Annual Dinner
The Society's Annual Dinner has grown every year in attendance and corporate support to become one of the largest attended and most prestigious Japan events in the Midwest. It is the one gathering of the year that brings together Japanese and American executives and their guests from all corporate groups near and far.
2008 Annual Dinner at the Indiana Roof Ballroom
The Annual Dinner is the Society's most important fundraiser and revenues from the event ensure the funds necessary to sustain operations and services, which include cultural, educational, corporate and social programs. The Japan-America Society of Indiana is a 501 (c) 3 not-for-profit cultural and educational organization, and on an ongoing basis offers dedicated support to Japanese and American individuals, companies, and communities throughout the state.
The Society's "Bridge of Friendship Award", presented at the annual dinner, honors individuals and companies which have made outstanding contributions to the Japan-U.S. relationship.
2008 Annual Dinner at the Indiana Roof Ballroom
From left to right:
His Excellency Yukio Takasu
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations
Mr. James T. Morris
Former Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme and current
President of Pacers Sports and Entertainment
The Honorable George Hisaeda
Consul General of Japan at Chicago
Past Recipients
Bridge of Friendship Awards
Individual Recipients
Eric Berger
Former Director, Partnership Product Development, Japan
Eli Lilly & Company
The Honorable Thomas S. Foley
Chairman, The Trilateral Commission (Japan, Europe, North America)
Former Ambassador of the United States to Japan
Former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
Hiromi Hemuki
Director, State of Indiana - Japan Office
Larry Ingraham
President, Ingraham and Associates
Former Director of the State of Indiana - East Asian Office
His Excellency Ryozo Kato
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
Japan to the United States of America
The Honorable Richard G. Lugar
Senator of the United States
Itoko Maida
Missionary, Language Instructor, and JASI Volunteer
Koji Morikawa
Former Treasurer & CFO, Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
Former President, Indiana Japan Chamber
1997 Corporate Citizenship Awards Gala featuring Akio Morita, Founder & Chairman, Sony Corporation
Akio Morita
Founder and Chairman of Sony Corporation
Chairman, Keidanren Council for Better Corporate Citizenship
The Honorable John M. Mutz
Chairman, Lumina Foundation for Education
Former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Indiana
Former Vice Chairman of Cinergy/PSI, now Duke Energy
Seizo Okamoto
Chairman
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
The Honorable Robert D. Orr
Former Governor of the State of Indiana
Former Ambassador of the United States to Singapore
Robert H. Reynolds
Former President, Japan-America Society of Indiana
Honorary Consul General of Japan at Indianapolis
Of Counsel, Barnes & Thornburg
Chieko Saruta
JASI Volunteer
Michiko Selby
Long-time JASI Volunteer
Tom Surgener
Former Senior Vice President
JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
Ken Watanabe
Actor
Corporate Awards
Alpine Electronics Manufacturing of America, Inc.
Cinergy / PSI
Eli Lilly and Company
Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc.
Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing, Inc.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
Community Award
City of Seymour