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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 mission. Founded in 1972, JASM is a member of the National Association of Japan-America Societies.


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Calendar

  • Mondale Scholarship 2026-2027

    • Wed, April 08, 2026
    • Mon, August 10, 2026

    Registration now open

    Picture from a Mondale Scholarship Recipient 2024-2025: Molly Turley (second from right), Making Pottery in Unnan City (雲南市 )

    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.


    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 16, 2026 - Application Deadline
    • July 26, 2026   - Send interview invitations to candidates
    • Aug 7, 2026 - Complete interviews of candidates
    • Aug 10, 2026 - Award scholarships
    Find out about what goes into the application, read testimonies from past Mondale Scholars, and get all the details here.
    Show details

  • 2026 Obon Festival Volunteers Needed!

    • Thu, August 06, 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
    • Zoom
    • 60


    (Picture: 2025 Obon Festival first shift volunteers)

    Join us in bringing the Obon Festival to life!

    JASM is now accepting volunteer applications for the 2026 Obon Festival. Whether you are a returning volunteer or joining us for the first time, we invite you to be part of one of JASM’s most beloved community events. Volunteers play an essential role in creating a welcoming, fun, and memorable experience for hundreds of festival attendees.

    The Obon Festival will take place on Sunday, August 16, 2026. To help everyone feel prepared and confident in their role, volunteers are required to participate in Volunteer Orientation on either Thursday, August 6th at 6:00 PM or Tuesday, August 11th at 6:00 PM.


    Below, you will find descriptions of the various volunteer opportunities available. We hope you will join us in sharing Japanese culture, building community, and making this year's festival a success!

    • 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 - encourages participants to take part in a fun challenge
    • Wanage - the Japanese version of 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 will be given priority consideration. If you are not yet a member, we encourage you to join the JASM family today and become part of our community.

    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 1st, 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!


    Show details

  • 2026 Japanese Obon Festival (in-person)

    • Sun, August 16, 2026
    • 3:00 PM - 8:30 PM
    • Como Park Zoo and Conservatory

    Obon Festival 2026 ticket will be available at Como Park website.

    Please save the date for Obon Festival 2026 at Como Park on Sunday, August 16 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. 

    The Obon Festival will take place rain or shine!

    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!


    Show details

  • Akikaze: An Evening of Rakugo with Katsura Sunshine

    • Thu, September 10, 2026
    • 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University 1531 Hewitt Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104
    • 320

    Registration will open soon. Please check back for updates.

    Join us for an unforgettable evening of Japanese storytelling and laughter as JASM presents internationally acclaimed rakugo performer Katsura Sunshine.


    For many years, JASM has presented Harukaze ("Spring Breeze"), a performing arts program showcasing talented artists and cultural performers. This year, however, we are delighted to feature Katsura Sunshine in the fall, and in honor of the season, we are pleased to present this special event as Akikaze ("Autumn Breeze") on Thursday, September 10 at Sundin Music Hall. (Google Maps)

    Whether you are new to Japanese culture or a longtime admirer of the performing arts, this event offers a unique opportunity to experience one of Japan’s most beloved traditional art forms through the engaging and accessible performance style of Katsura Sunshine.

    What is Rakugo?

    Rakugo is a traditional Japanese storytelling art that has entertained audiences for over 400 years. Seated on a cushion and using only a fan and a hand towel as props, a single storyteller brings multiple characters to life through expressive narration, humor, and wit. Blending clever dialogue, memorable characters, and universal themes, rakugo offers a unique glimpse into Japanese culture while delivering laughter that transcends language and borders.

    Event Details

    Date

    Thursday, September 10, 2026


    Time:

    Door opens at 6:30 p.m.

    Rakugo performance starts 7:00 p.m.


    Location

    Sundin Music Hall (Google Maps)


    Admission

    Pre-sale

    $40 Non-member

    $35 Member

    Door sale ticket

    $45 Non-member


    About Katsura Sunshine

    Katsura Sunshine is an internationally acclaimed rakugo performer born in Toronto, Canada. In 2008, he became the fifteenth apprentice of legendary rakugo master Katsura Bunshi VI and completed his traditional apprenticeship in 2011, becoming one of the very few non-Japanese performers to professionally master this centuries-old art form.

    Since 2019, Sunshine has maintained a long-running Off-Broadway residency at New World Stages in New York City while continuing to perform internationally. Through his engaging performances in English and Japanese, he has become one of the most recognizable ambassadors of rakugo outside Japan.


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  • 2026 JASM Fundraiser Golf Scramble (in-person)

    • Sat, September 26, 2026
    • 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • Pioneer Creek Golf Course 705 Copeland Rd #9787, Maple Plain, MN 55359
    • 72


    FORE!!! JASM will be holding our 6th annual charity golf scramble event on Saturday, September 26 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 (through September 4):

    Member: $85

    Non-Member: $110

    Regular Pricing (September 5 – September 26):

    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




    Show details

  • Save the Date for the 2026 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala (in-person)

    • Sat, November 14, 2026
    • 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Oak Ridge Country Club 700 Oak Ridge Rd, Hopkins, MN 55305

    Please mark your calendars for the 2026 Mondale Award and Scholarship Gala. It will be held in person on Saturday, November 14th 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.





    Show details

  • 2026 Annual Meeting (in-person)

    • Thu, December 10, 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
    • 1601 Utica Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55416
    • 50

    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.)



    Show details


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

     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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