Daniels Off to China and Japan

Governor Mitch Daniels will lead a delegation of Hoosier business leaders and elected officials on an economic development and jobs trip to China and Japan. This will be Daniels' second trip to China and fifth trip to Japan since 2005.

The governor will depart Indiana on 6 November, returning 17 November. He will travel in China from 7 to 13 November in Shanghai and Zhejiang (Indiana's Chinese sister-state), then go on to Japan from 14-17 November, where he will visit Nagoya and Tokyo.

(Photo of Hangzhou, China, courtesy of the governor's office -- from his 2009 trip)

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Negishi to Receive Japan's Order of Culture

Dr. Ei-ichi Negishi (pictured), the Herbert C. Brown Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at Purdue University, will receive Japan's highest distinction, the Order of Culture, on 3 November from the country's emperor.

It honors his contributions to Japan's cultural development through his work to create a method to build complex organic molecules necessary for numerous purposes, from pharmaceutical manufacturing to electronics. Negishi is a Japanese national and first moved to the United States in 1960.

Prof. Negishi was announced as a winner of the Nobel Prize in chemistry on 6 October. The Order of Culture was established in 1937.

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Heartland Film Festival Runs Through 23 October

Heartland, the annual 10-day celebration of international film, includes movies from Australia, Brazil, Canada, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan (and the United States).

For more information, including a schedule, go online.

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Japanese Students Learn About U.S. Culture

When 29 college students from Tokyo, Japan, stepped off a plane in Indianapolis recently, they were embarking on a unique journey of discovery.

To be sure, the students from Tsuda College will perfect their English skills in this custom language immersion program developed by the Indiana Center for Intercultural Communication (ICIC), a language and cultural training center that is part of the School of Liberal Arts at Indiana University-Purdue University in Indianapolis.

But discovering more about American culture - and perhaps even a bit more about themselves—will also be an important part of the curriculum.

The Women in Leadership Intensive Summer Program, now in its sixteenth year at IUPUI, is designed to show young women from the all-female college in Japan what it takes to be a leader in the United States, and across cultures.

Prominent female leaders from Indianapolis speak to the students about their journey into leadership roles in the corporate and not-for-profit community.

As part of the program, the students are required to synthesize what they learn from guest speakers and other research and develop a portfolio, presenting what they have learned to the class.

Students live with local families during their month-long stay in Indianapolis. They also have opportunities to participate in a number of cultural activities, including attending an Indiana Fever women’s professional basketball game, visiting the Eiteljorg Museum and the Indiana State Fair. They also took an overnight trip to Chicago.

ICIC develops language and intercultural training programs for many different types of academic and professional groups.

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Purdue's Global 4-H

Indiana 4-H Global Programs sent two groups of students to Poland and Japan, while students from Japan visited Indiana.

The program has held a partnership with Meiji Gakuin High School in Tokyo, Japan for nearly 30 years. Ann Williams, an extension educator for DeKalb County, and Tiffany Henson, a 4-H'er from Dearborn County, left for Japan on 15 July for a three-week stay.

Williams and Henson are learning about the Japanese education system and culture. Williams is living with a high school teacher, and Henson is staying in a high school student’s home.

While Williams and Henson tour Japan, 21 students from Japan are visiting Indiana to learn about culture and 4-H programs during their 3-week visit to 19 counties. The Japanese youth arrived on 21 July and are staying in the homes of 4-H families.

Global 4-H Programming also has maintained a six-year partnership with part of southern Poland. This summer, three adult representatives and 13 Indiana 4-H youth visited Poland for three weeks. The group learned about the 4-H system in Poland, lived with Polish families and toured cultural sites and cities.

To date, 58 people from Indiana have visited Poland through this program. Next year students from Poland will visit Indiana.

For more information on Global 4-H programs, email Lee Stanish.

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Tokihiro Sato to speak at IU Bloomington

Tokihiro Sato, one of Japan's best-known artists working in contemporary photography, will deliver an artist lecture at Indiana University Bloomington at 5 p.m. 3 September in Room 102 of the Fine Arts Building on campus. room 102.

The visit is co-sponsored by IU's Center for Integrative Photographic Studies, the College Arts & Humanities Institute and the School of Fine Arts.

In Sato's ongoing photo respiration series, tiny points of light or illuminated lines from a flashlight or mirror record his movements through space. The resulting photographs capture exquisitely detailed scenes punctuated by pinpoints or linear patterns of light that depict the artist's presence, but not his image.

At IU, Sato will discuss his new work, featuring images of a peach tree in the forest surrounded by light. The lecture is free and open to the public.

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Fair's exhibit about Japan is a hit

So says The Indianapolis Star in a feature by Tom Spalding in Friday's edition.
You can read it here, until it disappears behind the paper's pay wall.

It notes that the Indiana State Fair intends to recognize a foreign partner annually.

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Traditional Japanese Foods at Indiana State Fair

The “Bridges to Japan” exhibit gives Indiana State Fair visitors a taste of some traditional daily dishes through a partnership of three Japanese eateries. The exhibition (open during the fair, 6-22 August) is devoted to the in-depth exploration of Japan and its connections with Indiana.

The Japanese food corner “Nihon Shokudo,” is a special area offering a variety of Japanese dishes, including Japanese pork cutlets, Japanese fried noodles, green tea ice cream, and sushi (including a new “deep-fried sushi” specialty).

“The team of Ocean World Restaurant (86th Street and Ditch Road), Sakura Restaurant (71st Street and Keystone Avenue), and One World Market (Castleton) have really gone beyond themselves to create the Japanese food corner, pulling in manpower from as far as Chicago and New York to staff what amounts to a major endeavor in serving Japanese food to thousands of fairgoers. Shoji Sato, Rocky Iwamoto and Shigenori Ito have been working for half a year to prepare a food corner in a building with less than ideal restaurant logistics, and I have to say, the ‘Nihon Shokudo’ food corner is serving some of the best Japanese food in Indy,” said Theresa Kulczak, executive director of the Japan-America Society of Indiana (a member of the Nationalities Council of Indiana).

Stan Suzuki, president of Indiana Packers Corporation in Delphi, which produces the “Indiana Kitchen” brand of pork products, has generously donated all of the pork served in the “Bridges to Japan” Exhibition. The ‘Katsu Curry’ dish features Kikkoman Corporation’s delicious new curry sauce. The Marukome company has donated miso soup to the Japanese food area.

Items on the menu in the “Bridges to Japan” food corner include:

* Kushi Katsu – Lightly “Panko” breaded pork kebabs. Also contains small green peppers with an optional lightly-flavored miso sauce.
* Katsu Curry – A very popular dish in Japan made by placing a lightly “panko” breaded pork cutlet on top of white rice, and covering it with curry sauce. Kikkoman Corporation has provided its newly- developed curry sauce for this delicious dish
* Deep-Fried Sushi – Shrimp tempura sushi rolls with a light curry seasoning. Deep fried and topped with spicy mayonnaise.
* Gyudon – Finely sliced paper-thin beef and onions on top of white rice.
* Yakisoba – A staple dish at festivals in Japan, yakisoba is made by grilling soba noodles, carrots, cabbage, and onions in a savory yakisoba sauce.
* Kakiage – Deep fried shrimp and vegetable tempura on udon noodles.
* Yakitori – Chicken kebabs grilled in a tasty yakitori sauce.
* Gyoza – Japanese style vegetable dumplings
* Miso Soup – A traditional soup consisting of a stock called “dashi” mixed in with softened miso paste.
* Edamame – Boiled soy beans seasoned with salt. A popular finger food in Japan.

For daily schedule of activities at the "Bridges to Japan", go online.

即日発表

伝統的な日本食を“日本への架け橋展”で

インディアナポリス　－　インディアナ・ステート・フェアで目新しく開催されている“日本への架け橋展”にて、訪問者は日本食（材）専門店3店の協力による日本の伝統的な日常の食事を楽しむことができる。“日本への架け橋展”は日本について、また日本とインディアナの関係について、楽しみながら日本文化を体験することを通して、深く知ることができるようになっている。“日本への架け橋展”では日本からのロボット、アニメや漫画の視聴エリア、伝統的な日本の畳の部屋、赤橋や、イングルダウ・グループ、リッチフィールド・ランドスケーピング、佐藤琢也先生によって製作された美しい日本庭園など、伝統的な日本、近代的な日本の両方を楽しむことができる。

日本食コーナー、“日本しょくどう”では様々な日本食を大変手ごろな値段で提供している。地元の人気レストラン、オーシャン・ワールド、櫻花レストラン、またワン・ワールド・マーケットによりフード・コーナーで販売されている物にはとんかつ（インディアナ州デルファイ市に在るインディアナ・パッカーズ・コーポレーションの提供により最高級の豚肉が使用されている）、焼きそば、抹茶アイスクリーム、寿司（新作“ディープ・フライド・スシ”）がある。

インディアナ日米協会専務理事、テレサ・コザック氏は「オーシャン・ワールド・レストラン（在86th StreetとDitch Road交差路）、櫻花レストラン（在71st StreetとKeystone Ave.交差路）、そしてワン・ワールド・マーケット（在キャッスルトン）の3店が総力を上げ、シカゴやニュー・ヨークからスタッフを動員、フェアの訪問者に日本食を提供し、日本食コーナーを盛り上げている。佐藤章二店長、岩本典久店長、伊東重徳店長の3名が建物の隅で理想的とは言えないロジスティクスの中、準備に半年をかけ、インディアナでも有数のおいしい日本食を提供している。」と語った。

“日本への架け橋展”で出される豚肉は全て“インディアナ・キッチン”の名で豚肉製品を製造する、インディアナ州デルファイ市にあるインディアナ・パッカーズ・コーポレーション（鈴木慎一郎会長兼CEO）の寛容な提供による。「鈴木氏によるとご提供された豚肉は最高級品で、串カツは大変おいしく柔らかく、文字通り、串から離れ口の中でとろけるようだ。今年度インディアナ・ステート・フェアのテーマ食材は豚肉であり、ここ、日本特別展で最高級の豚肉を使用したメニューが楽しめることは素晴らしい。」とコルザック氏は述べた。

“カツ・カレー”はキッコーマン・コーポレーションの美味なカレー・ソースと共に食べることができる。キッコーマンのカレー・ソースは缶詰ですぐ使うことができ、忙しいご家庭にはぴったりで、日本食材スーパーで購入することができる。

日本食コーナーで食べられる味噌汁はマルコメの寛容な提供による。

カルザック氏は「“日本しょくどう”のメニューに5ドル以上のものはなく、全て大変手ごろな価格となっている。日本しょくどうで購入できる日本食はインディアナ・ステート・フェア内で購入できる食品の中でも特に安価な部類に入ると確信している。」と語った。

“日本への架け橋展”のフード・コーナーのメニューは以下の通り：

* 串カツ
* カツ・カレー
* ディープ・フライド・スシ
* 牛丼
* 掻き揚げうどん
* 焼き鳥
* ギョウザ
* 味噌汁
* 枝豆


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Japan at the Indiana State Fair 2010

"Bridges to Japan" at the Indiana State Fair (photo courtesy of Chiaki Yoshida)

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The Delectable Bridge to Japan

Discover, taste, and learn about Japanese green tea, savory snacks, sweet delicacies and more at a series of tastings and demonstrations held in conjunction with the “Bridges to Japan” Exhibition at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis.

Although the first set of demos was today (8 August), there are more at 2:30 and 4 p.m. tomorrow (9 August). They're conducted by the chef of the Official Residence of the Consul General of Japan at Chicago!

It's presented by the Consulate General of Japan at Chicago, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan, Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan-America Society of Indiana, Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indiana State Fair and Indiana Restaurant Association.

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Visit Japan at the Indiana State Fair!

The new “Bridges to Japan” exhibit will show Indiana State Fair visitors what Japanese culture is all about, as well as the many connections between Indiana and Japan.

This year, in what is expected to be an annual international exhibition, the 154th Indiana State Fair will showcase Indiana’s relationship with one of its closest partners, the nation of Japan. The International Pavilion/Grand Hall, an 8,000 square foot building located on the Fair’s Main Street, is devoted to the in-depth exploration of Japan and its connections with Indiana.

The exhibit honors the fair’s goal of being a platform for education and showing visitors the strong ties between Indiana and Japan and in particular, Indiana’s Japanese “sister state” Tochigi Prefecture.

The “Bridges to Japan” Exhibition, organized by the Japan-America Society of Indiana (a member of the Nationalities Council of Indiana), the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (State of Indiana), and the Indiana State Fair, through the generous support of many companies and organizations, will appeal to a broad range of visitors who will visit the State Fair for two and a half weeks, from 6-22 August. “Bridges to Japan” will feature traditional and contemporary components, a variety of performances and activities, and displays on the relationships between Indiana and Japan, such as the importance of the Japanese manufacturing presence, sister cities, educational exchanges, and the history of the Japanese in Indiana.

The exhibit features traditional Japanese customs such as tea ceremonies, Japanese calligraphy, sumo wrestling, and a myriad of music and dance performances. In addition, representatives from Tochigi Prefecture and guests from the Japanese sister cities of Carmel (Kawachinagano), Lafayette (Ota City), and Shelbyville (Shizuoka City) will lead numerous cultural activities.

Once inside “Bridges to Japan” guests will pass through a bamboo grove and garden, created by the Engledow Group and Litchfield Landscaping, with advisory support from Dr. Takuya Sato, or cross over a koi pond on a traditional Japanese bridge. Japanese architectural styles will be readily apparent with a traditional inn featuring tatami (pron. tuh-tommy) mats and a Japanese stage, designed by Takenaka Corporation and constructed by nationally-recognized McGuire Scenic. An area devoted to contemporary Japan will help visitors delight in the fun of Japanese pop culture. Some of the programs and demonstrations scheduled for the stage include:

* Masaji Terasawa (pron. muh-sah-jee terra-sow-uh), the popular Candy man who makes intricate candy sculptures and entertains audiences of all ages
* Martial arts demonstrations
* A gourd painter craftsman from Japan (opening weekend)
* Taiko (pron. ty-koh) – traditional Japanese drum performances
* Bunraku (pron. bun-rah-coo)– Japanese puppet theatre
* Sumo wrestlers from Japan (opening weekend)
* An open audience-participation fashion show featuring Japanese pop culture (Cosplay) and the comic Japanese band Peelander-Z

The exhibit also features daily appearances of the top-ranked Japanese robots, including Wakamaru (pron. wok-uh-mah-roo), a communication and performance robot, sponsored by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-Japan and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Climate Control, Indiana. The Japan External Trade Organization of Chicago has facilitated the appearance of “Paro-chan”, the therapeutic seal pup courtesy of Paro Robots U.S., and the special appearance of the “I-Fairy” Receptionist Robot, which recently made headlines when it conducted a wedding in Japan, courtesy of the Kokoro Company.

Other special “Bridges to Japan” features fairgoers won’t want to miss are:

* A Japanese food corner offering traditional fare including Japanese pork cutlets (made possible by through the generous support of Indiana Packers Corporation), Japanese noodles, green tea ice cream and sushi (including a new “deep-fried sushi” specialty) provided by popular local Japanese restaurants Ocean World, Sakura and One World Market.
* A large-scale replica of a Tochigi Inn where guests will be able to participate in hands-on activities while sitting on tatami mats.
* A display of the Shinkansen bullet train with the topography of Japan passing by at 200 mph

The “Bridges to Japan” Exhibition is sponsored by a host of corporate partners and organizations, including: Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana; AISIN, Eli Lilly and Company, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Cummins, Delphi Corp., Duke Energy, Indiana Packers Corp., Kikkoman Corp., NTN Driveshaft, TOA (USA), Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing, and the United States-Japan Foundation, among many others.

“Yoroshiku!” “We hope to see you there!”

The Indiana State Fair takes place tomorrow through 22 August at the State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis.

米国インディアナ州と日本の強固な繋がりを紹介
インディアナ･ステート･フェア「日本への架け橋展」

ロボット、日本食、錦鯉と日本庭園、相撲取りなど全てが「日本への架け橋展」に勢揃い



米国インディアナ州インディアナポリス－インディアナ・ステート・フェアにて、日本パビリオン「日本への掛け橋展」が設置され、インディアナ州と日本との多岐に渡る繋がりと共に、フェアの訪問者に日本の文化を紹介します。

「日本はインディアナ州にとって、長年に渡り、最も強力な経済及び文化パートナーです。インディアナ・ステート・フェアで州の国際関係を紹介する最初の国として、日本をご紹介することは当然です。」と、ミッチ・ダニエルス　(Mitch Daniels)　インディアナ州知事はコメントしています。ダニエルス州知事は、2005年から5回にわたって、アジア地域への経済開発の使節団を率いています。

第154回インディアナ・ステート･フェアでは、その長い歴史の中で初めて、インターナショナル・パビリオンの展示施設を利用し、インディアナと繋がりのある特定の国を掘り下げて探索する展示を行うこととなり、その最初の国として「日本国」が取り上げられます。インターナショナル・パビリオンは、フェアグラウンドの目抜き通りに位置し、約750平米の広さの建物です。

「インディアナ･ステート･フェアは州内最大のイベントで、今回この展示を紹介することができ、大変嬉しく思います。」と、ステートフェアの専務理事　シンディ・ホイ(Cindy Hoye)氏はコメントしています。「17日間のフェア期間中、素晴らしい展示の数々、食事、情報、デモンストレーションなどを通じて、日本がインディアナ州にとってどれだけ重要な国際パートナーであるかを、90万人を超えるお客様にご紹介いたします。」

展示は、フェア本来の目的である教育を視野に、インディアナ州と日本との強固な繋がり、特にインディアナ州の姉妹県である栃木県に焦点をあて、お客様にご紹介します。

「インディアナ州には米国内で唯一、3つの日系自動車メーカーの工場があり、220社以上の日系企業が43,000人以上の州民を雇用しています。日本は明らかに、当州の国際パートナーの最有力国といえます。ミッチ･ダニエルス　インディアナ州知事が、フェアでの国際テーマの最初の国として日本を指名してくださったことを、大変誇りに思います。フェアへの訪問者の数を鑑みても、今回の展示は、北米で今年最大級の参加者を要す日本関連のイベントになるでしょう。」と、インディアナ日米協会　専務理事テレサ・コザック(Theresa Kulczak)氏はコメントしています。

日本パビリオン「日本への掛け橋展」は、インディアナ日米協会、インディアナ経済開発公社(インディアナ州政府)およびインディアナ・ステート・フェア委員会により運営され、多数の企業や団体の支援を受け実現します。本展示会は、8月6日(金)～8月22日(日)の2週間半にわたり、インディアナ州と日本のパートナーシップがもたらす経済的なプラス効果や、姉妹都市、文化交流、インディアナ州内の日本人社会の歴史を、インターアクティブな展示で紹介する一方、日本の伝統から現代文化にいたるまでを、様々なデモンストレーションやパフォーマンスを通して紹介します。



日本の伝統文化としては、お茶会や、書道、相撲、数多くの音楽や舞踊のパフォーマンスが紹介されます。また、インディアナ州の姉妹県である栃木県からの代表者を始め、カーメル市(大阪府河内長野市)、ラフィエット
市(群馬県太田市)、シェルビービル市(静岡県静岡市)の代表者も、フェアでパフォーマンスなどを披露し、インディアナ州と日本との友好関係をアピールします。

「日本への架け橋展」の会場内では、竹林と日本庭園（佐藤琢也先生のアドバイスの元イングルダウ・グループとリッチフィールド・ランドスケーピングにより設置）の中の鯉池に架かる日本の伝統的な橋を渡ると、日本の伝統建築を再現した、体験アクティビティや各種デモンストレーションが行われる畳の部屋と、ステージ（竹中工務店によるデザイン）が設置されています。また、現代日本に焦点をあてたエリアでは、日本のポップカルチャーを紹介します。下記を代表とする多くのパフォーマンスやデモンストレーションを予定しています。

* マサジ・テラサワ氏による飴細工
* 各種武道のデモンストレーション
* 栃木県の伝統工芸　ふくべ細工(最初の週末)
* 栃木県相撲連盟による相撲　(最初の週末)
* 太鼓パフォーマンス
* 文楽
* 一般参加のコスプレ・コンテストと日本人コミック・バンド「Peelander-Z」によるライブ



また展示エリアでは、三菱重工業株式会社のコミュニケーションロボット「wakamaru (ワカマル)」、独立行政法人産業技術総合研究所が開発したアザラシ型メンタルロボット「パロ(PARO)」、株式会社ココロの新型案内ロボット「I-FAIRY(アイ-フェアリー)」、以上3点の日本の最先端ロボットをご紹介します。

その他、「日本への架け橋展」の見所をご紹介します。

* 日本の食文化を紹介するフードコーナー：地元で人気の日本食店が、蕎麦、串カツ、カツカレー、牛丼、寿司(揚げ寿司)などを提供します。
* 畳の部屋で、日本文化(書道、昔ながらの遊びなど)の体験型アクティビティ
* 日本の高速鉄道（新幹線）に関する展示
* 日本への旅の思い出を購入いただくお土産屋



「日本への架け橋展」は、トヨタ・モーター・マニュファクチャリング・インディアナ、アイシン、イーライ・リリー・カンパニー、ホンダ・マニュファクチャリング・オブ・インディアナ、スバル・オブ・インディアナ・オートモーティブ、カミンズ、デルファイ、デューク・エナジー、インディアナ・パッカーズ、キッコーマン、NTNドライブシャフト、TOA(USA)、トヨタ・インダストリアル・エクイップメント・マニュファクチャリング、米日財団をはじめとする、多くの企業パートナー、団体により協賛、ご支援いただいております。

インディアナ州と日本との関係についての更なる情報、また「日本への架け橋展」の詳細のスケジュールなどは、インディアナ日米協会のウェブサイト(www.japanindiana.org)をご参照ください。

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Gibson County Courts Japan

Gibson County economic officials have used a cultural trip to strengthen business ties with Tahara City, Japan, reports Inside INdiana Business. Princeton is home to the mother plant of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana Inc. Gibson County Economic Development Corporation President B. Todd Mosby says he also spent time marketing the county to other Japanese corporations.

Seven Gibson County high school students and two teachers were on the trip to Tahara City, Japan. The "Experience Tahara 2010" educational delegation spent nine days living the Japanese lifestyle and attending school with host family students. The "Experience Tahara 2010" delegation was sponsored by the Gibson County Economic Development Corporation.

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New Sister Cities: Franklin and Luqiao, China

Franklin Mayor Fred Paris has returned from a two-week business development trip to Japan and China. He visited with companies already located in Franklin as well as potential businesses looking for American locations. Franklin College professor Yu-Long Ling, whom Paris appointed as Franklin’s Asian Affairs Liaison, traveled with the mayor.

In China, Paris formally entered into a sister city agreement with the District of Luqiao.

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South Central Officials Return From Japan Trade Mission

Representatives of the South Central Indiana Economic Development Group (SCIEDG) believe a recent trade mission to Japan has helped plant seeds for further growth and reinvestment, reports Inside INdiana Business. The delegation met with more than 10 Japanese executives whose companies have facilities in Indiana. Madison Mayor Tim Armstrong along with economic development officials from a handful of counties made the trip.

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Journey Through Asia

A five-month celebration of the diversity of Asian cultures, languages and people is underway at the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library. Called Journey Through Asia, it includes paperfolding, folk dance, ceramics, calligraphy, puppetry, carving and music. For a complete schedule, check the calendar on the library's website.

For example, at 2 p.m. Saturday (20 March) in the Haughville branch, there'll be a class on carving mythical Burmese birds just for teens. For this event, call 317:275-4420.

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バトラー大学 MBA プログラム 日本研修旅行

In English, the headline reads: Butler University MBA Study Trip to Japan!

The MBA Program in the College of Business at Butler University has arranged a one-week study trip to Japan 8-16 May. Along with members and friends of the Japan-American Society of Indiana, outside participants are also invited to attend. The trip will include academic, business, and cultural activities in Tokyo and Kyoto and is intended to be of value to American business men and women who need to increase their knowledge of and exposure to business environments in Japan.

More information about the trip is online, along with a tentative agenda.

For more information, contact Dr. Noriko Yagi, 317:940-8260. Registration deadline is 19 March.

NOTE: Butler also is planning a study trip to China 17-24 October; deadline for registration is 30 April. Information on that trip is available from Bill O'Donnell, 317:940-9462.

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2010 Indiana State Fair Highlights Japan

According to an Associated Press report today, Japan will get featured treatment at this year's Indiana State Fair, set for 6-22 August at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis. It will be the first time the fair will concentrate its Grand Hall exhibition space to a single country and its connection with Indiana.

The exhibit will feature displays on the Japanese family and culture and economic exchanges between the Asian nation and Indiana. The Japan-America Society of Indiana and the Indiana Economic Development Corp. will help the state fair mount the exhibit.

Indiana governor Mitch Daniels' father, Mitch Daniels Sr., was the first executive director of the Japan-America Society of Indiana, established in 1988. JASI, a member of the Nationalities Council of Indiana, is a not-for-profit cultural and educational organization whose mission is to serve as a bridge of friendship between the people of Indiana and Japan. It sponsors a wide range of cultural events, networking receptions, business briefings, and public affairs presentations that explore current issues in the Japan-U.S. relationship. JASI is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies, headquartered in Washington D.C., which includes over forty societies nationwide.

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Introduction to U.S. Immigration Law

“Introduction to U.S. Immigration Law and Key Considerations in Hiring and Retaining Foreign National Employees” is the subject for an immigration seminar to be held from 2-4 p.m. Friday (12 February). The seminar will cover the latest in US immigration law, updates, and other employment issues related to hiring and retaining foreign workers. It is co-sponsored by Ice Miller LLP and the Japan-America Society of Indiana. It will be presented in English with Japanese summary and comments in Conference Room 29A/B at Ice Miller, 29th Floor, One American Square, Indianapolis.

There is no charge, but registration is required, either online or by download and mail.

Speaker will be Jenifer M. Brown, Partner, Ice Miller. Her main topics are U.S. Immigration Basics for international companies, Visas for intra-company transferees and families (especially E and L categories), Hiring local talent: Update regarding fiscal year 2011 H-1B Quota and Long-term planning for foreign national employees, followed by Q&A.

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The Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji

Eighteen of the prints making up the "Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji" by Utagawa Hiroshige (1797-1858) are on display in the Appel Gallery of the Indianapolis Museum of Art, 4000 North Michigan Road, Indianapolis, through 7 February.

Rising majestically with a near-perfect cone shape, Mount Fuji has been a favorite subject of Japanese artists from the earliest times.

The image shown at right is Hiroshige's, "Noge and Yokohama in Musashi Province", 1858, color woodblock print, 13 3/8 x 8 3/4 in. Gift in memory of Charles C. Kryter.

Utagawa Hiroshige (歌川広重)was a Japanese ukiyo-e artist. He was also referred to as Andō Hiroshige (安藤広重) and by the art name of Ichiyūsai Hiroshige (一幽斎廣重). You can read more about the artist on Wikipedia.

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Japan-America Society of Indiana Holds Annual Dinner

Ganbaranakucha, the annual dinner of the Japan-America Society of Indiana, will be held 11 November in the Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 West Washington Street, Indianapolis. Keynote speaker will be the Honorable John Engler, former governor of Michigan, president and CEO of National Association of Manufacturers. Guests of honor are the honorable George Hisaeda, Consul General of Japan in Chicago, and Rick Schostek, vice-president, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana.

The evening begins with a patrons' reception, followed by a 6:30 p.m. general reception and the 7 p.m. dinner and program. Individual admissions are $80. Registration information is online, with a deadline of 6 November.

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