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                        Japan State Organization


            10th Anniversary: Celebrating the


                          “International” in DKG




                                    By Julie Anderson and Debbie LeBlanc

        The excitement of the cultural and networking opportunities that come from
        belonging to an international organization cannot be matched! International

        President Dr. Debbie LeBlanc’s and others’ journey to help celebrate the 10th
        anniversary of Japan State Organization is shared here by her travel companion
        and illustrates the richness of connection in and through DKG.



        Our trip abroad began with great excitement on      speaking tour guide, Miko Sakamoto, at the airport
        October 18, 2022. We met up                                      and proceeded to the Hotel Nikko
        with the Hawaii                                                                  Kansai Airport for
        State Organization                                                               a good night’s rest.
        delegation at                                                                      After checking
        the Daniel                                                                          out of the hotel
        K. Inouye                                                                           the next day, we
        International                                                                       loaded the bus
        Airport. As                                                                           for our trek to
        our group of                                                                          Kotohiro. The
        16, consisting                                                                       Japanese drive
        of 12 DKG                                                                           on the opposite
        members and 4                                                                        side of the road
        guests, waited                                                                       than we do
        at the gate,                                                                         in the United
        we heard stories                                                                   States. Also, Japan
        from those who                                                                  is a long, narrow
        had attended Japan                                                             island, so everywhere
        State Organization’s                                                           we looked the ocean
        (JSO’s) induction 10                                                           seemed to be there—
        years ago and were                                                             along with mountain
        drawn into their                                                               after mountain.
        excitement and                                                                    The scenery
        honor to return                                                                   was stunning.
        for the fabulous                                                                  We stopped at
        10th anniversary celebration.    Ema-Den, Namba Yasaka Jinja Shrine     Takosenbei no Sato, a cracker
            Travel to Osaka, Japan,                                             factory in Awaji City, Hyogo
        requires a 9-hour flight; because there is also a 19-  Prefecture. We got to see the crackers being
        hour time difference, we lost an entire day before   packaged for shipping, tasted free samples of
        ever reaching Japan. We met up with our English-    everything offered—as well as tea and coffee—and



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