History

1960

Established in California as a nonprofit organization on December 30th

1961

Inaugurated as Japan Traders Club of Los Angeles with the support of 48 companies

1964

Held the first JBA Softball Tournament

1965

Olympic Games are held in Tokyo, the first Games in Asia
Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) begins operating

1969

Awarded a plaque from the Mayor of Los Angeles for fostering trade between the U.S. and Japan via the Port of Los Angeles

1969

Established Asahi Gakuen, a Japanese Saturday school

1969

Humans Set foot on the moon for the first time

1970

World Exposition is held in Osaka, the first EXPO in Asia

1970

World Exposition is held in Osaka, the first EXPO in Asia

1971

The Los Angeles Earthquake

1971

The Los Angeles Earthquake

1972

Okinawa is returned to Japan
Winter Olympics are held in Sapporo

1972

Okinawa is returned to Japan
Winter Olympics are held in Sapporo

1973-1975

Recession begins

1973-1975

Recession begins

1975

Established U.S. Educators to Japan (USEJ) Program

1975

Established U.S. Educators to Japan (USEJ) Program

1978

Changed name to Japan Business Association of Southern California

1978

Changed name to Japan Business Association of Southern California

1980

Started campaign against Unitary Tax, which was eventually revised in 1986

1981

Reaganomics Introduced

1986

Celebrated JBA’s 25th anniversary by providing scholarships to graduate and doctorate students

1988

Held the first California Forum for Economic & Cultural Exchange with state government

1989

Conducted the first annual JBA delegation to the California State Government in Sacramento

1991

Celebrated JBA’s 30th anniversary
Opened a new office in Torrance

1991

Celebrated JBA’s 30th anniversary
Opened a new office in Torrance

1992

Conducted fundraising campaign for rebuilding efforts after the L.A. Riots

1992

Conducted fundraising campaign for rebuilding efforts after the L.A. Riots

1993

Established the JBA Golf Tournament to raise funds for USEJ

1993

Established the JBA Golf Tournament to raise funds for USEJ

1994

Conducted a fundraising campaign to aid Northridge earthquake victims

1994

Conducted a fundraising campaign to aid Northridge earthquake victims

1995

Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

1995

Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

1997

The first research study on Japanese corporations in Southern California

1997

The first research study on Japanese corporations in Southern California

1998

Winter Olympics are held in Nagano
Japan officially declares a recession

1998

Winter Olympics are held in Nagano
Japan officially declares a recession

2000

Awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Award for JBA’s contribution to local communities in California
Awarded the Governor’s commendation for charitable donations

2001

9/11 Attacks

2001

Conducted fundraising campaign for victims of 9/11 attacks

2001

Sponsored Japanese Blood Drive for the American Red Cross

2002

Signed a strategic partnership agreement with Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC)
FIFA World Cup is cohosted by Japan and the republic of Korea

2003

Moved the official JBA office to Gardena
Conducted a fundraising campaign for victims of brushfires across Southern California

2004

Started networking activities with Japanese American business leaders

2005

Niigata-Chuetsu Earthquake

2005

Conducted fundraising campaign and donated $71,000 to the American Red Cross for Hurricane Katrina victims

2005

Started support for the LA Marathon

2006

Held the 100th JBA business seminar

2007

Held the first meeting with the California Governor in Sacramento

2008

The Great Recession in the United States

2009

Held the first JBA Environment Conference

2010

JBA representatives attended the inaugural conference of the U.S./Japan Council in Washington D.C.
Participated in the LAEDC Conference

2010

JBA representatives attended the inaugural conference of the U.S./Japan Council in Washington D.C.
Participated in the LAEDC Conference

2010

Celebrated JBA’s 50th anniversary

2010

Celebrated JBA’s 50th anniversary

2011

Great East Japan Earthquake
Raised nearly $1 million to aid survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

2011

Great East Japan Earthquake
Raised nearly $1 million to aid survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

2011

JBA 50th Anniversary Symposium and The 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner at JW Marriott Hotel, LA Live
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 9 struck at Sanriku coast in Tohoku district of Japan

2011

JBA 50th Anniversary Symposium and The 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner at JW Marriott Hotel, LA Live
A powerful earthquake of magnitude 9 struck at Sanriku coast in Tohoku district of Japan

2011

JBA announce to JBA members, Friends and Colleagues start request donation
Sacramento visitation

2011

JBA announce to JBA members, Friends and Colleagues start request donation
Sacramento visitation

2012

“Japan Endless Discovery” at The Grove
“Arigato From Japan Session”
Sacramento visitation

2012

“Japan Endless Discovery” at The Grove
“Arigato From Japan Session”
Sacramento visitation

2012

The 14th Torrance-Japan Business Reception at the battle ship Iowa

2012

The 14th Torrance-Japan Business Reception at the battle ship Iowa

2013

April 27, 2013
JBA bus tour to Manzanar (Battleship Iowa, Local Community Relations)

2013

April 27, 2013
JBA bus tour to Manzanar (Battleship Iowa, Local Community Relations)

2013

June 12 & 13, 2013
Annual Sacramento Visit

2013

June 12 & 13, 2013
Annual Sacramento Visit

2013

July 14, 2013
JBA donated to the Nisei Week Japanese Festival (Local Community Relation)

2013

July 14, 2013
JBA donated to the Nisei Week Japanese Festival (Local Community Relation)

2013

July 20, 2013
20th Annual JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2013

July 20, 2013
20th Annual JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2013

July 23, 2013
Presentation at the OCBC Economic Development Committee

2013

July 23, 2013
Presentation at the OCBC Economic Development Committee

2013

September 8, 2013
Softball tournament JBA officers vs. US Japan Council Dream Team (Local Community Relation)

2013

September 8, 2013
Softball tournament JBA officers vs. US Japan Council Dream Team (Local Community Relation)

2014

January 17, 2014
JBA New Years VIP Reception & Party

2014

January 17, 2014
JBA New Years VIP Reception & Party

2014

January 25, 2014
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2014

January 25, 2014
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2014

February 13, 2014
“Japan in 2014 Symposium” at InterContinental Hotel Century City

2014

February 13, 2014
“Japan in 2014 Symposium” at InterContinental Hotel Century City

2014

May 30, 2014
Hideo Miyake elected as the 2014 JBA President

2014

May 30, 2014
Hideo Miyake elected as the 2014 JBA President

2014

June 18 & 19, 2014
Annual Sacramento Visit

2014

June 18 & 19, 2014
Annual Sacramento Visit

2014

July 19, 2014
21st Annual JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2014

July 19, 2014
21st Annual JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2014

August 2, 2014
US. Educators to Japan review meeting

2014

August 2, 2014
US. Educators to Japan review meeting

2014

August 11, 2014
Prime Minister Abe’s Economic “Third Arrow” Implications for the U.S.–Japan Alliance report
August 14, 2014
2014 Survey Result of Japanese Business in Southern California

2014

August 11, 2014
Prime Minister Abe’s Economic “Third Arrow” Implications for the U.S.–Japan Alliance report
August 14, 2014
2014 Survey Result of Japanese Business in Southern California

2014

September 7, 2014
US-Japan Council Dream team vs. JBA All Star team Softball Match

2014

September 7, 2014
US-Japan Council Dream team vs. JBA All Star team Softball Match

2014

October 22, 2014
Seminar “Japan-China relation update” by Hon. Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi

2014

October 22, 2014
Seminar “Japan-China relation update” by Hon. Consul General Harry H. Horinouchi

2014

November 12, 2014
Together, JBA and JETRO presented the “Survey of Japanese Companies in Southern California 2014” at the OCBC (Orange County Business Council) Economic Development Committee on November 12th.

2014

November 12, 2014
Together, JBA and JETRO presented the “Survey of Japanese Companies in Southern California 2014” at the OCBC (Orange County Business Council) Economic Development Committee on November 12th.

2015

January 16, 2015
Second Annual JBA VIP Reception

2015

January 16, 2015
Second Annual JBA VIP Reception

2015

January 31, 2015
Japanese American Leadership Delegation send-off Ceremony

2015

January 31, 2015
Japanese American Leadership Delegation send-off Ceremony

2015

March 20, 2015
JBA General Meeting

2015

March 20, 2015
JBA General Meeting

2015

May 1, 2015
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Welcome Luncheon and Economic Forum

2015

May 1, 2015
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s Welcome Luncheon and Economic Forum

2015

June 17 & 18, 2015
Annual Sacramento Visit

2015

June 17 & 18, 2015
Annual Sacramento Visit

2015

July 13 & 14, 2015
The Japanese and Japanese American Business Networking Initiative 2015 Meeting

2015

July 13 & 14, 2015
The Japanese and Japanese American Business Networking Initiative 2015 Meeting

2015

July 18, 2015
22nd JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2015

July 18, 2015
22nd JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2015

September 22, 2015
Recent developments and movements of Japanese Companies in Southern California

2015

September 22, 2015
Recent developments and movements of Japanese Companies in Southern California

2015

October 15, 2015
First networking reception with the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce

2015

October 15, 2015
First networking reception with the Los Angeles Latino Chamber of Commerce

2016

January 30, 2016
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2016

January 30, 2016
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2016

February 25, 2016
JBA 55th Anniversary Reception

2016

February 25, 2016
JBA 55th Anniversary Reception

2016

March 18, 2016
JBA General Meeting

2016

March 18, 2016
JBA General Meeting

2016

June 22 & 23, 2016
Annual Sacramento Visit

2016

June 22 & 23, 2016
Annual Sacramento Visit

2016

July 16, 2016
23rd Annual JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2016

July 16, 2016
23rd Annual JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2016

September 1, 2016
Survey Result of Japanese Companies in Southern California 2016

2016

September 1, 2016
Survey Result of Japanese Companies in Southern California 2016

2017

February 4, 2017
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2017

February 4, 2017
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2017

February 23, 2017
JBA 56th Anniversary Reception

2017

February 23, 2017
JBA 56th Anniversary Reception

2017

March 17, 2017
JBA General Meeting

2017

March 17, 2017
JBA General Meeting

2017

June 15, 2017
FDI Report 2017 Announced

2017

June 15, 2017
FDI Report 2017 Announced

2017

June 21 & 22, 2017
Annual Sacramento Visit

2017

June 21 & 22, 2017
Annual Sacramento Visit

2017

July 15, 2017
24th Annual JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2017

July 15, 2017
24th Annual JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2017

July 19, 2017
2017 U.S. Educators to Japan review meeting

2017

July 19, 2017
2017 U.S. Educators to Japan review meeting

2018

January 1, 2018
JBA President Hitoshi Ishikawa’s New Year’s Greeting

2018

January 1, 2018
JBA President Hitoshi Ishikawa’s New Year’s Greeting

2018

January 24, 2018
US-Japan Council and JBA Networking Reception

2018

January 24, 2018
US-Japan Council and JBA Networking Reception

2018

February 3, 2018
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2018

February 3, 2018
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2018

February 20, 2018
JBA 57th Anniversary Reception

2018

February 20, 2018
JBA 57th Anniversary Reception

2018

March 16, 2018
JBA General Meeting

2018

March 16, 2018
JBA General Meeting

2018

May 24, 2018
FDI Report 2018 Announced

2018

May 24, 2018
FDI Report 2018 Announced

2018

June 20, 2018
Annual Sacramento Visit

2018

June 20, 2018
Annual Sacramento Visit

2018

August 27, 2018
Survey Result of Japanese Companies in Southern California 2018

2018

August 27, 2018
Survey Result of Japanese Companies in Southern California 2018

2019

February 2, 2019
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2019

February 2, 2019
Japanese American Leadership Delegation Send-off Ceremony

2019

February 27, 2019
JBA 58th Anniversary Reception

2019

February 27, 2019
JBA 58th Anniversary Reception

2020

March 13, 2020
JBA General Meeting

2020

March 13, 2020
Kiichi Nakajima elected as the 2020 JBA President

2020

May 25, 2020
FDI Report 2020 announced

2020

June 1, 2020
Yuichi Mitsumori elected as the 2020 JBA President

2020

September 17, 2020
Virtual Roundtable Discussion

2020

September 28, 2020
Webinar by Maria Salinas

2020

November 10, 2020
“Business Investments in the Los Angeles Economic Zone and their Appeal” Special Webinar

2020

December 1, 2020
“2020 Public Safety Updates in the Era of COVID-19 and Post US Election” Webinar

2021

January 1, 2021
JBA President Yuichi Mitsumori’s New Year’s Greeting

2021

March 12, 2021
JBA 60th Anniversary Forum

2021

March 26, 2021
JBA General Meeting

2021

April 1, 2021
Hironori Kobayashi elected as the 2021 JBA President

2021

June 2, 2021
FDI Report 2021 Announced

2021

September 7 & 8, 2021
Annual Sacramento Visit

2021

November 10, 2021
L.A. Next Generation Japanese American Leaders & JBA Initiative Event

2021

November 13, 2021
27th Annual JBA Foundation Charity Golf Tournament

2022

January 1, 2022
JBA President Hironori Kobayashi’s New Year’s Greeting