National Association of Japan-America Societies

The National Association of Japan America Societies (NAJAS) catalyzes action from the grassroots level of the critically important U.S.-Japan partnership and helps others navigate the vast, decentralized landscape of individual Japan-America Societies and allied organizations. NAJAS works to strengthen cooperation and understanding between the peoples of Japan and the United States by providing programs, support services, representation and advocacy, and facilitating cooperation among Japan-America Societies throughout North America.

NAJAS was founded as a non-profit membership organization in 1978. It has grown to today encompass 39 Japan-America societies in the United States and Canada who each promote cooperation and grassroots-level understanding between the peoples of Japan and the United States according to their local interests and fully independent constitutions. With a membership that cuts across nationalities, ethnicities and subject matter categories, NAJAS forms the largest private network supporting a bilateral relationship, with traditions among its oldest members dating back 120 years.

What we do:

• Through the support of institutional funders, NAJAS delivers funding and programmatic support to member societies to produce high-quality current affairs, business, cultural and educational programs about Japan and U.S.-Japan relations.
• NAJAS directly administers three cultural and educational exchange programs between Japan and the U.S.
• NAJAS provides non-profit management consultancy, and information products and services to members to grow their capacity.
• NAJAS also serves to connect the network of Japan-America Societies to kindred organizations to advance bilateral partnership and address regional and global challenges, and acts as a national-level advocate for and promoter of U.S.-Japan ties from the grassroots level.

Our flagship event is our Annual Conference at which societies learn from one another and collaborate with colleagues beyond the NAJAS network, including project funders, solutions providers, business, academic and government leaders, and explore new connections. Learn more about the NAJAS Annual Conference.