Japan America Society of Southern California

Japan America Society of Southern California

Building Japan-America Relationships Since 1909

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The Japan America Society of Southern California is a recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit, charitable and educational organization consisting of individuals and corporations with an interest in Japan and in United States-Japan relations.

We have been building Japan-America relationships since 1909.

E.N.G.A.G.E with us. Support now!

https://www.jas-socal.org/donate E.N.G.A.G.E. (Enrich, Nurture, Guide and Grow through Education)

At the Japan America Society of Southern California, we believe in the power of culture to build a brighter, more interconnected world. Our student and young professionals programs are designed to foster education about Japan and also build understanding, collaboration, and lifelong friendships between young people in Japan and the United States. But we cannot do it alone – we need your help.

Why Your Support Matters:

Help sustain and grow our legacy educational programs like the Japan America Kite Festival® Japanese kite making workshops that serve LA area under-resourced elementary school children, Japan Bowl® of California Benkyoukai that prepare U.S. high school students for the annual National Japan Bowl® competition, and our Women’s Leadership Counts Initiative Young Professionals Workshops that strategically support career development of young professionals on both sides of the Pacific.

Empower Youth: By contributing, you enable students and young professionals to engage in life-changing cultural and educational opportunities.
Build Bridges: Your donation helps bridge the gap between the Japanese and American cultures, fostering mutual respect and global cooperation.
Create Leaders: Our programs nurture future leaders who will drive positive change and international understanding.

Join Us in Making a Difference:

Donate Today!! Your financial support is crucial in providing educational resources, and enabling our world-class programs.

Together, we can create a future where young minds are enriched through cultural understanding and enhanced knowledge about Japan and the U.S.

E.N.G.A.G.E. the Japan America Society student and young professional programs today and be a part of a creating a better tomorrow, today.

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to fostering international friendship and cooperation.

Upcoming events

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Benkyoukai 2025

Start
Friday, February 21, 2025
5:00 PM
End
Friday, March 14, 2025
6:30 PM
Location
Online

Apply from here!
https://forms.gle/FSK5Z8g3sQ6cR91B8

The Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC) invites high school students from Southern California who are studying the Japanese language to participate in its 2025 Benkyoukai. Benkyoukai is an extracurricular online workshop that offers a valuable opportunity for your students to enhance their Japanese language skills, build on what they have learned in the classroom, and engage with peers from other Southern California high schools who share a passion for Japanese language and culture. This year is the fourth year that JASSC is offering its Benkyoukai. There is no admission or registration fee for the Benkyoukai.

The Benkyoukai is a series of interactive online study sessions that covers not only the Japanese language but also knowledge of Japan-related content, i.e. Japanese culture, society, history, geography, and the arts. The study of these dual areas will help your students to communicate better in Japanese. The Benkyoukai study sessions will be conducted by university students from Chuo University, Rikkyo University, and Shibaura Institute of Technology who will join us online from Tokyo.

Students will attend a total of three 90-minute virtual sessions on Zoom. Each session will mainly consist of a lecture portion and a breakout session portion. In the breakout sessions, students will implement what they have learned by engaging in conversational exercises with their classmates. The fourth and final session will be dedicated to offering the students Japanese cultural experiences through "Cultural Day".

Session 1	Session2	Session 3	Cultural Day
February 21, 2025 (Friday)	February 28, 2025 (Friday)	March 7, 2025 (Friday)	March 14, 2025 (Friday)
5:00 – 6:30 pm (PST)	5:00 – 6:30 pm (PST)	5:00 – 6:30 pm (PST)	5:00 – 6:30 pm (PST)

The JASSC Benkyoukai is also an excellent resource for students preparing for the 33rd National Japan Bowl, scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C. on April 4-5, 2025. Instructors will cover some of the topics covered in the "National Japan Bowl Team Study Guide" made available through the Japan America Society of Washington DC.

There is no requirement for to attend the National Japan Bowl® to participate in the JASSC Benkyoukai.

To Register, please click on the link below.
https://forms.gle/FSK5Z8g3sQ6cR91B8
Please note that space is limited and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

JASSC 2025 Benkyoukai - REGISTRATION FORM.pdfFor any questions, please contact Chie McHaffie, JASSC Program Manager, at mchaffie@jas-socal.org.

Japan America Society of Southern California (JASSC)

JASSC is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable, and educational organization (Tax ID # 95-2021853). JASSC was founded in 1909 to build relationships between the people of Japan and the United States. JASSC serves its members and the community by offering economic, public affairs, educational and cultural programs and events that not only educate but acts as a bridge by bringing together Japanese and Americans who are interested in Japan and the U.S.-Japan relationship. Our website address is: www.jas-socal.org

National Japan Bowl®

In 1992, to make the study of Japan and the Japanese language both challenging and enjoyable, the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C., launched the National Japan Bowl®, an annual competition that recognizes and encourages the nearly 70,000 high school students across the United States who have chosen to study Japanese as their foreign language. Over the years, the National Japan Bowl® has grown to become the pre-eminent venue for demonstrating American students’ knowledge of Japan, its language, its history, and its culture, focusing a national spotlight on the close, longstanding relationship between the two countries and their people. For further information about the 2025 33^rd National Japan Bowl® and to register, please see the following link: https://japanbowl.org/

The Japan Bowl® of California Benkyoukai is an independent program hosted by the Japan America Society of Southern California. The Japan Bowl® of California Benkyoukai is in no way sponsored or administered by the National Japan Bowl®.

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JAPAN CURRENTS 2025 - U.S. and Japan: Shaping AI Standards for Good

When
Friday, March 21, 2025

3:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Location
Loyola Marymount University

Register

Japan America Society of Southern California

and

Loyola Marymount University

Japan Currents 2025 Seminar

U.S. and Japan: Shaping AI Standards for Good

Friday, March 21, 2025

3:30PM Registration Begins

4:00 - 6:00PM Seminar

6:00 -7:00PM Networking Reception

Location: Loyola Marymount University, Hilton Center for Business,

Hilton 100 - 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Admission to Japan Currents 2025 Conference

JASSC Members & Cooperating Organization Members - $50

Non-Members - $75

Students - Free

Parking - $15 per vehicle payable onsite. This fee is not included in the registration fee.

This in-person event will feature keynote speeches and panel discussions on the role of the U.S. and Japan in shaping global AI standards, featuring The Honorable Taro Kono, The Honorable Jerry McNerney, PhD, and The Honorable Matthew McGuire, PhD. The discussion will be moderated by Elizabeth Vella Moeller.

Join our esteemed speakers as they explore the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and the responsibilities of the U.S. and Japan in setting ethical, transparent, and secure AI standards. Topics will include the policy frameworks necessary to ensure AI benefits society, the geopolitical and economic implications of AI leadership, and how the U.S.-Japan partnership can drive innovation while safeguarding global digital security.

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain insights from leading experts and policymakers on one of the most pressing technological challenges of our time.

Featured Speakers

The Honorable
Taro Kono

Member of the House of Representatives of Japan,
Former Minister of Digital Transformation and Foreign Affairs

Included among the many leadership positions held by Minister Kono during his distinguished career are Minister of Defense, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister in charge of COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-out and Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission. Minister Kono is a graduate of the School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University and in his role as Honorary Kissinger Fellow (2023-2024) at the McCain Institute, Minister Kono used his vast diplomatic and policymaking experience to advance the concept of Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT), an international framework for data sharing that bolsters security among like-minded countries and counters autocrats’ approach to global data governance.

The Honorable
Jerry McNerney, PhD

California State Senator,

Chair of California Senate Revenueand Taxation Committee

Senator Jerry McNerney is a distinguished leader in AI governance, technology policy, and clean energy innovation. As leader of the California AI Leadership Initiative (CALI Act), Senator McNerney is playing a pivotal role in advancing AI standards in California—a state that is home to over 80% of the world’s AI companies. Known as “Mr. Science” during his sixteen years in the U.S. Congress, McNerney authored the AI in Government Act and co-chaired the Congressional AI Caucus, earning national recognition for his data-driven approach to policy. Senator McNerney’s unique blend of scientific expertise, legislative acumen, and international collaboration positions him as a global leader on AI innovation and regulation.

The Honorable
Matthew McGuire, PhD

Executive Director, The AI Trust Foundation

Former U.S. Executive Director, The World Bank

Matthew McGuire is the Executive Director of The AI Trust Foundation and former U.S. Executive Director of the World Bank, where he led global economic initiatives and strategic operations. Previously, Matt served as Director of the Office of Business Liaison at the U.S. Department of Commerce, managing key relationships with global business leaders and policymakers. With a background as a senior executive in the financial services industry and deep experience in nonprofit leadership, Matt has worked on workforce development and affordable housing programs in the U.S. and abroad. He holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology from Harvard University and a B.A. from Brown University.

Elizabeth Vella Moeller

Partner, Government Law & Strategies,

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Elizabeth is a nationally recognized leader in AI law, policy, and governance, driving impactful change at the intersection of technology and society. Named a Top 50 Woman in AI, a leading lawyer by Chambers USA, and a Top Lobbyist by The Hill, she brings over two decades of expertise in navigating complex legal and policy challenges. As Co-Founder and General Counsel of The AI Trust Foundation, she collaborates with industry, policymakers, and academia to promote ethical AI standards. A UCLA Law JD and UC Berkeley BA graduate, she leverages her California roots to bridge technology, law, and public good in Washington, D.C., and California.

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