Consulate-General of Japan in Denver

Do you know someone who is thinking about applying to the JET Program? Or maybe that person is YOU?

USJETAA is hosting a free virtual JET Info Session on June 11, 2026 which will include:
• Application Tips: A JET Program Coordinator will discuss the application process and what makes a strong application.
• Firsthand Experiences: Hear from a panel of JET alumni who will share their personal experiences living and working in Japan on JET.
• Q&A Session: Ask your questions and get real-time answers.

Register here: https://www.usjetaa.org/news/jet-info-session-june-2026

On June 4, Consul-General Okajima invited Ms. Stacey Shigaya (Executive Director, Sakura Foundation), Ms. Cindy Kondo (a board member of the Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation), and Ms. Jolie Noguchi (Owner, Pacific Mercantile) to the Consul-General’s official residence. The gathering provided a valuable opportunity for a small group discussion with leaders who play a vital role in connecting the Consulate with the local Japanese American community.

We look forward to continuing to work together with these distinguished individuals to strengthen our ties with the local community and to contribute to an even more vibrant and inclusive society.

🌸 Save the Date 🌸

The Denver Cherry Blossom Festival is back and bigger than ever! Two days. Thousands of friends. One unforgettable celebration of culture, food, and community in the heart of downtown.

🗓️ Saturday, June 27 • 11AM–6PM
🗓️ Sunday, June 28 • 11AM–4PM
📍 Sakura Square

🔥 Feel the thunder of Taiko drums
🎤 Cheer on your favorite performers live on stage
🛍️ Shop 50+ vendors filled with art, crafts, anime goods, and one-of-a-kind finds
🍱 Eat your way through festival favorites, from teriyaki burgers to bento and more
🍶 Sip sake or beer and soak in the summer vibes
Whether it’s your first time or your 52nd, this is the weekend you don’t want to miss!

During the evening of Friday, May 22, the 2026 AAPI Culture Fest x Civic Center Night Market, presented by the Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission (DAAPIC), Asian Roundtable of Colorado, and Civic Center Conservancy, was held in downtown Denver.

The event, which celebrates and highlights the many Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Colorado, included numerous Asian-owned food vendors, cultural performances, and sixteen “Community Hubs” which shared the history and culture of the various AAPI communities.

Despite ongoing construction at Civic Center Park, the event was well-attended, drawing even more visitors than its previous year. The Consulate-General participated at the festival, partnering with the Japan America Society of Colorado (JASC), JETAA Rocky Mountain (JETAARM), .S.-Japan Council Mountain Region (USJC), Sakura Foundation, and Denver Takayama Sister Cities to present Japan’s Community Hub. The Mile High JACL also operated a booth at the festival, demonstrating traditional mochi pounding. Together, these two booths introduced Japanese and Japanese American history, culture, and local organizational activities to many visitors.

We would like to extend our thanks to the many organizers, sponsors, and volunteers whose efforts made this year’s festival a great success.

To help ensure the safety and well-being of Japanese nationals in our jurisdiction, our Consular Team regularly meets with local authorities to strengthen partnership and cooperation. Recently we had the opportunity to express our appreciation for their ongoing support by presenting commemorative lapel pins marking the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 150th anniversary of the State of Colorado. We look forward to continued collaboration to keep our community safe!

On Monday, May 25, the 80th Annual Community Memorial Day Service for Japanese American veterans occurred at Fairmount Cemetery in Denver.

This ceremony commemorates Japanese American veterans who made great sacrifices while serving in military units formed during World War II. It is held every year around Memorial Day in May by the Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation, Simpson United Methodist Church, and the Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple, as well as community volunteers.

The memorial service was moderated by Cindy Kondo, a board member of the Nisei Veterans Heritage Foundation, and was attended by several hundred people, including former Japanese American soldiers, their family members, and representatives of Japan-related organizations. U.S. Senator Michael Bennet also attended and delivered remarks.

The Consulate-General of Japan in Denver was also invited, and Deputy Consul-General Takayama and Vice-Consul Zaitsu attended. Prior to the event, they observed a moment of silence at the gravesite of former Colorado Governor Ralph Carr, who worked to protect the rights of Japanese Americans, located within the same cemetery.

💼 Ready for life and career opportunities after JET? 🌏️ ✈️(Yikes!!)

Join USJETAA and Pasona for Beyond JET: Linking Japan to Your Next Career, a 90-minute virtual session designed to help you navigate the U.S. job market as you plan your next step after JET.

We’ll discuss:
▪️ How recruiters work (and how they can help you)
▪️ What the job search looks like currently
▪️ Key industries & Japanese companies in the U.S.
▪️ Translating your JET experience to your next role

📅 US: May 29 | 7:00 PM ET
📅 Japan: May 30 | 8:00 AM JT

🔗 Register here: www.usjetaa.org/news/beyond-jet-2026


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On May 21, Consul-General Okajima met with Ms. Yuzuki Yamamoto, who has joined Denver Summit FC, a newly established team that entered the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) from the 2026 season. Ms. Yamamoto, a member of Nadeshiko Japan, made a complete transfer to Denver Summit FC this spring and joined the team on April 18.

During the meeting, Ms. Yamamoto spoke enthusiastically about her new life in Colorado and the fresh challenges she is taking on in this new environment. On behalf of the Japanese community, the Consul-General expressed a warm welcome to Ms. Yamamoto and conveyed our wish to support her.

We wish Ms. Yamamoto and Denver Summit FC great success in their future endeavors!

On May 16, a memorial ceremony was held at the former site of the Granada War Relocation Center (commonly known as Amache) in Granada, Colorado, where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II.

This annual ceremony, held each May, commemorates the 120 individuals who passed away at the camp, as well as the 31 Japanese American soldiers from Amache who died on the battlefield in Europe and elsewhere. After the ceremony, a traditional potluck luncheon was held at Granada High School, which has long been involved in preservation efforts for the site.

Consul-General Okajima and consular staff attended the event. We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Nikkeijinkai of Colorado and the Amache Preservation Society, as well as to everyone involved in organizing the memorial ceremony, including the bus tour from Denver.

Are you a sake sommelier? Or maybe just a foodie who appreciates Japanese drinks and culture? 🍶🫛

This June, the Consulate-General of Japan in Denver is partnering with the Japan-America Society of Wyoming to present a Japanese sake tasting! Come by to learn about Japanese sake culture, and to enjoy pairing dishes prepared by the Consulate's own Chef Jo!

The best part? This event is FREE, and the first 100 to arrive will receive a commemorative wooden sake cup! Just make sure to RSVP via the QR code!

🗓 Wednesday, June 10th
⏰ 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
📍 Laramie Railroad Depot (600 S 1st St., Laramie, WY)

Space is limited, so don't wait and RSVP today!