Foreign Minister’s Commendation Ceremony for the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington (Nikkei Heritage Association)

 

 

　On October 2, 2024, a conferment ceremony and reception were held at the Official Residence to congratulate the Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington on receiving the Foreign Minister’s Commendation. JCCCW board members, staff, family, and many others were in attendance. 

 

　Consul General of Japan in Seattle IYORI Makoto expressed his appreciation for the JCCCW’s many years of continued contributions and formally conferred the Commendation. Ms. Lori Matsukawa, JCCCW Founder, accepted the Commendation and expressed gratitude to past community leaders who laid the groundwork for the founding of JCCCW, as well as co-founders of the Center, including the late State Representative Kip Tokuda and the late Seattle Municipal Court Judge Ron Mamiya. In addition, Ms. Karen Yoshitomi, JCCCW Executive Director, thanked all staff, volunteers, and family members for their support. 

 

　The Japanese Cultural & Community Center of Washington, also known as the Nikkei Heritage Association, was founded on April 1, 2003, with the mission of preserving, promoting, and sharing Japanese and Japanese American culture and traditions. The JCCCW organizes many historical preservation projects and various Japanese cultural events, including the annual Kodomo no Hi (Children’s Day) and Bunka no Hi (Culture Day), and also offers programs for seniors, including crafts, exercises, and cultural activities. The facility is also home to the Seattle Japanese Language School, originally founded in 1902, a crucial resource for local Japanese language learners.