What is JAASC?

JAASC is a statewide, nonprofit, federally tax exempt corporation dedicated to fostering and promoting positive relationships among the peoples of the United States and Japan. The JAASC was formed in 1988 due to the large influx of Japanese-owned businesses into South Carolina. As the U.S. and Japan continue to become more intertwined through trade, tech, and finance, JAASC seeks to demonstrate that, though the histories and cultures of our two nations are very different, our values are remarkably similar. Our purpose is to strengthen the bond of friendship between our peoples by continually seeking to foster greater understanding through meaningful educational, social and cultural exchanges.

Examples include the operation of the Japanese Saturday School, a wide variety of social activities, and events in conjunction with the International Center of the Upstate.

JAASC assists the funding of Japanese Saturday Schools in the state. Greenville Saturday School (GSS), which operates out of the The French Bilingual School of South Carolina in Greenville, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2014.

Japanese Saturday Schools help students maintain and advance critical language and other skills in the event that they return to Japan to complete their education or attend university. The curriculum includes Japanese language and literature, mathematics, and a variety of other classes.

Most students enrolled in the K- 12 program of the Saturday School are the children of Japanese employees of Japanese-owned companies in SC, though enrollment is not limited to these.

Japanese Saturday School

2016 Membership

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Official website: jaasc.org facebook.com/JapanAmericaSCtwitter.com/JapanAmerica _SC

Please complete this form and send by mail.

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website: jaasc.org website: gss-school.com

Cultural Events

Tonda Joruri Ningyo Puppet Theater March 2016

The JAASC Cultural Committee schedules activities throughout the year, presenting members the opportunity to participate in casual social and cultural events, golf tournaments, and sports outings. The Committee also organizes two traditional Japanese events, the Shinnenkai New Year’s celebration, and Bon Dance Festival in August.

Tonda Joruri Ningyo Puppet Theater will be be visiting South Carolina in March 2016, as a guest of JAASC and with the help of numerous sponsors, for a series of performances and educational opportunities. This is an historic cultural event you don’t want to miss.

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Official website: jaasc.org facebook.com/JapanAmericaSCtwitter.com/JapanAmerica _SC

Keidanren Chairman Sadayuki Sakakibara and delegation visit South Carolina state house and manufacturing facilities, July 2015

Bon Odori (Japanese folk dance) demonstration by Midori no Kai at Bon Dance Culture Festival, Greenville 2015

Sensei Aaron Blackwell of South Carolina Kyudo Renmei at the SC-hosted International Kyudo Seminar, Spartanburg 2015

Beautiful kimonos at the Bon Dance Culture Festival, Greenville 2015Sensei Woody Ishimori helps a young kendo student put on his

equipment, Greenville 2015

2016 TENTATIVE DATES

January 23 – Shinnenkai New Year’s Party, GreenvilleJanuary – Kendo Seminar and Dan Shinsa, Atlanta, GA

February 26 – MEXT Scholarship Applications DueMarch – Tonda Joruri Ningyo Puppet Theater

March – Upstate International MonthMarch 13~19 – Kyudo Alliance 7-Day Seminar, Simpsonville March – GSS Graduation & Entrance Ceremony, Greenville

April – Japanese Associates Golf TournamentApril 16~17 - All-Carolina Kendo Tournament, Columbia, SC

August – Bon Dance Festival, GreenvilleSeptember 17~18 – Japanfest, Atlanta, GA

October – International Festival, SpartanburgOctober – Japanese Associates Golf Tournament

November 14~17 – SEUS-Japan Conference, Birmingham, AL

For more details, become a JAASC member today.