Japanese community of Columbus, Ohio facts for kids
The Columbus, Ohio area is home to a Japanese community. Many Japanese people moved to the Columbus area because of the Honda Motor Company and its related businesses. In 2011, a writer from the Chicago Tribune noted that Ohio State University also helps give Columbus a clear Japanese feel.
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History of the Japanese Community
Honda started its operations in Marysville in 1979. Japanese people began living in Dublin and other suburbs instead of Marysville. This was because Dublin offered support for Japanese residents. These suburbs also had special Saturday schools for Japanese children. By 2013, only a few Japanese people lived in Marysville.
In 2012, the Japanese government gave Columbus twenty cherry trees. These beautiful trees were planted at the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens on April 27 of that year.
Japanese Population in Columbus
Central Ohio has the largest number of Japanese people living there compared to other parts of Ohio. A 2013 survey showed that Dublin had 2,002 Japanese residents. Columbus had 705 Japanese residents. These cities had the highest Japanese populations in the state.
According to the 2010 U.S. Census, 1,071 Japanese people lived in Dublin. This made up 2.6% of Dublin's population. In Union County, 122 Japanese people lived there, which was 0.2% of the county's population. A reporter from The Columbus Dispatch said this has been the case for a long time.
Economy and Japanese Businesses
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Honda Motor Company has several important facilities in Ohio. These include the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville and the East Liberty Auto Plant in East Liberty. Honda also has an engine plant near Anna and a transmissions plant in Russells Point. Many other companies that supply parts to Honda are also located in the Columbus area. As of 2011, there were 83 Japanese companies operating in Greater Columbus.
Education for Japanese Students
Akiko Miyamoto, a real estate agent, mentioned that the Dublin City School District offers special services for Japanese speakers. These services help attract Japanese families to Dublin.
The Columbus Japanese Language School is a special weekend school. It helps Japanese children learn and keep up with their Japanese language skills.
Culture and Fun Activities
Every year, Columbus hosts the Asian Festival. More than 100,000 people attend this festival each year. Also, Ohio State University has the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum. This museum has the largest collection of manga (Japanese comics) outside of Japan.
In 2011, a writer noted that there were many Japanese restaurants in and around Columbus. He said that Kihachi, a restaurant in Northwest Columbus, was very famous. It was even featured on a TV show called Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations. The restaurant closed in 2018 because the owner retired.
The Columbus Japanese Women’s Chorus, also known as Hanamizuki no Kai, is a singing group for Japanese women. It started in 1995. The group's name refers to the dogwood trees that the United States gave to Japan as a gift.
Images for kids
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Honda automobiles parked in front of Kihachi Japanese Restaurant in Columbus, Ohio
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