Dear Members of Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California,
Thank you for re-electing me as your president for 2020, and for your support and membership this year. I wish you a peaceful and joyous holiday season.
JCCSC was founded in 1905 as the LA Japanese Association. We have kept the mission of the establishment and contributed to the development of the Japanese and Japanese American society. Let me introduce the upcoming events for next year.
New Year’s Day celebration “Oshogatsu in Little Tokyo” has long been introducing Japanese tradition and New Year culture and attracts more than 10,000 people every year. We have various sponsors and volunteers and it is now one of the most beloved events in Los Angeles. In cooperation with the Consulate General of Japan LA, we hold a Jokun recognition award luncheon to celebrate the recipients of emperor’s awards in June every year. We focus on the education of the next generation players and support Japanese cultural education organizations that offer educational events to improve the Japanese language skills and morality and ethics lessons of those studying at local Japanese schools. Mutual support for orphans in Japan and the United States is provided through the acceptance of students from the “Ashinaga Ikueikai” in Japan and the dispatch of “Rainbow students” from the US to the Ashinaga Ikueikai program. In addition, the “Japanese American Treaty Centennial Scholarship Fund” operated by the Japanese Chamber Foundation awards scholarships to Japanese high school students who complete high school with excellent marks and have been accepted into university. The Prime Minister’s Cup Charity Golf Tournament is held to fund these activities and scholarships.
To support local business, we would like to rebuild the partnership with the Asian Chamber of Commerce in Southern California to create an association that helps expansion of local business into the United States. In order to expand business opportunities among members and acquire new members, we are planning a range of business networking events and seminars. By popular demand of our members, our goal is to create business opportunities with the Japanese chamber of commerce, in Japan.
Thank you for your understanding, cooperation and support of JCCSC and JCCF events and activities. Again, on behalf of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Southern California, I wish you Happy Holidays and New Year.
Sincerely yours,
Carl K.Kawata
President for the year 2020