HAJAS 2022 Board Members
John Lytton: President
Meghan May: 1st Vice-President
Pegeen Blank: 2nd Vice-President
Stephan Woodsmall: Secretary
Ryoko Yamanaka: Treasurer
Carole Owsley: Director
Mark Saito: Director
Neil Segal: Director
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.
