Are you ready for the big day? Here is what you should expect & what we expect from you! Most importantly, you need to be registered to attend the SEIJIN-shiki USA. The registration will be automatically closed once capacity is reached. New SEIJIN Registration Guest Registration
第5回成人USA 当日の注意事項です。最新情報をこのページでご確認ください。
★ 5th annual SEIJIN-shiki USA Celebration Official Page is here.
In the event of a Bellevue College Campus closure, participants will be promptly notified via email. 会場のベルビューカレッジが閉鎖の場合は、成人式USAも自動的に中止になります。中止の場合は、参加登録のみなさまにはメールでお知らせいたします。
Looking forward to seeing you on January 13, 2024!
Are you ready for the big day? Here is what you should expect & what we expect from you! Most importantly, you need to be registered to attend the SEIJIN-shiki USA. The registration will be automatically closed once capacity is reached. New SEIJIN Registration 4th annual SEIJIN-shiki USA Program Information
Google Maps may take you to wrong building. Please refer to the map below.
Bus 245 stops right in front of the Performing Arts Center. Bus 271 stops within 8min. walk to the Performing Arts Center.There are plenty of free parking spaces at Sammamish High School if you come by car. サマミッシュ高校敷地内に無料駐車スペースは十分にございます。バスは、245が学校前に、271が徒歩8分ほどのところに停まります。
Dress Code
You may be wondering what the proper “dress code” is. The dress code is “dress your best as an adult”. You can wear traditional clothing like a Furisode or a Haori & Hakama, a suit, an elegant dress or your best jeans with your brightest sneakers! 新成人は、自分が大人としてふさわしいと思う自分らしい服装でいらしてください。かしこまらなくてもかまいません！
Check-in
There will be a check-in table at the entrance to the Sammamish HS Performing Arts Center. Bringing your digital ticket will make the check-in process smoothly. If you forget, that’s OK. We will check your ID instead. メールで届いているチケットをお見せいただくと受付がスムーズにいきますが、IDをお持ちならばそちらを確認することで入場可能です。
Doors Open at 12:00 pm
The celebration starts at 1:00 pm, but come early to enjoy pre-celebration activities! We will have a photo booth with “Kin Byoubu,” a traditional Japanese gold backdrop used at celebrations. We will also be showcasing SEIJIN 2023 photos and JET programs video in the theater! Please be seated by 12:50pm. 開場は12時です。12時50分までに着席ください。
New SEIJINs and friends at inaugural SEIJIN-shiki USA in 2020
Please make sure you are healthy!
Wearing mask is optional for SEIJIN-shiki USA staff, volunteers and participants.
The guidance for a safe and fun 4th annual SEIJIN-shiki USA follows CDC and Department of Health Washington guidelines to prevent infections.
All participants who enter the facility are responsible for abiding by these guidelines.
On the day of the event, if you have the following symptoms or feel unwell, please stay home to protect yourself and others.
Possible symptoms of COVID-19:
• Fever (> 100.4° F or 38° C) or chills • Cough • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing • Fatigue • Muscle or body aches • Headache • New loss of taste or smell • Sore throat • Congestion or runny nose • Nausea or vomiting • Diarrhea
Masks are no longer required in many places; we recommend that people may want to continue to wear a mask for added protection against COVID-19. Especially those who are immunocompromised, living with someone immunocompromised, or who may just feel safer wearing a mask.
Hand washing is recommended before entering the venue, before and after eating and drinking, and after using the restroom. The best method of hand washing is to use running water and soap, lather the soap and scrub your hands for 20 seconds or use a 60% or more alcohol gel and rub 20-30 seconds.
【New SEIJINs】 PLEASE REGISTER!Attend virtually from anywhere in the USA. Registration is required to enjoy the special new SEIJIN perks. The new SEIJIN session starts at 1 pm (PST) /4 pm (EST) on ZOOM. Please register now! ★New SEIJIN qualification★ You do not need to be Japanese to be recognized as SEIJIN! We welcome any US residents who were born between January 2000 and March 2002.
【General Audience 】 NO REGISTRATION IS NEEDED! Everyone is welcome to view the SEIJIN-shiki celebration on YouTube Livestream starting at 1:20 pm (PST)/4:20 pm (EST). We have a surprise guest pianist’s message & performance only for Livestream. Don’t miss it out!
The 3rd annual US-Japan Coming of Age Celebration transitions to a fully virtual event.
We regret to announce that we can no longer offer in-person participation and will be transitioning to a fully virtual event. We were looking forward to welcoming 100 new Seijin to Bellevue College’s Carlson Theater, however, due to the increasing Omicron variant cases across the state of Washington, Bellevue College has canceled all in-person events on campus. We believe this is the best choice to protect the participants’ health and safety.
While we were excited to offer a hybrid (virtual & in-person) SEIJIN-shiki for the first time, we are now shifting our celebration to becoming a vibrant virtual event. The whole class of SEIJIN 2022 will meet virtually on Sunday, January 16th. Challenges continue to await us, but we will be “United by Challenges,” as our slogan goes.
We have changed our course, but we will give our all to deliver the best possible SEIJIN-shiki for the new SEIJIN of 2022.
The general audience can view the SEIJIN-shiki on YouTubeLive starting at 1:20 pm on January 16. https://youtu.be/Ldl-NdS9rxE
Thank you very much for your interest in supporting the SEIJIN-shiki USA 2022. We would like to recognize your personal or business donation in the following giving levels. Donations made by November 30, 2021, will be recognized in the printed programs. 第３回日米友好成人式へのご支援ありがとうございます。いただいたご寄付の額により、以下のように感謝の気持ちを表させていただきます。2021年11月30日までにいただいたご寄付に関し、お名前を式典プログラム（印刷物）に掲載させていただきます。
$1000 and up
<CLOSED>Top-tier name recognition and 1-page ad space in the printed program (donation due Nov.30, 2021)
Top-tier name or business logo recognition on SEIJINUSA webpage
Name or buisness logo featuterd on screen and name mention in the donor recognition speech during the ceremony 式典プログラム（印刷物）にお名前・１ページの広告スペース(寄付締め切り2021年11月30日＜終了＞）。お名前もしくはビジネスロゴを成人式USAウエブサイトに掲載。式典にて、スクリーンにお名前もしくはビジネスロゴを表示、またスピーチ内でお名前のご紹介。
$500 and up
<CLOSED>Second-tier name recognition and a half page ad space in the printed program (donation due Nov.30, 2021)
Second-tier name or business logo recognition on SEIJINUSA webpage
Name or business logo featured on screen during donor recognition speech (no name mention) 式典プログラム（印刷物）にお名前・1/2 ページの広告スペース (寄付締め切り2021年11月30日＜終了＞）。お名前もしくはビジネスロゴを成人式USAウエブサイトに掲載。式典にて、スクリーンにお名前もしくはビジネスロゴを表示。
$250 and up
<CLOSED>Third-tier name recognition and a business card size ad space in the printed program (limited to first 8 businesses / donation due Nov.30, 2021)
Third-tier name or business logo recognition on SEIJINUSA webpage
Name or business logo featured on-screen during donor recognition speech (no name mention) 式典プログラム（印刷物）にお名前・ビジネスカードサイズの広告スペース (限定先着８社様・寄付締め切り2021年11月30日＜終了＞）。お名前もしくはビジネスロゴを成人式USAウエブサイトに掲載。式典にて、スクリーンにお名前もしくはビジネスロゴを表示。
$100 and up
<CLOSED>Alphabetical name recognition in the printed program (donation due Nove.30, 2021)
Fourth-tier name or business logo recognition on SEIJINUSA webpage 式典プログラム（印刷物）にお名前をアルファベット順に掲載。（寄付締め切り2021年11月30日＜終了＞）。お名前もしくはビジネスロゴを成人式USAウエブサイトに掲載。
Up to $100
<CLOSED>Alphabetical name recognition in the printed program (donation due Nove.30, 2021)
Alphabetical name recognition on SEIJINUSA webpage 式典プログラム（印刷物）にお名前をアルファベット順に掲載。（寄付締め切り2021年11月30日＜終了＞）。お名前を成人式USAウエッブサイトに掲載。
Let us introduce the day of the event program. If you have registered as new SEIJIN, please join ZENZA starting 30 minute prior to the ceremony. Special new SEIJIN ZOOM access should be sent to you beforehand. For the rest of audience, please view via YouTube Livestream
SEIJIN-shiki USA Ceremony
Sunday, January 17, 2021 3 pm (PST) / 6pm (EST) Monday, January 18 2021 8am (Japan Time)
MC・司会 Natalie Newcomb・ナタリー・ニューコム SEIJIN-shiki USA 2021 Committee Student at Washington State University
Welcome Manami Honda・本田まなみ Chair, SEIJIN-shiki USA 2021 Committee
Greetings from JIA Foundation Megumi Ijiri Haskin・いじりめぐみ President, JIA Foundation
Congratulations to SEIJIN・祝辞
Consul General Hisao Inagaki・在シアトル日本国総領事 稲垣久生 Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle
Lori Matsukawa・ローリー・マツカワ Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Washington Board member
Kimono Presentation Kimono Art 一般社団法人きものアート
SENPAI Messages・先輩メッセージ
Naoko Yamazaki・山崎直子 宇宙飛行士 Onboard the space shuttle Discovery with the crew of STS-131, an assembly & resupply mission to the International Space Station The second Japanese woman to fly in space Co-founder of Space Port Japan Association
Takashi Saito・斎藤孝 アメリカ医療最前線でコロナと戦う医師 Former career businessman turned doctor Infectious Disease Specialist in Neptune, NJ Fighting on the COVID-19 frontline to save lives
Kanako Kitao Spendlove・北尾佳奈子 シンクロナイズドスイミング・オリンピックメダリスト Synchronized Swimmer 2004 Olympics – Silver Medalist in Team Routine for Japan. 2014 FINA World Masters Championships – Gold Medalist in Solo Routine for USA. ‘O’ by Cirque du Soleili performer for 14+ years
Shinji Maeda・前田伸二 隻眼のパイロット Lost sight of right eye in a car accident as a teenager in Japan Overcame the handicap and became “One Eyed Pilot” in the USA Aero Zypangu Project Earthrounder Mission to take place in 2021
Ai Morita・森田愛 国連本部平和活動軍 Working for United Nations Headquarters Department of Peace Operation(DPO) in New York Former assignment at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Malawi. Earned Master’s degree in Sustainable International Development
Special Performance
Nick and Zack Gallagher・ニック＆ザック・ギャラガー Professional Kendama Players
Speeches from New SEIJIN・新成人スピーチ
Yushi Nakaoka・中岡有詞 SEIJIN-shiki USA 2021 Committee Student at University of Washington Alyssa Kuraishi・倉石有紗 SEIJIN-shiki USA 2021 Committee Student at University of Washignton
Special Performance Furmata Acappela Group from University of Washingon・ワシントン大学アカペラグループ
SEIJIN Recognition・新成人紹介 100+ SEIJINs
Closing・閉会 Natalie Newcomb
New SEIJIN with special ZOOM access continues to NIJIKAI（２次会）for social time with games, prizes and conversations.
Each week, we’ll choose one winner from all the people who have registered.
If you’ve already registered, you’ll be automatically entered in the raffle. The sooner you register, the more likely you are to get a prize! Drawings on Nov.22, 29 and Dec.6. If your birthday falls between January 1999 and March 2001, and live in the USA, Register nowand win a prize!
Please spread the word about our early registration benefits! The 2nd annual “SEIJIN-Shiki, ” The US-JAPAN FRIENDSHIP COMING OF AGE CELEBRATION on January 17, 2021Register now!
Step into adulthood the Japanese way! JIA Foundation will host the second annual SEIJIN-shiki, the US-Japan Friendship Coming of Age Celebration, on January 17, 2021. Due to COVID-19, the ceremony will be held virtually.
Each week, we’ll choose one winner from all the people who have registered.
If you’ve already registered, you’ll be automatically entered in the raffle. The sooner you register, the more likely you are to get a prize! Drawings on Nov.22, 29 and Dec.6.
★First 200 registrants receive original SEIJIN certificates and more!
First 200 registrants will receive a SEIJIN certificate issued by the JIA Foundation, a printed copy of SEIJIN-shiki program and a SEIJIN-shiki memento to commemorate their participation.
★Submission of childhood photos to be incorporated in the celebration video
For the “20 year reflection” portion of our video that will be presented at the celebration, we will include participants’ childhood photos–5 people per year (birth to 19years old) . Photos will be accepted on a first- come, first- served basis.
US-Japan Friendship Coming of Celebration is endorsed by Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle, Japan Foundation and Japan Business Association of Seattle.
Celebration Highlights:
Meet fellow SEIJIN across the United States, virtually.
About JIA Foundation The JIA Foundation was founded in 2014 to meet the needs of the current wave of Japanese immigrants and expats who benefit greatly from Japanese language specific services. “JIA” is an acronym which stands for Japanese in America. We define “JIA” as those of any race and nationality who appreciate Japanese culture and values. Community, Education and Identity are the key components of JIA programs. JIA Foundation is a 501(c)(3) NPO and operated solely by volunteers.
