Japan-Related Programs

Click on the following headings to jump to the related links below:

Organizations at the University of Michigan
Japanese and Dual Immersion Schools in Southeastern Michigan
Organizations in Michigan
Other U.S.-Based Organizations
Organizations in Japan
Japanese Publications

Organizations at the University of Michigan

Japanese and Dual Immersion Schools in Southeastern Michigan

  • Japan School of Detroit (JSD) - A K-12 school focusing on Japanese language and culture for area students. This school is modeled on the Japanese curricula and targets Japanese heritage learners.
  • Himawari Preschool - A bilingual preschool open to English and Japanese heritage learners. Instruction is conducted in Japanese.
  • Japan American School of South East Michigan (JASSEM) - A dual immersion school open to English and Japanese heritage learners. Created in 2010, this school is currently accepting enrollment in its Kindergarten; new grades will be added as the child continues through the educational system.  

Organizations in Michigan

  • Ann Arbor Bonsai Society - For those interested in the popular hobby of bonsai growing.
  • Consulate General of Japan in Detroit - The homepage of the Consulate General in Detroit. Available in Japanese language and English.
  • Ikebana International Detroit Chapter 85 - Located in Southfield, MI, this group promotes the art of Japanese flower arranging through demonstrations, hands-on workshops, and public exhibitions.
  • Japan-America Society - With offices throughout the United States, the group has a Detroit-Windsor chapter. This link is to a country-wide calendar of events.
  • Japan Business Society of Detroit - Activities directed at helping businesses and individuals identify and maximize opportunities for the benefit of their companies' operation in the Detroit market. The JBSD Foundation grants scholarships to students studying in Japan, and provides financial support to community organizations in the areas of education and research.
  • Japan Center for Michigan Universities - A study abroad program which is a product of the sister-state relationship between the State of Michigan and Shiga Prefecture.
  • Japanese Cultural Center and Tea House - Located in Saginaw, Michigan, the Tea House is one of only a handful of authentic Japanese tea houses in the United States, and is complete with a Japanese garden. Guests may make reservations to attend a tea ceremony, led by practitioners trained in chanoyu (the art of tea) and wearing traditional Japanese garb. The center also offers classes for all ages in Japanese calligraphy, ikebana, origami, bonsai, and the tea ceremony. For more information, please contact the center at 527 Ezra Rust Drive, Saginaw, MI, 48601; Tel: 517.759.1648, or visit their web page.
  • Michigan-Shiga Sister State Program - Established as a result of the formal Sister State Agreement between the State of Michigan and Shiga Prefecture that was signed on November 14, 1968. The goals of this program are to unite the people of Michigan and the people of Shiga in bonds of friendship and to promote mutual understanding of the peoples of the world.

Other U.S.-Based Organizations

  • Asian Reading Room - The Asian Reading Room is the primary public access point for researchers seeking to use the Asian collections of the Library of Congress in the many languages of Asia. The reading room covers the area from the South Asian subcontinent and Southeast Asia to China, Japan, and Korea. With almost 2 million books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, and electronic media, the collections are the most comprehensive sources of Asian language materials outside of Asia. Area Specialists and Reference Librarians provide in-depth reference assistance on questions concerning Asia. Western language materials about Asia are part of the general collection but can be requested in either the Asian Reading Room or the Main Reading Room.
  • Association for Asian Studies - The professional organization of scholars and others interested in Asia. Includes Asian Studies Newsletter, job listings, publications, and information on the annual meeting.
  • Asia Society - an international organization dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States through art exhibitions and performances, films, lectures, seminars and conferences, publications and assistance to the media, and materials and programs for students and teachers.
  • Council on East Asian Libraries - Among the services the CEAL provides are a) serve as a faculty-librarians' forum for the discussion of East Asian library problems of common concern; (b) formulate programs for the development of East Asian library resources, bibliographic controls, and access; and (c) improve inter-library and international cooperation in East Asian library development and services.
  • H-Japan - H-NET (Humanities Online) Discussion List for Japanese Studies.
  • Japan Document Center - The Japan Documentation Center (JDC) provides up-to-the-minute information on Japan in a wide range of public policy and research fields, including legislation, judicial decisions, economics, commerce and industry, the environment, politics, social conditions, and national defense. Headquartered at the Library of Congress, JDC is a joint undertaking between the Library and the Center for Global Partnership of the Japan Foundation.
  • Japan Foundation - Promotes the exchange of culture and the arts as well as overseas Japanese language and Japanese studies education.
  • Japan Society - Private, nonprofit, nonpolitical institution offering programs in the arts, business, education and public affairs.
  • Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission - Independent federal agency that provides support for training and information to help prepare Americans to better meet the challenges and opportunities in the US-Japan relationship through grant programs for institutions.
  • JETRO Chicago - The Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) is a nonprofit, Japanese government-supported organization dedicated to promoting mutually beneficial trade and economic relationships between Japan and other nations. JETRO Chicago coordinates activities for the Midwest United States, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
  • National Association of Japan-America Societies - Offers educational, cultural and business programs about Japan and U.S.-Japan relations to the general public through its member Japan and Japan-America Societies.
  • Online Resources for Japanese Studies
  • Portal to Asian Internet Resourcs (PAIR)
  • United States - Japan Foundation - Provides information on grants, grantees and various links to Japan-US related information.

Organizations in Japan

Japanese Publications

  • Newspapers (in English) include Asahi, Daily Yomiuri, Mainichi, and The Japan Times.
  • Journals (in English) include Bulletin of Concerned Asian Scholars (quarterly), Japan Echo (bimonthly), Japanese Journal Info (table-of-contents of current Japanese journals), Social Science Japan (Institute of Social Science, University of Tokyo Tokyo). Japan Focus is a weekly email digest with topical features. Nipponia is a quarterly about culture and society.