Glen S. Fukushima, JASC 22 & 23 (1970 & 1971) gives the keynote address for the evening

NHK America’s TV Japan channel was on hand to cover the JASC fundraiser in New York on May 8, 2013. Their report (in Japanese) is posted here,  http://www.tvjapan.net/tvjapan_club/. TV Japan is the only Japanese broadcasting channel in North America and provides 24/7 programming to its viewers in the U.S. and Canada.

See our post about the event for more information about the event (in English).

John Shook, JASC 29 (1977) speaks about his JASC experience

On Wednesday, May 8, 2013 JASCers and supporters gathered in New York City for a fundraiser. The event was graciously hosted by MetLife at their Bryant Park building. Over 100 people were in attendance for the event that rekindled JASC memories and introduced the program to some new friends. The event, along with the online campaign for fundraising has brought in over $16,000 for JASC this year.

JASCers from JASC 61-64 reunite during the event

John Shook, JASC 29 (1977), was the first speaker of the evening. He spoke on how JASC impacted him personally and helped launch his esteemed career for Toyota and now the Lean Enterprise Institute. More about John and his work here.

Kengo Yoshihara speaks at the JASC Fundraiser

He was followed by Kengo Yoshihara, JASC 41 (1989) and Consul of Japan in New York City. Kengo spoke on the importance of JASC to U.S.-Japan relations and his own experience as a delegate.

Jillian Anderson speaks at the JASC fundraiser

Jillian Anderson, JASC 63 & 64 (2011 & 2012) spoke next and gave an account of what she gained during her experience as a delegate and as chair of the American Executive committee and how the skills she has learned are helping her now as a young professional.

The keynote speaker of the evening was Glen S. Fukushima, JASC 22 & 23 (1970 & 1971) and Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. He gave a speech about the impact of JASC on 3 levels, the personal, the national, and the international. In addition to learning skills he found valuable in his career as a U.S. trade representative at the JASC, Glen also met his wife of over 40 years, Ms. Sakie Fukushima, also JASC 22 & 23 (1970 & 1971), during the conference. More about Glen on his website.

Glen S. Fukushima speaking at the JASC Fundraiser

The purpose of the event was to help ISC reach its goal of raising $20,000 from individuals and $20,000 from corporations in support of the upcoming conference thanks to generous supporters like our corporate sponsors, MetLife, Toyota, Sojitz, Marubeni, and the Japan Chamber of Commerce. ISC is still progressing towards this goal and donations of any amount are appreciated. More at www.iscdc.org/donate/.

On Wednesday, May 8th, JASCers gathered in New York City for a fundraising event. Our blog about the event is forthcoming, but one of our revered guests beat us to it.

Ms. Hiroko Shimbo-a trained chef, blogger, and food authority-has written three cookbooks and helped several restaurateurs as a consultant. You can read more about her esteemed career on her website.

Hiroko attended the JASC event on Wednesday, and reflected about the experience on her blog. You can read the entry here: http://www.hirokoskitchen.com/blog/2013/05/the-japan-america-student-conference-jasc/

She also was generous enough to donate signed copies of her cookbooks for our silent auction. More information about the auction is also forthcoming.

The May 8th JASC Fundraiser in New York is about 1 week away. If you plan on attending and haven’t RSVPed yet, please do so by Friday, May 3, 2013.

RSVP by emailing cirvin@iscdc.org and including your name and the name of your guest(s).

Thank you to all the contributors that have already made the event a success. We’ve raised nearly $5000 from our New York alumni and over $14,000 total from all alumni worldwide. So far about 50 alumni have donated. We’d love for at least 100 alumni to donate in this campaign. If you haven’t done so already, give a gift of any amount to ISC at iscdc.org/donate.

We are looking forward to a good turnout and a great event in New York and we thank everyone for their support!

Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, JASC 28 & 29 (1976 & 1977) speaks with recent JASC alumni

JASC alumni are on their way to meeting ISC’s goal of raising $20,000 from alumni in the JASC 2013 NYC and NYC vs. the World campaigns (more information at iscdc.org/NYC2013) and young alumni are doing their part. 26% of donations have come from alumni of JASC 55-64 and many of the donations have exceeded the suggested minimum of $50.

One of the young alumni who has stepped up to the plate is Jon-Michael Durkin, JASC 60 & 61 (2008 & 2009).  When Jon-Michael was hired by Google, Inc. earlier in the year, he gave back to JASC with a $200 gift. The impact of his gift was doubled by Google’s matching gift program. Google has another giving program that he’s using to make a contribution to the NYC vs. the World campaign.

With young JASCers like Jon-Michael giving back to JASC in a big way, we hope others in a position to support will consider giving as well. We are counting on our alumni to help meet our fundraising goals this summer. Any gift, large or small, will have a positive impact on this summer’s conference.

Visit the NYC and NYC vs. the World campaign page for more information.

The Symposium will gather student leaders of KASC and JASC to discuss issues relevant to the U.S.-Korea-Japan trilateral partnership. Given the current geopolitical tension, this event will foster a thoughtful and well-needed conversation among our young leaders about the importance of the trilateral relationship.

Student leaders will lead an interactive panel discussion with Ambassador Thomas Hubbard, Ambassador Kathleen Stephens and Glen S. Fukushima. Representatives from Japanese and Korean Embassy as well as State Department are also invited.

When: Thursday, June 6, 3:30 pm (panel discussion), 5:30 pm (reception)
Where: Skadden & Arps – 1440 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005

For any questions, please contact Yuuki Shinomiya, ISC Executive Director at yshinomiya@iscdc.org or call 202-289-9088.

More information available at iscdc.org/symposium.

We all know that big donations, whether to a charity or a non-profit, are very visible.  These donations are extremely important, but, the truth of the matter is that small donations are the heart of any organization.  With JASC’s ongoing fundraising efforts the New York Campaign and New York vs The World Campaign, small donations can make a huge impact.

A large number of small donations can fund big portions of the conference, and JASC’s vast alumni network makes this possible. It is our goal while tracking donations to have at least 50 alumni from JASC 60-65 donate, regardless of the amount they give. To this end, John Shook, JASC 29, is matching first time donations up to $5,000! This is an excellent opportunity for first time donors, who may only have a small donation to give, to get involved and give back to JASC.

Giving to JASC will not only greatly impact the 65th conference this summer, but will also impact you! Contributing to future generations should make you feel good.  Regardless of the size of your donation, your money is going to a cause that will change the world: your money is making a difference.

JASC is student driven: student run, and ultimately, student funded. You, as a part of JASC’s prestigious alumni network, can ensure the success of another conference! Donate today!!

ISC Board Member, Mr. John Shook, JASC 29 (1977) with Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, JASC 28 & 29 (1976 & 1977).

Not many people can say they were once the only non-Japanese person working for Toyota in Toyota City, Japan. Mr. John Shook, JASC 29 (1977), can. He has embodied the essence of JASC throughout his career. Currently the Chairman and CEO of Lean Enterprise Institute, John spent a significant part of his career working for Toyota. While working at Toyota’s headquarters in Japan, he became the company’s first American kacho (manager). John’s career trajectory did not always have Japan as a focus: it was the life-changing experience of JASC that sent him on a path to a career associated with Japan. (Catch up with John’s current activities, blogs and books at www.lean.org/shook/.)

John Shook and Makimi Kato during the 28th JASC in 1976.

As a college student in Tennessee, JASC 28 happened to visit his hometown where his family hosted a JASCer , which led to his application for and attending of JASC 29 and later joining the executive committee to plan JASC 30. Through his JASC experience, John’s eyes were opened to the culture of Japan, and he developed lifelong friendships as well as a lifelong interest in Japan. His continued involvement in JASC, through serving on the ISC Board, attendance at JASC events, and financial contributions to ISC, has been extremely significant.

Most recently, John attended a JASC reception in New York where he rekindled his friendship with the host, Ambassador Hiroki, whom he used to call simply, Shige. There he spoke about the influence JASC had on both his personal life and his career, his continued and lifelong friendship with Ambassador Hiroki, and how important he believes the long-term values of JASC, mutual understanding, friend and trust, are to a peaceful and prosperous world.

John is challenging first time donors to get involved with JASC: in conjunction with the JASC Fundraising event on May, 8 2013, in New York City, John has agreed to match first time donations up to $5,000! Your donation can be made here. If you’re in the New York area, or if you will be on May 8, and would like to attend the fundraising event (with keynote speaker Glen S. Fukushima!), please RSVP to Chelsea Irvin at cirvin@iscdc.org.

More information at http://iscdc.org/donate/campaigns/JASC-2013/

On May 8, 2013 JASCers will gather for a fundraising event in New York City. The event will be hosted by a committee of dedicated JASC alumni who have tasked themselves with raising $10,000 to go towards this summer’s conference.

If you would like to attend the New York event in person, please RSVP. We will accept checks at the event. If you cannot attend but would like to give to the New York City Campaign, donate online or send a check to International Student Conferences (1150 18th Street. N.W. Suite LL2 Washington, D.C. 20036). For suggested giving levels see the suggested gifts page.

New York City vs. the World Campaign

Supporters of JASC are not only in New York, but all around the world. We are challenging our supporters to match the goal set by our New York alumni and raise $10,000 to go towards this summer’s conference.

More Info available at:
http://iscdc.org/donate/campaigns/JASC-2013/

The Spring 2013 edition of the JASC Journal is now available online. You can view the journal by clicking here.

This edition features updates on ISC events including the upcoming May 8th Fundraiser in New York City. Learn more about this event at http://iscdc.org/NYC2013/.

Enjoy the Spring 2013 edition of the JASC Journal!