L.A.'s Japan Expo: What Happened?

Above, a dancer performs at the 2007 Japan Expo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in December 2007, I attended the annual Japan Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Little did I know at the time that this would be the last L.A. Japan Expo.

I've attended the L.A. Japan Expo every year since 2001.

In 2008, it was announced that the 2008 Japan Expo would be held December 13 and 14 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Not too long before the Expo was to be held, it was abruptly cancelled, but the next date for the Expo would be October 2009.

The 2009 Japan Expo wasn't held either.

Above, the Samuai Store's booth. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Japan Expo was put on by the Japan Expo Foundation. Their mission statement according to the official Japan Expo website:

The goal of the Japan Expo Foundation, founded in November 1980, is to promote cultural exchanges and understanding between the United States of America and Japan. It is a non-profit and non-political organization, which endeavors to bind these two countries in peace, prosperity and security by developing enduring relationships between their societies. The Foundation seeks to accomplish this goal through bi-lateral governmental involvement and support by way of local, regional and national government agencies, as well as utilizing the local, national and international business interest of these two nations. It is through seminars, expositions and educational exchange programs, in both countries, that true understanding and long lasting relationships can be built. The Foundation, by creating new opportunities for the people of these countries, seeks to strengthen their historic relationship and promote their mutual future welfare. Sponsorships, contributions, membership dues and event fees finance the Foundation.

The overview page for the 2009 Japan Expo stated:

The schedule is postponed by the influence of the influenza virus.

Either the influenza virus killed off most of the members of the Japan Expo Foundation or it is an euphemism for "this sucky economy."

There is nothing in their website providing any information on future Japan Expos or anything on the cancellation of the 2008 and 2009 Expos. The pages are all about the 2009 Japan Expo. The foundation's phone number doesn't seem to be working either. Does the Japan Expo Foundation even still exist?

Above, music performances were a part of the annual L.A. Japan Expo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Googling around, there is no information (one way or another) on the Japan Expo Foundation.

Above, a figure of Astro Boy I purchased at the 2007 Japan Expo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I contacted the Los Angeles office of the Japan National Tourism Organization (since they used to have a booth at the Expo) and they think that the Japan Expo Foundation no longer exists.

It appears that the Japan Expo was another casualty in this rotten economy.

If anyone reading this has information on the status of Japan Expo or the Japan Expo Foundation, feel free to post it here in comments.