Connect to Japan in DC

Volunteer with JASWDC and get involved in your community! The Japan-America Society of Washington DC welcomes all those wishing to volunteer with us throughout the year. Specific volunteer opportunities vary by season.

If you would like to volunteer with an organization dedicated to fostering the US-Japan friendship at the local level, we would love to have you! Please complete the form below to be added to our general volunteer list and receive emails with volunteer opportunities. If you would like to volunteer for a specific upcoming program, or have a detailed question, please e-mail us at [email protected].

Volunteer Opportunities

Spring

Sakura Matsuri – Japanese Street Festival — As the largest celebration of Japanese culture in the United States and a participating event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, the Sakura Matsuri alone requires over 30 committee members to organize and implement the festival, and over 600 day-of volunteers.

National Japan Bowl — The National Japan Bowl is America’s premier Japanese-language competition, now in its 31st year. Each spring the Japan-America Society of Washington DC welcomes 200 of the country’s top high school Japanese language students to the nation’s capital for the competition.

Summer

During summer, JASWDC needs volunteers for the Japan-in-a-Suitcase program, which runs throughout the year. Japan in a Suitcase is an educational outreach program that the Society offers free of charge. Its purpose is to promote the understanding of Japan and Japanese culture among local elementary school children. Teams of English-speaking and Japanese-speaking volunteers will visit elementary schools to make presentations on Japan and Japanese culture.  Each team will be provided with a curriculum outline and a suitcase containing cultural items. Volunteers will help students learn how to say some Japanese greetings, how to count in Japanese, how to use chopsticks, etc.  

The Society may also hold mid-sized programs around this time that may require some volunteers.

Fall & Winter

In fall and winter, the Society holds its annual US-Japan Capital Gala, as well as other mid-sized programs like the Japan-US Military Program Event at the National War College and Japan in the Year.