Dec. 17—Japan America Society and Nikkei America, Inc. are sponsoring a seminar on the U.S.-Japan and Asia trade and investment outlook for 2009 from 11:30 a.m. at the L.A. Marriott Downtown. Panelists include: Wendy Cutler, assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Japan, Korea and APEC Affairs, Consul General Junichi Ihara, and Kiyoshi Hasegawa, president, Nikkei America, Inc. Cost; $40 Members, $45 Non-members & Guests. For additional information regarding Japan America Society's events, please call (213) 627-6217, ext. 202, or email to info@jas-socal.org.

Dec.  31—Gardena Valley Nisei Club to celebrate  New Year’s Eve Dinner Dance at the Lakewood Centre, 5000 Clark Ave., Lakewood. No- host cocktails at 6 p.m. Sit-down dinner at 7 p.m. Ballroom dancing till Midnight with taped music by Ike Taniguchi. Followed by “Auld Lang Syne” festivities and breakfast at 12:15 a.m. $90 per person. Call Pat Nishimura at (310) 324-5060 for reservations or information.

Dec. 31—Celebrate with the Norwalk Dance Club at the New Year's Eve Dinner/Dance at the Southeast Japanese School & CommunityCenter, 14615 S. Gridley Rd. in Norwalk from 6:30 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. A delicious buffet dinner will be served by Unique Catering at 7.  The cost is $50 per person by reservation only with lots of door prizes and other entertainments for your enjoyment. Music for dancing will be provided by Yuso Kurihara. For more information and table reservations, call Helen Hikiji (714) 994-1566 or Harriet Yamada at (562) 943-6629.