Journey to Tohoku: Miyagi with the Japan America Society of Chicago

JETAA Chicago is excited to support this event by the Japan America Society of Chicago. In this presentation, the speaker will showcase the beauty of Miyagi in all four seasons, as well as its potentials as a travel destination.

About this event

A wide range of popular tourist spots in Miyagi will be featured, from famous ones such as Matsushima, one of the Three Most Scenic Spots in Japan (nihon-sankei), and the Zao Mountain, to some of the less well-known hidden gem destinations such as Lake Izunuma and Yakurai Garden.

The speaker will also briefly go over the history of Miyagi Prefecture as well as introduce a number of local specialty products and gourmet dishes in Miyagi for foodies.

About the speaker

Nagi Cao is a Coordinator for International Relations at the Miyagi Prefectural Government currently residing in Sendai City. Originally from Seattle, he has spent the better part of his adult life living in Japan and has been working for the Miyagi Prefectural Government since 2018. His job duties involve translating and interpreting for government officials and visiting dignitaries, as well as introducing the beauty of Miyagi to people around the world. In his free time, Nagi enjoys traveling and has visited over 30 prefectures in Japan.

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Japanese Language Series: April Fun & Games TOMORROW @ 6 pm CST!

Remember to join us for the return of the Japanese Language Series on Tuesday, April 26th from 6-7 pm CST! These events are intended to bring together JETAA members and supporters who want to stay engaged with Japanese language learning and use.

We’ll be kicking the season off with a few Kanji Jukugo Puzzles, followed by PowerPoint Karaoke, relay style!

Never played before? Unsure of your proficiency level? That’s okay! All levels of experience with Japanese are welcome!

Click the button below for full event details and to sign up via Guestlist.

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*This event is for JET alumni and Friends of JET.

Questions? Email Rurik Tywoniw at networking@jetaachicago.com

Live Your Dream: The Taylor Anderson Story by the Japan America Society of Chicago

JETAA Chicago is pleased to support this event by the Japan America Society of Chicago , in which they continue to honor and bring awareness to the events surrounding March 11, 2011.

About this event

Andy will speak about Taylor's love for Japan and how her family learned that love from her, the strong response of JETs who considered Japan their second home, and the founding of the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund and it's activities since 2011.

The Japan America Society of Chicago continues to commemorate and keep all of those affected by March 11, 2011, in our thoughts and prayers.

About the speaker

Leroy (Andy) L. Anderson, III served as President and Treasurer of the Board of Millwood School, and has been a board member of the Manchester YMCA since the mid-90s where he sponsored the Pella Virginia Skate Park, The Anderson Family Welcome Center in Honor of Taylor Anderson and chaired Annual Giving and capital campaigns. He also serves as Treasurer of the Japan Virginia Society and is Co-Chair with Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki of the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund.

Taylor was a JET (Japan Exchange Teaching) Programme teacher when she perished in the March, 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. The Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund was founded in Taylor's honor by Andy, Jean, Julia and Jeff with the help of Taylor's high school alma mater, St. Catherine's School. The fund, with the advent of Toho-Towa's promotion of the film (www.thetaylorandersonstory.com) registered as a Japanese NPO (www.tamf.jp). The initial board meeting of the fund was in December, 2013 in Tokyo.

The purpose of the Taylor Anderson Memorial Fund is to help students, schools and families in the Ishinomaki area recover from the earthquake and tsunami; as Taylor's family and the board of director's expects, Taylor would have wanted. Also, to pursue Taylor's dream of being a bridge between the U.S. and Japan. The fund continues to work in Ishinomaki with the 24th "Taylor Anderson Reading Corner" just completed.

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