The Japanese American Community Hosts the 41st Annual Lunar New Year Celebration
Let’s Work for True Equality toward Brighter Tomorrow
The Mikoren, Japanese Awaodori Troop in Chicago, brings solidarity and enthusiasm to the stage of the Asian American Coalition’s Lunar New Year’s celebration.
Under the theme “Together for a Brighter Tomorrow”, the 41st Lunar New Year Celebration was held on February 10 at Drury Lane in Oak Brook.
This year, the Japanese American community took the role of host for the annual event of the Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) for the first time in 10 years, and the event venue was filled with a lively atmosphere.
Starting at 4:30 p.m., the event reception showcased activities of the Japanese and Japanese American organizations by exhibiting photos, brochures, and others, and featured a silent auction of Japanese and Asian art as well as a passport raffle.
Those host organizations were Chicago Japanese American Council (CJAC), Chicago Japanese American Historical Society (CJAHS), Chicago Nisei Post 1183, Japanese Buddhist Federation, Heiwa Terrace, Japanese American Citizens League - Chicago Chapter, Japanese American Service Committee (JASC), Japanese Mutual Aid Society (JMAS), U.S. – Japan Council, Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago, Chicago Japanese Club (CJC), Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago (JCCC).
Many ladies from the hosting community in gorgeous kimono dresses added color to the venue, and the roaring lion from the Chicago Okinawa Kenjinkai appeared in the bustling reception hall and marched in the crowd.
At the celebration dinner venue, Eisa dance by Okinawa Kenjinkai welcomed the participants, and four lions from Kenjinkai paraded through the venue to celebrate "The Year of the Dragon.”
The celebration, which was scheduled for 80 tables, far exceeded expectations, with close to 900 people from Asian communities gathered in one enthusiastic room.
To make the celebration impressive, the Japanese American community organized the 2024 Planning Committee last year and prepared for the gathering led by Committee Chair Manabu Yoshiike, Chairman of CJAC; Co-chair Karen Kanemoto, Board member of AACC; Co-Chair Anna Ninoyu; Megan Nakano, AACC Board President; and other 16 members.
AACC President Megan Nakano
In the opening remarks, AACC President Megan Nakano, who was wearing a kurotomesode, a formal kimono outfit, thanked all of the people who had made the celebration possible.
Nakano explained that the AACC Board was comprised of members from ten of Chicagoland’s Asian American communities, and the ten have taken turns hosting the event every year to showcase Asians’ respective cultures and recognize their exemplary community leaders.
Regarding the purpose of the gathering, she said, “We also use this platform to encourage civic participation amongst Asian Americans and provide a forum to foster relationships with our elected officials.”
She continued to say, “This year’s theme, ‘Together for a Brighter Tomorrow,’ is a reminder that some of our communities may be dismissed as statistically insignificant, together, Asians are the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S. and cannot be ignored.”
In his greeting remarks, Consul General Jun Yanagi said that several years ago he was living in Hanoi, Vietnam, for three and half years, so he knew how Asian people were joyful in celebrating a Lunar New Year.
Consul General
Jun Yanagi
He also extended his sincere respect to the Japanese American Community for hosting this year’s gala celebration and said, “I’m glad to see our office and the Japanese community worked closely with the Japanese American Community to make the celebration a success, and their cooperation has brought Japanese and Japanese Americans even closer together.”
Regarding this year’s theme, he said that all Asian communities gathered tonight in solidarity, celebrated their rich roots and cultures, and raised awareness of their contributions and significance to the U.S. “I offer my congratulations to all award recipients for their accomplishments achieved within and beyond the Asian American Community,” he applauded.
Governor J.B. Pritzker
Governor J.B. Pritzker said in his video message, “2024 is the year of dragon representing good fortune, strengthen prosperity. What a perfect symbol to guide our efforts that we work together for a brighter tomorrow.”
Regarding progress in the state of Illinois, he said when he became Governor, he wanted to make Illinois the best state to live and raise family. “Together we achieved so much. We restored fiscal responsibility, our state government, made the historical investment in education and economic development, and reversed deteriorated social services. All were batting bigotry, building bridges across communities,” he said.
Governor Pritzker concluded his speech by thanking the Japanese American Community for hosting this year’s celebration, and said, “Your effort to unite Asian American community strengthens our state, and I look forward to continuing to go brighter future with you.”
CJAC Chairman Manabu Yoshiike sent his message in the booklet of the AACC celebration, “This year’s theme, ‘Together for a Brighter Tomorrow,’ can be seen as an extension of kizuna, a Japanese word that translates to bonds between people.”
He wished a brighter future for all the people of Asian communities, “Let us continue to work together both within our individual communities and within the greater Asian American community.”
JCCC Chairman Akihiko Shono also sent a strong message to the Asian American community through the booklet to make a prejudice-free society in the U.S.
The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago has grown to a 460-membership organization since its inception with 58 members in 1966. Its missions are Member Service, Educational Support, and Community Contribution, so the third mission would be the most relevant to celebrate AACC’s annual event.
JCCC established the JCCC Foundation as a commemorative project for its 25th anniversary in 1991. The JCCC Foundation, a different entity from JCCC, has been actively involved in annual community events such as Japan Festival, and has provided grants to support CJAC’s activities.
Shono brought an important issue to the Asian community to make a brighter tomorrow. He said, “In light of the current social climate of prejudice against our fellow Asian Americans, happening in many cities throughout the U.S. including Chicago, we must all rise to the task of supporting those committed to eliminating hateful behavior, and each one of us must provide living examples of ethical and kind behavior towards others.”
“This year’s theme suggests that we, all Asian American Community organizations, need to overcome this obstacle for true and sustainable equality among all American people and pass on a new legacy to our next generation. JCCC and JCCC Foundation are committed to pursue this goal in cooperation with other organizations until it is truly realized,” Shono encouraged the all Asian communities.
After the dinner, Japanese traditional music, koto and shakuhachi duo, was presented by the Chicago Koto Group.
And then, awaodori troop of Mikoren made a surprise appearance in the gala venue. Dancers of Mikoren marched the venue with cheerful music played by shamisen, bamboo flutes, and taiko drums. Mikoren’s big paper lanterns were following the dancers.
On the stage, the beautiful, bright costumes of female dancers caught the audience’s eyes, and the male dancers’ acrobatic dance thrilled the audience. A lot of cameras surrounded the stage to take shots of the enthusiastic stage.
After the exciting awaodori show, the award-giving ceremony started. Chairman Yoshiike handed a plaque to each Exemplary Community Service Honoree while Norika Yanagi, wife of Consul General, handed a plaque to each Youth Who Excel Honoree.
This year, Tetsuro Mitani of JCCC was an awardee of the Exemplary Community Service, and Christopher Tetsuo Nakane was an awardee of the Youth Who Excel from the Japanese American community.
Exemplary Community Service Honoree
Tetsuro Mitani, Japanese American Community
Tetsuro Mitani, Exective Director of JCCC (L) receives Exemplary Community Service Award from CJAC Chairman Manabu Yoshiike
Tetsuro Mitani was born in 1949 in Tottori, Japan, and educated through university there.
In 1976, the bicentennial year of the U.S.A., he came to Hawaii as an immigrant through his first marriage to a Hawaii-born Japanese American Sansei (third generation) whom he met in Japan.
Through her family and relatives, Tetsuro had an opportunity to listen to many stories and learn the history of Japanese Americans in Hawaii which he was much intrigued by and became so interested in. He spent one year and a half in Hawaii and moved to Anchorage, Alaska where he started his career in Japan Airlines working at the airport section. In 1981, he was transferred to Chicago and a year later, was assigned as an account executive of Japanese passenger sales and became acquainted with the people of the JA community.
After he retired from Japan Airlines in 2010, he became executive director of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Chicago (JCCC). Through his work at JCCC and the Chicago Japanese American Council, Tetsuro has been instrumental in bringing together the Japanese American and Japanese National communities in major events and activities such as Chicago Japanese Picnic and Japan Festival.
Being a Shin Issei (new first generation), his lifetime goal has been to work as a bridge in promoting goodwill between the U.S. and Japan in cooperation with the Japanese American community here in Chicago.
Youth Who Excel Honoree
Christopher Tetsuo Nakane, Japanese American Community
Christopher Tetsuo Nakane (L) receives Youth Who Excel Award from Norika Yanagi, wife of Consul General of Japan in Chicago
Christopher Tetsuo Nakane is a 17-year-old senior at Evanston Township High School. He has maintained a GPA of 3.99. The courses that he has completed beyond the honors general science coursework include the medical-related courses of physiology, anatomy, medical terminology, and anatomical health science. In addition, Christopher is certified in CPR.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he was unable to pursue any type of community service during his early high school years. Christopher volunteered for the Japanese Community Picnic on August 5, 2023, at LaBagh Woods. He helped with unloading equipment; setting up large tents, tables, chairs, etc.; and placing equipment around the community picnic area. At the close of the picnic, he helped with replacing equipment to their original locations.
This was Christopher’s first time being among a large group where over half of the participants were Japanese and Japanese Americans. He said this was the first time that he felt a sense of belonging and kinship to his Japanese American identity. He enjoyed the experience and hopes to be more involved in the Nikkei community in the future.
Christopher volunteered for the Chicago Japanese American Historical Society (CJAHS), helping with their storage and archival processes by sorting and confirming the accuracy of the database and physical items. He also assisted with compiling and distributing the CJAHS mailing. In his spare time, Christopher enjoys biking, swimming, and kayaking.
Member of the 2024 Planning Committee
Megan Nakano
Manabu Yoshiike
Karen Kanemoto
Anna Ninoyu
Ron Yoshino
Lisa Sakai
Michael Tanimura
Felix Lanier
Kristi Nishimura
Sue Christensen
Tonko Doi
Sadruddin Noorani
Ross Harano
Judy Tanaka
Cary Wong
Jean Mishima
Jenn Trautvetter
Eric Langowski
Joan Ambo
Jeanne Takami