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FEATURED: The NAJAS-99

THE Guide to organizations dedicated to promoting the unique U.S.-Japan partnership

The NAJAS-99: A Stakeholder's Guide to the U.S.-Japan Galaxy is a new directory that features 99+ entities grouped under nonprofit, governmental, and regionally focused categories. We debuted the print edition at the NAJAS 2024 Annual Meeting with the generous support of NHK WORLD-JAPAN. Copies of NAJAS-99 are on sale now.

Explore the NAJAS-99 (Digital Flipbook) >

Front Cover

Example of Directory Listings

NAJAS-99 Directory Sponsor 


HOW TO ORDER THE NAJAS-99
PRINT EDITION

  • Order exclusively via contact@us-japan.org for delivery to U.S. and Canadian addresses.
  • 10% off on purchases of three (3) copies, 20% off for ten (10) copies or more.
  • Payment accepted via PayPal, Check/ACH and, shortly, via credit card with additional service fee. Online order form coming soon.

To order, please email 

contact@us-japan.org with your name, title, organization, and number of copies requested.

Early praise for The NAJAS-99

NAJAS-99 is GREAT and exactly the resource we needed.  I reached out to every single address and organization you listed and have already gotten replies with great interest.  Thank you for being a key convener in the U.S.-Japan space.  This guide is the best existing inventory of U.S.-Japan stakeholders and key players and will lay the foundations for a more unified approach to keeping this binational relationship growing and thriving.”

CARLO CAPUA

Chair, Board of Directors

Sister Cities International

“Thank you for providing access to NAJAS-99. This guidebook can help the Japan-United States Sister City Association (JUSSCA) in several ways, including identifying potential partners and collaborators and expanding JUSSCA’s reach and visibility. By utilizing the NAJAS-99 guidebook JUSSCA can strengthen its connections, expand its network, and access valuable resources to support its mission of fostering U.S.-Japan friendship and sister city relationships.”

DAVID BRACEY

Secretary

Japan-United States Sister Cities Association

“I can't rave enough about the NAJAS 99 reference book. I LOVE IT! I find myself referencing it all the time for information…”

MICHI CALCAGNO

Executive Director

Japan-America Society of North Carolina

“We are delighted to see your guide of Japan-related organizations.  This document has the potential of bringing people together in a much more efficient way. There is much that we organizations can do to assist each other, and your new publication is a perfect tool for networking at the organizational level. Thanks for your hard work in creating it.”

STEVE BEIMEL

Founder

JapanCraft21

"The NAJAS-99 ... is exactly what I have been hoping for over many years as I've been swimming in the complicated alphabet soup similar acronyms related to US-Japan organizations without fully understanding the bigger picture. Thank you so much for putting this together for all of us who are interested in contributing to collaboration between the US and Japan."

DR. HARUKO AKUTSU

Physician

Tokyo, Japan


U.S.-Tourism Year 2024

On November 30, 2023 U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and Japanese Minister Tetsuo Saito officially designated 2024 as the ‘U.S.-Japan Tourism Year’ to strengthen tourism and business exchanges between the U.S. and Japan which have declined due to the coronavirus pandemic. “This initiative isn’t just about travel; it’s about strengthening ties, boosting economies, and exchanging culture.”

As we work together to share information and support each other’s initiatives, please list any significant events that will 1) draw more than 50 participants and 2) involve travel/tourism and/or U.S.-Japan travelers (not domestic informational events or webinars) along with anticipated attendance. Send events to Carlo Capua at carlo@sistercities.org.

Travel Sweepstakes to Kyoto: NAJAS’ DC neighbors, Japan International Transport and Tourism Institute,, in celebration of the first "U.S.-Japan Tourism Year" and to further deepen tourism exchange, are offering one lucky respondent to their survey on travel to Japan a prize to experience the timeless wonders of historic Kyoto. Learn more about the Sweepstakes  and enter by Feb 28 > 

EXPO 2025

The World Expo in Osaka, Japan – April 13 – Oct 13, 2025

The World Expo is a twice-a-decade global event, and Osaka is billed to draw 28 million people. The Expo will bring together 160 countries at 8 total venues including outdoor amphitheaters, parks, concert stages, and exhibition halls.

Learn more about the USA Pavilion from this presentation (PDF) delivered by Anthony Pahigian, Senior Advisor, International Expositions, U.S. Department of State at the NAJAS 2024 Annual Meeting:

The U.S. Department of State is recruiting volunteers for the Osaka World Expo next year. Learn more and share the link with your network. 



Visit the Expo 2025 Site > Download bilingual pamphlets for Expo 2025 >

For more info, contact: expo@state.gov


Interested in Operating the U.S. Pavilion at EXPO? 

If you are a U.S. small business that is qualified to do so, apply here through mid-October

https://sam.gov/opp/91fdf8fa901f46e98789e34aba3bc593/view 

Of Note: JETRO Chicago Executive Director Hiroyuki Nemoto, long-time friend of NAJAS and societies across the Midwest, in particular, will be sorry to learn of his departure from Chicago this month, but delighted that his next big challenge will be as Senior Vice President & General Manager of the Events Department, Int’l Expo in Japan 2025.

Is your NAJAS-member Japan, Japan-America or Culture Center interested in welcoming official Expo Mascot "Myaku-Myaku" to one of your big events next March or April?  Let NAJAS or the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C. know so we can provide the request form?

Have an idea to organize a society (or Japan-related Organizations) presence at the EXPO?  Share your idea with a note to contact@us-japan.org



BIE-Cosmos Prize Applications due Nov 20

Bureau of International Expositions (BIE), which governs World Expos, is advertising a Euro 20,000 prize for non-profit projects connected to the Expo 2025 theme of “Designing Future Society for our Lives” and sub-themes: Saving Lives, Empowering Lives, and Connecting Lives. The Prize will be awarded at Expo 2025 in Osaka. Download the invitation letter and application (PDF links).


Call for Performers, Speakers and Artists to Represent America in the U.S. Pavilion at EXPO - Deadline: Nov. 30

Under auspices of Meridian International Center, the U.S. Department of State has an open application for an incredible opportunity at next year’s 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan for cultural performers, chefs, artists, dancers, and musicians.  Read here for details. 


U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit – Sept. 16-19, 2025 in Izumisano

Sister Cities will hold their U.S.-Japan Sister Cities Summit set for September 16-19, 2025 in Izumisano, very close to the Expo location in Osaka, convening 600-800 participants, including U.S.-Japan Sister City partners, government entities, NGOs, elected officials, and other key stakeholders. Japan-America Societies are encouraged to join. Download the one-pager on the Summit.

For more information about the Youth Ambassadors Program or the Sisters City Summit, contact:

Carlo Capua Chair, Sister Cities International Board of Directors carlo@sistercities.org


80th Reconciliation Anniversary Year, OBON SOCIETY - NAJAS "Good Luck Flag" Return Campaign


Over the last 15 years, hundreds of Japanese families have received a “Good Luck Flag” from their fallen soldier relative, bringing longed for closure. In 2025, the 80th year of WW2’s end and a twilight time for many of the dwindling number of surviving relatives of the fallen on both sides, our community can help restore many more of these precious remains to their homes.

Learn More - Download OBON Society Flyer (PDF)

A Japanese Soldier's Son Receives a Memento of His Father, Who Was Killed During World War II | Smithsonian (smithsonianmag.com

HISTORIC FLAG TRANSFER CEREMONY
Honoring the Ongoing Unity Between the United States and Japan 
 

October 3,2024, Honolulu, HI      USSM_OBON Society Flag Exchange_Media Advisory_FINAL[1][19].pdf

Norman Y. Mineta Japanese American Confinement Education Grants

In one of the more sobering chapters of U.S. 20th Century history, at least one dozen U.S. states housed internment camps, relocation centers and other “processing” facilities run by different of the United States Government from 1942-45. Now, organizations including the 15 or so Japan and Japan-America societies in those regions may avail of an opportunity to join in reflecting upon the lessons of this time under the National Parks Service Norman Y. Mineta Japanese American Confinement Education Grants, perhaps as partners or even sub-grantees of those specialized in this field.  We are grateful for the work of the U.S.-Japan Council in administering these grants and for sharing word of the opportunity with NAJAS., Interested parties may wish to reach out to Mr. Rob Buscher, Executive Director of the Japanese American Confinement Sites Consortium.

Applications are due Nov. 14, 2024.

Learn more about grant offerings and apply > 


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