The Apology

Posted at 7/27/2009 04:52:00 PM
California State Assembly Member, Paul Fong is attempting to take the issue of a landmark bill torequest an apology for the Chinese Exclusion Act to Congress. Fong's bill will aplologize to the state's Chinese-American community for racist laws enacted during the 19th century Gold Rush. It will also recognize the contribution Chinese immigrants made to California, in particular the Transcontinental Railroad.

"The Chinese Exclusion act is the only federal law enacted to deny immigration based exclusively on race or nationality. The Act was repealed in 1943 during World War II as China became an ally against the Japanese. Ironically the repeal of the Act followed by the Internment of Japanese Americans during World War II." Link Link


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2009 World Games 世界運動會

Posted at 7/22/2009 08:48:00 PM

2009 World Games, taking place in Kaohsiung, Taiwan from July 16 to July 26 features sports that are not contested in the Olympic Games. This features such games as aikido, parachuting, bodybuilding, bowling, casting, flying disc (frisbee), sport ju-jitsu, karate, netball, orienteering, sumo, surfing, tug of war, dragon boat, korfball, climbing and many more. Over 3,000 athletes are competing from 91 countries. View the schedule.

One of the most interesting part of the World Games is the main stadium itself, the World Games Stadium. A recently constructed structure designed by famous architect Toyo Ito. It is a a beautiful solar-powered stadium that will generate 100% of its electricity from photovoltaic technology. Seen as a model for future sporting arenas, it is beautiful, functional and environmentally friendly. Link

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Hayao Miyazaki in Berkeley

Posted at 7/20/2009 06:58:00 PM
Hayao Miyazaki has been announced the winner of University of California, Berkeley Center for Japanese Studies 2009 Berkeley Japan Prize. The prize recognizes individuals from all disciplines and professions who have, over a lifetime, influenced the world's understanding of Japan.

"For nearly 50 years, Miyazaki has been enchanting the world with fantastic and emotionally soaring films, making him one of the world's most respected animators and directors. Among dozens of films he has written, directed and animated, his best-known include 'My Neighbor Totoro,' 'Kiki's Delivery Service,' 'Princess Mononoke,' 'Spirited Away,' and 'Ponyo.'"

Miyazaki will accept the award on July 25 at 6:00 pm in Zellerbach Hall on the UC Barkeley campus. Featured on Nichi Bei Times Newspaper. Link

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Strike an Asian Pose!

Posted at 7/19/2009 09:50:00 AM
Cute Asian girl obsessed, Steve has created a blog to help recognize and document Asians and their notoriously known quirky and cute poses, Asianposes.com. According to Steve, "Why are poses so important? One reason is the phenomena known as 'boring photos lowers cuteness' effect. I find this problem to be particularly noticeable while scanning through a large amount of photos." Link

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Asian American International Film Festival

Posted at 7/14/2009 12:16:00 PM

32 years running, the Asian American International Film Festival continues to be the leading showcase of films created by media artists of Asian descent and about the Asian community. Running July 23 through July 26, AAIFF will showcase original feature films, short films, documentaries, and other works from throughouth the world. "AAIFF continues to be a leading showcase for Asian American film and video, placing a substantial focus on local and independent works and working to enrich New York's Asian arts community." Learn more

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2009 California Obon and Bazaar Schedule

Posted at 7/13/2009 11:02:00 PM
Upcoming 2009 California Obon and Bazaar schedule:

July 18:
Buddhist Church of Florin
Buddhist Church of Marysville
July 18/19:
Orange County Buddhist Church (Anaheim)
Mountain View Buddhist Temple
Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
July 25:
Buddhist Church of Salinas
July 25/26:
Higashi Hongwanji Buddhist Temple (Los Angeles)
Berkeley Higashi Hongwanji
Buddhist Church of San Francisco

Aug 1:
Buddhist Church of San Diego
San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple
August 1/2:
Buddhist Church of Stockton
Palo Alto Buddhist Temple
Gardena Buddhist Church
August 8/9:
Buddhist Church of Sacramento
Nihonmachi Street Fair

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Pistahan Parade and Festival

Posted at 7/13/2009 10:01:00 PM
The largest celebration of Filipino Americans in San Francisco returns and is set for August 8 & 9 2009. The celebration will include the Adobo Cook-off and balut eating contest, Filipino cuisine and deserts, cultural exhibits, and the second annual San Francisco Filipino American jazz festival. The two-day event is expected to draw over 50,000 people. Learn more

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Lunch in a Box

Posted at 7/11/2009 10:23:00 AM
Bentō, a single portion takeout or home-packed meal is a common sight in Japan but is now becoming a popular trend in the United States. Generally consisting of rice, fish or meat, and one or more pickled or cooked vegetables as a side dish, Bento is becoming a fun, colorful, money saving, environmentally friendly, and a way to conserve leftovers.

San Francisco based mom and blogger, Deborah Hamilton is helping Americans learn about bento and tips and tricks with her blog www.lunchinabox.net. "Lunch in a Box" averages 380,000 page views per month and won the 2007 Food Blog Award's "Best Family/Kids Blog" category. Link, Link

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San Jose Obon お盆

Posted at 7/10/2009 06:57:00 PM

Obon - the annual Japanese Buddhist festival to honor departed spirits or one's ancestors, has evolved into a family reunion celebration which traditionally includes a dance known as Bon-Odori. Obon lasts for three days however starting date varies with regions of Japan. Shichigatsu Bon (Bon in July) is celebrated around July 15, Hachigatsu Bon (Bon in August) is celebrated around August 15, and Kyu Bon (Old Bon) is celebrated on the 15th day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar.

Along with the traditional religious Obon observances and Bon Odori dancing for Buddhist temples, United States Obon also hold a cultural and food bazaar providing a variety of cuisine and art, also to display features of Japanese culture and Japanese-American history.

San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin in San Jose Japantown will be held this coming weekend, July 11 and 12. Learn more

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Origins of Bánh mì

Posted at 7/08/2009 09:26:00 PM
Bánh mì is a Vietnamese baguette made up of thinly sliced pickled carrots and daikon, onions, cucumbers, cilantro, jalapeno peppers and meat or tofu. The sandwich is a product of French colonialism in Indochina, combining ingredients from French (baguettes, pate and mayonnaise) with native Vietnamese ingredients like cilantro, hot peppers, fish sauce and pickled carrots. Bánh mì, in Vietnamese translates to bread but also can be used to refer to bread stuffed with meat. Vietnamese food including Bánh mì and pho is becoming very popular in the United States especially in areas with a Vietnamese immigrant community. "The contrasting flavors and textures of the sandwich - as well as its relatively low cost - make it a popular dish. Bánh mì is referred to as a 'Saigon Sub,' 'Vietnamese Po' boy' in the New Orleans community, or 'Vietnamese Hoagie' in other part of the United States." Link

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European Designed "Chopstick Aids"

Posted at 7/07/2009 10:59:00 AM

Dining out at an Asian restaurant can pose to be problematic for those who are unfamiliar with the new eating utensils. Two questions arise, one can either fiddle with the chopsticks or do the embarrassing thing of asking for a fork. However, Europeans are taking it to another level and are designing different utensils to eat Asian food.

TUKAANI " hand made eating device for Asian food consumers in the West"
Designed by Ugandan-born Finnish designer Lincoln Kayiwa, the Tukaani is an alternative to the chopstick. "It may be held as traditional chopsticks, but unlike the disposable wooden chopsticks, Tukaani provides eased food picking and delivery to the mouth. The loop also allows easier hanging, storage and display." Link

Chopsticks Aid
Designed by Jaroslav Kucera of Poland, which is a fork face that attaches to a pair of chopsticks. With this tool, it will save anybody from hunger, however not necessarily with their dignity intact.


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Ponyo 崖の上のポニョ

Posted at 7/06/2009 09:04:00 PM
From the Academy Award-winning director and world-renowned Japanese animation legend Hayao Miyazaki comes PONYO, a story inspired by Hans Christian Andersen's Fairy tale "The Little Mermaid." Already a box-office success in Japan, the story of a young and overeager goldfish named Ponyo and her quest to become human. Link

In Theaters August 14


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What Will They Think of Next?

Posted at 7/06/2009 12:51:00 PM

With the announcement of Pepsi Shiso in Japan in recent months, Coca Cola, the cola leader in Japan is not letting this product be outdone and is creating its own take. In stores June 8, 2009, Coca Cola released Coca Cola Plus with Catechin, which is full of antioxidants (catechin) and has a slight green tea aftertaste. The target audience is health-conscious young women in their twenties and thirties.

"We wanted to cater to people who are looking for something that tastes good but is also good for health and beauty," said Coca Cola (Japan) Co. spokesman Katsuya Sato.

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