We welcome you to participate in this year's Bonenkai, the traditional Japanese end of the year gathering.  Whether you are a non-member, a new member or a veteran member, this gathering will give you the opportunity to meet with the great people who help keep JASM going strong. Let's all gather to forget about the past and celebrate the new year!  A bento dinner is provided in the registration price; drinks are charged separately.

Witness first hand a Japanese style New Year celebration! Japan America Society of Minnesota is proud to be bringing the sights, sounds, and tastes of a Japanese style New Year celebration in January 2020.  Shinnenkai is an annual event which endeavors to bring Japanese style New Year traditions to Minnesota. The event is a perfect place for cultural exchange, meeting other Japanese related organizations like JASM, and to experience new things in a fun environment with performances, delicious Japanese food, and all sorts of fun for children too. We hope to create a fun family atmosphere that allows people of all ages to come together and experience a Japanese New Year!

On Saturday, February 15th, 2020, high school students from all over Minnesota will gather together to put their knowledge of Japanese Language and Culture to the test!

Teams of students from each school will compete in 4 levels of difficulty. Students will first write an essay, then participate in a preliminary round of questions regarding Japanese Language and Culture. The winners of the Final Rounds are sent to Washington D.C. to compete in the national Japan Bowl and attend the Sakura Festival.

This year again, we are inviting the family of the students, and anyone interested to come and watch the Final Rounds of J-Quiz!

The schedule will be announced later. 

The Final Rounds and Cultural programs are open to the public to enjoy! 

The Obon Festival, the largest Japan-related festival in Minnesota, takes place in Como Park every August.  Modeled after summer festivals held across Japan, it features stage performances, cultural demonstrations, activities, and, of course, Japanese food. 

Save the date and enjoy the summer festival with us!

The event is reminiscent of Japan's annual Obon holiday, an important cultural and family event. During this holiday it is said that ancestral spirits revisit their families for three days. Many people will return home to pay their respects at grave-sites, and often small paper lanterns are lit and floated down the river to guide ancestor's spirits. The Obon Festival also features the Bon Odori, or folk dance, in which all are invited to join in the circle and dance. 

A collaborative effort between JASM, Como Park, and the Saint Paul-Nagasaki Sister City Committee (SPNSCC), the Obon festival is a chance for JASM to reach out to the community and directly promote cultural exchange.

By creating a fun event for all ages, we hope to share the experience with people who fondly remember festivals in Japan, and those who wish to experience one for the first time.

To further the Japan-Minnesota Partnership, JASM holds the Mondale Award and Scholarship Dinner every Fall. At this gala event, the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership and Mondale Scholarships are presented. 

Please plan to participate in 23rd Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala on November 14, 2020 at Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins.

The Mondale Award recognizes outstanding contributions to the building of understanding, cooperation and respect between the people of Japan and Minnesota. The Mondale Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities who want to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel.

These awards are intended to both recognize and encourage the continued efforts to build a bridge between Japan and Minnesota. Proceeds benefit the merit-based Mondale Scholarship Fund; every year the Fund supports two or more Minnesota undergraduates studying in Japan.