HAJAS 2023 Board Members
President - Pegeen Blank
1st Vice-President - Meghan May
2nd Vice-President - Lisa Maione
Secretary -
Interim Treasurer - Mark Saito
Director - Carole Owsley
Director - Steve Woodsmall
Director - Neil Segal
Immediate Past President - John Lytton
2023 Board (l to r): Neil Segal, Pegeen Blank, Meghan May, Steve Woodsmall, Mark Saito, John Lytton, Lisa Maione
Carole Owsley
The Heart of America Japan-America Society was founded in May of 1962.
Our mission is to further understanding between the peoples of Japan and the Greater Kansas City area by promoting social, cultural and educational exchanges. It is a non-profit, non-political 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. This JAS has no paid staff. All of the work of the Society is done through volunteers.
Our organization serves the counties of Wyandotte, Douglas and Leavenworth in Kansas, and the counties of Jackson, Cass, Clay, and Platte in Missouri. But we also encourage friends from anywhere to be a part of our events and mission. We often send newsletters to members out of town including residents in Japan and former Kansas Citians.
The Heart of America Japan-America Society is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies
In July 2012, the Heart of America Japan-America was awarded a Certificate of Commendations from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan, Koichiro Gemba, in recognition of our organization’s contributions to Japan-U.S. relations. Then Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki presented the award to the Society on behalf of Minister Gemba.
