An Evening of Reflection, Celebration, and Networking!
The Japan-America Society of the State of Washington (JASSW) invites you to our Annual Meeting 2025 on Wednesday, April 23rd, at the Wing Luke Museum (719 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104). Our Annual Meeting is JASSW’s premier networking event, offering a chance to reflect on past accomplishments, learn more about the Society, and connect with our leadership team as we share future goals.
This year, the meeting will be followed by our Spring Gala, featuring a special violin performance by Yuuki Hashimori, a Japanese buffet-style dinner, dessert, raffle prizes, and more. Join us in celebrating our shared mission promoting mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and Washington State by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025 | 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Wing Luke Museum (719 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104)
Ticket: $60 for Non-Member | $50 for Members | $40 for Students
General Timeline
- 4:30 PM – Door Opens
- 5:00 PM – Annual Meeting Program starts at the Tateuchi Story Theater
- Voting on Officers and Board
- Passing the Gavel
- Panel Discussion
- 6:00 PM – Spring Gala with Food & Entertainment starts at the Community Hall
- 6:30 PM – 7:00 PM Stage Performance
- Violin performance by Yuuki Hashimori
- Greetings from Committee Charis and Exertive Director
- Raffle Drawing
- 8:00 PM – Event Closing
Annual Meeting Program
This Year’s Passing the Gavel
2024-2025 Chair
Masami Katayama serves as Chair for 2024-2025, leading strategies to attract members, ensure the organization’s sustainability, and foster a stronger sense of community. She has been serving the society since 2019 through education efforts. She is the director of International Finance at Starbucks, which has been a corporate member of JASSW since 1987. Before joining Starbucks, she held various finance leadership roles at global corporations in Tokyo for over 15 years. Masami relocated from Tokyo to Seattle in 2018 with her husband and two sons.
2025-2026 Chair
Yuka Shimizu is the founder of Bellevue Children’s Academy (BCA), BCA Saturday Japanese School, and Willows Preparatory School. She also serves as president of Asunaro and co-chair of Japan Fair. Yuka is on the boards of the Seattle Symphony, Overlake Hospital Foundation, Arboretum Foundation, and is the president of the Urasenke Tankokai Association. A strong advocate for strengthening ties between Japan and Washington State, Yuka has been a member of the JASSW board since 2013. Born and raised in Japan, she moved to Bellevue in 1998 and has three adult children and two granddaughters.
Panel Discussion – “Bridging Borders: My Company, My Career, and Japan.”
Join an insightful discussion with members of our Board of Directors as they share their career journeys and their companies’ long-standing commitment to JASSW. Learn how their professional roles intersect with Japan, what led them to their current positions, and how their involvement with the Japan-America Society fosters both personal and corporate growth. This interactive session offers a unique opportunity to gain valuable career insights and explore the impact of cross-cultural connections in business.
Panelists
Moderator
Sales Account Manager, Export,
Weyerhaeuser
Operations Analyst,
Costco Wholesale
Director of International Finance,
Starbucks
Director of Investment Research, Global Fixed Income,
Russell Investments
Business Development Manager,
Holman Logistics
Spring Gala Highlights
Violin Performance by Yuuki Hashimori
We are honored to welcome the globally acclaimed violinist, Yuuki Hashimori, who has called Washington State home since 2022, to our Spring celebration. She will enchant us with performances of Salut d’Amour (Elgar), Csárdás (Monti), and more!
Yuuki Hashimori is a distinguished violinist whose journey began at age three. By 11, she became the youngest-ever scholarship student at the Cologne University of Music in Germany, studying under Zakhar Bron. She won numerous awards, including the Japan Classical Music Competition and Student Music Concours of Japan, and performed at the Miyazaki International Chamber Music Festival. Yuuki has performed with prestigious orchestras like the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra and NHK Danyuu Orchestra across Europe, the U.S., and Japan. In 2014, she released her acclaimed debut CD Grand Waltz. Yuuki has also collaborated with global superstars like Sarah Brightman, IL DIVO, and YOSHIKI of X JAPAN. Since 2019, she has served as concertmistress of the Aile Symphonic Orchestra, winning t8th Hakura Encouragement Award in 2024. In addition to her performance career, Yuuki mentors young musicians as a professor at the Super Soloists Academy, earning the Outstanding Educator Award in 2024.
About Food Sponsors
This year’s Annual Meeting will feature a Japanese buffet-style dinner and dessert, provided by two culinary sponsors. Both businesses launched in 2024 through JASSW’s Small Business Support program, in collaboration with the Small Business Resilience Network (SBRN), which is sponsored by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
Doskoi Japanese Catering (doskoijapanesecatering.com) is a Seattle-based Japanese bento catering service, offering a delicious selection of dishes—from crispy fried chicken and savory grilled ginger pork to exquisite omakase. Each bento is thoughtfully crafted to satisfy your taste buds while engaging all five senses. With vibrant colors, enticing aromas, and rich flavors, every bite is a feast for the eyes, nose, and soul!
Koto Jelly Coffee (kotocoffee.com | 512 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122) is the first coffee shop specializing in Japanese-origin drinkable jelly coffee and tea. Inspired by Japan’s popular coffee jelly dessert, it blends Seattle’s rich coffee culture with authentic Japanese agar to create uniquely textured drinks. Founded in 2024 by two designers and a chef from Osaka, its menu features jelly coffee, matcha, milk, and tea, offering a one-of-a-kind sensory experience.
Matthews Winery (matthewswinery.com | 16116 140TH PL NE Woodinville, WA 98072) is a Woodinville-based winery dedicated to crafting the purest expressions of Washington State wines. Since 2008, the Otis family has worked alongside exceptional winemakers to produce elegant Bordeaux-style wines that showcase the region’s unique terroir. Sustainably grown and hand-harvested, each bottle offers a perfect balance of complexity and richness, making it an ideal pairing for any occasion.
Raffles – Enter to Win at the Event Reception!
Join the excitement and enter for a chance to win amazing raffle prizes at the event reception!
Your raffle ticket purchase directly supports JASSW’s mission of fostering mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and Washington State. By participating, you help us continue providing programs that promote cultural exchange and meaningful connections.
Raffle Prize Details: Coming Soon!
Proudly supported by our 2025 Annual Event Sponsors
Sponsorship registration is open until March 21st, with the early bird discount until March 7th.
Gold Sponsor
Yuka Shimizu
Bronze Sponsor
Friendship Sponsor
Masami Katayama
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