New Corp Green Tea from Japan - Maeda-en USA

Maeda-en U.S.A. is proudly presenting the 2007 NEW CROP GREEN TEA to customers in North American market from early May. It has been 22 years since Maeda-en, U.S.A. started shipping New Crop Green Tea directly shipped from Japan by Air to U.S. market and it has become a new season’s tradition by now.
New Crop tea is a special treat for those who love Green Tea available only once a year for a limited time. This rare Green Tea is picked from the first young leaves at the beginning of the Spring.
Enroll Maeda-en, U.S.A. “2007 New Crop Green Tea” campaign and be chosen a one of 10 lucky winners to get Free New Crop Green Tea Set!!
To enroll, please contact us at ooka@maeda-en.com, or mail us at the following with your name/address/phone number by May 30(Wed.);
MAEDA-EN, USA 16591 Millikan Avenue, Irvine CA 92606
Enjoy the fresh flavor of the Green Tea from Maeda-en.


Dr. Sakurai Receives the Asahi Soko Prize

The Japanese government has announced the award winners of prizes this spring. This time, the one to be decorated with The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays Award was Dr. Fred Yutaka Sakurai who lives in Torrance. Dr. Sakurai was born in Tokyo’s Ota Ward. He graduated from the Medical College of Keio University and after the war he became one of the first to travel to the United States to become an exchange medical student, eventually graduating from a specialized course at New York Medical College. Following that, he worked at places like military hospitals, then opened the Sakurai Hospital in Gardena. At present, he combines directorial duties at the Noguchi Ningen-Dock and the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance. On the one hand, he has had an active career as a surgeon, while on the other, as the Chairman of JCHI (Japanese Community Health, Inc.), he has worked tirelessly as a physician to promote the health and welfare of both Japanese Americans and Japanese nationals living in the United States. In addition, he has strived to advance the cause of Japanese American cultural exchange, filling such posts as the Vice President of the Japanese American Cultural Community Center (JACCC). This award was given for “meritorious service as a doctor advancing social welfare as well as contributing to the spread of Japanese art and culture in America,” an estimable honor.
On this occasion, we asked Dr. Sakurai for his comments about receiving this award and those are as follow. “I am very honored and humbled at the same time to receive this very prestigious Kunsho Award. When I heard that I will be decorated for the Kunsho Award, the first words that I thought about were my father’s words. Growing up, my father, who was also a physician, always told me, “Dedicate your life to people.” The reason I became a doctor was because I thought that I could help people and contribute to the community in that way. I started my practice in LA over 45 years ago as a family physician and surgeon and to stay true to my father’s words I have been involved with many non-profit organizations and eight of which I am still actively involved in community work. I am very content at this point in my life to be dedicated to the people of my community. I would also very like to dedicate this award to my loving wife, Ayaka, who has unselfishly dedicated her time to support me through this accomplishment.”