Japan America Society of Michigan &

08/28/2025

08/25/2025

Thanks to for hosting the
National Association of japan-America Societies 2025 Conference on the theme: Japan-America is Working. A visit to ‘s largest manufacturing plant in Georgetown, was a supreme example of Japan’s direct investment in the US that taken together employs 1 million Americans. Also great to hear an update on policy from Congressman Andy Barr and Ambassador Shigeo Yamada from the

Special mention to and and for coming and for all they do to support the Japan-US relationship!

08/11/2025

MiBon 2025 at Cranbrook
An enthusiastic crowd of Taiko 🥁 musicians and Bon Odori dancers🕺 braved the summer heat 🔥 on Sunday, August 10th to uphold the Japanese tradition of Obon in honor of our ancestors. The 3rd Annual Japanese Bon Festival with the Center hosted by
also celebrated the renovations of the Cranbrook Japanese Garden announcing the scheduled reopening on October 19th!

JAS Young Professionals led by Stephanie Knitter hosted a Japanese crafts table for children that featured a Yayoi Kusama 🔵 🟠 theme.

Generous community support came from Tokyo Rope Mfg, , the Consulate General of Japan, , , JACL, , and Ikebana International.

06/05/2025

Society members, City and State officials, and national representatives filled the ballroom of the Detroit Athletic Club 🖼️ on June 3rd 2025 to celebrate 35 years of Japan-US friendship and auto industry collaboration.

The occasion centered on the significant Detroit and Michigan links to Japan, some that date back to the previous century.

Detroit Deputy Mayor Melia Howard acknowledged the 65th Anniversary of the Toyota Sister City Agreement. Consul General ‘Jimmy’ Kishimori said that a succession of 14 Consuls General of Japan had been supporting Japan-US relations in Detroit over 32 years and that and Shiga have been sister states for 57 years. Canadian Consul General Colin Bird emphasized the importance of the solidity of Canada-US-Japan relations for the world. 🇺🇸 🇯🇵 🇨🇦

Three institutions at the very founding of local relations with Japan were inducted into the Society’s newly formed ‘Affiliates’ level of membership: UM Center for Japanese Studies Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum and Japanese Family Health Program, and University, and

Cranbrook’s Greg Wittkopp and Kevin Adkisson delivered fascinating illustrated presentations linking Detroit architect Albert Khan to the Detroit Athletic Club, Henry Ford’s automotive plants, and to the Cranbrook House where landscape architect Sadafumi Uchiyama is revitalizing a 120 year-old Japanese Pond-Style Strolling Garden.

Thanks to and and

04/28/2025

The Historic delivered a perfect setting to welcome Japanese Consul General Hajime (Jimmy) Kishimori to the great city of Detroit on Sun 4/27!
University’s Patrick O. Lindsey and the Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute graciously hosted the local US and Japanese business community and members of the Consul General Hajime JIMMY kishimori stressed the vital Japan-US-Canadian bonds of business and culture and shared a memorable account of his connection to the Freer Gallery@natasianart National Museum of Asia Art Smithsonian, from his time in Washington, D.C.
Society Chair Derrick Redding highlighted the city’s early industrial history and Charles Lang Freer’s rail car production that set the foundation for Detroit to become the Motor City.

Thanks to

04/03/2025

Join us for JAPAN DAY and to celebrate the Japanese tradition of Children’s Day.

The Museum and Village are where visitors from around the world come to experience the incredible story of American innovation.

The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village showcases the inventions and ideas that transformed industries and everyday life.

Discover how Japan’s spirit of technological progress is woven into this history. Eiji Toyoda gained insights into mass production techniques at the Ford Motor Company Rouge Plant and Thomas Edison’s early light bulbs used bamboo filaments from Kyoto Prefecture, and see HONDA Job 1, the 1st car produced outside of Japan. Take a look at Isamu Noguchi’s important role in modern design.

💡 link in bio 💡

03/27/2025

Consul General ‘Jimmy’ Kishimori gathered the Japan-US community together to honor the Emperor’s 65th birthday with an unforgetable celebration of 🎹 talented musicians, 🍵 tea  ceremony masters, 🍶 sake from Shiga Prefecture, and 🍣 Japanese cuisine.

Pictured is:  “Team Japan,”   Japan Consul General ‘Jimmy’ Kishimori, Deputy Consul General Kentaro Yamane, Columbus Honorary Consul of Japan Dave Cook, Japan Business Society of Detroit President Shin Sasaki, JBSD Executive Director Harry Kawase, Japan America Society of Michigan and Southwestern Ontario Chairman Derrick Redding, and President Liseann Gouin, Japan External Trade Organization _Chicago Executive Director Tomofumi Nishizawa and Visiting Official Keiko Nakajima.

03/03/2025

Hinamatsuri 🎎 Japanese Girl’s Day on March 2nd at the featured Calligraphy master , tea ceremony master Tomoyo Koehler and , koto performances by , the street musicians sound of .japan, ikebana 🌹, origami, and a traditional hina dolls display!

Thanks to the many supporters JCD, ,

02/27/2025

Hinamatsuri at the Detroit Institute of Arts on Sunday, March 2nd, 10AM-4:30PM

A family day of Japanese traditions including traditional street musicians, calligraphy, koto performances, arranged flowers, and a display of hina dolls to wish for the happy future for young girls.

02/11/2025

Join the Japan America Society Young professionals for a meet and greet with jazz influenced indie J-pop artist Mei Semones!

WHEN: February 11, 2025 - Tuesday
Meet and Greet 5:30 PM

WHERE: (UTX) Urban Tech Xchange
1520 Woodward Ave., Suite 300, Detroit, MI 48226

* Upon arrival at street level entrance on Woodward Avenue you will be greeted by the host team for registration and facility access. The event is on the third floor.

Parking is available at the Z-garage 1234 Library St., Detroit, MI 48226. Metered street parking may also be available.

Use the QR code to register, advance registration is required.

01/30/2025

Don’t miss Consul General Kishimori at the Japanese Job Fair on February 6th!
Stay for the Job Fair 1:00 PM - 4PM - in Civic Center.
Registration @ bit.ly/JASYPJobFair2025

12/16/2024

Registration is now open for the 2025 Japanese Job Fair hosted by the Japan America Society Young Professionals and Great Lakes JETAA.

Job seekers looking to participate and companies looking to hire new talent are highly encouraged to register!
🔗 Register at: bit.ly/JASYPJobFair2025
Date: Thursday, February 6th, 2025
Location: Novi Civic Center
45175 W 10 Mile Road,Novi MI
Time: 1:00 - 4:00 PM