On Friday, June 27th, the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington hosted an exclusive Member Reception at the stunning Port of Seattle West Atrium and Deck. With sweeping views of the Puget Sound and striking architectural design, the venue set the perfect stage for an evening of connection, reflection, and celebration. Surrounded by fellow members and guests, attendees gathered to hear about the Society’s recent achievements, its vision for the future, and to be inspired by the evening’s guest speaker, Howard Behar.
Over 70 members joined us, many bringing along guests who were attending a JASSW event for the very first time. The reception began with a warm welcome from Mark Harman, Chair of the Membership Committee, who shared his excitement about the evening’s program and the community it celebrated.
The program officially opened with a trio of heartfelt greetings. Steve Metruck, Executive Director of the Port of Seattle, welcomed guests to the Port headquarters and highlighted the importance of international engagement in the Pacific Northwest. He was followed by Consul General Makoto Iyori, a long-time supporter of JASSW and a tireless advocate for U.S.-Japan friendship. Finally, JASSW Chair Yuka Shimizu shared reflections on the Society’s impact and offered hopeful words for the year ahead.
The evening’s highlight was an inspiring conversation with Howard Behar, founding President of Starbucks International and a key figure in the company’s expansion to Japan in 1996. Joined onstage by Mark Harman, Mr. Behar shared insightful stories from his time at Starbucks, offering valuable lessons about leadership, perseverance, and the importance of cross-cultural collaboration. His reflections on launching the first Starbucks in Ginza brought to life the shared spirit of innovation and partnership that continues to define the U.S.-Japan relationship—and the mission of JASSW.
Following a brief closing and a reminder about upcoming events—including the 65th Annual Golf Tournament and the newly announced Celebrate Washoku—guests were invited to enjoy a delicious spread from Doskoi Catering (a popular return from the Spring Gala). Favorites like inari sushi and vegetable spring rolls were served alongside drinks, fueling a vibrant hour of networking, laughter, and meaningful conversation. Guests mingled on the deck, chatted with Mr. Behar, and deepened their connections within the JASSW community.
As the sun set over the Sound, our evening of inspiration and camaraderie came to a close. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us, and especially thrilled to welcome new faces to our community. We extend our sincere thanks to the Port of Seattle for generously hosting us, and to Doskoi Catering for delighting us once again.
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events, and to continuing our shared mission of building bridges between Japan and Washington State.
About the Author
Imogen recently graduated from Seattle University with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies and minor in Japanese. She is interning at the JASSW to gain hands-on experience in online marketing, combining her skills and passions for Japanese and social media to support the JASSW’s mission.