Japan-America Society of Indiana, 39 Jackson Place, Indianapolis, IN (2026)

04/13/2026

The JASI Yosakoi Team so much enjoyed dancing for the residents at Marquette Senior Living! It was an amazing turnout and so much fun!

01/15/2026

We are all deeply saddened by the loss of Bob Reynolds, a Founding Director of the Japan-America Society of Indiana, cherished friend, mentor, visionary, and distinguished community leader. Bob was a champion of the Indiana-Japan relationship. During his many years as a President of the Japan-America Society of Indiana and a member of the Board of Directors, and through his service as Honorary Consul General of Japan in Indianapolis, extensive growth occurred in the relationship between Indiana and Japan.

The tremendous impact of Bob ‘s dedication to and relentless effort toward enhancing that relationship has been felt across the state of Indiana -- from the economic impact of the many Japanese companies he helped to bring to various cities and towns, to the government and community leaders he educated on the importance of the relationship, to the cultural events and exchanges for which he helped organize, promote, and volunteer.

Bob’s outstanding work was recognized by government leaders both in Indiana and Japan, and was deeply appreciated by his friends and colleagues. Bob was conferred the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, a prestigious recognition by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

Bob was admired as a true gentleman, thoughtful, practical, and caring. He had a profound impact on so many. He will be missed in innumerable ways, but his legacy will be long remembered and serve as a model for all of us. Bob combined Hoosier common sense with an international perspective, always dignified behavior, and a warm sense of humor. Never one to demand respect, he earned it every day by what he did and who he was. We’re forever grateful.

Robert H. Reynolds Obituary and Service Information:
https://www.flannerbuchanan.com/obituaries/robert-reynolds

インディアナ日米協会（JASI）の創設理事であり、かけがえのない友人、メンター、先見の明をもつ指導者、そして地域社会に多大な貢献をされたリーダーであったボブ・レイノルズ氏の訃報に、私たちは深い悲しみに包まれています。

ボブは、インディアナ州と日本の関係を力強く支え続けてきた真の功労者でした。JASIの会長および理事として長年尽力され、また在インディアナポリス日本国名誉総領事として奉仕される中で、インディアナと日本との関係は飛躍的な発展を遂げました。

その献身とたゆまぬ努力がもたらした影響は、州全体に広がっています。彼が誘致に尽力した数多くの日本企業による経済的貢献、日米関係の重要性を伝え導いた行政や地域のリーダーたち、そして企画・推進・ボランティアとして関わった文化交流やイベントの数々――その一つひとつに、ボブの情熱と行動が息づいています。

こうした卓越した功績は、インディアナ州および日本の政府関係者からも高く評価され、友人や同僚から深い敬意と感謝をもって受け止められてきました。ボブは、日本国天皇陛下より「旭日中綬章」という栄誉ある勲章を授与されています。

思慮深く、実務的で、思いやりにあふれた紳士――それが多くの人々が抱くボブの姿でした。彼は実に多くの人々の人生に深い影響を与えてきました。私たちは、数え切れないほどの場面で彼を失ったことを実感するでしょう。しかし、その遺した功績と精神は、これからも長く語り継がれ、私たちすべての模範であり続けるはずです。

フージャーらしい常識と国際的な視野を併せ持ち、常に品位ある振る舞いと温かなユーモアを忘れなかったボブ。敬意を求めることは決してなく、日々の行動とその人柄によって自然と人々の尊敬を集めていました。

私たちは、心から感謝しています。

Robert H. Reynolds Obituary and Service Information:
https://www.flannerbuchanan.com/obituaries/robert-reynolds

11/21/2025

The “Japan Horizons” career event was an energizing and inspiring day bringing together university and high school students from throughout the state to meet and hear from senior leaders of Japanese companies in Indiana.

Presentations were given by American corporate representatives on the benefits and joys of working for a Japanese company, and their appreciation of Japanese teamwork philosophy. Tony Denhart, Vice President of Workforce and Talent of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, gave an enthusiastic and insightful overview of Indiana-Japan economic partnerships.

JASI hosted a “Japan Pop Quiz” for students to test their knowledge of Japanese protocol, language, and pop culture. Congrats to the winner of the Japan Gift Basket!

Appreciation to Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago and JETRO Chicago for organizing the informative and fun "Japan Horizons" event creating new connections and pathways for all.

Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago 在シカゴ日本国総領事館

11/19/2025

We're excited to announce a very special upcoming opportunity. The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival (MCCF) is a two-day celebration of artisan chocolate where attendees can meet cacao farmers and chocolate makers from around the globe. The Festival will be held in Rushville, Indiana, on November 21st and 22nd.

This year, the festival will welcome an award-winning chocolatier from Niigata City, Japan, and his team from "Sweets Escalier" in Niigata. "Sweets Escalier" will be the only vendor from Japan, offering a very special opportunity to try excellent Japanese chocolate in the Midwest! Tomomi Kaneko, the Founder and Chef Patissier-Owner of "Sweets Escalier", has won many international awards. He has created a special Matcha Yuzu chocolate bar for the festival.

You can find more information about "Sweets Escalier" here:
http://www.sweets-escalier.com/BeantoBar.html

And please visit the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival website for tickets and further details: https://www.midwestcraftchocolatefestival.com/

10/31/2025

JASI was delighted to organize and host the 3rd cohort of students in the Gunma Global Shidojin exchange program. This year’s program welcomed 8 student "future global leaders" from high schools across Gunma Prefecture, sponsored by the Gunma Prefectural Government.

JASI thanks our great partners: Indiana University Indianapolis; North Central High School; The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis; Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.; Purdue University, Lafayette; Wabash High School; and the City of Wabash for their incredibly warm hospitality and support, and for the wonderful interactions that took place.

The 8 Gunma students this year were selected from 80 applications. It was great to meet them and to welcome them to Indiana!

10/27/2025

The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival (MCCF) is a two-day celebration of artisan chocolate where attendees can meet cacao farmers and chocolate makers from around the globe. The Festival will be held in Rushville, Indiana, on November 21st and 22nd. Guests will be able to sample different chocolates.

This year, the festival will welcome an award-winning chocolatier from Niigata City, Japan, and his team from "Sweets Escalier" in Niigata.

Tomomi Kaneko, the Founder and Chef Patissier-Owner of "Sweets Escalier", has won many international awards. He has created a special Matcha Yuzu chocolate bar for the festival.

You can find more information about "Sweets Escalier" here:
http://www.sweets-escalier.com/BeantoBar.html

And please visit the Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival website for tickets and further details: https://www.midwestcraftchocolatefestival.com/

The Midwest Craft Chocolate Festival is presented with support from INTAT Precision, Inc. and Yazel Realty Group.

Forge ECI

10/04/2025

Katsura Sunshine’s performance of Rakugo (Japanese comic storytelling) was fantastic! We loved the show with Master Sunshine and his deshi, Sunny, Moonlight, and Sunflower. So much fun and culturally educational. Thrilled that Katsura Sunshine’s first U.S. Tour kicked off with two sold-out performances in Indianapolis. It was great of him to join the JASI staff for dinner at the Grand Opening of the Legacy Tokyo Sutadonya restaurant in the Factory Arts District, and to give a short “auspicious performance” of rakugo as a congratulatory greeting to restaurant owner Tokuko Kamikusa and guests.

Watch Master Sunshine's interview on Wish TV at the link below:
https://www.wishtv.com/lifestyle/all-indiana/traditional-japanese-rakugo-us/

Sunshine Katsura Sunshine
IF Theatre

09/25/2025

In JASI’s tradition of presenting the best of Japan's RAKUGO (the art of comic storytelling), we’re pleased to announce two shows in Indianapolis by the renowned Katsura Sunshine on October 3rd and 4th.

A show of hilarity and culture in equal doses, Katsura Sunshine completed his grueling traditional apprenticeship in Rakugo comic storytelling under the great Rakugo Master Katsura Bunshi VI in 2011.

His performances have delighted audiences throughout the world as well as all over Japan. Sunshine is now bringing the humor and culture of Rakugo in English to two intimate venues in Indianapolis.

Tickets are going quickly, get yours now!

https://www.rakugo.lol/ind

07/29/2025

The JASI GALA will celebrate the recent historic agreement between Nippon Steel Corporation and United States Steel Corporation. With U.S. Steel’s largest plant located in Gary, Indiana – also the largest integrated steel mill in North America – the agreement is expected to bring major investment and economic benefits to Indiana and the region. This landmark partnership underscores the enduring strength of the Indiana-Japan relationship and the deepening industrial ties between the United States and Japan.

JASI is pleased to welcome Hiroshi Ono, President & CEO, Nippon Steel North America, Inc. as the featured Corporate Speaker. The Gala also welcomes Speakers Indiana Governor Mike Braun; Consul-General of Japan in Chicago Masashi Mizobuchi; and Eddie D. Melton, Mayor of Gary.

The JASI GALA will be held on Wednesday, August 20 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis. The Gala is an exciting evening bringing together corporate and community leaders from across Indiana and the Midwest.

For more information, visit www.japanindiana.org.

We hope to see you at the 2025 Gala!

Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago 在シカゴ日本国総領事館
Eddie Melton

05/30/2025

Congratulations to the Utsunomiya Brex Basketball Team! Tochigi Prefecture’s Brex won the national Championship in Japan’s top-tier league this week, defeating the Ryukyu Golden Kings 73-71 in the decisive Game 3 of the best-of-three finals at Yokohama Arena. The victory also set a national record with the Brex claiming its third championship title. Go Brex! おめでとうございます!!

The Brex are based in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, Indiana’s Sister State Prefecture in Japan. During the formation of the Brex circa 2007, Brex representatives visited Indianapolis and the Indiana Pacers to develop a partnership, hosted by JASI and the IEDC. The Brex were then modeled after the Pacers, using the same blue and gold for their team colors. Let’s hope the Pacers can join the Brex with a championship win of their own!

宇都宮ブレックス Indiana Economic Development Corporation

04/30/2025

JASI is excited to participate in the first City of Carmel Cherry Blossom Festival this Sunday, May 4th from 1-4 PM, hosted by Carmel Sister Cities, Inc! JASI will have a special LEGO booth at the Festival, and the JASI Yosakoi Dance Team will perform on the main stage.

“Japan in LEGO” will be a unique display created by the Japan-America Society of Indiana. The showcase build is a large Japanese garden, "The Tranquil Park", designed by Jon Renenburg, modeled on the Carmel Kawachinagano Garden. The exhibit will include several great original designs by the IndyLUG adult LEGO builders group such as a Samurai, a Pokemon mural, a Studio Ghibli movie scene, Tokyo landmarks, and more, as well as a variety of Japan-themed LEGO builds by JASI members and youth volunteers.

Japan-America Society of Indiana

04/13/2026

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