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
2025 Boutique Committee
- Co-Chairs – Phyllis Osaki & Maureen Mukai
- Canopies/Booths – Connie Decena
- Constant Contact – Ruth Shikada
- Donation Drawing – JoAnn Kato
- Finance – Carol Eejima
- Food Committee – Julie Hubbard & Michelle Tanaka
- Insurance – Heidi Shigematsu
- Marketing – Phyllis Osaki
- Non-Profit Recipients – Pam Yoshida
- Parking – Vicki Wynne
- Publicity & Social Media – Pam Yoshida & Lisa Kinoshita
- Security – Marsha Baird
Directors (Year Joined Midori Kai)
- Marsha (Takahashi) Baird – Retired, Last Position: Owner/HR Consultant, Baird & Associates (1996)
- Connie Decena – Retired, Last Position: Field Support Engineer (2002)
- Carol W. Eejima – Retired, Last Position: President, Meglaur, Inc., dba Eejima & Associates (2009)
- Julie Hubbard – Retired, Last Position: Activities Manager, Yu Ai Kai (2007)
- Aggie Idemoto – Retired, Last Position: Assistant Superintendent Oak Grove School District (2006)
- Joyce Iwasaki – Retired, Last Position: Legislative Aide,Sally Lieber, Assemblyperson,California State Assembly, District 22 from December 2002 to November 2008
- JoAnn Kato – Retired, Last Position: Sr. Supply Chain Manager, Lam Research (1996)
- Reiko Kawano – Retired, Last Position: Director of Employment, O’Connor Hospital (2001)
- Lisa Kinoshita – Neuropsychologist and Researcher, VA Palo Alto HCS (2021)
- Janice Miyatake – SVP Relationship Manager, Heritage Bank of Commerce (1996)
- Maureen Mukai – VP Tax, WideOrbit (1997)
- Phyllis Y. Osaki – CEO, GS Management Company (1997)
- Cynthia Sasaki – Jewelry Designer, Cynthia Sasaki Designs (2009)
- Heidi Shigematsu – Owner, Shigematsu Insurance (2017)
- 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)
- Pam Yoshida – Designer/Project Manager, MBA Architects; Co-Owner of Nikkei Traditions-San Jose Japantown (2008)