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

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!

The Quarterly JASM Social

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

 Thursday, July 17 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm

 Fredrickson & Byron, JASM Corporate Member

60 South Sixth Street, Suite 1500

Minneapolis, MN 55402-4400 (See the parking info below.)

JASM Connects is a relaxed opportunity to meet new people, catch up with old friends, and enjoy a casual conversation in any language. ​Light appetizers and beverages, beer and wine will be generously provided by Fredrickson. 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

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

Parking & Directions:

Click here for Fredrikson’s Minneapolis office visitor information.

Fredrikson is located at 60 South Sixth Street in downtown Minneapolis. The JASM Connects event will be on Floor 15. Please note, the building includes valet service. Gratuity for the valet is not expected. The 60 South Sixth Street ramp entrance is on 5th Street (one way). Be careful not to drive on the light rail tracks. There are three ramps in close proximity to the office, Gaviidae Commons Garage (61 South 6th Street), 517 Marquette Avenue Garage (517 South Marquette Ave), or the Midtown Garage (11 South 4th Street).

(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

• 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 This Form to Volunteer!

Please fill out the volunteer form by Sunday, August 3rd!

**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!

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!

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

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

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.

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!

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