Japan Crossover [JX]

SUSHI ZANMAI, a major sushi restaurant chain in Japan known for its high-quality ingredients and brisk sales, launched its first U.S. outpost SUSHI ZANMAI LA in Koreatown last year. Japanese and Japanese Americans are discovering this hidden gem, which offers authentic Tokyo sushi and fresh grilled fish, as well as sake crafted to pair perfectly with your meal. 🍣🍶 Fun facts! Known for multiple “firsts” and stunning world records, Japan’s first sushi restaurant operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week began at the famous Tsukiji Fish Market in 2001 and opened the first ever conveyor-belt sushi restaurant at the same Fish Market in 2003. In January 2026, it set a record for a winning 510.3 million yen (3.2 million dollars) bluefin tuna bid at Toyosu Fish Market, certified in the Guinness World Records last month. 🐟 Recently, Consul General Murota hosted a dinner at SUSHI ZANMAI LA, introducing JX members of the LA Next Generation Japanese American Leaders Initiative to Japanese authentic sushi culture. 🍽️ Through curated experiences, events, and strategic collaborations, JX fosters cross-border partnerships that elevate Japanese culture globally while strengthening ties with the Japanese American community. 🌎 The following JX members participated: Kaitlyn Chu – Product Designer, Apple Joey Furutani – CEO & Founder, FURUTANI & CO. Kevin Keizuchi – Founder, Shinsei Movement Brandon Saito – Vice President of Investments, Wells Fargo Advisors Christopher Sean – Actor Michelle Sugihara – Executive Director & CEO, Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) @sushizanmai.la @la_next_gen_ja_leaders @japancrossover @mrchristophersean @atticuswarhol @michsugi @brandonsaito @love_chu @joeyfurutani #sushizanmai #losangeles #sushi #tunaking #CGJLA

Japanese Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium and the vibes were absolutely UNMATCHED. 🇯🇵⚾💙 Nights like this are everything. Good people, rich culture, and Dodger Blue filling the air, this is what community looks like. Shoutout to @brandonsaito for making this night happen. Your heart for bringing people together is something special. Keep shining King! ✨ Grateful to have shared this moment with such an incredible group of people. 🙏 @japanconsulatela @brandonsaito @derek.yee.790 @thehikarism @michsugi @allymaki @lanamckissack @thedopestkind @mylennial @itskunalahuja @elena_shinohara @sierrakatow @mikimou5e timmychen The culture was celebrated. The energy was electric. And oh yeah The Dodgers won. 🏆😤 Nights like these don’t come around often. Cherish the people around you and never take moments like this for granted. 💙🇯🇵 #JapaneseHeritageNight #LetsGoDodgers #DodgerBlue #AAPI #AAPIcommunity togetherwerise

Aniplex's President voiced his thoughts on what streaming and physical media mean to anime at @japancrossover #aniplex #anime #physicalmedia #streaming #jx26

Recently, Consul General Kosei Murota welcomed comedian Atsuko Okatsuka (@atsukocomedy ), who has Japanese roots, along with her husband Ryan Gray (@ryanharpergray ) and longtime friend Todd Matsumoto (@todd.matsu.moto ) from her representation (@creativeartistsagency ) and @japancrossover to the Consul General’s Official Residence. They discussed the entertainment industry in Japan and the U.S., Atsuko's ongoing tour across America, and exciting future projects! 🎤🗺️ Swipe through the photos and tell us which you prefer—the cute shot or the serious one? Let us know in the comments below! 😆👇 #CGJLA #AtsukoOkatsuka #Japan #Comedy

JX’26 🇯🇵🇺🇸📺 . Thank you @japancrossover @japanconsulatela 📸: @akashi.creative

An inspiring night at JX’26! 🇺🇸🇯🇵 Thank you all for joining us for the 4th Annual JX’26 at Soho Warehouse in Los Angeles, honoring the visionary leaders and companies shaping the future of the US & Japan entertainment industry. A special thank you to Tom Miyauchi (Nippon TV), Shunsuke Taki (TBS International), & Matthew Ireton (Yoshimoto Entertainment USA., Inc.) for an insightful presentation on bridging entertainment between Japan and the US. Also, we heard from Yosuke Kodaka of Aniplex of America in a conversation moderated by Jacki Jing on the global rise of Japanese anime. It was an incredible discussion that highlighted just how dominant anime has become on the world stage. JX and the Consulate General of Japan in Los Angeles were also proud to present the 2026 Impact Awards to Aniplex of America and the Little Tokyo Community Impact Fund. If you would like to learn more about these organizations, please reach out to us. Thank you to our event sponsors Brandon Saito, Jonathan Tanaka, and The J. Morey Company, and to our incredible in-kind partners who helped make the evening possible: @jins.usa | @jbeautyhunt | @kizenskincare | @neurogum | @pockyusa | @pocarisweatusa | @suntoryglobalspirits | @upriserslab | @fancl_usa | Isehan | @naturelabtokyo Thank you @stories_intl for helping bring this event to life! Stay tuned for JX’27! — #jx26 #japancrossover #jx #anime #Japan

An intimate night of discovery unfolded at YESS Restaurant, the progressive Japanese dining destination by Chef Junya Yamasaki and Team YESS, where the essence of Japanese tradition meets the raw beauty of Southern California’s nature. Guests experienced the unveiling of IWA Sake Assemblage 5, the latest expression from IWA, a visionary sake house founded by Richard Geoffroy, former Chef de Cave of Dom Pérignon. Crafted in Toyama, Japan, IWA 5 celebrates the art of blending — harmonizing multiple rice varieties, yeast strains, and brewing techniques to achieve a sake of remarkable depth, purity, and balance. Much like YESS itself, IWA 5 embodies cultural dialogue — an encounter between East and West, tradition and innovation, simplicity and refinement — honoring craftsmanship while embracing the world’s diverse culinary landscapes.

@iwa.sake | @jx.network | @yess.restaurant Hosted an intimate reception with @richard.geoffroy , former Dom Pérignon Chef de Cave and now Founder and Maker of IWA Sake in Toyama, Japan. The IWA Sake was paired with seasonal bites by Chef @junyayamasaki of YESS Restaurant. Special thanks to @thecrownjulesla @richard.geoffroy & @junyayamasaki for making the first Entertainment Subcommittee, JX Network, culinary event possible. We look forward to collaborating again in the future! Now, let us all raise a glass like Mr. 50/50, Shohei Ohtani, said and enjoy a delicious sake in the name of friendships, community, and bridges. Kanpai! 🍶

Repost from @la_next_gen_ja_leaders • @ccaapicinema Congratulations to Michelle K. Sugihara, a member of the @jx.network - The Entertainment Subcommittee of LA Next Gen JA Leadership Iniative! Sugihara will receive the Industry Leadership Award for her inspiring work as Executive Director & CEO of CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment), where she champions equity, access, and authentic representation for Asian and Pacific Islander voices across Hollywood. The 4th annual Celebration of AAPI Cinema & Television will take place on November 14, 2025 in Beverly Hills. Sponsors and partners include Milagro Tequila, Julia S. Gouw, NEP Sweetwater, and FiJl Water. #MichelleKSugihara #CelebrateAAP|Cinema #CriticsChoice Special thanks to @akemilook sharing this!

Advice for the next generation of Japanese American leaders from @akemilook

@akemilook tells us more about who she is and how she’s feels at home being an emcee for the @jx.network 25 event!

Please join us for a candid interview with Entertainment Subcommittee Leader @akemilook at the @jx.network ‘25 music event at the @soho_warehouse in the Arts District. On this night, Akemi is one of the emcees for JX’25 and she graciously takes some time to elaborate on the importance of her Japanese American heritage and the themes of JX, Japan Crossover. Have you heard of JX?