IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Theresa Kulczak, Executive Director
Japan-America Society of Indiana
Office: (317) 635-0123
theresa.kulczak@japanindiana.org
www.japanindiana.org
INDIANAPOLIS – May 9, 2014 - On Thursday, May 22nd the Japan-America Society of Indiana
will host its Annual Gala at the Indiana Roof Ballroom, 140 West Washington Street,
Indianapolis. The event will feature keynote remarks from His Excellency Kenichiro Sasae,
Ambassador of Japan to the United States of America, and Indiana Governor Mike Pence.
The Gala begins with a reception for patrons at 5:00 p.m., continues with a general reception at6:00 p.m., and finishes with a dinner and program beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The program will include the introduction of Toshikazu Suzuki, the new Director of the State ofIndiana’s Japan Office in Japan.
The Honorable Masaharu Yoshida, Consul General of Japan at Chicago, and Ichiro Sone, Chief
Executive Director of the Japan External Trade Organization’s Chicago Office will also attend.
Popular local performer Cathy Morris, electric violinist and vocalist, will provide theentertainment.
Tom Easterday, Executive Vice President, Secretary, and Chief Legal Officer of Subaru of Indiana
Automotive, commented on Ambassador Sasae’s and Governor Pence’s participation in theGala. “We are truly honored that Ambassador Sasae and Governor Pence will be speaking atthe JASI Gala this year. We look forward to learning from the insights they will share with us,
particularly regarding the importance of the relationship between Japan and Indiana.”
Ambassador Sasae’s first visit to Indiana follows the recent meeting in Tokyo of United States
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe. Their U.S.-Japan Joint
Statement: The United States and Japan: Shaping the Future of the Asia-Pacific and Beyond,is available on the White House website. The statement notes that the people-to-people
programs of the Japan America Societies are indispensable to the relationship between thetwo countries.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/25/us-japan-joint-statement-unitedstates-and-japan-shaping-future-asia-pac
The Japan-America Society of Indiana’s Annual Gala brings together corporate and community
leaders and individuals from throughout the Midwest. Proceeds from the evening benefit theJapan-America Society of Indiana and its efforts to promote friendship, exchange andcooperation between Indiana and Japan.
Barnes & Thornburg LLP is the 2014 Gala Title Sponsor. The visit of Ambassador Sasae is madepossible through the special support of the Embassy of Japan, Washington D.C., and theConsulate General of Japan at Chicago.
Registration is available online and through the office of the Japan-America Society of Indiana
at www.japanindiana.org or 317-635-0123.
Corporate sponsors: Barnes & Thornburg; AISIN; Duke Energy; Honda Manufacturing of Indiana;
Subaru of Indiana Automotive; Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana; Elwood Staffing; The EMSGroup; Hoosier Energy; Indiana Economic Development Corporation; McGladrey; TOA (USA);
Toyota Industrial Equipment Manufacturing; BKD, LLP; Carroll White REMC; Columbus
Economic Development Board; Cornerstone Environmental, Health & Safety; Eli Lilly andCompany; Enkei America; Fifth Third Bank; Gaylor Electric; GECOM Corporation; Greater
Lafayette Commerce; Indiana Packers Corporation; JA Benefits; JPMorgan Chase Bank; Keihin
North America; Knox County Development Corporation; KYB Americas Corporation; Nachi
America; NTN Driveshaft; Ogletree Deakins Law Firm; Old National; SMC Corporation ofAmerica; TASUS; The Phoenix Group; Vectren Corporation###About Japan-America Society of Indiana (JASI)
Founded in 1988 by community, business and academic leaders, the Japan-America Society ofIndiana (JASI) is a not-for-profit cultural, educational, and business-support organization which
serves as a bridge of friendship and cooperation between the people of Indiana and Japan. The
Society is supported by a diverse membership of businesses, communities, academic institutions,families and individuals. Annually, the Japan-America Society of Indiana reaches more than
10,000 individuals through its programs, outreach activities, and services. The Japan-America
Society of Indiana is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies,
headquartered in Washington D.C., which includes over forty Societies nationwide.