 1929 to fight discrimination against people of Japanese ancestry. It is the largest and one of the oldest Asian American organizations in the United States. The JACL has over 24,500 members in 112 chapters located in 25 states, Washington D.C., and Japan.
Address:
Apt 3, 3091 Riddle View Land,
Cincinnati, OH 45220-2447
Contact: Ms. Jacqueline R. Vidourek
Telephone: 513-861-4860
Fax: none
Email: none
Home Page: http://www.jacl.org