JAPAN ALASKA ASSOCIATION
アラスカ日本人会
Welcome! ようこそ！
Our Mission:
The mission of the Japan Alaska Association (JAA) is to promote friendship between Alaska and Japan by creating opportunities within Alaska to share, preserve and celebrate Japanese traditions and culture. JAA also provides opportunities to develop friendly relations and mutual understanding between Japanese people and the residents of Alaska and contributes to the peaceful international friendship between Japan and the United States.
アラスカ日本人会（Japan Alaska Association)は、日本の伝統・文化を地域の人々と分かち合うことを通して、日本とアラスカの相互理解の促進を目指し、さらには日米の友好関係を深めてゆくこと目的としている非営利団体です。
ABOUT JAA
The Japan Alaska Association, formerly known as the Japanese Society of Alaska, was established certified as a 501(c)4 non-profit organization by the State of Alaska on June 28th, 1988. Almost 30 years later, the Japan Alaska Association assumed 501(c)3 non-profit status to expand its capacity to serve our Alaskan community and US-Japan relations. JAA partners with the Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage to host the annual Japanese Summer Festival and hosts a range of community events including the Rice Pounding Festival, New Years Celebration, Kotatsu Series community discussions and joint potlucks to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations. Anyone interested in promoting JAA’s mission is welcome to become a member.
The Japan Alaska Associationは, 前身であるJapanese Society of Alaskaが1988年6月28日にアラスカ州より501(c)4 非営利団体として承認を受けています。約30年後、The Japan Alaska Associationはその規模を拡張して、更にアラスカのコミュニティーと日米関係に役立てるため、501(c)3の非営利団体になりました。JAAは、日米関係を深めるため、在アンカレジ領事事務所のご協力で、恒例となっている「夏まつり」「餅つき大会」「新年総会」「こたつシリーズ座談会」を開催しています。JAAの活動の促進に共感される方であれば、どなたでも会員になれます。
ANNUAL EVENTS
JAA Summer Festival ”夏祭り”
On the first Saturday of August, the Japan Alaska Association (JAA) hosts the Japanese Summer Festival, which is held at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Lucy Cuddy Hall and Quad. This year's festival on Saturday, 4th of August from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm, will mark 30 years of JSA and JAA in our community. The Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage is the event co-host and many Japan-Alaska organizations partner with JAA to host our biggest event of the year. The past several years have proved to be extremely successful with thousands of people joining in the festivities including authentic Japanese festival games, Japanese food, Bon Dancing, Taiko drumming, Watermelon Smashing, Tea Ceremony, Ikebana (flower arrangement), and more.
Annual Membership New Years ”総会”
The JAA Board and Advisors prepare traditional Japanese New Years dishes for the annual Members' New Years Celebration and General Membership Meeting in January. In 2018, we celebrated the New Year with a Karaoke Contest at the event. This is a members-only event, but a great time to become a member, enjoy great food and make new friends.
JAA Rice Pounding Festival ”餅つき大会”
The JAA Rice Pounding Festival is held on the first Sunday in December each year at the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center (Northwood Elementary School Multipurpose Room). Please bring your friends and family to participate in traditional events to bring in the New Year, such as rice pounding, eating mochi and playing Hanetsuki game.
JAA (JSA) History
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The Japanese Society of Alaska (JSA) was certified as a 501(c)4 non-profit organization by the State of Alaska on June 28th, 1988.
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Attu Island Memorial Monument was built in Anchorage by Japanese Society of Alaska.
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After 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami, Japan Relief Fund of Alaska Foundation (JPRF) has organized fundraiser events and raised more than $100,000 by Alaskans. All raised funds were sent to the victims of the disaster through Japanese Red Cross Society. Japan Society of Alaska (JSA) also partnered with JPRF for those events.
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In 2014, JSA organized the performance of Japanese Koto Artist Yukiko Matsuyama.
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Sponsored in part by JSA, the Asian Alaskan Cultural Center presents the musical play The Samurai Musher: The Story of Jujiro Wada on May 1st, 2015.
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August 1st, 2015, a record number of 5,000 people attend the JSA Summer Festival.
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February 2016, the Japan Alaska Association (JAA) is established as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and the Japanese Society of Alaska is dissolved.
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February 2016, JAA introduces a new initiative to preserve and honor stories of members of the Japanese community through a discussion series called, “Kotatsu Series.”
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June 29, 2017, JAA hosts the first annual potluck to welcome members of the Japan Self Defense Force to Alaska, during their U.S.-Japan joint-training sessions at JBER.
CONTACT
JAPAN ALASKA ASSOCIATION
アラスカ日本人会
P.O. Box 241232 Anchorage AK United States 99524