JBAAは、アリゾナ地域で活躍している日本企業で働く人々の連携及びアリゾナと日本との相互理解と協力をはかるために１９９１年３月に日本からの進出企業１５社をもって発足しました。私たちは、アリゾナ地域社会との融合を図りながら、日本企業の活動環境の改善や向上に努力することが大切と考えています。また、アリゾナ地域の日本企業で働く日本人の子女への日本語教育、日本文化教育の重要性を認識し、アリゾナ学園スクールへの支援を発足以来行っています。益々、組織を強化し、活動を充実したいと考えておりますのでご理解とご協力をよろしくお願いいたします。

昨年度からのCovid-19パンデミックにより日常生活が一変し、例年とは全く違った生活を強いられた方も多かったと思います。本年度も依然Covid-19蔓延下ではありますが、ワクチン接種も進み新規感染者数も少しずつではございますが落ち着きつつあります。まだまだ予断を許さない状況ではございますが、ここアリゾナ州においても新しい日常生活に戻ろうしている所であると認識しております。JBAAに置きましては本年度は状況を見据えながら、感染対策を十分取りイベント運営を行っていく予定です。また、2021年はJBAA設立30周年の節目の年となります。30年間支えて下さった皆様方に改めて感謝を申し上げるとともに、Covid-19感染状況を見据えながら記念イヤーのイベントを盛り上げて参りたいと考えておりますので、引き続き皆様方のご支援、ご協力をよろしくお願い申し上げます。最後に皆様方に置かれましてはご健康に留意し、イベント等において皆様とお会いできる事を楽しみにしております。

Established in March, 1991 by 15 Japanese companies doing business in Arizona, JBAA is a non-profit, membership organization. Its mission is to promote friendly relationships and support among its members, accelerate mutual understanding and goodwill between its members and the people of Arizona and to support Arizona Gakuen School. We believe that it is important to make the effort to improve the working environment of Japanese company employees as they integrate into the community in Arizona. In addition, we recognize the importance of Japanese language and cultural education for member’s children and have provided support to Arizona Gakuen School since its inception 30 years ago.

Since last year, the Covid-19 pandemic changed our daily lives drastically. I suppose that most people were forced to have a completely different lifestyle than usual. Although Covid-19 is still prevalent this year, the number of vaccinated people is going up and the number of newly infected people is gradually decreasing. Although the situation is still unpredictable, I hope that we will soon return to our new daily life here in Arizona. For JBAA, this year we plan to take sufficient measures against Covid-19 infection as we manage our events, keeping an eye on the current circumstances. In addition, 2021 is our milestone 30th anniversary since the establishment of JBAA. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported us over the 30 years. I would like to continue to provide live, in-person events this commemorative year, while keeping an eye on the Covid-19 infection situation. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. Lastly, I hope you are staying healthy and I am looking forward to seeing you at upcoming events soon.