Log in

    • 2025-10-29
    • 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • 97

    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

    $10 for non-members — apply for membership now! Simply scan the QR code or click here to join. The $10 fee will be credited toward your membership if you join.


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


    Please note that although networking is encouraged, soliciting and commercial activities including direct sales are not permitted at JASM events without prior permission from the organizers.

     

    • 2025-11-15
    • 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Oak Ridge Country Club, 700 Oak Ridge Rd, Hopkins, MN 55305

    We are pleased to announce that the 2025 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala will be held in person on Saturday, November 15th at the Oak Ridge Country Club in Hopkins.






    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.


    Join us in celebrating the Mondale Award recipients and supporting Mondale Scholarship at the 28th Mondale Gala!


    Reception: 5:30-6:30 p.m.
    Banquet & Program: 6:30-9:00 p.m.
    Dress Code: Business Attire or Kimono

    Do you need Kimono dressing assistance?  Registration will be open soon. 


    Mondale Award Recipient: Joann Blatchley


    My first visit to Japan changed my life. In 2004, I received a Fulbright Memorial Fund for Teachers fellowship to spend three weeks in Japan, visiting schools, being exposed to Japanese culture, and traveling by bullet train to Hiroshima. I returned from that experience and wondered what else could I do continue my association with Japan and found the Saint Paul – Nagasaki Sister City Committee which promotes friendship between citizens of both countries. It was a perfect fit.


    One of my first ‘duties’ as an SPNSCC board member was to make arrangements for Sachiko Yasui, a hibakusha, to speak. Highlights of my tenure as board member and president of SPNSCC include the Gift of (Cherry) Trees from the government of Japan to St. Paul in 2012 and the Return of the Sword in 2013. Our 60th anniversary in 2015 included kite flyers Seikoo and Akiko Nakamura, visits by Mayor Tomihisa Taue, the Junshin singers, city officials and ten members of the Nagasaki Bridge Club. One highlight was the Hiroshima Nagasaki Peace Exhibition at the Landmark Center, which also brought groups of school children to the exhibit and “Pictures from a Hiroshima Schoolyard.” The pandemic cancelled our 65th anniversary celebration, but exchanges resumed in 2023.


    To celebrate our 70th anniversary in 2025, the Saint Paul Civic Symphony performed with their sister orchestra, the Nagasaki Symphony Orchestra. Saint Paul hosted our annual Cherry Tree Celebration, drawing some 1,000 visitors in early May. American children and youth finished the KIDS GUERNICA mural. Mayor Suzuki of Nagasaki brought a delegation of city council members, Rotarians and 16 junior high students in late August. Some twenty five Minnesotans will travel to Nagasaki for Okunchi in October.


    It has been a privilege to be part of the Sister City legacy. We are an all-volunteer organization, proving Margaret Mead’s quotation: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has". Thank you.


    Mondale Scholarship Recipients 2025-2026



    It is with great pleasure that JASM presents the 2025 Mondale Scholarships to Minh Thu Duong (Augsburg University), Mari Friel (St. Olaf College), Emil Johansson (Winona State University. ), and Kai Satriano (Macalester College).




    Master of Ceremonies: Gaosong V. Heu


    Gaosong V. Heu is a Hmong American artist, vocalist, writer, educator, and entrepreneur based in Saint Paul, MN. With over 15 years of training in Western classical voice and traditional Hmong folk music, she bridges ancestral memory with contemporary expression. She holds a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Minnesota–T.C. and a M.A. in Arts Administration from Columbia University. A passionate advocate for cultural equity, Gaosong works at the intersection of art, identity, and access. She currently stars in The Late Homecomer, a national one- woman show based on Kao Kalia Yang’s acclaimed memoir, produced by New York’s Literature to Life. Offstage, Gaosong is a content creator and the Co-Owner and Creative Director of Marc Heu Pâtisserie Paris, Saint Paul’s premier French dessert destination.


    Please click here to register for the Gala!


    Early Bird (register by Oct. 17)

    $160/ Non-member

    $110/ JASM member


    Regular (register Oct. 18 - Oct. 31)

    $190/ Non-member

    $130/ JASM member


    Post-Deadline (register Nov. 1 - Nov. 9)

    $210/Non-Member

    $150/Member


    JASM invites you to become a member! Please sign up here and then register for the Mondale Gala 2025.

    • 2025-12-11
    • 6:30 PM

    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!


    • 2025-12-20
    • 10:00 AM
    • 2025-12-31
    • 11:59 PM
    • Various locations



    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



    • 2026-02-28
    • 11:30 PM
    • 2026-03-01
    • 11:30 PM
    • TBD

    JASM will award the Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship to a student enrolled in a Minnesota high school who wants to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel.  The application deadline is now extended.

    Please click here to read the application details.

    2025 Timeline:

    • Start accepting applications: December 1, 2025
    • Deadline for applications: February 28, 2026
    • Finalists' interviews with scholarship committee members:  During March 2026
    • Winner of the Scholarship will be notified: Early April 2026


    Past winner:

    2025: Abdulla Abdulaziz and Pajtshiab Yang

    2024: Bennie Tornoe (Click here to read her report on Tsushin Nov. 2024 issue on page 4)

    2023: Walter Barlow (Click here to read his report on Tsushin Nov. 2023 issue on page 3)

    If you would like to make a contribution to the Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship's endowment, please click here.

    Takuzo Ishida was a researcher, carpenter, chef, and bonsai enthusiast who served as President of JASM and Founder/Principal of the Minneapolis Japanese School. The Takuzo Ishida Memorial Scholarship was established in 2019 by Mr. Ishida’s family and friends to recognize his contributions to the Japanese community in Minnesota and to support his passion for youth education. (To read a special edition of the Tsushin dedicated to Mr. Ishida, please click here. )


2025-09-20 2025 JASM Fundraiser Golf Scramble (in-person)
2025-09-13 Kimono Fundraiser (In-Person)
2025-08-28 Dine and Donate with Leeann Chin (In-Person)
2025-08-18 2025 Mondale Award Nominations (Online)
2025-08-17 2025 Japanese Obon Festival (In-Person)
2025-07-24 Expo 2025 Osaka: Insights with Mark Ritchie (online)
2025-07-17 JASM Connects - with Fredrikson & Byron (In-Person)
2025-07-13 JASM Activities at Mia Family Day! (Exhibitor)
2025-06-07 Harukaze Concert 2025: Solo, Songs and Duets by Leyna Marika Papach (in-person)
2025-05-29 Draw Like a Pro! Illustration Workshop with a Japanese Artist (Online)
2025-05-28 JASM Connects - with MGK, A Company of Sumitomo Chemical
2025-05-15 Curator Talk: the World of Ukiyo-e Sumo Prints (ONLINE)
2025-04-10 Know Me Kai: Networking Event (in-person)
2025-04-10 New Member Social 2025 (In-Person)
2025-04-01 Mondale Scholarship 2025-2026 Application Open
2025-03-26 Workout with Delta Kai (online)
2025-03-06 JASM Connects - with the Saint Paul Saints Baseball Club
2025-02-09 J-Quiz 2025 (Online)
2025-02-09 J-Quiz 2025, Sponsorship/Donation Request
2024-12-12 2024 Annual Meeting
2024-11-16 2024 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala (in-person)
2024-11-16 Be Part of the 2024 Mondale Gala Online Auction – No Gala Ticket Needed!
2024-09-21 2024 JASM Charity Golf Scramble (in-person)
2024-08-18 2024 Japanese Obon Festival
2024-08-18 2024 Obon Festival Volunteers Needed!
2024-08-18 Rivals with a Cause: Red Team vs. White Team Fundraising Showdown
2024-08-08 UFF DA!: How World War II Started a Japanese Community in Minnesota (Online)
2024-07-18 Mondale Scholarship Application Open
2024-07-14 Yosakoi Workshop (in-person)
2024-05-19 Harukaze 2024 (in-person)
2024-05-09 Working in Japan? Navigating Japanese Employment with Hiroshi Mitsuda (Online)
2024-05-08 JASM Member only! Japanese Language Class Listening Session (online)
2024-04-18 New Member Social 2024 (In-Person)
2024-04-11 Corporate Roundtable 2024 with Miller Milling Company (in-Person)
2024-03-21 Furoshiki Demo with Kazumi Kataoka (Online)
2024-02-21 (ONLINE) JSNC & NAJAS Friends Present: Japanese Houses: Stories of Remarkable Homes and the People Who Made Them
2024-02-20 Support J-Quiz, order Kana-chan Beanie now!
2024-02-11 J-Quiz 2024 Sponsorship Request
2024-02-11 J-Quiz 2024 (Online)
2024-02-01 JASM Member Recruitment Campaign
2023-12-23 Online viewing Harukaze 2023 "The Boy Who Drew Cats" by Asako Hirabayashi
2023-12-13 2023 Annual Meeting
2023-11-19 Chirimen (& more) Fundraiser 2.0
2023-11-04 2023 Mondale Award Winner!
2023-11-04 2023 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala (in-person)
2023-11-04 Please join the 2023 Mondale Gala Online Auction!
2023-10-11 Elevating the Art of Gyotaku with Dwight Hwang (Online)
2023-09-23 2023 JASM Charity Golf Scramble
2023-09-17 Chirimen (and more) Fundraiser
2023-09-14 Ghibli Park: Encounters with Totoro and Laputa’s Robots with Dr. Jeff DuBois (Online)
2023-08-28 Grassroots Summit Host Family Needed
2023-08-20 2023 Japanese Obon Festival
2023-08-20 (Closed)2023 Obon Festival Volunteers Needed!
2023-07-09 Summer Festival Dance Workshop: Bringing Japanese Summer to the Sculpture Garden(in person)
2023-06-11 Harukaze 2023 "The Boy Who Drew Cats" by Asako Hirabayashi (in-person)
2023-05-25 Meet the Authors: Constance Hays Matsumoto & Kent Matsumoto, co-authors of "Of White Ashes" (Online)
2023-05-23 Reception for JASM Members : 50th Anniversary Photo Exhibition (in-person)
2023-05-05 50th Anniversary Photo Exhibition
2023-04-20 Mia Curator Talk: The Art and Life of Fukuda Kodōjin: Japan’s Great Poet and Landscape Artist (Online)
2023-04-13 Corporate Roundtable with the Metropolitan Airports Commission
2023-03-30 Live from London, Artist Talk: Flora Inspired Ceramics of Hitomi Hosono
2023-03-12 Pre-Order Now for Kana-chan T-shirt!
2023-03-09 Live from Japan, Artist Talk: the Fine Art of Bookbinding with Yo Yamazaki (Online)
2023-02-16 JOI Talk: Japanese manners and customs (Online)
2023-02-12 Register Today: Online J-Quiz 2023 for Everyone
2023-01-26 JOI Talk: Japanese New Year Traditions and "Hanachozu" flower arranging (Online)
2022-11-19 2022 Mondale Award Winners!
2022-11-19 2022 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala (in-person): JASM's 50th Anniversary
2022-11-18 Please join the Mondale Gala Online Auction
2022-10-27 Smart Agriculture and its Benefits (Online)
2022-10-06 Enthusiastic Cheering Culture of Japanese Baseball Fans
2022-09-24 Rhythm of Japan in ND: Celebrating the friendship of North Dakota and Japan
2022-09-17 2022 JASM Charity Golf Tournament
2022-08-21 2022 Japanese Obon Festival
2022-08-21 2022 Obon Festival Volunteers Needed!
2022-07-28 POSTPONED: Smart Agriculture and its Benefits (in person)
2022-07-17 YOSAKOI Dance Workshop: Bringing Japanese Summer to the Sculpture Garden
2022-06-30 Mia Curator Talk: “Minneapolis' New Clothes: Dressed by Nature—Textiles of Japan”
2022-06-12 Primavera: JASM 50th Anniversary Harukaze Concert 2022
2022-06-08 Corporate Roundtable with AgriPro/Syngenta
2022-04-28 ”Tattoo History" with Emi Nijiya (Online)
2022-02-24 Artist Talk ”Water Flows, Life Blooms" with Mayumi Amada (Online)
2022-01-27 A Tale of Two Friends: A Brief History of Minnesota-Japan Relations (Online)
2021-12-15 2021 Annual Meeting (Online)
2021-11-05 2021 Virtual Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala: Remembering Ambassador Mondale
2021-10-29 Special Sake Deal for Mondale Gala Night
2021-10-14 Corporate Roundtable with Hamre, Schumann, Mueller & Larson, P.C.
2021-10-09 2021 JASM Charity Golf Tournament
2021-08-17 Shinshunkai Summer Throwback
2021-08-15 2021 Obon Festival
2021-07-22 A Story of Obon with Twin Cities Buddhist Association Sangha
2021-07-08 Kamishibai/Storytelling with Minneapolis Ibaraki Sister City Association
2021-06-05 Edamame Champ 全米エダマメ選手権
2021-05-20 Mia Curator Talk for Exhibition Tour in Japan
2021-04-18 Rakugo by Tozaburo Yanagiya: Shinshunkai(新春会)Part 2
2021-04-08 Kiritanpo Lesson with America-Japan Society of Akita
2021-03-14 Kazha Meet & Greet at Shinshunkai (新春会) 2021
2021-03-14 2021 Shinshunkai(新春会)
2021-03-09 Corporate Roundtable: North Dakota Edition
2021-02-25 Whiskey Tasting with Chris Uhde
2021-02-20 J-Quiz 2021

Contact Us

 jasm@mn-japan.org


P.O. Box 26639

Minneapolis, MN 55426


Stay Connected!

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software