Thanks to the Japan Business Association of Seattle and everyone who attended, our Annual Summer Social was a huge success! We had over a dozen delicious dishes prepared by the wonderful volunteers and sponsors from JBA, not to mention the expertly grilled hamburgers and bratwursts provided by our Past-Chair, Hiroko Huntoon. JBA President Takeshi Katsurada opened the event with his opening remarks and JASSW Current Chair Tay Yoshitani contributed his words of welcome (in addition to some tasty katsu at the buffet). We were also honored to have Mr. Takeshi Murazawa from the Consulate General of Japan in Seattle attend and give a speech. Welcome to Seattle, Mr. Murazawa! JBA Vice-President Daisaku Izawa outlined the program as the afternoon’s emcee. After everyone went through the buffet line and had their share of somen, chirashi zushi, salad, katsu, bratwursts, and cheeseburgers, the children at the event split a watermelon open for us, suika-wari style.

Over 40 raffle prizes were handed out, including a year’s supply of spaghetti! To all of our lucky winners, congratulations!

And a gigantic thank you to all of the sponsors at our event: All Nippon Airlines, Bellevue Embroidery, Delta Air Lines, JTB, JFC International INC, Japan Airlines, Kohtoku Enterprise,Inc., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, Mitsui & Co., Nabtesco Aerospace, Inc., Nissui, North Pacific Seafoods, PSPinc, Subaru, Maruha Nichiro, Yamato Transport, Toray Composites (America), Inc., Yusen Logistics, and Ten Sushi!

Also, our gratitude to Tom Kohler for always taking such wonderful photos of our events! If you would like to see more photos of the BBQ, please check out our facebook album!

Photo Credit: Tom Kohler