CMA Sponsors JAASC’s Shinnenkai Event

The Shinnenkai tradition in Japan consists of a celebration between friends or peers in the month of January to welcome in the new year, and in true Japanese fashion the Japan America Association of South Carolina (JAASC) welcomed in the new year with a grand Shinnenkai celebration at the Westin Poinsett on Saturday, January 20th.

People of all ages from Japan and the United States join the JAASC to pursue positive relationships through social, educational, and cultural exchanges that benefit our business and residential communities. Though the histories and cultures of our two nations are very different, JAASC demonstrates that our values are remarkably similar.

The Spartanburg Plant has been volunteering and partnering with the JAASC since our inception in 2014 and this was our second opportunity to host this event. Not only is this event a chance to enjoy time with friends and co-workers, but also to help raise funds for the Greenville Saturday School (GSS). The Japanese Saturday Schools help Japanese ex-patriot students maintain and advance critical language and curriculum to ease the transition returning to Japan to complete their education or attend university. JAASC assists in funding and operating the GSS and has been in operation for more than 30 years.

This year’s Shinnenkai event was one for the books! It was the first time in JAASC history there were three presenting sponsors and along with other corporate sponsors and ticket sales. We were delighted to have South Carolina Secretary of Commerce, Harry Lightsey, speak on behalf of the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Jaxon Lang, President & CEO speak for AFL, and our very own President & CEO Dennis Frett speak on behalf of CMA. Laughs were had, excellent food was eaten, and good cheer was in great supply. Welcome to the year of the dragon to all our employees, members of all our communities and our friends around the globe!