Video: Japan America Society of Mississippi Seeks to Bridge the Gap Between Cultures

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TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) -Japan is the largest supplier of direct foreign investment for Mississippi.In our viewing area, Toyota, and its suppliers have helped boost the economy and work is underway on the Yokohama Tire plant in West Point.

The influx of Japanese investment and executives means increased activity for an organization aimed to bridge the cultural gap between Americans and the Japanese. WCBI’s Allie Martin explains.

Long before the first Mississippi made Corolla came off the assembly line at Toyota’s Blue Springs plant, the Japan America Society of Mississippi or JASMIS, was active in the area.

“Once Toyota made their announcement in the PUL area, we opened a membership committee in Tupelo.”

Thom Eason is treasurer of JASMIS.Now that Yokohama is building in West Point, the Japan America Society of Mississippi wants to expand its reach.So on Thursday evening, JASMIS will host a reception at MSU.Eason says it is a way for the public to see what JASMIS is all about.

“We’re here to help businesses, with cultural issues dealing with Japanese businessmen.Schools, if they want to bring somebody in to talk to the kids about Japanese culture and life in Japan, we’ve done several of those all around the state.”

A guest speaker at the event will be Motohiko Kato, he is the consul general of Japan and visited Tupelo last week.

“Now in Mississippi, Japan is the biggest investors and biggest job creators.So Japanese business people really appreciate the hospitality of the people in this area, but there’s room for us to do more.”

Indeed, since Toyota opened, there have been several events geared to Japanese families, such as cooking classes, or this safety class at NMMC.Still, with interest in Japanese culture increasing, JASMIS is looking for ways to strengthen the relationship between Japanese and American culture. In Tupelo I’m Allie Martin WCBI News.

That reception is open to the public.It is set for 5 30 Thursday evening at the Bost Conference Center at MSU.