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Connecting Japan and Minnesota over 50 years


The Japan America Society of Minnesota is a member-supported, non-profit organization established to promote mutual understanding and friendship between Japanese and US citizens. Through our programs and events, we endeavor to promote an appreciation of cultural, educational, economic, public, and other affairs of interest to both peoples. JASM also connects and supports Minnesota's seven Japanese sister cities, two Japanese-language Saturday schools, over 100 Japanese corporate subsidiaries, and a host of other organizations dedicated to Japan-related topics from Anime to Zen. JASM is open to individuals, corporations, and other organizations interested in supporting its missionFounded in 1972, JASM is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies.


Calendar

    • 2025-08-07
    • 6:00 PM
    • Zoom
    • 60

    (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
    • Wanage - the Japanese version ring toss, participants can try their accuracy to win prizes. Help demonstrate and run game, as well as distribute prizes.
    • 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!


    • 2025-08-17
    • 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

    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!

    • 2025-08-18

    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! 

    • 2025-08-28
    • 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
    • 1620b Park Pl Blvd, St Louis Park, MN 55416


    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!


    • 2025-09-20
    • 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Pioneer Creek Golf Course 705 Copeland Rd #9787, Maple Plain, MN 55359
    • 56
    Register


    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



    • 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!

     

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

    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.

    Please keep an eye out for registration information which will come in September.




    • 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




THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

JASM is supported by hundreds of individuals and over 40 Companies and Non-Profit Organizations. Special thanks to the following sponsors:

Corporate Benefactors


Daikin Applied 

Delta Air Lines, Inc.  

Taiyo International, Inc.

Corporate Patron


Dorsey & Whitney LLP

Miller Milling Company

MGK INC


Corporate Sustaining Members

 

HSML P.C.  

Japan Lifeline Co.Ltd

Mall of America

Metropolitan Airports Commission

Naigai Industries U.S.A. Inc. 

Satellite Industries, Inc.

Surdyk's Liquor & Cheese Shop

The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.


Corporate Contributors


Satellite Industries, Inc. UMEI    


Partners in Service


JK's Table     Kiku Enterprises, Inc.     

Metoree   Minnesota Trade Office

Origami Restaurant     Sakura Restaurant

Saint Paul Saints Baseball Club     Saji-Ya Restaurant

Suishin Restaurant

TOMODACHI     Voyager Group Inc.



Nonprofit Members


Concordia Language Villages     Economic Club of Minnesota     Global Minnesota

JETAA Minnesota     JETRO Chicago     JP Network, St. Cloud State University

KCC-Japan Education Exchange     Macalester College Asian Language & Culture Department

Minneapolis Japanese School     Minneapolis Institute of Art

Minnesota Council of Teachers of Japanese     Minnesota Orchestra     

NDSU-Emily Reynolds Historic Costume Collection     Twin Cities Aikido Center

UMN Department of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies

University of North Dakota-Grand Forks     Winona State University Global Studies Dept.


Contact Us

 jasm@mn-japan.org


P.O. Box 26639

Minneapolis, MN 55426

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