Ms. Christina Stimpson is a member of the JASA Board of Directors, and she is the Director of Office of International Trade at Alabama Department of Commerce. JASA appreciates Ms. Stimpson's contribution to this feature article.

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With roughly 100 Japanese companies in Alabama, the Alabama-Japan relationship continues to be consequential in many communities across the state. Foreign companies may locate in the state for a variety of reasons – government policies, access to markets and customers, or the ease of doing business. Whatever the reason may be, these are companies you want in your community. Foreign companies making the decision to enter the U.S. market are typically well established and successful companies. They tend to be more innovative, hire at an increased rate, and pay more. Moreover, Japanese companies tend to cluster together when entering the U.S market. With so much Japanese investment already in the state, it is likely we will continue to see more.

And it is not just Japanese investment that plays a role in Alabama’s economy. Alabama exports to Japan are at an all-time high, as are overall exports for the state. With a record-breaking $25.5 billion in export value for 2022, this is an incredible indicator that our economy is performing vigorously, and that Alabama products and services are in demand around the world. In 2022, and for the first time ever, Alabama exports to Japan reached over 1 billion dollars. This is a 42% increase from 2021 and represents the largest percent increase among our top five trading partners.

Some of the top ten commodities exported to Japan in 2022 include mineral fuel, aircraft/spacecraft, vehicles, wood pulp, paper, and organic, inorganic, and miscellaneous chemicals. The biggest increases were seen in mineral fuel and aircraft/spacecraft exports.

Alabama also buys Japanese goods. In 2022, Japanese imports into Alabama were valued at $1.4 billion. The top commodities Alabama is buying include industrial machinery, vehicles and parts, pearls and precious stones, electric machinery, and arms, ammunition, and parts.

As we look to further strengthen the Alabama-Japan relationship, both in the investment and export spheres, I would encourage you to attend the 45th Annual Joint Meeting of the Southeast U.S. – Japan (SEUS-Japan) and Japan/Southeast U.S. Associations in Tokyo this October. This event convenes to promote and expand trade and investment ties between business, government, and economic development leaders in the country of Japan and the seven southeastern member states. By participating in the conference and being a part of the Alabama delegation, you are helping to reaffirm Alabama’s dedication to strengthening trade and investment with Japan.

Contact David Sides to learn how to be a part of the Alabama delegation at david.sides@commerce.alabama.gov.



On Thursday, August 17, the Consul General Mio Maeda of the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta joined the Japan America Society of Alabama (JASA) Board of Directors meeting to honor JASA’s former Executive Director Brian Hilson with the Consul General’s Commendation Award.

The Consul General’s Commendation award recognizes individuals who have helped advanced the mission of the Consulate General and have provided significant contributions to mutual understanding and promoting friendship between Japan, the United States and Alabama.

Hilson is a founding member of JASA, served a president of JASA and is a Samuel Ullman Award recipient. Mark B. Jackson, Honorary Consul General of Japan stated, “Brian Hilson stands tall among those who have furthered Alabama's international community. As he has worked tirelessly to grow our relations with Japan, he has helped secure Alabama's standing in the world's stage. I am proud to know him and to have worked with him.”

"On behalf of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors, we are grateful for Brian’s service to JASA and the positive impact he has made through the years with the Japan-Alabama relationship. His leadership and expertise will be missed. We wish him all the best in his new role as the President and CEO of the West Florida Economic Development Alliance," said Mark Brown, President of JASA.



JASA 2023 Annual Dinner and Business Forum

Dinner: Thursday, November 9

Forum: Friday, November 10

@ Birmingham Ross Bridge (located in Hoover)

Join us for an unforgettable event as we bring together industry leaders and professionals for the JASA 2023 Annual Celebration Dinner and Business Forum.

This two-day gathering will provide a platform for networking and celebrating the achievements of the Alabama-Japan relationship.

Stay tuned for more information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities!

September Kayoubikai /９月の火曜日会

September 26, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

@ Umami Birmingham

Join us for our September Kayoubikai at Umami Birmingham, a great opportunity to meet new friends with similar interests, practice Japanese, and stay connected with other people in our JASA community. All are welcome, whether you're a JASA member or not!

Please RSVP at least one day in advance! There is no cost to attend this event but everyone will be responsible for their own ticket at the end of the meal.

RSVP HERE!

Become a JASA Member!

We are grateful to have the support of our corporate members and individual members at all levels!

Our members enjoy basic benefits as well as special support from JASA for welcoming Japanese guests, coordinating events, and more. Whether you are Japanese or American, represent a group related to Japanese business and culture, or just have an interest in Japanese culture, we welcome all members. 

If you are interested in our membership program or would like more information, please contact us at officemanager@jasaweb.org or visit our website.

Many Alabamians are familiar with the word “Satsuma”, either as a reference to the City of Satsuma in Mobile County, or to its namesake, the Satsuma orange, which was grown in Alabama beginning in 1878 after Emperor Meiji of Japan presented a Satsuma tree as a gift. In fact, farming of Satsuma oranges in the Mobile area was a thriving business in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s until Satsuma trees were damaged by the combination of cold weather and a disease that affected fruit trees.

There is another type of Satsuma that originated long before Satsuma trees were introduced to Alabama. Around the year 1600 a type of clay pottery called “Satsuma” began production in the Satsuma Province in southern Kyushu, Japan. The original Satsuma pottery, which was plain and dark in color, was succeeded in the mid-1800’s by elaborately decorated Satsuma that was made in cities throughout Japan. It was made until around 1930, and during its 80 years of production was exported from Japan to countries around the world. Once the production of authentic Japanese Satsuma ended, because it had become so popular in export markets, other countries, including China, began making a lower quality version of Satsuma that continued until the 1960’s.

Earlier this year JASA was contacted by Mr. John Daane of Milton, Florida, who was searching for a Japanese organization that would be willing to own and care for the Satsuma pottery his parents had collected between the 1950’s and 2015 when they lived in The Netherlands, South Africa and New Zealand. On behalf of his family’s estate, it was Mr. Daane’s wish that a Japanese organization would care for and display his parents’ Satsuma, and with that commitment, JASA is now the proud owner of a 63-piece collection of authentic Satsuma, most of it now over 100 years old.

JASA first introduced the collection at a recent Board of Directors meeting, and it has since been displayed at other JASA events. The plan is for it to be on temporary display at JASA member companies, universities or other organizations. Anyone interested in hosting all or part of the collection should contact JASA President Mark Brown or Honorary Consul General Mark Jackson. 

JASA is grateful to the Daane family for their donation, and we look forward to many years of JASA members and friends being able to see and appreciate the incredible beauty and quality of authentic Satsuma!

AL. com: Toyota donating $6.7 million to Huntsville schools 

Toyota USA is donating up to $6.7 million to Huntsville City Schools with the goal of boosting the industrial workforce through STEM education programs as well as providing career support for young classroom teachers.

It’s part of a national educational Driving Possibilities program by Toyota in areas where its plants are located. The announcement Thursday took place at Jemison High School – just four miles south of Toyota Motor Manufacturing’s sprawling facility in north Huntsville where as many as 900,000 engines are produced annually.

Read the whole article on AL.com

STUDIO GHIBLI FEST 2023

Studio Ghibli Fest is back and bigger than ever! From now to November, experience all ten of Hayao Miyazaki's iconic animated films made at Studio Ghibli in this first-ever nationwide retrospective.

Each film will have an exclusive selection from the documentary series 10 Years With Hayao Miyazaki so you can step behind the scenes with the animation master. New to this year is the first-ever North American screenings of SPIRITED AWAY: Live On Stage, featuring two separate full performances filmed during the production's acclaimed run in Tokyo last year.

More Info

JapanFest Atlanta 2023

September 16 - September 17

@ Gas South Convention Center, Duluth, GA

JapanFest, now in its 36th year, typically draws crowds exceeding 20,000. Organized by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and the Japan America Society of Georgia and supported by the Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta, the festival promotes understanding between Japanese and Americans in the Southeast. JapanFest will be held September 16th Sat. and 17th Sun at Gas South Convention Center, Duluth, GA.

This year's theme is "Experience Japan," and we plan to offer many hands-on experiences such as Zen, Sumo, an art of swordsmanship, traditional candy art, Ikebana, Bonsai, Sado, and more for visitors.

More Info

JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA 2023

From August till October 2023, the Japan Foundation (JF) holds a special feature "JFF+ INDEPENDENT CINEMA 2023" which will shine a spotlight on the "mini-theaters" that support the diversity of Japanese film culture and adding to the vibrancy of local communities.

We are happy to announce we will distribute 12 Japanese movies recommended by mini-theaters around Japan and filmmakers around the world, additionally we will provide complementary access to videos that introduce 10 mini-theaters. 

Enjoy this FREE online streaming program!

More Info