Latest topics
2024.05.05
Newsletter - Spring 2024
>>
Link
2024.02.02
Info Session Schedule in FebruaryInfo Session Schedule in February
At the Info Session, you will learn more details about the Grassroots Summit, tentative programs of each
Local Session, the features of each locality, and so on plus some updates.
All sessions will be basically the same, but you are welcome to attend as many times as you wish.
Also, a time for Q&A at the information session, which will be a good opportunity to resolve any unclear
points, will be held.
■Info Session for Grassroots Summit 2024 in Wakayama [6]
Mon. Feb 12, 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT(Tue. Feb 13, 09:00 AM JST)
■Info Session for Grassroots Summit 2024 in Wakayama [7]
Mon. Feb 12, 7:00 PM PT (Tue. Feb 13, 12:00 PM JST)
■Info Session for Grassroots Summit 2024 in Wakayama [8]
Mon. Feb 19, 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT(Tue. Feb 20, 09:00 AM JST)
■Info Session for Grassroots Summit 2024 in Wakayama [9]
Mon. Feb 19, 7:00 PM PT (Tue. Feb 20, 12:00 PM JST)
■Info Session for Grassroots Summit 2024 in Wakayama [10]
Mon. Feb 26, 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT(Tue. Feb 27, 09:00 AM JST)
■Info Session for Grassroots Summit 2024 in Wakayama [11]
Mon. Feb 27, 7:00 PM PT (Tue. Feb 27, 12:00 PM JST)
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
2024.01.19
Newsletter - New Year Edition 2024 is released
>> Link
2024.01.17
The new program for the Post-Summit is now ready: OP 6) Kyoto & Tokyo Free: two-night hotel stay in
Kyoto and one-night hotel stay in Tokyo.
>>
Link
2024.01.05
Wakayama Summit Post Summit OP2 [Kanazawa & Noto Homestay] has been canceled due to the
earthquake.
>> Link
2023.12.11
Newsletter Winter 2023 is released!
>>
Link
2023.12.01
The Japan-America Grassroots Summit 2024 registration in Wakayama is now open.
>> Link
2023.06.02
The CIE-US Newsletter Spring 2023 is now published.
>>
Link
2022.12.13
The CIE-US Newsletter Winter 2022 is now published.
>>
Link
2022.07.22
The registration for the Japan-America Grassroots Summit in Obuse will start
soon!
>> Link
2021.12.20
The CIE-US Newsletter Winter 2021 is now published.
>>
Link
2021.09.24 CIE & CIE-US Online Events
Webinar: "Magic of Minka"
Date: Wed., October 27 (8 PM EST) / Thu., October 28 (9am
JST)
by Yoshihiro Takishita
(Old folk house relocation architect, President of NPO The Association
for Preserving Old Japanese Farmhouses and the curator of the Shiguchido)
2021.08.01 CIE & CIE-US Online Events
From Chado to Matcha Ice Cream: Japanese Tea Goes Global
Date: Wed., Aug. 11 (7pm EST, 5pm PST) / Thurs., Aug. 12 (8am JST)
Register: here
Join CIE-US for an exciting webinar focused on the history, culture, and future of Japanese tea and the way
in which it has spread globally and played a role in bringing people together. Just as the Manjiro Center
for International Exchange-US brings together Japanese and Americans through grassroots summits, tea creates
special opportunities and spaces to build connections. In addition, tea has significant health and wellness
benefits.
The webinar will feature Ms. Rona Tison, Executive VP, Corporate Relations & PR, ITO EN North America & Dr.
Rebecca Corbett, Japanese Studies Librarian and Co-Head of the East Asian Library at the University of
Southern California.
The webinar is free, but donations are appreciated. The event will be one hour and fifteen minutes in
length.
2020.10.12 CIE & CIE-US Online Events
●Oct. 22
A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE US-JAPAN ALLIANCE: FROM GEOPOLITICS TO GRASSROOTS
Featuring RADM Ret. James Kelly and Sheila A. Smith, Ph.D.
The alliance between Japan and the US continues to shape global policies and local communities. Listen in to
a conversation between RADM Ret. James Kelly, who served as Commander, Naval Forces Japan, from 2005-2009,
and Dr. Sheila A. Smith, senior fellow for Japan Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Both have
voices of experience regarding the geopolitical
implications of the US-Japan alliance and a deep respect for the relationships and grassroots energies that
undergird the alliance. Bring your questions and comments to this timely conversation as both nations - and
their citizens - build our alliance through new challenges.
This event is free and open to the public.
When: Thursday, October 22, 2020 7:00pm EDT
Register: Zoom
Conference Link
●Oct. 23
JapanPhilly2020 Talk Series
Manjiro: Drifting, 1841–2020
Manjiro’s epic tale begins in 1841, when, as a teenager, he left his tiny Japanese village on a fishing trip. A violent storm left him shipwrecked and set the course that would lead Manjiro to become the first Japanese person to live in the United States. In partnership with the Japan America Society of Greater Philadelphia’s JapanPhilly2020 initiative, The Rosenbach will present a special exhibition on Manjiro’s legendary life, featuring holdings from our collection along with partner loans. Highlights include Manjiro’s own illustrated manuscript depicting his world travels, rare letters between Manjiro and the captain who rescued him at sea, and much more.
Speakers:
Judith M. Guston, Curator and Director of Collections
Kiyoshi Hirata, Trustee of Center for International Exchange (CIE), Director of John Mung International,
Inc. (JMI, NPO)
When: Friday, October 23, 2020 8:00 pm (EDT)
Register： Manjiro: Drifting, 1841–2020
●Nov. 5
FAMILY TIES:
U.S.-Japan Relations and the Legacy of Manjiro Nakahama and William Whitfield
Anyone interested in the iconic story of Nakahama Manjiro, the first Japanese person to live in the U.S., and Capt. William Whitfield, the American whaling captain who rescued Manjiro at sea in 1841 and brought him to live and be educated in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, is cordially invited to join a Zoom meeting of the 5th and 6th generations of Nakahama and Whitfield descendants and Dr. Matthew C. Perry, great great grandnephew of Commodore Matthew C. Perry . Over the last century, the Nakahama and Whitfield families have maintained close ties and meet regularly to celebrate the friendship of their ancestors who played such a key role in the origins of the U.S.-Japan Relationship.
When: Thursday, Nov. 5 7:00 pm (EST)
Register: Family Ties:
US-Japan Relations and the Legacy of Manjiro Nakahama & William Whitfield
Advance registration is required.
Grassroots Summit 2020 Update
Statement from CIE-US President James
Kelly
2020.05.08
Unfortunately the Philadelphia Summit scheduled for 2020 has been cancelled due to COVID-19. The 150 visitors from Japan, their host families, the Japan-America Society of Greater Philadelphia and the Philadelphia community share our disappointment. The 2021 Summit in Wakayama will proceed as planned and we hope to see many of you there.
Hyogo-Himeji Grassroots Summit Brochure Uploaded!
2018.10.16
The detailed brochure of the 29th Japan America Grassroots Summit in Hyogo-Himeji is completed, and its PDF version can be downloaded from the top page. The online application will become available in December.
Save the Date! The 29th Grassroots Summit 2019 in Hyogo-Himeji
2018.03.26
Annual Activity Report 2017 Uploaded
2018.01.25
Annual Activity Report of 2017, mainly featuring the Nara Grassroots Summit with many pictures and some
participants’ feedbacks, has been published.
More>>
Message from U.S. Ambassador to Japan
2017.12.13
CIE received the praising message to its program, Japan America Grassroots Summit, from Mr. Willian F. Hagerty
IV, U.S. Ambassador to Japan.
More>>
Prayers to our families in Napa and Sonoma
2017.10.16
Our heartfelt sympathies and prayers to everyone affected by the forest fire occurred in Northern California including Napa and Sonoma areas where our Local Sessions were held at the San Francisco Bay Area Grassroots Summit in 2010. We all pray for their safety and the earliest recovery.
Special Luncheon and Keynote Speech by CIE Chairman Masaharu Kohno
2017.09.19
CIE Chairman Masaharu Kohno will make Keynote Speech at a Special Luncheon presented by The Japan America
Society of Southern California, USJC and partnering organizations.
This is the first public appearance of Chairman Kohno since completing his posting as Consulate General of Japan
in Los Angeles in 2003. He will discuss his current work in Tokyo, as well as U.S.-Japan cooperation in
international affairs.
Time: November 16, 2017 from 11:30am to 2:30pm
Place: DoubleTree by Hilton Los Angeles Downtown
Admission: $75 per guest
TOMODACHI Initiative HP Covered MBC Students’ Participation in The Summit!
2017.07.31
The Macon-Bibb County students’ participation in the Nara Grassroots Summit was covered by the homepage and the
newsletter of TOMODACHI Initiative which enabled the students’ attendance in the Summit with their grant.
More>>
Wrapping Up Another Successful Grassroots Summit in Nara!
2017.07.21
The Japan -America Grassroots Summit 2017 in Nara Prefecture successfully ended on July 3 after seven days with
109 participants from various parts of America.
More>>
Packaged price from Boston added!
2016.12.20
The packaged participation fee from Boston was added in the “information” page.
Nara Grassroots Summit Brochure Uploaded!
2016.11.28
The detailed brochure of the 27th Japan America Grassroots Summit in Nara is completed, and its PDF version can be downloaded from the top page. The online application will become available in December.
2016.06.28
Special web pages of Nara Grassroots Summit 2017 opened!
Special web pages is here >> 2017 in Nara | Japan America
Grassroots Summit
Nara was selected as the 27th Annual Grassroots Summit venue
2016.03.20
The 2017 Japan America Grassroots Summit will be held in Nara, an ancient capital city that treasures its people alongside its traditional architecture including Buddhist statues, temples, and shrines. Some of them were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and Japanese National Treasures.
