Susan Hammer Legacy Award:
Many thanks to Assemblymember Ash Kalra for recognizing Midori Kai Director Joyce for the Susan Hammer Legacy Award!
We are so proud of Joyce who is the Co Founder of Midori Kai and serves as our Legacy Advisor. It was an amazing evening to see Joyce recognized during Women’s History Month! Congratulations Joyce!
Consulate-General of Japan Commendation:
Consul General’s Commendation Awarded to Pam Yoshida at 2025 San Jose Japantown Bonenkai
Pn Sunday, December 28,2025 Consul General Kotaro Otsuki attended San Jose Japantown’s annual year-end Bonenkai event, organized by the Japantown Community Congress of San Jose (JCCsj) at the Buddhist Church of San Jose, and presented the Consul General’s Commendation to JCCsj Co-President Pam Yoshida. In his remarks, Consul General Otsuki expressed his admiration for Ms. Yoshida’s efforts across multiple organizations and activities to strengthen understanding and friendship between Japan and California, particularly in San Jose Japantown and its community. The Consul General also expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the San Jose Japantown community in a big year which included an exhibit at the Japanese Overseas Migration Museum in Yokohama, and the selection of San Jose Japantown as a California Cultural District.
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2026 Officers
- President – Phyllis Osaki
- Vice President – Ruth Shikada
- Advisor – Lisa Kinoshita
- Legacy Advisor – Joyce Iwasaki
- Treasurer – Sally Takemoto
- Secretary – Connie Decena
- Co-Historians – Heidi Shigematsu, Julie Hubbard
- Web Liaison – Sally Takemoto
- Boutique Co-Chairs – Phyllis Osaki & Maureen Mukai
2026 Boutique Committee
- Co-Chairs – Phyllis Osaki & Maureen Mukai
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Canopies/Tables/Chairs – Connie Decena
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Constant Contact – Ruth Shikada
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Donation Drawing & Silent Auction – JoAnn Kato
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Sponsorship/Donation Communication – Joyce Iwasaki
- Finance – Sally Takemoto
- Food Committee – Julie Hubbard & Michelle Tanaka
- Insurance – Heidi Shigematsu
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Marketing – Maureen Mukai & Phyllis Osaki
- Non-Profit Recipients – Pam Yoshida
- Parking – Vicki Wynne
- Publicity & Social Media – Pam Yoshida & Lisa Kinoshita
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Security – Phyllis Osaki
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Site Plan Layout for Inside & Outside booths – Phyllis Osaki, Maureen Mukai & Connie Decena
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Labor – Uriel Grajeda
Directors (Year Joined Midori Kai)
- Aggie Idemoto – Retired, Last Position: Assistant Superintendent Oak Grove School District (2006)
- Carol W. Eejima – Retired, Last Position: President, Meglaur, Inc., dba Eejima & Associates (2009)
- Connie Decena – Retired, Last Position: Field Support Engineer (2002)
- Cynthia Sasaki – Jewelry Designer, Cynthia Sasaki Designs (2009)
- Heidi Shigematsu – Owner, Shigematsu Insurance (2017)
- Janice Miyatake – SVP Relationship Manager, Heritage Bank of Commerce (1996)
- JoAnn Kato – Retired, Last Position: Sr. Supply Chain Manager, Lam Research (1996)
- Joyce Iwasaki – Retired, Last Position: Legislative Aide,Sally Lieber, Assemblyperson,California State Assembly, District 22 from December 2002 to November 2008
- Julie Hubbard – Retired, Last Position: Activities Manager, Yu Ai Kai (2007)
- Lisa Kinoshita – Neuropsychologist and Researcher, VA Palo Alto HCS (2021)
- Marsha (Takahashi) Baird – Retired, Last Position: Owner/HR Consultant, Baird & Associates (1996)
- Maureen Mukai – VP Tax, WideOrbit (1997)
- Michelle Tanaka – Retired, Last Position: Product Program Manager, Facebook/Meta (2025)
- Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto – Trustee, Fremont Union High School District; Social Worker (ret.) (2008-2024, rejoined 2026)
- Nina Hashimoto Hong – Regional Business Director, Kyowa Kirin. (2025)
- Pam Yoshida – Designer/Project Manager, MBA Architects; Co-Owner of Nikkei Traditions-San Jose Japantown (2008)michell
- Phyllis Y. Osaki – CEO, GS Management Company (1997)
- Reiko Kawano – Retired, Last Position: Director of Employment, O’Connor Hospital (2001)
- Ruth Shikada – Retired, Assistant City Manager, County of Santa Clara (2011)
- Sally Takemoto – VP Operations & Human Resources, Sikka Software (1996-2004; re-joined 2009)
- Vicki Takeuchi Wynne-President, Wynne & Associates, Certified Esalen@Massage Therapist; Certified Speaking Circles @Facilitator (2004)