Yuji's Omusubi

When former Hyogo Business and Cultural Center (HBCC) Intern Yuji Sasagaki first arrived in the United States he looked forward to meeting and getting to know young Japanese Americans. However he soon discovered that there were few opportunities for Japanese national college students to interact with their Nikkei counterparts. Despite their obvious shared heritage, Japanese American and Japanese national youth rarely cross paths due in part to language and cultural barriers. “Being a Nisei, I’ve always felt that the Japanese community and the Japanese American community are somewhat distant and separated from each other,” said recent University of Washington graduate Lisa Akiyama.  Determined to bring these two groups together, Yuji approached the JCCCW and HBCC about creating an event to facilitate international exchange and fellowship among Japanese national and Japanese American college students and young professionals. “The central mission of HBCC has always been kakehashi (bridge), and when Yuji came to work for us, he really embodied that mission,” said HBCC Programming Director Benjamin Erickson.

The inaugural Yuji’s Omusubi event, named after Yuji for his hard work and dedication to the program, was an instant success attracting over forty participants and uncovered a community need to bring Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans closer together. While Yuji returned to Japan in September of 2010, Yuji’s Omusubi has quickly become one of JCCCW and HBCC’s most popular programs bringing people together through cooking and eating Japanese and Japanese American dishes.  These events give participants the opportunity to learn new recipes, create community and make new friends. Past Yuji’s Omusubi have included okonomiyaki, nabe and omusubi cooking classes and community feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.  “Yuji’s Omusubi is a great way to meet new people around your age with similar interests in Japan and Japanese American culture,” said Lisa. “The events are fun - especially when there’s yummy food involved!” Yuji’s Omusubi events have become so popular that they routinely fill up weeks in advance and new events have been scheduled just to keep up with demand.

Both JCCCW and HBCC are happy with the early success of the program—signs that Yuji’s Omusubi is creating real connections and friendships between the two groups.  “Yuji’s Omusubi events are a prime example of how people from both communities are coming together and developing understandings of both cultures,” said Lisa.

JCCCW and HBCC will collaborate to offer four Yuji’s Omusubi events to Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans this year.  With such a sustained commitment to the program it seems clear that the two communities will continue to grow closer and closer to one another. “Yuji’s Omusubi gives our office the opportunity to not only build bridges between Japanese American and Japanese youth, but also with the community we came to serve when we moved into the cultural center last year,” said Ben. “Our office is prioritizing Yuji’s Omusubi in the coming year, and we look forward to working together with JCCCW well into the future.”

Are you interested in attending a Yuji’s Omusubi event? Visit this page often for updates!