Celebrating Japanese Heritage At Citi Field

AUGUST 25–JCCI NY, in collaboration with the U.S. – Japan Council, Japanese American Association of New York (JAA), Consulate General of Japan in New York, Japan Society, and the Japanese American Museum in Los Angeles, hosted its Japanese Heritage Night at Citi Field as Kodai Senga and the New York Mets took on Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels. The two teams have never faced each other this season.

Japanese Heritage Night centers on celebrating the vibrant U.S. – Japan partnership in the greater New York City area. This year, together as 6 core governing Japanese-based organizations, under the auspices of the New York Mets, we put forth a wonderful program that conveys this unity and reinforces the friendship between the City of New York and the Japanese and Japanese-American communities.

Key representatives featured Ambassador Mikio Mori, The Consul General of Japan in New York; Koji Sato, President of The Japanese American Association of New York (JAA); Tomonori Wada, President of Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York; Terry Suzuki, New York Regional Chairman of U.S. – Japan Council; Kathryn Bannai, Member of Board of Trustees, Japanese American National Museum; and Gary Moriwaki, Member of Board of Directors, Japan Society.

The 6-combined suites housed over 270 members, dignitaries, and guests of each organization, including surprise visits by former New York Mets Catcher and First Baseman Mike Piazza and Mr. and Mrs. Met! The event also included a lavish raffle that gave away Kodai Senga jerseys.

Special pre-game festivities featured COBU Taiko Drum, and the U.S. National Anthem was sung by musical actress Rina Maejima. A special video presentation was shown on the mega screen thereafter showcasing the unwavering Japanese and Japanese-American presence in New York. Ambassador Mikio Mori, the Consul General of Japan in New York threw the Honorary First Pitch. Catching his ball was Mr. Koji Sato, the president of the Japanese American Association of New York. Tak Furumoto, Vietnam veteran, was honored as the Veteran of the Game.

Did you know? The NY Mets have had the most Japanese baseball players out of any other Major League team with 14 players.

A week prior to Japanese Heritage Night, a Pre-Gathering was held at the Playwright Irish Pub in Midtown, New York to build anticipation.

In addition to viewing the Mets take on the Cardinals, members and guests enjoyed themselves with the company of drinks, casual networking, and a raffle drawing.