About Us

Whether you are a newcomer to New York, a long-term resident, or a short-term visitor, you may encounter unforeseen problems arising from cultural differences, the language barrier, or a lack of familiarity with procedures. JASSI’s bilingual staff members and cadre of volunteers stand ready to offer culturally sensitive assistance and support.

The mission of JASSI is to improve the quality of life for people living in the New York metropolitan area by providing quality social services at the local community level. JASSI provides services in both Japanese and English to people who face problems resulting from language barriers, cultural differences, and/or differences in service systems, and JASSI provides these services regardless of age, income, gender, race, ethnicity, or immigration status. All services are provided without any charge.

JASSI was co-founded by the late Midori Shimanouchi Lederer, a second-generation Japanese American, and Cyril Nishimoto, an ivy-league-educated community-minded Japanese-American lawyer, in November 1981. Their purpose was to provide culturally appropriate high-quality social services at no charge to Japanese and Japanese-American senior citizens.

Kimi Shimizu, taking care of aging Japanese-Americans in New York City as a volunteer at the age of 73, joined JASSI as the first staff member.

Although starting with only a dining room table, a single telephone line, and just one typewriter, JASSI soon received requests from many other individuals, including restaurant workers, students, office workers and their families, permanent citizens and seniors, seeking information and direct services for a broad range of needs (including legal and immigration issues and family problems). As its work became known, JASSI received grants and corporate and individual donations, which in time enabled the organization to provide services on a no-fee basis.

Whether you are a newcomer to New York, a long-term resident, or a short-term visitor, you may encounter unforeseen problems arising from cultural differences, the language barrier, or a lack of familiarity with procedures. JASSI’s bilingual staff members and cadre of volunteers stand ready to offer culturally sensitive assistance and support.

The mission of JASSI is to improve the quality of life for people living in the New York metropolitan area by providing quality social services at the local community level. JASSI provides services in both Japanese and English to people who face problems resulting from language barriers, cultural differences, and/or differences in service systems, and JASSI provides these services regardless of age, income, gender, race, ethnicity, or immigration status. All services are provided without any charge.

[ Board President ]
Ryoko Mochizuki, CBP, CCP, CPA, MBA, JD, Esq., President of Law Office of Ryoko Mochizuki & Associates, LLC – LORMA HR Advisory Services

[ Board Treasurer ]
Sayaka Araki, CPA, CFO at The Newark Museum of Art

[ Board Secretary ]
Mayumi Iijima, Esq., Law Offices of Mayumi Iijima, P.C.

[ Board Members ]
Koichi Aiba, Flutist
Takashi Amano, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Rutgers University Newark
Hiroko Hatanaka, Former V.P. of IW Group
Monica Jenson, Brookfield Asset Management, Brookfield Place New York
Yoshio Kano, Executive Secretary of Japanese Medical Society of America, Inc.
Tazuko Shibusawa, Ph.D., LCSW, Executive Officer of Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation
Sayaka Takeda, Nomura Research Institute America

[ Honorary Board Member and Advisory Board ]
Tazuko Shibusawa, Ph.D., LCSW, Executive Officer of Shibusawa Eiichi Memorial Foundation

[ Advisory Board ]
Hideo Dan, Attorney at Law
Richard Hara, Ph.D., Lecturer of Columbia University School of Social Work
Yoko Naka, MSW, Former Director of JASSI
Kanako Okuda, DSW, MSW, LCSW,  Assistant Dean of Practicum Education & Clinical Associate Professor Boston University School of Social Work
Kozo Osaki, CPA, Former JASSI Board of Director

[ Staff ]

Natsuko Okazaki, MSW, CAC, Director

Mizue Katayama, MA, Senior Program Manager

Ayumi Kikawa Cimino, BA, CHN, Case Manager

Mizuho Kitagawa, BA, Senior Manager of Administration/Case Assistant

Tomoko Hirano, MS, Office Manager

Yoko Yoshida, MA, CHN, Senior Health Navigator/ Case Worker

Rika Kobashi, MA, CHN, Case Worker/Health Navigator

Haruko Yoshida Audia, BA, CHN, Case Worker/ Health Navigator

Emiko Tsuchiya, BA, Case Worker/Program Coordinator

Please email us at info@jassi.org with your age and zip code in order for us to better serve you. *All the information provided to us will be kept confidential. We will not disclose your personal information to a third party without your consent unless we are required or authorized to do so by law.

JASSI (JAPANESE AMERICAN SOCIAL SERVICES, INC.)

100 Gold Street, Lower Level, New York, NY 10038

Phone： 212-442-1541
Office Hours：Monday through Friday from 10:00AM to 5:00PM (except for holidays)
Email：info@jassi.org

DIRECTIONS TO OUR OFFICE IN NYC

• By Subway

to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall
to Fulton Street
to Fulton Atreet
to City Hall station and walk east across City Hall Park
to Chambers Street

• By Bus

Buses that stop nearby include the M1, M6, M9, M10, M15, M22, M101, and M102

• By Car

JASSI is located directly east of Pace University, at the intersection of Gold and Frankfort Streets. If you are driving, take the East River Drive to the Brooklyn Bridge/Civiv Center exit.

Map

We are deeply saddened to announce that Honorary Board Member Ms. Iwamoto passed away peacefully at her home in Manhattan on Sunday, August 11, 2024.

Ms. Iwamoto earned a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and was a founding member of JASSI’s Board of Directors at the time of its establishment in 1981. Throughout the years, she dedicated her expertise as a social worker, providing invaluable guidance and insights to the board to enhance JASSI’s social services. Her contributions played a significant role in ensuring the continuity and growth of our organization.

In 2019, she was appointed as an Honorary Board Member, and even after stepping down from her active role, she continued to support and watch over JASSI with great warmth and care.

We extend our deepest respect and gratitude for Ms. Iwamoto’s decades of service and dedication. As we remember her life and contributions, we offer our heartfelt condolences. We are also profoundly grateful for the generous donations she bestowed upon JASSI, which have greatly supported our mission.

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