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• Mondale Scholarship 2025-2026 Application Open

  • Start
    2025-04-01
  • End
    2025-07-27

  Mondale Scholarship applications open!

  
  

  

  The Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM) will award the Mondale Scholarship to undergraduate students enrolled in Minnesota colleges or North Dakota State University who want to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel. Former Ambassador Mondale continually promoted a deeper understanding of Japanese business, government, culture, and language among corporate leaders and employees in America. The Japan America Society of Minnesota is proud to have this opportunity to assist Minnesota/North Dakota students in their quest for a study experience in Japan since 1998.

  Picture from a Mondale Scholarship Recipient 2023-2024: Livvy Peters (second from right), Wearing Kimono with friends in Arashiyama, Kyoto
  

  
  

  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

  
  

  Find out about what goes into the application, read testimonies from past Mondale Scholars, and get all the details here.

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• Curator Talk: the World of Ukiyo-e Sumo Prints (ONLINE)

  • When
    2025-05-15
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Spaces left
    54

  Register

  Edo Sanpukutsui is woodblock print art by Japanese Ukiyo-e artist Katsukawa Shunko, created in 18th century of the Edo period in Japanese history.  This ukiyo-e masterfully captures three of the biggest stars from Edo’s top entertainments of the time—kabuki theater, sumo wrestling, and the Yoshiwara pleasur

  Please join us for Curator Talk: the World of Ukiyo-e Sumo Prints on Thursday May 15 at 6:00 p.m. CST on Zoom where Curator Noriko Okubo will be joining from Okayama, Japan.

  Discover the fascinating world of Japanese ukiyo-e—the art form that captivated Europe and inspired the rise of Japonisme. In this special lecture, you'll have the rare opportunity to learn directly from a Japanese curator and dive deeper into the history, techniques, and cultural significance of ukiyo-e. Find out how these iconic woodblock prints were made, explore the unique artistic methods behind them, and gain insight into the lesser-known but powerful world of sumo-themed prints. 

  Non-Member: $10
  

  JASM Member: Free

  The ticket is not refundable, but is transferable

  
  

  
  

  Please consider donating to help JASM in its mission!

  

  
  

  

  Noriko Okubo is a member of the International Ukiyo-e Society and specializes in sumo-e prints depicting sumo wrestlers. She is an Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Okayama University in Okayama, Japan, and also holds a concurrent position as an Associate Professor at the Institute for Civilization Dynamics. Beyond the field of education, she is also dedicated to promoting the beauty of Ukiyo-e through lectures, media appearances, and other public engagement activities, contributing to the wider appreciation and understanding of Japanese art.

  She earned a Ph.D. in Art Studies from the University of Tsukuba in March 2009, following a Master's degree in Art Studies from the same institution in March 2006. She is also a member of several academic associations, including the European Association for Japanese Studies (EAJS), the Japanese Art Society of America, the International Ukiyo-e Society, the Japan Art History Society, Japanese Association of Art Education(JAAEd), and the University Art Education Society.

  

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• JASM Connects - with MGK, A Company of Sumitomo Chemical

  • When
    2025-05-28
  •  
    5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    MGK Company, 7325 Aspen Ln N, Minneapolis, MN 55428
  • Spaces left
    81
  • Registered
    14 registrants

  Register

  The Quarterly JASM Social

  Presented by JASM Membership Committee 

  

  We invite you to join us for an informal get-together on Wednesday, May 28th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. 

  Sponsor : MGK Company, JASM Corporate Member

  7325 Aspen Ln N, Minneapolis, MN 55428

  
  

  
  

  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 — just a short, fun presentation on MGK (and bugs!), followed by a lively exchange of ideas. Light appetizers and (non-alcoholic) drinks will be provided by MGK.  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!

  Please register 48 hours ahead of the event so we can print out a name badge for you.

  

  JASM members: Free

  Non-Members: $10 — apply for membership now! Simply scan the QR code or click here to join. The $10 fee will be credited toward your membership.

  
  

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

   

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• Draw Like a Pro! Illustration Workshop with a Japanese Artist (Online)

  • When
    2025-05-29
  •  
    6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Location
    Online
  • Spaces left
    91

  Register

  Join Our Anime-Style Character Drawing Workshop!

  
  

  Unleash your inner artist at our fun and interactive online workshop on Thursday, May 29 at 6:00pm (CST)! In this session you will learn how to draw a cute, anime-style character dressed in a traditional Japanese summer festival outfit. (The illustration you see here if the one you will learn to draw)

  
  

  This event is perfect for beginners ages 10 and up—including adults. No drawing experience is needed—just bring your curiosity and creativity!

  
  

  This event will be led by Instructor Yuuki, a talented Japanese Illustrator and Manga Artist. Learn about summer festivals and kimono culture as inspiration for your character drawings. Yuuki will show how to draw characters in a step-by-step tutorial. Following the drawing, there will be a Q&A for Yuuki. Bring your drawing materials and your excitement for this exclusive chance to learn from a pro! 

  
  

  Instruction will be in English with Japanese interpreter and the workshop as a whole will be 90 minutes.

  
  

  Please have drawing materials ready! Use what you're comfortable with, whether that is pencil and paper or an iPad. Come ready to draw!

  Tickets:

  JASM Member: $20

  Non-JASM Member:  $25

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

  
  

  We look forward to drawing with you!

  
  

  

  Instructor Yuuki

  After graduating from Niigata Design School’s Comic Art Department, Yuuki has been working as a freelance illustrator for book covers, virtual characters and manga arts. Her art style primarily focuses on shoujo (girls' manga) and otome game aesthetics.

  She first decided to pursue manga illustration in the autumn of her third year in high school, wanting to develop a specialized skill. However, her interest in illustration began much earlier, during her middle school years. Through casually sketching and doodling, she gradually discovered the deeper enjoyment of drawing, which eventually led her to pursue it more seriously from high school. Her work mainly involves manga illustrations and character design.

  She enjoys playing Genshin Impact and A3!, a character-raising mobile game. Recently, she has become particularly fond of Sanrio’s Cogimyun.

  Please Support JASM's Continuing Mission and Future Events!

  

  
  

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• Harukaze Concert 2025: Solo, Songs and Duets by Leyna Marika Papach (in-person)

  • When
    2025-06-07
  •  
    3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University 1531 Hewitt Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104

  Register

  Please join us for our Harukaze Concert 2025 - a cultural and musical experience!

  Harukaze 2025 concert: Solo, songs and duets by Leyna Marika Papach

  Leyna Marika Papach will be presenting her smaller chamber compositions consisting of a solo piece written for violin, viola and electronics, as well as duets and songs performed by guest artists: Maiya Papachーsister and principal violist of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Isabella Dawis (voice), and Asako Hirabayashi (piano).

  Register today!

  
  

  Saturday, June 7th | 3:00 PM
  Doors open at 2:30 PM

  Tickets:

  • At the Door: $20 (Non-Member), $15 (Member)

  • Online Pre-Sale: $15 (Non-Member), $10 (Member)

  Tickets are non-refundable but transferable. For questions, contact us at jasm@mn-japan.org.

  Location:
  Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University
  1531 Hewitt Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104

  ** Sundin Music Hall is Accessible for All  

  
  

  Leyna Marika Papach is a composer, interdisciplinary artist and violinist from Japan and the United States. With music being her central lens, she has created a body of work that spans across theater, dance, poetry and the visual arts.  Her many works have been presented in Europe, Japan, West Africa, US, and her projects and creative explorations have been supported by programs such as the MAP Fund, NEA, HERE Arts Center, Minnesota Opera, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, and ACF and others.  In 2024, she received the McKnight Composer Fellowship.   As a collaborator and performer, she has worked with inspiring artists across a wide range of disciplines and continues to be inspired to make interdisciplinary work.  Leyna studied violin at the Prague Academy of Music and received an MA in Theater-Dance studies form DAS Theater (Amsterdam), and an MFA in sound/music/interdisciplinary studies from Bard College. www.leynamarikapapach.com

  

  Maiya Papach is the principal violist of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. She has made frequent national and international appearances as a chamber musician, with a versatile profile in her performances of both traditional and contemporary repertoire. She is a founding member of the International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), and has toured extensively with groups such as the Da Capo Chamber Players, Musicians from Marlboro, and has made appearances at Prussia Cove (UK), the Boston Chamber Music Society amongst many others.  She is also a member of Accordo, a Twin Cities-based chamber music group.  Papach is a 2013 recipient of the McKnight Fellowship and is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory and the Juilliard School of Music.
  

  Isabella Dawis is a Filipina-American singer who both performs and writes music and theater of all kinds. She currently holds a 2023-25 Jerome Hill Artist Fellowship with the Jerome Foundation and is a 2026 Loghaven Artist-in-Residence. As a soprano, Isabella has been featured with the Minnesota Opera, the Minnesota Chorale, the Schubert Club, the Center for Contemporary Opera, the New York Philharmonic Biennial, Skylark Opera, and more. She has performed as an actor with Ten Thousand Things, the Guthrie Theater, Theater Mu, the Jungle Theatre, Trademark Theater, New Ohio Theatre, the Children's Theatre Company, and many more. Also a playwright and composer, Isabella is the recipient of the Kleban Prize in Musical Theatre, the Fred Ebb Award for musical theater songwriting, the Weston-Ghostlight New Musical Award, and the American Opera Project's Composers and the Voice Fellowship. She is also a member of the rock band Kiss the Tiger (keys and vocals). www.isabelladawis.com

  A harpsichordist and composer, Asako Hirabayashi's first recording on Albany Label, whose program is entirely composed and played by herself, was selected as one of the top ten albums of the year 2018 by the Global Music Awards and received 7 favorable reviews internationally. She won two McKnight Fellowships, Jerome Fund for New Music by American Composers Forum, Schubert Club Composer Award, Opera America’s Discovery Grant, MNiatures award by MN Opera and several first prizes in Alienor International Harpsichord Composition Competition. Her live performance of own composition was featured in Performance Today. She holds a DMA from the Juilliard School.

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• JASM Connects - with Fredrikson & Byron

  • When
    2025-07-09
  •  
    5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Spaces left
    97
  • Registered
    Be the first

  Register

  The Quarterly JASM Social

  

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

   Wednesday, July 9 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

   Fredrickson & Byron, JASM Corporate Member

  60 South Sixth Street, Suite 1500

  Minneapolis, MN 55402-4400

  
  

  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.

  
  

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

   

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• JASM Activities at Mia Family Day! (Exhibitor)

  • When
    2025-07-13
  •  
    11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
  • Spaces left
    75

  
  

  This picture is from last year's workshop

  
  

  Please join us for activities including a "Yosakoi Workshop" and Making Origami Sakura on Sunday, July 13th at the Mia Family Day!

  We are lucky to have this in-person dance workshop by the wonderful instructor, Ms. Maria Traxler, from the Kizuna International Yosakoi Team. 

  In this workshop, Ms. Traxler will introduce the Tokyo Ondo, a simple and fun dance that everyone can join in and enjoy together, regardless of age or experience!

  JASM will also be operating a booth for making paper Sakura flowers! This is to go alongside Mia's Hokusai | Monet Exhibition. Feel free to join us and make some pretty flowers. We will be building a large tree filled with Sakura together as a community.  

  
  

  This is a family-friendly event. No prior experience is necessary to participate. Please wear clothes that are easy to move in.

  
  

  This event will be a fun way to get some exercise and learn about a regional dance of Japan. Please sign up today! We are looking forward to seeing you there.

  

  Maria Traxler is a current member of the Kizuna International Yosakoi Team. She danced in the 2019 Kochi Yosakoi Festival as a Kizuna member, as well as in the 2015 Kochi Yosakoi Festival as a member of the Shimanto Town team Shimamuta.

  (Photo: Maria Traxler)

  
  

  You can watch the video from last year. 

  This event is free for all and open to the public!  

  Your donations are greatly appreciated!

  

  
  

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• 2025 Japanese Obon Festival

  • When
    2025-08-17
  •  
    3:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    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 turned for the update!

  To find the detail and purchase the 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

  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!

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• Save the Date: JASM Connects - with Satellite Industries

  • When
    2025-10-29
  •  
    5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Spaces left
    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!

   

  Show details
• Save the Date for the 2025 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala (in-person)

  • When
    2025-11-15
  •  
    5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
  • Location
    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.

  
  

  
  

  
  

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• Save the Date! Annual Meeting 2025 (In-Person)

  • When
    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!

  
  

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• JASM Community Engagements

  • Start
    2025-12-20
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • End
    2025-12-31
  •  
    11:59 PM
  • Location
    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

  June

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

  July

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

  
  

  
  

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