Midori Kai | Networking & Supporting Local Asian Communities

News & Events

Annual Midori Kai Arts & Crafts Boutique

As a non-profit corporation, Midori Kai, Inc. reserves 100% of the profits from the boutique for the Midori Kai Foundation for Grant Recipients, and each year, at our boutique, our generous vendors contribute 10% of their gross sales to Midori Kai, Inc. A portion of the boutique proceeds are donated to selected non-profit organizations for a two-year period.

Previous Annual Midori Kai Arts & Crafts Boutiques

Past News & Events

“For the Sake of the Children”
Please mark your calendars for Sunday, October 28, 2018, 4 pm at the San Jose Buddhist Temple Gym, (640 No. 5th Street, San Jose, CA 95112) when Midori Kai will be one of the sponsors of the documentary film, “For the Sake of the Children”. Marlene Shigekawa, a former Midori Kai Board Director, is the Executive Producer and co-Director of this film about the WW II Poston Internment Camp.

We welcome you to attend this special South Bay showing, which will be followed by a panel discussion with Robert Handa, NBC Bay Area News Reporter as the moderator. If you plan to attend please RSVP by either sending a TEXT to (925) 596-1770 or email Phyllis Osaki at posaki@gsmanagement.com, with the number of people attending and your name. There is NO CHARGE for admittance; however, any DONATION is welcome.

Download event flyer

Yu-Ai Kai’s 40th Anniversary Celebration – October 4, 2014

We are honored to have been selected to receive the Akira Kamiya Spirit of Yu-Ai Kai Award at their 40th Anniversary Gala event in October. The Akira Kamiya Spirit of Yu-Ai Kai Award is the most prestigious award givin in the spirit o fthe highest ideas of humanitarianism, integrity, service, friendship and love for the people of our community.

Hiroshima Concert: An evening concert of unforgettable jazz and rhythm! – July 10, 2014

Two-time Grammy nominated jazz artists: Hiroshima in a rare South Bay appearance! For over thirty years, Hiroshima has given audiences a style of music we can call our own. They have successfully crossed over into the mainstream and introduced traditional Asian instrument mixes into a contemporary jazz fusion sound and given the world of music a gift.

Group picture: Julie Hubbard, JoAnn Kato, Reiko Kawano, Sally Takemoto, Aggie Idemoto, Joyce Iwasaki, Connie Decena & Irene Okimoto

Sake San Jose – May 22, 2014

Yu-Ai Kai’s 9th Annual Sake San Jose event was held on Thursday, May 22, 2014. Hundreds of sake tasters gathered on the streets of historic Japantown San Jose (on Jackson Street, between 3rd and 7th Streets) for one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year.

This year’s opening ceremony featured our guests of honor in a ceremonial sake cask breaking (Kagami-wari) and a toast of Kanpai! Approximately 25 Japantown businesses hosted a pouring station, where Yu-Ai Kai volunteers offered samples of sake made both in Japan and the U.S.

Nikkei Matsuri – April 27, 2014

The 37th Annual Nikkei Matsuri-San Jose Japantown! ‘Nikkei’ means Japanese American, and ‘Matsuri’ means festival. This is a community wide celebration of culture and heritage. Midori Kai board members volunteered at the sushi food booth. June Sakamoto and Joyce Iwasaki provided kimono dressing instruction and demonstration.

Pictured: Sally Takemoto, Connie Decena, Reiko Kawano and Julie Hubbard

Yu-Ai Kai Volunteer Recognition Luncheon – April 12, 2014

Yu-Ai Kai Senior Services hosted a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on April 12, 2014.

Yu-Ai Kai’s November/December Senior Birthday Party – December 8, 2013

11th Annual San Jose Japanese American Citizens League Community Recognition Dinner – Saturday, November 2, 2013 (photo album)

Acceptance Speech by Joyce Iwasaki

Acceptance Speech by Chris Noma

Back row: June Sakamoto, Julie Hubbard; Front row: Reiko Kawano, Sally Takemoto, Marsha Baird, Irene Okimoto

Sake San Jose combines sake tasting with a walk through Historic Japantown San Jose – May 23, 2013 (photo album)

Yu-Ai Kai’s 8th Annual Sake San Jose event was held on Thursday, May 23, 2013. Hundreds of sake tasters roamed the streets of historic Japantown San Jose (on Jackson Street, between 3rd and 7th Streets) for one of the most anticipated fundraisers of the year.

This year’s opening ceremony again featured a lively performance by the San Jose Taiko group followed by our guests of honor in a ceremonial sake cask breaking (Kagami-wari) and a toast of Kampai! More than 20 Japantown businesses hosted a pouring station, where Yu-Ai Kai volunteers offered samples of sake made both in Japan and the U.S.

Consul General Hiroshi Inomata presented the Consul General Award to five members of our community on Saturday, September 15 at the Wesley United Methodist Church Aki Matsuri, – 566 N. 5th Street, San Jose – September, 2012

The following individuals received this honored award for their efforts to better the community and to promote Japanese American cultural ties and awareness.

  • PJ Hirabayashi
  • Roy Hirabayashi
  • Jerry Hiura
  • Joyce Iwasaki
  • Joe Yasutake

Following this award presentation, Consul General Inomata then dedicated the cherry tree that has been donated to the Issei Memorial Building from the Consulate’s office.

Back row: Joyce Iwasaki, Irene Okimoto, JoAnn Kato, Julie Hubbard; Front row: Marsha Baird, Sally Takemoto, Reiko Kawano, Joann Nakano-Matsumoto, Phyllis Osaki

Sake San Jose combines sake tasting with a walk through Historic Japantown San Jose – May 24, 2012 (photo album)

Japantown San Jose
On Jackson Street, between 3rd and 7th Streets

Midori Kai Directors volunteered at this annual event which benefits Yu-Ai Kai Senior Service, a nonprofit senior center in San Jose’s Japantown. Sake San Jose provided a leisurely walk through historic Japantown while listening to live music and visiting the many shops and businesses for a tasting of an assortment of both domestic and international sakes, all for a great cause. Kampai!

Joyce Iwasaki, Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, Vicki Wynne, Janice Miyatake

Luncheon with Congresswoman Mazie Hirono of Hawaii – May 1, 2012

Midori Kai members attended a luncheon to meet Congresswoman Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, at Hakone Estate & Gardens in Saratoga, on May 1, 2012.

Congresswoman Mazie Hirono (D-HI) will likely be the next U.S. Senator from Hawaii. If elected, Mazie will be the 1st Asian-American woman Senator in history and would be the 1st Japanese-born Member of Congress.

The Congresswoman is a close friend of Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI); U.S. Senate Pro Tem, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and the 1st Japanese (and Asian) Member of Congress and the U.S. Senate in history. Senator Inouye is actively supporting Congresswoman Hirono’s bid for the Senate and she is leading in the polls by a substantial margin.

Congresswoman Hirono currently serves on two (2) Transportation Subcommittees and will likely become a member ot the Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation Committee of the U.S. Senate. [at right: Joyce Iwasaki, Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto, Congresswoman Mazie Hirono, Vicki Wynne, Janice Miyatake]

AACI’s Annual Fundraising Luncheon – April 26, 2012

AACI‘s Annual Fundraising Luncheon was held on April 26, at Villa Ragusa in Campbell, CA. This annual fundraising event is held to provide an opportunity for everyone to help AACI improve the health, mental health, and well-being of individuals, families, and the Asian community.

MK Directors in attendance:

  • Julie Hubbard
  • Joyce Iwasaki
  • Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto
  • Irene Okimoto
  • Ruth Shikada
  • Sally Takemoto
  • Vicki Wynne

Asian American Women’s Alliance Honors Midori Kai – April 21, 2012

Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto was in attendance to accept the award on Midori Kai’s behalf. Joyce Iwasaki and Sally Takemoto attended the Recognition Awards Banquet with Naomi.

Read the letter from Mai Tran and Ngoc Van Phan, AAWA Recognition Awards Co-Chairs

Yu-Ai Kai Volunteer Recognition Luncheon
April 14, 2012

Yu-Ai Kai Senior Services hosted a Volunteer Recognition Luncheon on April 14, “Volunteers, Making a Difference During Hard Times.” Midori Kai was honored to be invited to this event.

Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony in San Jose – February 23, 2012

The U.S. Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) to the U.S. Army’s 100th Infantry Battalion, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team (RCT) and the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) for their extraordinary accomplishments in World War II. The National Veterans Network planned and executed the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony and associated events on Nov. 2, 2011 in Washington, D.C.

The Japanese American Museum of San Jose (JAMsj), the San Jose Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the Friends and Families of Nisei Veterans (FFNV), local VFW Post 9970, and the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, in conjunction with Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Mike Honda, and Anna Eshoo, held a local ceremony in San Jose, California at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin annex on Thursday, February 23, 2012 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Many of our Midori Kai Board Members were in attendance either honoring a family member or volunteering at the event. Here is a list of those in attendance:

Honoring a family member: 

  • Marsha Baird – honoring her Father, Shigeru Takahashi – 442, H company
  • Connie Decena – honoring her Father, Duke Toshio Tokiwa
  • Joyce Iwasaki – honoring her Uncle, Mamoru “Mum” Arii – 442
  • Janice Miyatake, honoring her Father, Warren Yano, 442
  • Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto – honoring her Father Rokuro Nakano – 442 (I Company) and honoring her uncle Hichiro Nakano – MIS
  • Ben Ujihara (Linda Kato’s son) honoring his Grandfather, Ben Ujihara
  • Maureen Mukai – honoring her Uncle, Hachiro Mukai, 442 and her Uncle Larry Katayama, MIS
  • Cynthia Sasaki – honoring her Father, Isamu Sam Fujinaka – MIS
  • June Sakamoto, honoring her Father-in-Law, George Sakamoto – MIS

Volunteers:

  • Julie Hubbard
  • Aggie Idemoto
  • Ruth Shikada
  • Sally Takemoto
  • Vicki Wynne
  • Pam Yoshida
sakesj3
Connie Decena, Sally Takemoto, Reiko Kawano, Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto, JoAnn Kato and Vicki Wynne.

Yu-Ai Kai Sake San Jose, May 26, 2011

Yu-Ai Kai Senior Services hosted a benefit sake tasting walk through San Jose’s Japantown’s various businesses and restaurants, each having different types of sakes at special tables.

This year, Sake San Jose premiered a new event in the brand new James Akiyama Wellness Center, the Akiyama Sake Tasting.  A special collection of premium sakes were assembled for tasting in the Center’s Sakura Room.  Along with sake, a variety of “small plates” were offered to accompany the sakes.  Sake experts were available to offer information about the different sakes being tasted.

Midori Kai Directors were honored to be invited to serve food at this successful premier event. Proceeds from Sake San Jose benefit Yu-Ai Kai Senior Services, a nonprofit senior center in Japantown.

Making Home from War – April 16, 2011 (photo album)

We are pleased to announce that Midori Kai is celebrating the publication of “MAKING HOME FROM WAR”, an anthology of memoirs written by twelve different Japanese Americans about their experience coming home after they left the Internment Camps. Midori Kai is sponsoring the reading by some of the authors.

Please join Brian Komei Dempster, editor of Making Home from War, as well as production manager Jill Shiraki and some of the contributing writers from the book, for a presentation and celebration of their work. Produced by the JCCCNC and published by Heyday, this anthology offers memoirs–written mainly by Nisei–on the Japanese American post-war resettlement experience and a workshop model for other former camp prisoners to tell their own stories. Major funding for the anthology was provided by the California State Library–Civil Liberties Public Education Program. The program will also feature Felicia Hoshino, illustrator of My Dog Teny, a children’s book written by Wayne Osaki. The story was first published in the anthology, From Our Side of the Fence: Growing up in American’s Concentration Camps; produced by the JCCCNC.

Pictured below are the book’s twelve writers–then and now!
Top row (L to R): Florence Ohmura Dobashi; Kiku Hori Funabiki; Sato Hashizume; Fumi Manabe Hayashi
Middle row (L to R): Naoko Yoshimura Ito; Florence Miho Nakamura (in memoriam; co-author, Kristen Langewisch Marchetti, not pictured); Ruth Y. Okimoto, Ph.D.; Yoshito Wayne Osaki (co-author, Sally Noda Osaki, not pictured)
Bottom row (L to R): Toro Saito; Daisy Uyeda Satoda; Harumi Serata; Michi Tashiro

Evan Yoshino (Applegate Construction), Mayor Chuck Reed, Jimi Yamaichi, (JAMsj Cofounder, Curator, Historian, and Construction Manager), Pam Yoshida, (MBA Architects), Hiroshi Inomata (Consulate General of Japan), Aggie Idemoto (JAMsj President)

JAMsj Grand Opening – October 16, 2010 (photo album)

The Grand Opening Ceremony occurred on Saturday, October 16, at 1:00 pm, and featured entertainment by San Jose Taiko; a blessing by board member, Reverend Byron Ishiwata; and an opportunity for the public to view the new exhibits.

Midori Kai Board Members Aggie Idemoto is JAMsj current President and Pam Yoshida is the architect on this project.

Julie Hubbard, Connie Decena, Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto, Irene Okimoto, Carol Eejima and Sally Takemoto volunteer at Sake San Jose

Spirit of Japantown Festival – October 2, 2010 (photo album)

San Jose Japantown is one of the last three major Japantowns that remain in the United States. Japantown Community Congress of San Jose (JCCsj) was created to continue the cultural and historical preservation of our 120 year-old, multi-ethnic Japantown. The JCCsj is composed of Japantown advocates, including representatives of major organizations, members-at-large, residents, businesses and property owners.

Midori Kai members volunteered at the Silent Auction Booth and donated several items.

Mountain View Buddhist Temple Obon – July 17, 2010

Left to Right: Joyce Iwasaki, Marsha Baird, Vicki Wynne and Irene Okimoto help out at the chicken teriyaki booth.

JoAnn Kato, Julie Hubbard, Reiko Kawano, June Sakamoto, Sally Takemoto & Marsha Baird volunteer at Sake San Jose

Sake San Jose combines sake tasting with a walk through Historic Japantown San Jose – May 27, 2010

The Yu-Ai Kai Senior Community Center hosted this benefit sake tasting walk through Japantown’s various businesses and restaurants, each having different types of sake at special tables.

Sakes made in Japan and the US, such as daiginjo, ginjo and junmai grades of premium sake were available for tasting, providing a great opportunity for connoisseurs and novices to sample and learn about a variety of sakes.

Proceeds from Sake San Jose benefit Yu-Ai Kai Senior Services, a nonprofit senior center, in Japantown.

JAMsj Fashion Show and Luncheon “From Kimono to Contemporary” – May 22, 2010 (photo album)

Featuring designs from renowned fashion designer, Sachiko Tabata

Sally Takemoto, Naomi Nakano-Matsumoto, Vicki Wynne, Liz Kniss (Santa Clara County Supervisor Fifth District), Joyce Iwasaki, Michelle Ma (West Valley Community Services)

Midori Kai Recognized With “Asian-American Hero” Award – October 27, 2009

Midori Kai was recognized in the category of “organization or agency” for overall work, but primarily for our work on the “Diaper Drive.” Midori Kai members attended a luncheon where the award was presented by Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss (District 5).

Sally Takemoto, Marsha Baird, Connie Decena, Vicki Wynne

Spirit of Japantown Festival – September 26, 2009 (photo album)

“Talking Story” – An Intimate Conversation with Asian American Authors, Northside Community Center, San Jose – May 16, 2009 (photo album)

The Art of Gaman, Yu-Ai Kai, San Jose – February 27, 2007 (photo album)

Paradise (Casino Royale), Mountain View Buddhist Temple – September 10, 2005 (photo album)