On September 3, a special TOMODACHI Night was held through the collaborative efforts of the USJC New York Regional Committee, The Japanese American Association of New York, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, The Nippon Club, Japan Society, and the Japanese American National Museum. The event took place as the New York Mets hosted Masataka Yoshida and the Boston Red Sox in an Interleague matchup. A highlight of the evening was the honorary first pitch, thrown by Council Leader Koji Sato (President of The Japanese American Association of New York). The game concluded with a final score of 7-2 in favor of the Mets.
Several members of the U.S.-Japan Council New York community including Council Leader Julie Azuma (Different Roads to Learning, Inc., JALD ’13), Council Leader Susan McCormac (JapanCultureNYC, JALD ’24), Council Leader Gary Moriwaki (Windels Marx, JALD ’11), Council Leader Masaaki Maeda (Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of New York), Council Leader Kathryn Bannai (Japanese American National Museum), and Mr. Makoto Kageyama were also recognized during the festivities for their contributions to the U.S.-Japan Council’s New York region.
Special thanks go to Council Leader Marc Iyeki (Green Impact Exchange) and Ms. McCormac for their key roles on the organizing committee.