2013 JETAA National ConferenceUsing the Opportunities Present to Maximize the Community Benefit

Mirja P. HansonHonorary Consul General of Japan at Minneapolis

Japan America Society of MNA constellation approach:

Offering programming to diverse audiences through volunteer teams and leadership

Advantages

“Department store” of Japan organizations, offerings, programs and opportunitiesEach is a window to the culture and values of Japan

Opportunities for major Japan collaborationsJapan Week (1990’s)Tohoku Earthquake/Support and anniversariesCentennial Celebration of the Gift of Cherry TreesMidwest U.S. Japan Association Conference

Challenges

Every organization has constant or occasional need for: Participants Members Volunteers Funds Homestays

Increasing the visibility of Japan in the community

Collectively implementing major Japan-related ventures

Japan-related Organizations in Minnesota

The following is a representative overview of the many types of

organizations that offer programming related to Japan on a regular basis

Japan Organizations

Japan America Society of Minnesota

Lantern Lighting Festival Network

JETAA

Sister Organizations

Cities

Schools

Churches

State/PrefecturesTeamsSocietiesExchanges

Japanese Traditional VISUAL Arts

Ikebana International Minnesota Chapter

Minnesota Bonsai Society

Calligraphy, kirie, sumi, pottery, fabric groups

Traditional Japanese PERFORMING Arts

Dance – Mikaharu-kai – Sansei Yonsei Kai

Tea Ceremony Mu Daiko, Kogen Taiko Koto Mumin Japanese

Women’s Chorus Chura-Ryukyu Okinawa

Sanshin-Kai

Japanese MARTIAL Arts

JudoAikidoKendoKyudoOthers

Japanese Garden Organizations

Como Ordway Bonsai and Japanese Garden

Normandale Japanese Garden Committee

Carleton College Garden University of MN

Landscape Arboretum Upper Midwest Koi Club

Japanese Nationals Organizations

Hoshuko – Japanese schools

Nihonjin-kai N-Dimensional Japan

– University of MN Student Association

Japanese Christian Union Church/ Japanese Fellowship Church

Popular Culture Organizations

Anime Twin CitiesHarajuku Lolita

Fashion Social Media “clans”

Alumni Organizations

American/International Schools

VeteransMissionaries

Public Sector

Minnesota Trade Office – Japan Trade Representative

Governor’s OfficeCongressional

DelegationMeet Minneapolis

Visitors and Convention Association

Education Organizations

Japanese and Japanese Language Studies Departments

High School Japanese Language Programs

Study Abroad Programs American Association of

Teachers of Japanese Kobe College and Japan

Education Exchange Concordia Language

Villages – Mori No Ike Japanese Language Village

Japanese Cuisine Diplomacy

Sushi-yaObento-yaIzakayaSake-tastingOther Japanese

Restaurants

International and Asian Organizations

Minnesota International Center

International Institute of Minnesota

Festival of Nations Consular Corps Council for Asian Pacific

Minnesotans Asian Press Dragon Festival MSP Multi Cultural Club

Cultural Institutions

Art Museums – Minneapolis Institute of Art

Craft Museums• Northern Clay

Center, • Center for Book

Arts, • Saori Weaving

Studio Film Festivals Theatres – Mu

Performing Arts

The Quest

How can we better communicate, coordinate, collaborate for mutual benefit?

Community Directory and e-CalendarE-Clearinghouse – “one stop Japan connector”Interchange roundtable Volunteer, homestay host registryOther forms of “wire-archies” to connect

“hierarchies”