JASA’s first event this semester is the Rikkyo Reception! Every year JASA hosts the Rikkyo Reception to welcome students who are participating in the Rikkyo Exchange Program (organized by the Center for International Studies). These students are from Rikkyo Unversity, which is located in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, Japan, and will be staying at UMSL for approximately three weeks to study American business practices.

This is a chance for all JASA members to meet and interact with the students from Rikkyo, as well as to get together before the semester starts! For all of you who are taking Japanese, it is also a great opportunity for you to practice your skills before returning to class!

Other things that you’ll get out of this event include a whole lot of BBQ and FUN! We’ll be eating a lot, playing the Wii a lot, swimming a lot, playing sand volleyball a lot, and talking a lot – so remember to bring your stomach, your hands, your SWIMSUIT (most important!), your energy, and your vocal chords!

Here’s the details:

2010 Rikkyo Reception
Friday, August 6th, 2010
5:30-8:30PM (PLEASE NOTE: You don’t have to stay for the whole time, but you’ll want to!)
University Meadows Clubhouse (located on UMSL South Campus by Marillac Hall)

Also, if you want to bring a dessert or something like that to share with everyone, please feel free to do so! We appreciate all the help we can get, but please don’t feel burdened to bring something!

If you have any questions/concerns, please let me know by e-mailing kms8r8@umsl.edu! Thank you!

Date: Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Time: 11:30AM-1:30PM
Location:Greenfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C. 100 South Broadway, Suite 2000, St. Louis, Missouri
RSVP: cisjas@umsl.edu OR (314) 516-5754 (You MUST RSVP in order to attend, as space is limited).

Also, more information about the event and the lectures can be found at the following website:
http://www.us-japan.org/jasstl/Events/restorative_justice.pdf

Here are your JASA Leaders for 2010-2011! If you see them, be sure to congratulate them!

President – Hiromi Kasuga

Vice President – La’Ondrill Brown

Secretary – Xuandrea Tullie

Treasurer – Masashige Hayashi

SGA Representative – Alexander Kosuge

Public Relations Officers – Justin Bello & Katarina Geronsin

Current Candidates include (Photo and Biography Posted HERE!):

Hiromi Kasuga – Running for President

My name is Hiromi Kasuga and my majors are finance and accounting. I am from Nagano, Japan, and I enjoy meeting people, snowboarding, and attending social events. I came to the United States in June 2007 and I have been a JASA member since August 2007. I work at the Center for International Studies and have been doing so since May 2009. This job has helped me interact with and meet all sorts of new people and I enjoy having this opportunity. I would like to be JASA president because I believe I can bring my talents to the position to plan JASA events, increase membership, and make more of a difference than I can being just a member. Thank you.

La’Ondrill Brown – Running for Vice President

Hello, my name is La’Ondrill Brown and for the last two years I have served JASA  as vice-president under two amazing presidents.  Being able to continue this into the 2010-2011 school year would be wonderful.  I work well with others and am willing to do whatever it takes to move this organization forward.  And with the knowledge I have gained from being a part of everything, it is certain that disappointment is the last thing anyone will see with me.  Please allow me the opportunity to return to my current post in order to continue our progress.

Alexander Kosuge – Running for SGA Represenative

Hello, my name is Alexander Kosuge. I’m a senior majoring in political science, and am running for JASA’s SGA Representative. As a second generation Japanese, I am looking forward to learning more about JASA and what is has to offer. Though I’m relatively new to the organization, I have a lot of familiarity with SGA and have strong ties with many on its student senate and executive council. In terms of experience, I’ve just finished serving my term as President of The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, which was a runner up for this years Student Organization of the Year Award.

Katarina Geronsin – Running for Public Relations Officer

My name is Katarina Geronsin. I am 21 years old and a sophomore at UMSL. My academic major is Cultural Anthropology. My most recent semester was spent in Japan at Jogakkan University. I would like to run for Public Relations Officer to assist with and coordinate JASA events. I also want to help more students become involved in JASA, and work with UMSL’s Japanese students. I really enjoy working with different people, and making sure everyone possible is included in the events. It would be an accomplishment to assist students to join JASA and learn more about Japanese culture and language.

JASA 2010 JAPAN NIGHT

***TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT!***

Date: Thursday, April 8th, 2010

Time: 6-9:30PM

Location: MSC Pilot House (located on the 1st floor of the MSC past the Nosh)

Japanese culture is celebrated around the world for its uniqueness. With our 2010 Japan Night, we are bringing a night bursting full of Japanese culture to UMSL. Come listen to an Enka (traditional Japanese ballad) performance, watch an ikebana (flower arrangement) demonstration, and feel the beat with a taiko performance! A bento (traditional Japanese box dinner) will also be provided to guests!

ADMISSION IS REQUIRED. PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WE WILL NOT BE SELLING TICKETS AT THE DOOR.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

FOREIGN LANGUAGE WEEK IS ALMOST HERE!

Time to show your appreciation for JAPANESE! Come to these events that the Foreign Language department and JASA are collaborating to host next week!

Monday, March 1st at 3:30PM in Clark 217 – SCREENING OF DENSHA OTOKO

Thursday, March 4th at 3:00PM in Clark 527 – SUSHI WORKSHOP LED BY ECEKLKAMP-SENSEE (WHO MAKES THE BEST SUSHI EVER!) – This is right after the Japanese language table at 3:00PM!

Friday, March 5th at 12:45PM in Clark 100 – SCREENING OF MIYAZAKI’S SPIRITED AWAY

SHOW YOUR APPRECIATION FOR FOREIGN LANGUAGES BY COMING TO THESE EVENTS!

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Have you ever wondered what keeps high speed rail moving in Japan? Come hear Professor Agawa and Professor Fukuda discuss high speed rail in Japan!

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Reception is from 5:30-6:30PM. Lecture/discussion is from 6:30-8PM

SGA Chambers (3rd Floor of MSC)

For more info, please visit the following website:

Professor Agawa & Professor Fukuda Speech

Date/Time: Friday, January 22nd, 2010 (8PM) and Saturday, January 23rd, 2010 (2PM)
Location: Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL
Ticket Price: General admission is $18 – But students, seniors, and alumni get discounts, so bring your ID!

To purchase tickets, or for more information, please contact the box office at (314) 516-4949 or (866) 516-4949 from outside the St. Louis area.

Let’s face it… It’s been a tough year! What better way to forget the troubles and struggles than to join your fellow JASA members for a night of food, friends, and fun? Join us for our 2009 BONENKAI!!!

Take a break after all those papers, finals, and projects and come party with us!

Date: Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Time: 6-9PM

Location: Mansion Hill Clubhouse

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE: Just pay your JASA dues of $5 to get in!

Alcohol may be brought to this event, but you absolutely MUST be over 21 years of age to drink. Alcohol will only be permitted OUTSIDE the clubhouse. It is prohibited inside. ALL alcohol is BYOB!!

With that, good luck with the remainder of your finals and we hope to see you THERE!!!

Have you ever wondered how manga artists do it? Ever wanted to try and draw manga on your own? If so, you should come to our Japanese Arts & Crafts Seminar about how to draw manga! Juri Nakao, a Japanese exchange student here at UMSL and freelance manga artists, will teach everyone how to draw! This event will be combined with our Japanese language table, so it will be a great way to enhance your knowledge of both Japanese language and culture!

Come join us on November 12th from 3:30-5PM in Clark 400!

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Kayla Strauss at kms8r8@umsl.edu