The Japan America Society of San Antonio, or JASSA, was established in 1985 to foster increased understanding and cooperation between the citizens of San Antonio and the citizens of Japan. As a non-profit, educational and cultural group, it has tried in numerous ways to make Japanese culture become better known in San Antonio. 

JAS-SA Wants YOU!

Japan-America Society of San Antonio is looking for officers and committee volunteers. If you are interested or wish to offer a nomination, please send an email to 2012@jassa.org

Japanese Tea Garden - Jingu House Opens

The Jingu House in the Japanese Tea Gardens of Sunken Gardens reopens on Saturday, October 22, 2011 at 10 am. Many members of the Jingu and Lambert families will be there along with entertainment by Carol Gulley and drumming by Okinawa Taiko.

JAS-SA Events

Each year, JASSA holds a Japanese Matsuri, or festival, in October featuring an array of music, dance, foods, arts and crafts, martial arts, tea ceremony, flower arrangement, and miniature bonsai trees. It responds to many requests from schools to provide all of these same kinds of cultural activities for classes, clubs, and assemblies.  

JASSA regularly participates in the Annual Asian New Year Festival and Texas Folk Life Festival to bring Japanese foods, cultural items, and activities to thousands of people.

In support of Kumamoto En Japanese garden at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, JASSA co-sponsors Kumamoto En Day, providing Japanese foods, calligraphy, origami, miniature sand garden construction, Japanese gardening and bamboo demonstrations, along with tours of Kumamoto En. Proceeds go toward maintenance of the Kumamoto En.

Educational Programs

If you are interested in a Japanese component at your school, university, library, or other organization, please contact Tomoe Kumashiro.

JASSA regularly assists the office of the Consulate General in Houston with the Japanese Speech Contest held at San Antonio College.  The winners of the San Antonio contest proceed to the State Contest.

Educational Activities include events such as the hosting of Mr Masaaki Imai, author of "Kaizen" and "Gemba Kaizen," who gave a lecture to over 150 members of the public. The event was co-sponsored by the City of San Antonio International Department. Also, JASSA sponsors Japanese Language classes for children and adults and Calligraphy Instruction.

JASSA also coordinates an annual College Scholarship Program to promote mutual understanding of the cultures, business environments and people of the United States and Japan. Its purpose is to help strengthen the relationship between San Antonio and its Japanese sister city, Kumamoto, Japan. The program is funded by the generous donations of corporate donors and sponsors. Please click here for more information.

The Hoshuko, or weekend school, is supported and operated by the Japanese Companies Association primarily so that Japanese children who are here temporarily will not fall far behind in their studies. The curriculum followed is that of the Japanese Ministry of Education. JASSA has helped to publicize the school and includes the students in performance at its events, especially the Matsuri.

Japan-America Relations

Through its Sister City Committee, JASSA assists visiting groups and individuals who have come to San Antonio from Kumamoto. This has included meeting and greeting them at the airport, hosting pot luck dinners, serving as the rooting section for baseball teams, assisting TV and other reporters with stories, helping with translation for gardeners, and arranging for large groups of volunteers to assist at the Kumamoto Fair. 

Meetings of the Society are an opportunity to gather with others who are interested in Japan and its culture, whether it is for planning, networking, or just the chance to visit in English and Japanese with others who share that heritage.