On May 21, JASC welcomed community members to our building for Mirrored Lives 4, an evening of dialogue, reflection, and shared experiences centered on food and cultural identity.

Presented in partnership with the Consulate-General of Japan in Chicago and generously sponsored by MUFG, the program brought together Japanese Americans, Japanese nationals, and others interested in exploring how food has shaped our personal histories and cultural connections.

The evening began with a presentation by Chikako Jo of Torino Ramen and author Bob Kumaki, who discussed how World War II transformed food culture in both Japan and the United States. Their conversation highlighted how scarcity, adaptation, and resilience led to the creation of many foods that are now considered staples of Japanese and Japanese American cuisine.

Following the presentation, participants gathered in small facilitated discussion groups over dinner to share their own experiences with food, family traditions, identity, and belonging. With the support of bilingual facilitators and translators, participants were able to engage across generations, backgrounds, and language differences, creating a welcoming space where every story could be heard.

Throughout the evening, conversations explored how food can serve as a connection to heritage, a source of comfort and pride, and a way of preserving culture while adapting to new environments. Participants reflected on growing up in Japanese, Japanese American, multicultural, and non-Japanese households, finding both unique perspectives and shared experiences around the dinner table.

We are grateful to everyone who attended, shared personal stories, and contributed to such thoughtful and meaningful discussions. Programs like Mirrored Lives continue to demonstrate the power of dialogue in strengthening connections across our community, one conversation—and one meal—at a time.