Japan-America Society of the State of Washington

Mission

The mission of JASSW is to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the peoples of Japan and Washington State by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information.

Description

JASSW was founded on July 24, 1923 by leaders from Seattle's business, academic, and diplomatic communities. Except for a brief period during World War II, our organization has remained active in fostering Japan-Washington State trade, business, and cultural activities and maintains a close relationship with key government and private organizations, such as the Consulate-General of Japan and the Japan Business Association of Seattle. 
 
Today, we maintain a diverse membership of Japanese and American corporations and individuals from throughout the state and provide varied programs that build positive U.S.-Japan relations. The Society is one of 38 independent members of the National Association of Japan-America Societies. 
 
Japan-in-the-Schools (JIS) is our signature education program that celebrated 25 years in 2019. In its 26 years, this program has reached over 10,000 students. Washington State teachers can choose one of three classroom presentations that introduces Japanese culture or one of three Japanese language support role plays with volunteer native speakers. Over 100 free classes per year in Washington State elementary and secondary schools help broaden student's perspective on the world and open minds are hearts to the intrinsic value of every human through the introduction to Japan and the friendship between the people of Japan and the U.S. During COVID we have moved our entire program to a virtual format and continue to be a resource for teachers and students, as well as, making our programs available to the broader community.  Our programs foster diversity and inclusion to help #StopAsianHate.

America-in-the-Schools (AIS) was created and developed in 2015. AIS introduces American diversity to Japanese elementary school students. Thanks to grants from the U.S.-Japan Foundation, AIS provides teaching tools to Japanese elementary school teachers and American volunteers to introduce an American named Mika Yamamoto and her diverse classmates in an elementary school in Bellevue. 
 
Your donations will go to support the JIS and AIS education programs and help keep these vital programs available to students and teachers throughout Washington State! Please view our videos to learn more

Recognition

Grants and corporate donations: Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund, Boeing, Union Bank, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, U.S.-Japan Foundation, Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership, Mitsubishi
Education program endorsements: U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)