Japan America Society of Minnesota upcoming events

Placement Orientation: Level 3 Online Japanese Language Course (Fri, November 13, 2026)

Fri, 13 Nov 2026 06:00:00 GMT

Placement Consultation

Level 3 Japanese Language Online Course

JASM is pleased to offer Level 3 of our Online Japanese Language Course!

If you have studied Japanese elsewhere and have language skills equivalent to Level 2, Level 3 may be a good fit for you.

Since Level 3 builds on the skills developed in the previous levels, students who have not completed Level 2 at JASM are required to complete a brief one-on-one consultation with the instructor, Kawakami-sensei, before registering.

During the consultation, Kawakami-sensei will ask you a few questions and provide her recommendation on whether Level 3 is the right fit for you. Please note that her recommendation is advisory. Even if she suggests waiting, you are still welcome to enroll if you feel confident in your readiness.

To schedule your consultation, please sign up through this site. We will contact you after you register.

Please click below to review the course description and terms & policies.

Please Note: Confirmation of eligibility for Level 3 through the Placement Orientation does not guarantee a spot in the course. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to register early to secure your spot.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Schedule

Dates: December 2, 2026 – March 31, 2027

(December 2, 9, 16, 23, 2026; January 6, 13, 27; February 3, 10, 24; and March 3, 10, 17, 24, and 31, 2027)

Day: Wednesdays

No Class: December 30 (Year End Holiday), January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day week), and February 15 (Presidents’ Day week)

Time

Class: 6:00 – 7:30 PM CT
Office Hour: 7:30 – 8:00 PM CT

Each session includes 90 minutes of class, followed by an optional 30-minute office hour for individual questions and support.

Level

Beginner (Level 3)

This course is the second course in JASM's eight-level Japanese language curriculum.

Beginner (Level 1) Genki 1-3

Beginner (Level 2) Genki 4-6

Beginner (Level 3) Genki 7-9 ←This course

Beginner (Level 4) Genki 10-12

Intermediate (Level 5) Genki 13-15

Intermediate (Level 6) Genki 16-18

Intermediate (Level 7) Genki 19-21

Intermediate (Level 8) Genki 22-23

Price

$400 (Non-member)

$350 (JASM members)

About the Course

This Beginner-Level Japanese Course is intended for learners who can read and write Hiragana and Katakana with Diacritical Marks, Contracted Sounds, Double Consonants, Long Vowels, and Foreign Sound.
You are supposed to know the vocabulary and the conjugation from “Before Lesson 1” through “Lesson 6” you can find here.
The class will have a minimum of 6 students and a maximum of 10 students.

Additional Support (Optional Tandem Partner Program)

JASM wants every participant to succeed in this course. To provide additional support, we offer an optional tandem partner or volunteer support service for those who are interested. Participants may be matched with a tandem partner for mutual language practice or with a volunteer who wishes to assist learners in an informal setting. Tandem partners and volunteers will be native speakers or individuals who are fluent in the language. Tandem partners and volunteers do not provide formal instruction or tutoring. Participation in this service is completely optional and available upon request.

Required Materials

Genki I (3rd Edition), The Japan Times

Textbook
ISBN-13: 978-4-7890-1730-5
Workbook audio files are available through the free OtoNavi App)
ISBN-13: 978-4-7890-1731-2
A small whiteboard and marker, or alternatively, paper and a thick marker (such as a Sharpie) for use during class activities.

All required materials, including the textbook, workbook, and a small whiteboard and marker (or paper and a thick marker), must be available from the first day of class.

Textbook and workbook may be purchased through Amazon or other (online) bookstores.

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Course Objectives

This course is designed for those who know the vocabulary, grammar points, and conjugation, Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji that you can find in “Before Lesson 1” through “Lesson 6”here. It aims to develop the four communication skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing as well as culture-specific skills: Do’s and Don’ts. Based on the guidelines that theAmerican Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) has made, you will aim to reach the level of Novice Mid or Novice High by the end of this course.

This course will cover Lessons 7 through 9 of GENKI I (refer to “Required Materials”), including both “Conversation and Grammar” and “Reading and Writing.” The following topics are covered in this course:

Describing appearance,
Short forms (Casual speech), and
Reporting.

It is expected that, by the end of this course, you will have basic conversation skills in situations noted above.

To facilitate literacy, 43 Chinese characters, Kanji, will be introduced besides two types of Japanese characters, Hiragana and Katakana, and 58 characters of Kanji, which you need to know before taking this course. When you learn characters in class, you will show your handwritten characters to the instructor through the camera.

Respectful interactions are critical to successful professional conduct, and facial expressions are very important to avoid misinterpretation and miscommunication. It is strongly encouraged to turn on your camera throughout class to help build our classroom community.

About Instructor

Keiko Kawakami is Director of Japanese Language Instruction in the Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Minnesota. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Japanese Language and Literature, and a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics with Bilingual Education and Diversity Studies. She has taught Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Japanese courses in higher education, and she teaches private lessons to those from children to the elderly.

Besides teaching, she enjoys translating documents and has done several works including “Sachiko: A Nagasaki Bomb Survivor’s Story” published in 2016 and "A Bowl Full of Peace" published in 2020 written by Caren Stelson.

She is an active member of Minnesota Council of Teachers of Japanese (MCTJ) , American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ), and Saint Paul – Nagasaki Sister City Committee (SPNSCC) as well as Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM).

TERMS & POLICIES

Make-Up Classes

If the instructor knows in ternative date will be noted in the course description. Make-up classes will be held on another date mutually agreed upon by the instructor and the class.

Registration Deadline

Monday, November 23

Membership Requirement

JASM membership is not required to register for this course; however, we encourage participants to become members and support JASM’s mission and programs.

Individual: $50
Family: $75
Individual-Sustaining: $25/month
or more

Memberships are valid for one year from the date of payment.

Join here: https://japanamericasocietyofminnesota.wildapricot.org/Join-JASM

Textbooks

JASM does not place textbook orders on behalf of students. Please purchase your required textbooks independently and have them ready before the first class session.

Students are expected to have both the textbook and workbook from the first day of class. Delays in obtaining course materials may affect both your learning experience and the pace of the class.

Registration

https://japanamericasocietyofminnesota.wildapricot.org/event-6554922

Class Size

The class requires a minimum of 6 students and has a maximum of 10 students.

Online Meeting Platform

JASM’s Japanese language class is conducted via Zoom, unless otherwise specified.

Students are responsible for securing a quiet and appropriate space to participate in the full 90-minute class session. The additional 30-minute office hours is optional.
The instructor will email the Zoom link prior to the first class.
The Zoom link will remain the same throughout the term unless otherwise announced.

Classes may be recorded at the instructor’s discretion and shared only with enrolled students for a limited time of up to one month for review purpose or in case of absence. Sharing Zoom links or recorded class materials with third parties is strictly prohibited.

Recommended Device

Students are strongly encouraged to use a computer or tablet. Mobile devices are not recommended, as they may limit Zoom functionality.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

All cancellation and refund requests must be submitted by email.

By November 23, 2026: Full refund
November 24 – November 29, 2026: 50% refund
After November 30, 2026: No refunds

No refunds or credits will be issued for missed classes.
(All times are Central Standard Time.)

Waitlist Policy

If a class is full at the time of registration, students will be placed on a waitlist. Students will be notified if space becomes available.

Tandem Partner Policy

Tandem partners will be matched by the JASM office. Requests for partner changes may be made up to two (2) times, subject to availability. Please contact us at jasm@mn-japan.org. Participants are responsible for arranging meeting format (in person or online), schedules, and communication directly with their tandem partner. Tandem partners and volunteers provide informal language exchange only and do not offer instruction or tutoring. JASM is not responsible for arrangements or interactions that occur outside of official class sessions.

Additional Notes

Tuition is not prorated. Missed classes cannot be made up, and no refunds or private tutoring are provided for absences.
If a class receives fewer than 5 registrations, it will be canceled. In that case, registered students may request a full refund.
If multiple sections of the same level are offered on different days, all sections will observe the same scheduled breaks and holidays. Please refer to the dates listed in the Class Description for the specific class schedule.
Class schedules may change due to instructor availability or unforeseen circumstances. Any make-up classes will be scheduled in consultation with the class.
A certificate of class completion may be issued upon request for students with 60% or higher attendance.
This course is designed primarily for adult learners. High school students are welcome to participate; however, participants under 18 years of age must be registered by a parent or legal guardian.

2026 Annual Meeting (in-person) (Thu, December 10, 2026)

Fri, 11 Dec 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The 2026 Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m. at our Corporate Member, Taiyo International, Inc.’s office (Google Maps).

At the meeting, we will reflect on the past year and look ahead to the next. We’ll discuss new ways to further JASM’s mission and hold elections for board members.

Registration priority will be given to voting members.
If you wish to bring a guest, please contact jasm@mn-japan.org.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Parking information:

Please use Lilac Drive S to enter the parking garage on the east side. If arriving from Utica Street, take the road in front of the Taiyo office building, which will lead you to Lilac Drive and the parking garage entrance. There is no charge for parking. (Click here for a sky view map and here for the street view image of the parking garage.)

Making Okinawa-style Onigiri with Erina Tōyama (online) (Thu, January 28, 2027)

Fri, 29 Jan 2027 00:00:00 GMT

New Date Announcement!

Registration opens in late December 2026.

Originally planned for June 2026, this special online cooking event has been rescheduled. We are pleased to announce that it will now take place on Thursday, January 28, 2027, from 6:00–7:00 PM (CST)!

Join us as we explore Okinawan food culture through one of its most beloved local specialties — Pork & Egg Onigiri.

Led by Erina Tōyama, JOI Coordinator. During the session, Erina will introduce the historical background of postwar Okinawa and share how local food culture developed, highlighting the popular “Pork & Egg Onigiri,” often made using SPAM® — a brand headquartered in Minnesota.

Participants will learn how to make several Okinawa-style onigiri variations, while also enjoying a short presentation about Okinawan cuisine and cultural context. Whether you cook along at home or simply watch and learn, this is a fun opportunity to connect food, history, and community.

Menu (Planned Flavors)

Plain
Tuna Mayo
Andansū (Okinawan Pork Miso)
Chikinaa Stir-Fry

Ingredients List (Organized by Onigiri Type)

Base Ingredients (for all onigiri)

Cooked Japanese rice
Nori (seaweed)
Salt

Pork & Egg (Spam Onigiri)

SPAM® or luncheon meat
Eggs

Tuna Mayo Onigiri

Canned tuna
Mayonnaise

Andansū (Okinawan Pork Miso)

Pork belly
Miso
Sugar
Mirin
Ginger

Chikinaa Stir-Fry Onigiri

Chikinaa greens (or substitute mustard greens/leafy greens)
Oil
Salt
Black pepper
Dashi powder

Tickets:

JASM Member: FREE

Non-JASM Member: $10

Please note that tickets are non-refundable. However, they are transferable. Please contact jasm@mn-japan.org for transfers

Erina Tōyama was born and raised in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. Her first experience living outside Okinawa was in Shanghai, China, when she was 24 years old. During her university years, she took a two-year leave of absence and worked at the Consulate-General of Japan in Shanghai. These valuable experiences helped her to realize the importance of grassroots international exchange for maintaining good relations between the two countries, and led her pursue a career in the field. She says that encountering different cultures and values through international exchange is not only enjoyable but also deepens one’s understanding of oneself, and she believes it can surely be helpful to others as well. Being from an island herself, she has personally experienced how access to information can vary depending on one's location. Through her experience as a JOI coordinator, she expects to learn what kind of efforts are needed to create more opportunities in such a regulated environment. Now, she says, she is very excited to create many opportunities for international exchange from Martin, Tennessee.