Japan-America Society Of Dallas Fort Worth

Social/Cultural Programming (Otsukimi Moon Viewing Festival):We hosted the 24th Annual Otsukimi Moon Viewing Festival at Kidd Springs Park on September 30, 2023. This beloved community event celebrates the Japanese autumn tradition of moon viewing, blending cultural heritage with a festive, family-friendly atmosphere. The festival featured a vibrant marketplace where vendors offered traditional and modern Japanese goods, while families and friends participated in hands-on cultural activities, such as creating rabbit ear headbands and learning traditional Japanese calligraphy from dedicated volunteers. Attendees enjoyed performances, including sumo demonstrations by the Dallas Sumo Club and powerful taiko drumming from the Dallas Kiyari Daiko, which added to the immersive cultural experience. What began as a small gathering in a donor's backyard has grown into the largest Japanese cultural celebration in North Texas, drawing thousands of attendees each year. Otsukimi fosters cross-cultural understanding and appreciation while strengthening the ties between Japan and the Dallas/Fort Worth community.(People Served: Estimated 1,500 attendees)

Business Programming (Japan Currents Symposium): On March 1, 2024, we presented the 11th Annual Japan Currents Symposium in partnership with Southern Methodist University's John Goodwin Tower Center for Public Policy & International Affairs. Held at The Highland Dallas, this year's symposium focused on Future Growth in U.S. & Japan Business Relations: Sustainability and Urban Development. With urbanization accelerating worldwide, the event explored sustainable city planning and economic development trends in both the U.S. and Japan. Speakers examined Dallas-Fort Worth's rapid expansion, emphasizing mixed-use and transit-oriented development, while highlighting Japan's compact city model and efficient public transportation network.The symposium featured keynote addresses from Atsushi Nakayama (Senior Staff Writer, Nikkei Inc.) and Cullum Clark (Director, Bush Institute-SMU Economic Growth Initiative). A panel discussion, moderated by Hiroki Takeuchi (SMU Tower Center), included industry leaders such as Jennifer Johnson (Canyon Snow Consulting), Luigi Basalo (Daiwa House), and Harry Whalen (Frisco Economic Development Corporation).Attendees engaged in high-level discussions and networking opportunities, reinforcing the event's role in fostering collaboration between U.S. and Japanese business communities. Japan Currents is funded through grants from the National Association of Japan-America Societies (NAJAS) and the Embassy of Japan.(People Served: 60 in-person attendees)