The selection committee has the discretion to award up to $2,000 for each scholarship. In a typical year, between 3 and 5 scholarships are awarded. The awards are specifically to be used for travel to or within Japan before, during, or after the student’s specified term(s) of study.

July 17, 2025 - Application Deadline

July 27, 2025   - Send interview invitations to candidates

Aug 8, 2025 - Complete interviews of candidates

Aug 11, 2025 - Award scholarships

(Picture: 2024 Obon Festival first shift volunteers)

We are now accepting registration for volunteers! If you want to join us in making the Obon Festival successful and fun, we encourage you to apply!

Mandatory Volunteer Orientation will be held virtually on Thursday, August 7th at 6 pm.

The Obon Festival itself will be held on Sunday, August 17th.

Please find information below on the various booths you can volunteer at and make this event successful together!

• Yo-Yo Tsuri - a game where participants fish for floating balloons. Volunteers will need to organize booth, prepare water balloons, prepare hooks, and help run game. 
  
  
• Calligraphy - assist calligraphy master and help people with calligraphy (previous experience with calligraphy is preferred)
  
  
• Balloon Makers - help make balloons for Yo-Yo Tsuri 
  
  
• Kingyo sukui - our version will involve participants fishing for rubber fish with scoopers. Volunteers will need to prepare tubs of water, and help run game. 
  
  
• Japanese Quiz - conduct J-quiz by asking participants questions and encouraging participants

• Main Booth - attend the JASM market to help fundraise 

Everyone aged 18 and older is welcome to volunteer. Current JASM members given priority. If you are not JASM member yet, become a member and join the JASM family today! Whether you're new to Obon or an experienced volunteer, we look forward to having you!

Please fill out the form as soon as possible to secure your spot in the fun! Please note that while the deadline is Saturday, August 3rd, our volunteer spots can fill up before then. Thank you!

**Please note that all volunteers need to attend a mandatory volunteer workshop before the festival to get all necessary information and instructions.

We're looking forward to working with you!

We are currently accepting nominations for the Mondale Award for Japan–Minnesota Partnership. If you know an individual or organization that exemplifies this spirit, we’d love to hear from you!

Please click here for a list of criteria for the Mondale Award and here to nominate someone. 

The due date for nominations is August 18, 2025. 

Every year, the Japan America Society of Minnesota presents the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership to an individual or organization that has been nominated by the membership and selected by a committee of the Board of Directors. Purpose: The Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership is presented by JASM to recognize outstanding contributions to the building of understanding, cooperation and respect between the people of Japan and Minnesota. 

After Walter Mondale returned to Minnesota in 1997, having served with distinction as Ambassador to Japan, JASM created the Mondale Award for Japan-Minnesota Partnership. The award was first presented to Joan and Walter Mondale to recognize his work as an ambassador to Japan and her ongoing efforts to promote the arts in both countries. The Mondale's epitomized JASM's core value of fostering meaningful connection between Minnesota and Japan. Through this award, JASM celebrates individuals and organizations who are dedicated to bringing Japan and Minnesota closer together.

Recent awardees include: 

Ann McCarthy and Patricia Thornton (2024)

Dick Stahl (2023)

Gayle and Judith Fleming (2022)

Sarah Walbert (2021) 

Bill Deef (2020)

Patricia Katagiri (2019)

You can find a complete list of awardees by clicking here.

We cannot wait to receive your nominations! 

Obon Festival 2025 ticket will be available at Como Park website.

Please save the date for Obon Festival 2025 at Como Park on Sunday, August 17 from 3 PM to sundown for a celebration of Japanese culture and tradition.  There will be food, singing, dancing, martial arts, and of course, lantern lighting! This is a family friendly event perfect for everyone. 

Please stay tuned for updates!

To find details, including parking information, and purchase tickets please visit Como Park website.

 　

JASM Activities that will be at Obon Festival: 

Calligraphy - Try your hand at calligraphy or ask the calligraphy master for a message on a fan (with a donation of $15 or more)

Yo-Yo Tsuri - A game where participants fish for floating balloons

Kingyo sukui - In our version, fish for rubber fish with scoopers

Japanese Quiz - Test your knowledge of Japan and win a prize

 Wanage - Enjoy Japanese ring toss with friends

Main Booth - Find variety of JASM merchandise and other fun items.

Visit JASM Main Booth for Obon Festival Masks!

We hope to see you there!

Want to support JASM while also getting a tasty meal? Dine and Donate with Leeann Chin is a day of fundraising through food! 

Date: Thursday, August 28th  

Fundraising Hours: 11:00am to 9:00pm

Dine with JASM Team: 6pm-7:30pm

Location: Only at Leeann Chin

1620b Park Pl Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416

How the Fundraiser Works:

Please Dine with JASM!

The JASM Office Team will be at Leeann Chin from 6:00pm to 7:30pm on August 28th and JASM Board Members and Volunteers will be at the restaurant at various times throughout the day to socialize with any interested JASM Members and fundraiser participants. Come say "hello" while you enjoy your order!

Please Spread the Word (flyer)!

Our goal is to raise $800 from this fundraiser. 

For example, the “Party for Four” ($40.99) from their menu, which includes:

• Three pint-sized entrées

• A quart of White or Natural Brown Rice

• A pint of Vegetable Fried Rice or Asian Noodles

• 9 Cream Cheese Puffs

• 4 Chocolate-Dipped Fortune Cookies

With this meal, JASM receives an $8 donation — but any order counts!

Whether you’re dining in or ordering takeout, it’s a delicious way to support our mission of connecting Minnesota and Japan through culture, business, and education.

Invite your friends, family, coworkers—anyone who loves great food and a good cause.  JASM needs your support to make this a success.

Thank you for being part of our community!

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

Donations are always greatly appreciated!

2025 JASM Fundraiser Golf Scramble

FORE!!! JASM will be holding our 5th annual charity golf scramble event on Saturday, September 20 at Pioneer Creek Golf Course in Maple Plain, MN. Enjoy a fun day of competition with friends while supporting JASM.  This event is limited to 72 participants.  The format of this event is a four-person team best-ball scramble. Each team member takes every shot, but only the best ball counts towards the final score. Expect to go low!

Do not worry if you do not have a team.  Sign-up as an individual and JASM will make team arrangements for you.  Club rental is also available.

There is no better way to meet your fellow JASM members and golf enthusiasts!

Early Bird Pricing (until August 30):

Member: $85

Non-Member: $110

Regular Pricing (August 31 – September 20):

Member: $110

Non-Member: $125

For further information, please contact:

Tom Haeg, 612-940-3351 tomhaeg@msn.com

Marc Blehert, 763-280-2108 mblehert@yahoo.com

The Quarterly JASM Social

We invite you to join us for an informal get-together at JASM Connects!

When: Wednesday, October 29th from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Sponsor: Satellite Industries, JASM Corporate Member

Who should attend: This event is open to all Japan America Society members, guests, and friends.

JASM Connects is a relaxed opportunity to meet new people, catch up with old friends, and enjoy a casual conversation in any language. There are no agendas, no formalities. Feel free to bring your meishi (business cards), though if you don’t have one, don’t worry — just come along and join the fun!

Free for JASM members

This event is brought to you by JASM, the bridge-building organization between Minnesota and Japan. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please mark your calendars! The 2025 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala will be held in person on Saturday, November 15th at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins.

Registration will open at the end of September.

Both the Mondale Award and Mondale Scholarship will be presented at this event. 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 presented to students enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities who want to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel.

The 2025 Annual Meeting is scheduled on December 11th at 6:30 pm. The place is TBD.

At the meeting, we will be reflecting on the year as a whole and looking forward to next year. We’ll discuss additional ways we can further JASM’s mission and will hold elections for board members.

Please mark your calendar!

JASM’s Community Engagement: Connecting Minnesota with Japan

Explore the events and organizations JASM visited in 2025 to share Japanese culture and strengthen ties between Minnesota and Japan.

February

• Emperor's Birthday Celebration at The Consulate General of Japan in Chicago
• Chinese New Year Celebration at The Century College

March

• Talking to the History of Comic Class at The Century College
• Cultural demonstration at The St. Thomas Academy
• Japanese language consultant at The History Theater
• Cultural Demonstration at Anime Detour

April

• Attendee at the Cha-ami Library Opening Event
• Cultural Demonstration at Cooper High School Culture Fest
• Cultural Outreach at the University of Minnesota Japanese Class

May

• Cultural Support at the SPNSC Cherry Blossom Celebration
• Company Visit with Hoya Vision
• Exhibitor at the Twin Cities West Metro Asian Fair

June

• Conference at the Midwest Forum - Consulate General of Japan in Chicago

July

• Presentation at Anoka County Library
• Cultural Demonstrations at Mia Family Day