News
A Proclamation by President Biden on the Death Of Abe Shinzo
The former prime minister Shinzo Abe, 67, was assassinated on Friday in the city of Nara. He served in the office longer than anyone before stepping down in 2020. U.S. President Joe Biden visits the Embassy of Japan. Here are his official remarks.
Permanent Plaque Installed on Chicago's Mag Mile to Commemorate Its “Sister Street” in Osaka, Japan
A plaque commemorating the Sister Street agreement signed four years ago between Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and Midosuji Boulevard in Osaka, Japan has been permanently installed at the northwest corner of Michigan Ave. and Superior St., in front of Tiffany & Co. The June 6, 2022 installation ceremony was held at the Japan Information Center in the Japanese Consulate in Chicago.
The Rise of “Fell to Fern,” a New Sonic Installation by Kiku Hibino in Lincoln Park
Kiku Hibino shares the inspiration for “Fell to Fern,” which can be experienced at the Lincoln Park Conservatory through September 25, 2022.
Annual Memorial Day Services Resume at Montrose Cemetery
After three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 250 people gathered at Montrose Cemetery on Chicago’s North Side on May 30 for the first in-person Japanese-American Memorial Day Service. The annual service has been offered by the Japanese Mutual Aid Society of Chicago (“JMASC”) since 1938.
Midwest’s Only Japanese Film Festival Showcases 14 Films - Enthusiastic “Seppuku Pistols” Gives Surprising Performance
The second year of the Chicago Japan Film Collective (“CJFC”) - the only cinema festival in the Midwest that features Japanese films - brought 14 narratives and documentaries to Japanese movie fans from May 21 to 30. Three of the 14 films were shown at theaters in Chicago and the rest were streamed online.
June 4-5, 2022 Judo Events: Tokon Cup & GKJN Cup Held in Rosemont Dome
Judo Events: Tokon Cup & GKJN Cup Held in Rosemont Dome - Two back-to-back judo events – the 25th Tokon Cup and the first GKJN Cup – were held on June 4 and 5 at the Rosemont Dome outside Chicago.
JASC Celebrates 75 years of Serving Chicago’s Japanese American Community
Multiple generations of Chicago’s Japanese Americans and their friends gathered at Artifact Events in Chicago’s North Side on May 19 to celebrate of the 75th anniversary of the Japanese American Service Committee (“JASC”).
Chicago Shimpo - 78 years, and just beginning… on-line.
The Chicago Shimpo’s paper publication has ended with the 6178th edition dated May 27th, 2022, and is going to move its publication activities to online at chicagoshimpo.com under the leadership of Robert W. Karr Jr. As explained in the May 27th issue, Karr was elected in April to become the Chicago Shimpo’s eighth President and Editor-in-Chief, succeeding Yoshiko Urayama who has served in that role for 22 years, and will continue as a contributing writer.
Garden of the Phoenix Offers the First Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival in Chicago
The 129 year-old Garden of the Phoenix became the official Cherry Blossom Viewing site in Chicago, and the first annual Hanami, or Cherry Blossom Viewing, festival was held on May first.
With the first trees planted 10 years ago, over 170 cherry trees in and around the Garden of the Phoenix in Jackson Park drew tens of thousands of visitors at the peak of their blossom. The Garden of the Phoenix and surrounding area is located on the south-side of the Museum of Science and Industry and a cross the lagoon to the east of the Obama Presidential Center currently under construction.
A Live Webinar Dissects Manga and Anime as Global Phenomenon
How has manga and anime, which represent modern Japanese pop culture, become a global phenomenon and what is the secret of their popularity beyond its home country? A panel of specialists gathered on Feb. 15 to share their insights into these issues via online. The live webinar, “Japanese Pop Culture: Connecting the World through Manga and Anime,” was organized by the Japan Society, which is based in New York.
Multicultural Youth Share Views in the 6th Heritage Japanese Speech Contest
The sixth annual Heritage Japanese Language Speech Contest was held on January 30 in the online format for the second year in a row, due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Twenty participants from the Midwest, between Grades 3 and 12, competed with their language skills.
Chicago’s Trinity Irish Dance Kicks off 2022 Season, Ending with 8th Tour of Japan
Trinity Irish Dance Company (“TIDC”), Chicago’s “progressive” Irish dance troupe, is poised to kick off its 2022 multi-city tour with a one night-only stage performance at the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago on Feb. 5. After shows in New York, Philadelphia and other U.S. cities, the dynamic and powerful dance troupe will continue on to a three-week tour in Japan.
Founded in 1990 by young choreographer Mark Howard, TIDC is now a leading American Irish dance troupe that continues evolving while maintaining its roots in traditional Irish dance.