After a very tough 2020, we finally made it to 2021 (phew). In the Eastern/Chinese zodiac, 2021 is the Year of the Ox. According to the zodiac, the ox represents hard work, positivity and honesty -- qualities which will be reflected by events, developments, and interactions in 2021. The Ox's traits are especially welcome, especially after a year when [...]
As 2020 comes to a close, Hokusei North America would like take time to extend its thanks and best wishes to our various business partners in the U.S., Japan, and Canada. This has been a trying year for nearly everyone, and it has been difficult to watch the struggles faced by organizations and people with whom we have worked. And, [...]
On November 20, Hokusei North America's CEO, Shotaro Tomita had the honor of introducing Jun Mokudai, Senior Advisor at Oregon's Japan Representative Office (JRO), to Toyama Prefecture's newly-elected Governor, Hachiro Niita. The introductory meeting took place at the Governor's Office in Toyama City and in addition to Msssrs. Niita, Mokudai, Tomita was attended by Toyoma Prefectural Government and Hokusei Products [...]
Recently, the Japan-America Society of Oregon (JASO), announced its Annual General Meeting event, to be held virtually on Dec 4, 2020. Although JASO hosts a number fascinating and educational programs throughout the year, this particular event stands out in that it will be paired with a bento box dinner featuring cuisine from Toyama Prefecture. As many people may not know, [...]
On November 1, the International Beer Cup (IBC), one of Japan's most prestigious beer competitions, announced its list of winners for 2020. Among the breweries receiving gold medals was Brewmin', a small brewery from Toyama, Oregon's sister prefecture (state) and location of Hokusei North America's parent company's home office. Strengthening the Brewmin' - Hokusei connection is the fact that [...]
During the summer, in conjunction with its partner Oregon Fruit Products (Salem, Ore.), Hokusei North America sent a shipment of fruit puree to Japan As these shelf-stable aseptic purees are highly valued by the craft brewing industry to make fruited beers, every customer of this last shipment was a Japanese craft beer brewery. One of those breweries is Uchu Brewing, [...]
Now that October is here, and the season has turned to Autumn, it's time for "leaf peepers" and other Fall foliage fans to seek out the best colors this time of year has to offer. Whereas the New England states are known to offer some of the best Autumn foliage in the country, Oregon too has its Fall beauty spots. [...]
During the month of September, there were a number of forest fires burning across Oregon. These fires, some of which are still not yet 100% caused considerable damage in terms of burnt forest and land (nearly 1 million acres), destroyed homes, and human fatalities. Although Portland was not touched by the wildfires, it did receive an extraordinary amount of smoke [...]
Recently, Hokusei North America (HNA) undertook an interesting export project, a first for the company. Based on request from the U.S. Military, and working with its sister company Hokusei Trading Asia, HNA shipped a number of mailboxes from the U.S. to Okinawa, Japan. Made of brass, the mailboxes have a traditional American design, which is certain to fit right [...]
On August 16, the Toyama Shimbun newspaper in Toyama Prefecture (Oregon's sister state) published an article lauding Hokusei North America's efforts to work with the Portland Japanese Garden to promote peace through the display of "Ori-tsuru"-themed products. An Ori-tsuru is an origami (folded paper art) version of a crane, which in Japanese culture is a symbol of good fortune and [...]