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

  • Benkyoukai 2025

    • Friday, February 21, 2025
    • 5:00 PM
    • Friday, March 14, 2025
    • 6:30 PM
    • 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 33rd 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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How You Can Help!

There are many ways to support JASSC fulfill our non-profit mission:

          

©2024 Japan America Society of Southern California
1411 W. 190th Street, Suite 360, Gardena, CA 90248

tel (310) 965-9050    fax (310) 965-9010   email info@jas-socal.org

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