Brain Health Presentation & Fitness Demonstration | July 9

Discover the connection between exercise and brain health with an interactive presentation and fitness demonstration led by Smyl Fitness Rx. Learn simple chair-based exercises that support strength, mobility, memory, and cognitive wellness, and receive an optional fall-risk screening with personalized recommendations.

Hosted by JASC, the Alzheimer's Association, Smyl Fitness Rx, and the Japanese Mutual Aid Society. Thursday, July 9, 6:00–7:00 PM at JASC. Register online or call 800-272-3900.

Save the date: Tanabata Children's Festival

July 7 | 5:30 - 8:00 PM

Join us for Tanabata, Japan's traditional summer Star Festival celebrating the annual meeting of two stars in the night sky! Join us in the JASC for a fun family night filled with traditional festival games and activities! 

Mark your calendars! Registration officially opens in mid-June. Bring the whole family out to share wishes, enjoy delicious treats, and make wonderful summer memories together!  

Tampopo Kai Summer Session

The Japanese Immersion "Try-Out" Class was held on Saturday, June 6. Sixteen children, along with two younger siblings, participated and seemed to enjoy the entire program.

The class was a bit different from our regular Tampopo sessions. I spoke exclusively in Japanese throughout the class. Two stories were presented—one in the traditional kamishibai (storyboard theater) format and the other from a children's picture book. Both stories encouraged active participation, with the children acting out parts of the stories as they unfolded. The children absolutely loved it and I loved their reaction a lot!

The table-time writing exercises were new to most of the children, but they were well received by both the children and their parents.

I hope to implement more fun and creative activities that are developmentally appropriate for children ages 3–5 while continuing to provide a rich learning environment. I am also very excited about this class and look forward to seeing it grow!

Naomi Negi / Tampopo Kai

Cranes for Peace Project

A new project has been launched by the Japanese Culture Center and the Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International, and the Japanese American Service Committee is proud to be a partner!

We’re setting a goal to fold over 1,000 origami cranes to contribute to this collaborative art project—and we’re calling on our community to help us reach it.

You can participate by:

• Folding cranes at home (please leave wings up and unfolded for storage)
• Joining upcoming folding workshops at JASC, where we’ll provide the origami paper and guidance

If you’d like to drop off your folded cranes at JASC, please contact Ruby at rgrillier@jasc-chicago.org, and we’ll make sure they are transported to the Japanese Culture Center.

Click below to learn more about the project and how to participate!

Defining Courage

Coming Soon!

Please email info@jasc-chicago.org if you are interested in sponsoring or would like additional information.

Tickets go on sale July 1, 2026

Click below to learn more about the project.