October Events

Japantown Aki Matsuri (Fall Festival)

Saturday, October 4 & Sunday, October 5
Post & Buchanan Streets, SF Jtown

The Japantown Merchants Association will present two full days of exciting events marking the arrival of Fall. There'll be taiko drumming, traditional Japanese festival dancing, children's games, food and much more.

Stay tuned to www.japantownparking.com/events for program details which will be posted as the information becomes available.

The public is invited to join in the celebration. Admission is free.

Save the Date: Japan Society Annual Gala

Saturday, October 4
Location:

It's Gala time! This year Japan Society has something to celebrate . . .

This year, we honor women in US-Japan business--and we're excited about it! Women play a tremendous role in US-Japan relations and we are proud to recognize two pioneers in business between our two countries: Ms. Sakie Fukushima of Korn/Ferry International and Ms. Kathy Matsui of Goldman Sachs Japan.

We are also pleased to present a Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. Richard Heggie, a former Japan Society president with over five decades of leadership experience in Asia and the US.

To read about these honoree's impressive accomplishments, please click here.

So join us in the celebration--in body or in spirit--as we recognize those whose work will certainly have a lasting impact on US-Japan relations, as well as women's roles within it.

For more information, please visit www.usajapan.org or call (415) 986-4383

Japan Society Presents "Bringing Japanese Popular Culture to the America"

Tuesday, October 14
Viz Media LLC, SF

On Tuesday, October 14 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m., Japan Society will present part five in the Zadankai Series, "Bringing Japanese Popular Culture to America" at Viz Media LLC, 295 Bay Street in San Francisco.

Beginning with a small manga publishing company in San Francisco's SOMA for more than 20 years, Seiji Horibuchi laid the foundation for multimedia company Viz Media, a powerhouse in manga, anime and pop culture merchandising. He will discuss the creation of the J-Pop boom in America as construction proceeds on the new Viz J-Pop Center in San Francisco's Japantown.

Seiji Horibuchi moved to the US in 1975 right after graduation from Waseda University and has lived in the Bay Area ever since. He founded Viz Communications, Inc. in 1986, with the help of Shogakukan, Inc., one of Japan's leading publishers. Viz Communications was the forerunner of the company now known as Viz Media, LLC where Mr. Horibuchi serves as Founder/Co-Chairman. He founded Viz Pictures, Inc. in 2005 as a spin off company of Viz Media, LLC, which promotes Japanese films for American audiences. Throughout his career, Mr. Horibuchi has devoted himself to developing Japanese pop culture in the US.

The cost for this part of the series is $35 for Japan Society members and $50 for non-members. Lunch will be provided courtesy of Viz Media. Deadline to RSVP is Tuesday, October 7. Refunds will not be made after this date.

For more information on the Zadankai Series or to purchase tickets for the event, please click here.

Sansei Live! 2008

Saturday, October 18 from 6 p.m. to 12 midnight
Presidio Officers' Club, Presidio San Francisco

This year, Kimochi is celebrating 25 years of Sansei Live!, which will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the historic Officers' Club in the Presidio of San Francisco.

It promises to be an exciting evening, continuing its traditions of multi-generation appeal. Longtime Kimochi supporter, Robert Handa of KTVU/Fox 2, will host the evening's festivities. Attendees will have an opportunity to tour the Kimochi Creative Wellness Program exhibits and appreciate the work done by our creative and talented seniors.

Live entertainment will include performances by our Kimochi seniors; the Kimochi All-Star Band, featuring Derek Evans; Full Circle; and DJ John Jow. Also back by popular demand are the culinary demonstrations, emceed by Chef Ming Adler, Pastry & Gelato Technical Consultant for FABBRI, West Coast.

Also, we can't forget the raffle drawing with the grand prize of 2 Southwest Airlines Roundtrip Tickets!

Invitations to the even have just been mailed. If you would like to purchase tickets or lend your support by advertising in the program booklet or by being a sponsor, please contact Kimochi at (415) 931 - 2294 or kimochikai@kimochi-inc.org. Advertisement deadline is Friday, September 12.

Kenko no Hi (Health Fair)

October 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Christ United Presbyterian Church, SF Jtown

For more information, please contact sfjacl@yahoo.com.

2008 Events by Month

Current News & Ongoing Events

August

September

October

November

December

2008 Past Events

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April

May

June

July

'Fusion' - Weekly Magazine - now on TV "Pacific Fusion," a new weekely magazine show that explores and illuminates the diversity and flair of Asian Pacific American cultures and lifestyles recently debuted this past sunday with showings every week at 12:30 p.m. on KRON-TV (channel 4),

The host is 1997 Miss Universe, Brook Lee, who has hosted programs on ESPN, the Travel Channel, and E! Entertainment Channel.

The show also airs in Honolulu on KHON2. For more information, please visit www.pacificfusion.com

Japanese Language Courses Offered at Nobiru-Kai

Japanese language courses for beginner and advanced students are now in session at the Nobiru-Kai office located at 1840 Sutter St. Suite #207 in San Francisco's Japantown. Students can study Japanese in a ligh-t mood at competitive prices. Classes offered are:

*Level 1 (beginning) - Saturdays 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

*Level 2 (Beginning) - Saturdays 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

*Level 4 (Advanced) - Saturdays 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The tuition is $7 per class for Nobiru-Kai members and $10 per class for non-members. There re is a $10 fee for each session after the first class. For more information, please call Nobiru-Kai at (415) 922-2033.