The 2026 SJA Mine Sasaguri Award Winner: Yoshimi Muto

SJA is pleased to announce the winner of the 2026 SJA Founder Mine Sasaguri Service Award: Ms.Yoshimi Muto!

Congratulations, Yoshimi-san! おめでとうございます！

As a former SJA board member, also as a core member of the SJA Origami Team and Setagaya Committee, she’s one of the longest serving SJA members/volunteers.

She tirelessly participates in numerous origami events and teaches how to fold origami to participants ranging from young children to elderly. Her detailed preparation and patient and warm attitudes led all the events to a huge success. 

In addition to being the core Origami team member, she is also heavily involved in the Arlington Setagaya Committee. She has worked very hard in order for Arlington and Setagaya to conclude a friendship agreement. She took leadership in this committee for several years, organized both virtual and in-person events between the two cities, and participated in the monthly Setagaya Happy Hour event.

She currently volunteers for the Arlington Setagaya online exchange to facilitate conversations between American and Japanese students.

We are deeply grateful for her support of SJA in so many ways over the years.

Once again, a great big Congratulations and thank you to Yoshimi! SJA is honored by your dedication and looks forward to continuing to work with you!