Join us at the Pittsburgh Dragon Boat Festival on October 5 for a day of fun at North Park Lake! Watch exciting races or compete against other community teams for medals and awards. Cultural demonstrations, food, marketplace and other activities will be available, so bring the whole family to this FREE event. This year's festival is brought to you by the Hearts of Steel and OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates.
When: October 5, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: North Park Lake, 10301 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101

Pittsburgh International Business Networking Reception

Join The Pittsburgh Business Exchange (PBX), Vibrant Pittsburgh, and other amazing organizations, for an “International Business Networking Reception” at the Hard Rock Cafe! Join hundreds of business owners, entrepreneurs, and other professionals from the Greater Pittsburgh Area and around the world! Enjoy an evening of professional networking, cocktails, and fun!
When: Wednesday October 16, 6:00-8:00 PM
Where: Hard Rock Cafe, 230 W Station Square Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Fall Events at the University of Pittsburgh

Japanese Poetry Readings

This month brings two chances to hear a Japanese poet present her work in Pittsburgh. The University of Iowa’s prestigious creative writing residency, the International Writers Program, will feature Arai Takako for 2019. Her work has been translated into English by Jeffrey Angles and Sawako Nakayasu as Soul Dance (Mi'Te Press), Four from Japan (Litmus Press), Poems of Hiromi Ito, Toshiko Hirata, and Takako Arai (Vagabond Press), and Poet to Poet: Contemporary Women Poets from Japan(Recent Work Press).

At the University of Pittsburgh on September 18, Ms. Arai will read her poems in Japanese and English. On September 19, Ms. Arai will give a public reading at City of Asylum as a guest of this year’s Pittsburgh Poetry and Jazz Festival.

When:September 18, 4 PM | September 19, 7 – 9 PM 
Where: Humanities Center, 602 Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 | Alphabet City, 40 W. North Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15212

Godzilla on My Mind: Godzilla in Japanese History and the Global Imagination

Please join the NCTA for an evening lecture with William Tsutsui, Japanese historian and president of Hendrix College. This talk will introduce the 1954 film, survey the history and impact of the 32 Godzilla movies, reflect on Hollywood’s handling of the King of the Monsters, and assess the impact of changes in special effects technology, cinematic fashion, and global politics on the world’s oldest and longest film franchise.
When: October 16, 2019, 6:30 PM
Where: Assembly Rm, Wm Pitt Union, 3959 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

The JASP Welcomes New Members

Student Member:

• Ms. Ellie Wilcox

Individual Member:

• Mr. Roger Barna

International Member:

• Mr. Yamagata Shuji

Not a member yet? Join today!

Japanese-English Reading Circle

The Japanese-English Reading Circle is held on the first and third Saturdays of the month at the Kenmawr Apartments in Shadyside. Members meet to discuss Japanese- and English- language readings with each other as well as play vocabulary games in their second language.

Upcoming Dates

Saturday, September 21, 5:00-6:30 PM
Saturday, October 5, 5:00-6:30 PM
Saturday, October 19, 5:00-6:30 PM
Saturday, November 2, 5:00-6:30 PM

Kenmawr Apartments Community Room, Ground Floor, 401 Shady Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Visit the Facebook group for more information.

Upcoming Community Events

Annual Pittsburgh Japanese School Fundraising Golf Tournament

The Pittsburgh Japanese School invites you to the Annual Pittsburgh Japanese School (PJS) Fundraising Golf Tournament. It is a great opportunity to golf, meet Japanese families in the Pittsburgh area, meet others in the Japanese business and academic community, and support the PJS. Please contact Mikiko Yoshimura with questions or to register.
When: Saturday, September 21
Where: Fort Cherry Golf Club, 80 Fort Cherry Rd, McDonald, PA 15057

Fall Flower Show: Japanese Inspirations

Starting Saturday, October 19, Phipps’ Fall Flower Show: Japanese Inspirations will take you on a spectacular journey to experience an inspiring celebration of harmony and nature. Join Phipps for a trip to Japan, where festivals are spectacular and the colorful chrysanthemum reigns as king. Phipps’ new show lasts for just three weeks — don’t miss this grand celebration of the season!

When: September 21 - November 10
Where: Phipps Conservatory,One Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

All for All Summit

Spanning three days from October 10th through the 12th, this year's All for All Summit features community tours to help us go deeper in experiencing the real Pittsburgh, a daylong interactive forum on immigrant inclusion, and a block party with local and international performers to celebrate our multicultural roots. See the Summit website for more information.

When: October 10 - 12
Where:Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206

11th Annual Sakura Fall Planting Day

Pittsburgh Sakura Project is hosting an annual fall planting day. Help plant young cherry and other trees; mulch, water, weed, stake and install deer protectors. RSVP is requested, by 10/26/2019, to sakurapghboard@gmail.com.

When: November 2, 10:00 AM-12:30 PM
Where: North Park, 10301 Pearce Mill Rd, Allison Park, PA 15101

Japanese Classes at the Carnegie Library

Did you know that the Carnegie Library has free Japanese classes?  They are seeking learners and volunteer teachers.

CLP - Main (Oakland)

Japanese for Beginners : 2nd & 4th Mondays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Japanese Ⅱ: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Japanese Conversation Club : 1st & 3rd Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:00 PM

CLP - East Liberty

Japanese class: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Please go to the Bridge to Japan at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh Facebook page or the CLP Events page to learn more.

See what's trending on the JASP Facebook page!

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The Japan-America Society of Pennsylvania (JASP), established in 1986, is an association of individuals and corporations actively engaged in bringing the peoples of Japan and America together in understanding, appreciation and cooperation in order to promote a better relationship between the countries