About Us
Our Mission
JASM provides a place where both individuals and businesses are able to engage in cultural activities, meet others with an interest in Japan, form new business relationships, learn, and build mutual respect between Japan and America.
JASM Officers
Dick Stahl is President and Chief Manager of Sassafras Consulting, LLC, an international trade and business development consulting firm. Dick’s international business career encompassed 37 years including 12 years living in Japan, Singapore, Australia and Taiwan. Dick has recruited, built and led highly motivated, results-oriented project teams with diverse cultures on six continents. Dick is currently consulting with a Japanese business continuity planning firm and a Minnesota company that provides water and energy savings products and services.
Mr. David W. Smith joined St. Jude Medical in 1996 with the acquisition of Daig Corporation. In his current role, Vice President of Market Development, he manages St. Jude Medicals’ three large Japanese distribution partners as well as seeks opportunities to grow market share and revenue through new technology introductions, enhanced reimbursement, and improved synergy across the St. Jude Medical portfolio. Mr. Smith speaks Japanese and has lived in Japan on two occasions for a total of eight years; most recently as St. Jude Medical Vice President of Japan Operations. His various roles within St. Jude Medical have allowed him to work with international distributors throughout the Asia Pacific region.
Mrs. Deanna Kim Bassett is the Treasurer. Her duties including advising the Board and Executive Committee on financial issues. She currently works for the law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi LLP. Deanna comes to the Twin Cities through a corporate relocation in 2005 and joined JASM because of her Japanese heritage from her mother’s family.
Board Members
JASM Office
Ben van Lierop is the Executive Director of JASM. Ben grew up in South Korea, but spent a crucial four years of his childhood in Japan. He later returned to live and work in Tokyo for a total of 17 years. He has two children and a granddaughter presently residing in Japan. He relocated to Minnesota with his wife, Chris, in 1992; they live in Hopkins with their sons Johan, Leif, and Christian. He operated his own travel business, served on the JASM board of directors in 1997-1998, and has also worked for Northwest Airlines.
Kanna Sato is the Community Outreach Director at JASM. Also she is a Japan Outreach Initiative (JOI) Coordinator sent by The Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (CGP) and The Laurasian Institution (TLI). Kanna was born and grew up in Wakayama prefecture, Japan where there still remains much beautiful nature. She received a Masters Degree in Art (Japanese Linguistic) at the Graduate School of Nagoya University and worked as a Japanese language teacher in Toyota, Aichi.
The Interns
Paul Tice Media Relations
Leah Henning Membership Coordinator
- Sadie Cornforth Events Coordinator
Events & Programs
JASM offers a wide range of cultural, business, and social events throughout the year; please click on each event for more information.
- New Year Celebration in January (Shinnenkai 新年会)
- J-Quiz in February
- The Como Park Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival in August
- The Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala in October
- Corporate Round Table (Quarterly)
- Japan in a Suitcase
- Kanna Club (Monthly)
- Japan Career Day in November
Publications. JASM publishes a monthly newsletter and guide book: Tsushin, a monthly membership newsletter featuring program highlights, and Japan-related business, public affairs, cultural, and educational events. JASM’s Guide to Living in Minnesota is an excellent Japanese-language resource for those new to Minnesota.
If you wish to make a donation to the Japan America Society of Minnesota, we would be honored to receive your generosity. We accept cash or check, as well as credit card (call 612.627.9357) or Paypal (button below), and if you are not already a member of the JASM community, please consider joining us. Thank You.
