In December 2010, the JAS Board of Directors adopted a charter to create an AMBASSADORS CIRCLE. The Ambassadors Circle is a growing committee of "Special Ambassadors" established in accordance to the JAS Bylaws to promote the mission and goodwill of JAS, particularly in the fields of entertainment, arts, fashion, and popular media and culture.
We are pleased to announce Shin Koyamada was appointed JAS Special Ambassador at the meeting of the Board of Directors on May 17, 2012.
Shin Koyamada – Brief Biography
Shin Koyamada became best known to audiences after his co-starring roles in the Warner Bros. blockbuster Tom Cruise film “The Last Samurai” (2003) as Nobutada and starring role in the Disney Channel hit feature movie franchise “Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior” (2006) (TV) as Shen.
Koyamada holds Third Degree Black Belt in Karate and competed in National Championships in Japan , Second Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, First Degree Black Belt in Kung Jung Mu Sul and US Nation Championship Gold Medals in Shaolin Kung Fu, including traditional Chinese 18 classical weapons. Other martial arts systems and styles he has trained include; Kyudo (Japanese archery), Kendo (modern Japanese swordsmanship), Iaido (traditional Japanese swordsmanship), Yabusame (archery while riding a horse) and Aikido.
Koyamada’s independent entertainment company, Shinca Corporation, produced the movie “Good Soil” (2007) and a television talk show "The Nia Lyte Show" (2010). Koyamada also founded The Shin Koyamada Foundation (SKF), a U.S. nonprofit organization dedicated to help children succeed in martial arts programs. In 2011, SKF raised over $120,000 for victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. It also sent shipping containers filled with basic necessities including food, clothes, toys, shoes, water, blankets letters of support. Koyamada serves as a goodwill ambassador for his hometown, Okayama Prefecture , Japan . In March 2012, he toured five cities in Japan with the Embassy of the U.S. Tokyo to inspire Japanese students to study in the United States and experience American culture.
